Derek Fugate claims Kentucky State Championship on last ball

blog post courtesy of Derek Fugate

The State Championship Series sanctioned by the IFPA (International Flipper Pinball Association) concluded in states around the country on Feb. 8 crowning state champions, many of which will converge in Colorado later this year. Derek Fugate, currently ranked 52nd in the world and Kentucky's highest ranked player, held off competitors in stiff competition to claim the Kentucky State Championship.

Fugate, who qualified for the state championship series through tournaments held during 2013, was one of 16 players who were eligible to play for the crown, but winning Kentucky's first state championship didn't come easy.

Fugate was ahead three games to one in the best of seven finale, but third-seed Jim Seward came roaring back to tie the contest at three games apiece and appeared poised to steal the victory from the favored Fugate. In game seven, Fugate's first two balls drained harmlessly through the out-lanes, garnering few points, while Seward amassed what appeared to be an insurmountable advantage.

However, while Fugate appeared to be dead in the water, his final ball proved to be one of the best of the day drawing applause from fellow competitors. The remarkable effort pushed him well ahead. Seward from Columbus, OH, currently ranked 1073rd in the world, had one last chance and had a great ball, but not good enough to regain the lead.

Fugate, the No. 1 seed, had added pressure, first, by being "expected to win" and second, by hosting the event with his varied and comprehensive collection of modern and vintage machines. All in all it was a great afternoon of competition, but when it came down to the nitty-gritty, Fugate proved his ranking with the highly improbable victory.

The IFPA currently has 22,274 players from around the world and will hold its 11th annual World Pinball Championship in Denver, Colorado in May. Featuring 64 of the world's greatest players from over a dozen countries, the IFPA World Championship is the most prestigious event in competitive pinball. Fugate is grateful to be one of those who'll be competing for the world title.