The IFPA is excited to announce that the following players are now qualified for the $tern Rewards Program based on their October and November 2015 IFPA endorsed tournament performance! These players have until August 15th, 2016 to exercise their reward option.

PLAYER OF THE MONTH – [player]Daniele Celestino Acciari[/player]
BIGGEST MOVER AWARD – [player]Adrian Weber[/player]
BIGGEST MOVER AWARD – [player]Rachel Karlic[/player]
BIGGEST MOVER AWARD – [player]Troy Hall[/player]
BIGGEST MOVER AWARD – [player]Joe Ciaravino[/player]
BIGGEST MOVER AWARD – [player]Emily Hobbs[/player]
BIGGEST MOVER AWARD – [player]Johnny Rudell[/player]

The $tern Rewards Program rewards dedicated players by providing them with the opportunity to use their rewards to purchase new Stern Premium games and other Stern merchandise at special IFPA prices.

Qualifying participants will also be eligible for discounts at the Stern online store which features a wide range of Stern and $tern Rewards Program merchandise exclusive to the IFPA rewards program.

Pinball players around the world can qualify for the program by participating and performing in IFPA-sanctioned pinball events. Top-ranked players, most-improved players, and player-of-the-month earn rewards points in the annual program.

To learn more about the $tern Rewards Program, visit the IFPA website at www.ifpapinball.com/SternRewardsProgram

The IFPA is pleased to announce that the following players saw the biggest jump in their world ranking based on their November 2015 tournament performance.

The biggest movers for November 2015 included [player]Joe Ciaravino[/player] from Canada, who moved up 14,506 spots from the following results:

Joe moved up to a rank of 5692nd in the world, and 255th in the Michigan SCS.

[player]Emily Hobbs[/player] from Austin, AR  moved up 13,019 spots from the following results:

Emily moved up to a rank of 5176th in the world, and 111th in the Texas SCS.

[player]Johnny Rudell[/player] from Milwaukee, WI moved up 12,822 spots from the following results:

Johnny moved up to a rank of 7228th in the world, and 149th in the Wisconsin SCS.

Congratulations to Joe, Emily and Johnny, as well as the other players that saw a jump in their ranking from their November tournament performance!

The IFPA is pleased to announce that the following players saw the biggest jump in their world ranking based on their October 2015 tournament performance.

The biggest movers for October 2015 included [player]Adrian Weber[/player] from California, who moved up 16,030 spots from the following results:

Adrian moved up to a rank of 5344th in the world, and 230th in the California SCS.

[player]Rachel Karlic[/player] from Chicago, IL  moved up 12,779 spots from the following results:

Rachel moved up to a rank of 3553rd in the world, and 95th in the Illinois SCS.

[player]Troy Hall[/player] from Lone Tree, CO moved up 10,131 spots from the following results:

Troy moved up to a rank of 7066th in the world, and 108th in the Colorado SCS.

Congratulations to Adrian, Rachel and Troy, as well as the other players that saw a jump in their ranking from their October tournament performance!

The IFPA is pleased to announce that our Player of the Month for November 2015 is [player]Daniele Celestino Acciari[/player] from Rocca di Papa, Italy. Daniele earned a total of 149.13 WPPR points in November. This included the following results:

Daniele is currently ranked 3rd in the world and is in the top qualifying position for the 2015-16 European Championship Series, as well as sitting in 4th place in the Kentucky SCS.

The rest of the top 5 for the month of November included [player]Steven Bowden[/player] from Franklin Township, NJ with 131.44 WPPR points, [player]Peter Andersen[/player] from Waterloo, Denmark with 128.35 WPPR points, [player]Laszlo Horn[/player] from Budapest, Hungary with 116.07 WPPR points, and [player]Trent Augenstein[/player] from Delaware, OH with 104.55 WPPR points.

Congratulations to Daniele and the other top WPPR point earners of the month!

The IFPA is pleased to announce that our Player of the Month for October 2015 is [player]Steven Bowden[/player] from Franklin Township, NJ. Steven earned a total of 252.63 WPPR points in September. This included the following results:

Steven is currently ranked 4th in the world and is in the top qualifying position for both the New Jersey and New York SCS, as well as in the top 16 for Pennsylvania, Illinois and Connecticut.

