Adam Becker sidelined . . . approval delays

Posted By Josh Sharpe, on November 10, 2016

man hand and arm holding a signboard with the text out of office written in it

Over the last 7 months Adam Becker has taken over all of the calendar submission and results approvals at the IFPA. We know how anxious tournament directors and players are to see their calendar submissions approved and results posted quickly, so we wanted to make a quick announcement that Adam is going to be sidelined for a bit with appendicitis.

If you’re wondering why you haven’t heard back from the IFPA regarding your event, that’s why.

We wish Adam to best of luck on a quick recovery, and for those that played in Expo’s Flip Out tournament, Trent Augenstein hasn’t submitted any results yet anyway so you can still blame him.

0 Comments »

Flippin’ With Greats “Fantasy Football Club” Player Maya Nigrosh Catches Autographed NFL Hall of Fame (3) Medallion Set

Posted By Josh Sharpe, on November 01, 2016

black-tie-slotCongratulations to Maya on winning the Gridiron Greats Limited Edition, Autographed NFL Hall of Fame Medallion Set featuring Steve Largent, Dan Hampton, and Joe Greene!  Also Included in Maya’s Prize Package – An Invite to the FWTG Cooper’stown Final Pinball Showdown!

Next week’s FFC giveaway is BIG – “Black Tie” Slot Machine BIG!

In addition to the “Black Tie” slot machine, next week’s drawing (Thursday November 10th 8 PM CST) includes an Invitation to the Cooper’stown Final Pinball Party.

As noted, winners of large items will be responsible for any shipping charges (we will help line up a wholesale freight carrier), or the item can be picked up in the Minneapolis area.

As an alternative prize, Gridiron Support is offering a set of 5 GGAF Medallions with matching numbers, if the winner declines the slot machine as their prize.

Check out Pictures from last season’s Cooper’stown party with Alice Cooper – Click HERE

Additional upcoming prizes to be awarded randomly to FFC Members include-

• 20 Invitations to Alice & Coach’s Final Super Bowl / Pinball Tournament Party Event at Cooper’stown Sports Bar (Phoenix, AZ) to compete for a Brand New Pinball Machine.
• Reconditioned Pinball Machine
• Alice Cooper Autographed “Hollywood Vampires” CD
• Limited Edition Alice Cooper & Coach Ditka Collector Medallions
• Vintage Casino Slot and/or Video Poker Machines (for home game room use only)
• Rock & Roll Memorabilia
• NOS Pinball Translites
• Autographed Football Collectibles

To join the Fantasy Football Club and become eligible for This and ALL upcoming giveaways – Click HERE

A quick reminder – There are TWO components of the Flippin’ With the Greats Campaign… Details at www.gridironsupport.org

1) The “Fantasy Football Club” – A club where Pinball Enthusiasts can support their favorite NFL teams (and win GREAT Stuff!) by simply buying and Creating a PERSONALIZED IFPA/FWTG Medallion to include the player’s name, IFPA #, and the NFL Team they support. Great prizes will be distributed to Club Members 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 Cooper’stown in Phoenix, AZ. Click HERE for more details.

Be sure to join the 2016 IFPA FWTG Series (Group) on Facebook. For more up to the minute information Click HERE

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. Learn more at www.gridirongreats.org

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 2016 Flippin’ With the Greats Pinball Campaign and please “Like” Gridiron Support on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/gridironsupport.org

0 Comments »

$tern Rewards Program – Eligible game list expanded!

Posted By Josh Sharpe, on November 01, 2016

rewardThe IFPA is excited to announce that Stern has added some titles to the rewards program. A reminder that the 2015 rewards earned by players expire at the end of this year.

The following games are now available under the program: WWE Pro, Kiss Pro, Kiss Premium, Metallica Pro, Game of Thrones Pro, Game of Thrones Premium, The Walking Dead Pro.

Detailed rules for the $tern Rewards Program, including an updated list of qualifiers, and updated list of rewards available can be found HERE.

0 Comments »

IFPA Women’s World Champion prize increased to $2000!

Posted By Josh Sharpe, on October 27, 2016

sternIt’s fair to say sponsorship of the IFPA Women’s World Pinball Championship is now trending!

Following the anonymous $250 donation matching Spooky Pinball’s $250 donation, Stern Pinball has stepped up to sponsor the Women’s World Champion with the donation of an official topper from their catalog ($500 value).

This now puts the top prize at $2000 . . . will it ever stop??

0 Comments »

IFPA Women’s World Champion prize increased to $1500!

Posted By Josh Sharpe, on October 27, 2016

bnquestionmarkface041213-460x408Shortly after the announcement of Spooky Pinball’s sponsorship of the IFPA Women’s World Pinball Championship the IFPA received a mysterious email into our inbox.

An anonymous donor has agreed to match their $250 donation to the World Champion prize!

This now puts the top prize at $1500 . . . and growing?? We will certainly follow up with any future news!

0 Comments »

Spooky Pinball sponsors IFPA Women’s World Pinball Championship!