The rest of the top 5 for the month of October included [player]Jorian Engelbrektsson[/player] from Stockholm, Sweden with 190.35 WPPR points, [player]Paul Jongma[/player] from the Netherlands with 145.67 WPPR points, [player]Trent Augenstein[/player] from Delaware, OH with 133.28 WPPR points, and [player]Daniele Celestino Acciari[/player] from Italy with 129.73 WPPR points.

Congratulations to Steven and the other top WPPR point earners of the month!

As we come to an end of another season, the 2016 season brings us some additional challenges with the changeover to our WPPR v5.2 system.

Up first is closing the books on 2015, and in order to do that we are asking that any organizer that has open tournament results submit those to us by January 9th. Furthermore, any corrections to player misspellings, incorrect results, improper scoring issues, etc, all need to be addressed by January 9th as well. Please take some time to review your own personal results to see if anything looks out of place.

Our plan is to lock down 2015 on January 9th, and use the standings at that time for IFPA World Championship qualifying purposes, as well as the other Championship Series purposes (State Championship Series, European Championship Series, etc). Any errors caught after that point in time will NOT impact the 2015 standings, although those changes will be reflected in the 2016 rankings going forward.

Please be patient if you notice 2016 results are not being approved and put into the WPPR system as quickly as you are accustomed to seeing. We have some formula changes to make that will end up impacting all of the historical results in the system, and this can’t happen until we close 2015 for good.

Any questions please contact us at ifpapinball@gmail.com, and remember that if your profile doesn’t say ‘Registered’ with a green check mark, that we do NOT have your email address on file. This means we will not be able to contact you for any IFPA World Championship or other Championship Series qualifying issues.

Bob Matthews, playing for the AFC East, wins a Limited Edition Gridiron Greats “Star Series” Medallion set.

Bob also received an entry to the 2nd Annual FWTG Pinball Showdown at Alice Cooper’stown, Jan 28-31 in Phoenix, Az., to compete for a Brand New Pinball!

Next week’s drawing – Just off the Fed Ex truck – A nice collection of Alice Cooper / Solid Rock Memorabilia that includes Autographed Poster and Photo, enameled Pinback, and Guitar pick collection.

As always, next week’s drawing will also include an entry to the Cooper’stown Pinball Showdown Party, Jan. 28-31.

Next drawing will be held on Wed., Dec. 16^th.

Buy your Personalized IFPA/FWTG Medallion Now and join the “Fantasy League” to get in on the BIG Prize Awards!

We will be giving away a Firepower 2 Pinball next month to one lucky player…it could be you!

Reminder – The Fantasy League “Division” with the highest combined player WPPR Point total, will receive a bonus round of prize giveaways to its players at the conclusion of the 2015 FWTG Campaign.

Also – There is still time to schedule a Flippin’ With the Greats tournament in YOUR area!

IFPA/FWTG tournaments may be scheduled for any date, up to and including, Jan 24^th.

Please visit Gridironsupport.org to see the tournament schedule AND View the Prizes to be awarded to ALL First Place Finishers.

Entries to Alice Cooper’s Pinball Showdown will also be awarded to tournament winners and directors.

Please consider scheduling a FWTG Tournament in your area to benefit Coach Ditka’s Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund AND Alice Cooper’s Solid Rock Teen Center.

For more information or questions, please call Vicki @ 612-999-FWTG (3984)

A quick reminder that there are TWO components of the Flippin’ With the Greats campaign:

1) The FANTASY LEAGUE – A “League” where IFPA members can support their favorite NFL team (and win cool stuff) by simply buying an IFPA medallion Personalized with the Player’s name, IFPA #, and the NFL team they support.  Great prizes will be distributed to League Participants throughout the season. Click HERE for more details.

2) The TOURNAMENT SERIES – A Nationwide series of tournaments to be scheduled throughout the NFL season culminating in the SUPER BOWL Pinball Party at Alice Cooperstown in Phoenix, Az. Click HERE for more details.

The Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund (GGAF) is a non-stock, non-profit 501(c)3 organization, providing financial grants and “pro bono” medical assistance to retired NFL players in dire need.  The organization focuses on the humanitarian side of post-football related issues, which include coordination of social services to retired players who are in need due to a variety of reasons including inadequate disability and/or pensions.

Alice Cooper’s Solid Rock is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, also. Solid Rock’s primary mission is to make an everlasting difference in the lives of teens by helping them meet their spiritual, economical, physical, and social need.  Alice Cooper’s Rock Teen Center offers a safe, engaging environment during non-school hours –a time when they are most vulnerable to drugs, violence, and gangs. Maintaining a teen’s worst enemy is too much time on their hands Solid Rock provides the music, arts, vocational programs and fellowship that challenge teens to discover their passion through music, dance, self-expression, and creativity. Learn more at www.alicecoopersolidrock.com.

Support and Follow our 2015 Flippin’ With the Greats Pinball Campaign and “Like” Gridiron Support on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/gridironsupport.org

The IFPA and Namco’s Level 257 are pleased to announce the start of a new monthly pinball ‘Super League’ at the Schaumburg Level 257 location in Woodfield Mall. The kickoff party tournament will take place on Tuesday, January 5th at 7pm.

Details for the kickoff party tournament:

Entry fee will be $5 plus the cost of games. Tournament format will be best game qualifying (100-90-85-84 scoring), with one attempt allowed on each machine. The top 4 players will advance to the finals to play a 3-game PAPA style final (40/30/20/10% payout).

Level 257 will be offering special “pinball game cards” which will allow IFPA players the ability to play the pinball machines on a per credit basis rather than having to purchase time cards to participate. These cards will be available for purchase at the front desk for $20, with each game available at $.75 per play starting January 5th and going forward.

Immediately following the kickoff party tournament, the LEVEL 257 MONTHLY PINBALL SUPER LEAGUE will officially begin. Qualifying will be available all month during business hours, with the finals of each month happening on the first Tuesday at 7pm (last qualifying game starts at 6:30pm the night of Finals). Players will be able to play as often as they want, with their highest submitted score being used for the qualifying standings for each game included in the tournament.

Here is how it will work:

STEP 1 – Fill out a registration form at the front desk and pay the $5 entry fee to join

STEP 2 – Play anytime! Take pictures of  your best scores and email to  ifpapinball@gmail.com! All photos must include a picture of the player and their score on the display.

STEP 3 – Follow along the LIVE standings at: http://www.neverdrains.com/level257

STEP 4 – FINALS NIGHT! First Tuesday of every month at 7pm! Win cash and prizes! All participants from the month are invited to finals. The top 4 spots will play the “A” finals, next 4 in the “B” finals, next 4 in the “C” finals, etc. The winner of every division will win $10, with the remaining entry fees going to the top 4 finishers (40/30/20/10%). Should there be more than 40 players for the month the “A” division will feature the top 8 finalists instead of the top 4. Finals format will be PAPA style 3-game rounds.

Robert Gagno, playing in the AFC West (Seattle) was last week’s FWTG random drawing winner of a beautiful Wild Africa Slot Machine!

Congrats to Robert on this great addition to his awesome home Game Room!

As we all recall, Robert demonstrated exceptional Pinball skill by winning the Brand New Stern Mustang Pinball Machine last year at the 2014 Flippin’ With the Greats Final Tournament in Las Vegas.

Not only is Robert one of the best Competitive Pinball players, he is also One Lucky Guy!!

Along with the Wild Africa Slot Machine, Robert also is awarded an entry to the 2^nd Annual FWTG 2015 Final Pinball Tournament Party at Alice Cooper’s sports bar – “Cooper’stown”.

Next Week’s Fantasy League Giveaway drawing will be for a valuable Limited Edition Set of 6 Gridiron Greats “Star Series” Medallions, each Epoxy Colored with Matching Serial Numbers.

As always, next week’s drawing will also include an entry to the Cooper’stown Final event.

Next week’s drawing will be held on Wed, Dec 2^nd at 8pm (CST).

Join the FWTG “Fantasy League” NOW, to get in on this and ALL future prize drawings, including a FIREPOWER 2 Pinball Machine!

Reminder – The Fantasy League “Division” with the highest combined player WPPR Point total, will receive a bonus round of prize giveaways to its players at the conclusion of the 2015 FWTG Campaign.

Also… Anyone interested in participating in a Flippin’ With the Greats “Tournament” (Or scheduling a FWTG tournament in your area?), please visit Gridironsupport.org to view the complete FWTG tournament schedule AND the PRIZE POOL (with pics!) available to All Regional Tournament First Place Finishers.

Please consider scheduling an FWTG Tournament in your area to benefit Coach Ditka’s Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund AND Alice Cooper’s Solid Rock Teen Center.

IFPA/FWTG tournaments may be scheduled on any date up to and including, Jan 24^th 2016.

For more information or questions, please call Vicki @ 612-999-3984(FWTG)

A quick reminder that there are TWO components of the Flippin’ With the Greats campaign:

1) The FANTASY LEAGUE – A “League” where IFPA members can support their favorite NFL team (and win cool stuff) by simply buying an IFPA medallion Personalized with the Player’s name, IFPA #, and the NFL team they support.  Great prizes will be distributed to League Participants throughout the season. Click HERE for more details.

2) The TOURNAMENT SERIES – A Nationwide series of tournaments to be scheduled throughout the NFL season culminating in the SUPER BOWL Pinball Party at Alice Cooperstown in Phoenix, Az. Click HERE for more details.

The Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund (GGAF) is a non-stock, non-profit 501(c)3 organization, providing financial grants and “pro bono” medical assistance to retired NFL players in dire need.  The organization focuses on the humanitarian side of post-football related issues, which include coordination of social services to retired players who are in need due to a variety of reasons including inadequate disability and/or pensions.

Alice Cooper’s Solid Rock is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, also. Solid Rock’s primary mission is to make an everlasting difference in the lives of teens by helping them meet their spiritual, economical, physical, and social need.  Alice Cooper’s Rock Teen Center offers a safe, engaging environment during non-school hours –a time when they are most vulnerable to drugs, violence, and gangs. Maintaining a teen’s worst enemy is too much time on their hands Solid Rock provides the music, arts, vocational programs and fellowship that challenge teens to discover their passion through music, dance, self-expression, and creativity. Learn more at www.alicecoopersolidrock.com.

Support and Follow our 2015 Flippin’ With the Greats Pinball Campaign and “Like” Gridiron Support on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/gridironsupport.org

Twin Galaxies, in close partnership with the International Flipper Pinball Association (IFPA) has jointly decided to open the all-new adjudication process to the pinball community as an exciting experiment to see if competitive leaderboard pinball can once again take place successfully on the Twin Galaxies scoreboards!

The inaugural pinball game is The Walking Dead from Stern Pinball (http://www.sternpinball.com/games/the-walking-dead/pro) and there is  a special BOUNTY reward for the player who is able to hold on to the #1 rank spot!!!

Whomever is in the #1 rank position by SCS Day (February 13th, 2016, 6pm CST) will receive $100 cash, a custom TWD trophy, and signed TWD translite.

“We are very excited about this opportunity to work with Twin Galaxies and bring more options into the competitive pinball world,” said Josh Sharpe, President of the IFPA, “we hope that the Twin Galaxies leaderboards can be a fun way to have year round competition in-between our official IFPA events!”

“It is an honor to be working with Josh Sharpe and the Pinball community. It is our fondest wish to be able to bring additional value and recognition to pinball players everywhere and help include them into the overall worldwide perception electronic gaming community that Twin Galaxies fiercely supports.”

If you are new to Twin Galaxies and want  to compete, you can visit this link to learn how to sign up (its free!)
http://www.twingalaxies.com/help

The Twin Galaxies rules and competitive track can be found here:
http://www.twingalaxies.com/scores.php?scores=197392&ref=fbshare

A tutorial on how to record your pinball submission can be found here:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8eeEvH3m4jaL4vKSDxVJM9QCYOvHaQiq

Any questions please contact the IFPA at ifpapinball@gmail.com