Posted By Josh Sharpe, on October 27, 2016
my-ghostieAfter announcing a campaign with the Pinball Outreach Project to raise additional prize money for the Women’s World Pinball Championship, we were able to cross that $1000 threshold for top prize.

Today we’re excited to announce that Spooky Pinball is stepping up to sponsor the Women’s Championship by adding an additional $250 of cold hard cash to woman that claims the title of World Champion in March 2017.

Spooky Pinball is Wisconsin’s only pinball manufacturer, and the worlds oldest active pinball podcast. Learn more at www.spookypinball.com.

0 Comments »

Flippin’ With Greats “Fantasy Football Club” Player Alysa Parks Reels in Alice Cooper Prize Package, Next Giveaway – Autographed NFL Hall of Fame Medallion Set

Posted By Josh Sharpe, on October 19, 2016

medallion-setAlysa Parks is the Winner of the Autographed Alice Cooper Poster, Autographed Hollywood Vampires cd, and Alice Cooper Medallion.  But most important to Alysa – she is Invited to the FWTG Cooper’stown Pinball Showdown!  Congrats Alysa!

Next week’s FFC giveaway drawing is for a LIMITED EDITION 3 Medallion Set of NFL Hall of Fame Players (Joe Greene, Steve Largent, and Dan Hampton), with Certificate of Authenticity signed by all 3 players (Retail value $450).

As Always, next week’s drawing (Thursday, October 27th) will also include an Invitation to the Cooper’stown Final Pinball Party!

Check out Pictures from last season’s Cooper’stown party with Alice Cooper – Click HERE

Additional upcoming prizes to be awarded randomly to FFC Members include-

• 20 Invitations to Alice & Coach’s Final Super Bowl / Pinball Tournament Party Event at Cooper’stown Sports Bar (Phoenix, AZ) to compete for a Brand New Pinball Machine.
• Reconditioned Pinball Machine
• Alice Cooper Autographed “Hollywood Vampires” CD
• Limited Edition Alice Cooper & Coach Ditka Collector Medallions
• Vintage Casino Slot and/or Video Poker Machines (for home game room use only)
• Rock & Roll Memorabilia
• NOS Pinball Translites
• Autographed Football Collectibles

To join the Fantasy Football Club and become eligible for This and ALL upcoming giveaways – Click HERE

A quick reminder – There are TWO components of the Flippin’ With the Greats Campaign… Details at www.gridironsupport.org

1) The “Fantasy Football Club” – A club where Pinball Enthusiasts can support their favorite NFL teams (and win GREAT Stuff!) by simply buying and Creating a PERSONALIZED IFPA/FWTG Medallion to include the player’s name, IFPA #, and the NFL Team they support. Great prizes will be distributed to Club Members 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 Cooper’stown in Phoenix, AZ. Click HERE for more details.

Be sure to join the 2016 IFPA FWTG Series (Group) on Facebook. For more up to the minute information Click HERE

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. Learn more at www.gridirongreats.org

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 2016 Flippin’ With the Greats Pinball Campaign and please “Like” Gridiron Support on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/gridironsupport.org

0 Comments »

IFPA Op-Ed: #1 Races: World Greatest, Women, Youth, plus Circuit and more

Posted By Josh Sharpe, on October 18, 2016

blog post courtesy of Bob Matthews

First, here’s the latest on the Worlds Greatest Pinball Player race.  Each of the “Four Horsemen” had a good result within the past few weeks.  Jorian won at EPC and Boras.  Daniele was 3rd at EPC and 2nd in Belgium.  Keith won Expo (Chicago), with Zach 2nd.  Expo’s results won’t be uploaded for a while yet, but I’ve estimated them for now.  Here’s where things will stand once Expo is reflected in a week or two.
Keith will be in the 1070 point range, with no pending WPPR decay the rest of this year.
Zach will be in the mid 1020’s with just a couple points of decay pending.
Jorian, now at 1019.65, will drop to 972.7 at year-end.
Daniele, now at 1007.99, will drop to 982.7
Keith’s lead is pretty solid considering what the others need to do to catch him.  Zach has a shot, but it will be really difficult for either Jorian or Daniele.  Zach would need 2 top-level results to catch him; Jorian and Daniele would need 4 each.  And by top level, that’s 55+ WPPRS, e.g. winning a circuit-level event like Buffalo (57), Boras (55) or the Dutch Masters (55).  Recall that when you earn 55 WPPRs, your ranking total only goes up by 25 if your lowest top-20 result that it replaces is worth 30 points.  Of course, if Keith wins anything else of consequence this year, it’s lights out.
Womens Rankings
The Womens Rankings don’t get a lot of attention, but I thought it was time to point something out. As far as I can tell, Helena Walter, currently ranked 82nd (352.67), has been the top-ranked woman pinball player since some time in 2004. With their performances at the Vancouver Flip-Out, both Robin Lassonde at #100 (331.57) and Louise Wagensonner at #117 (316.26), both from California, are now within striking distance of claiming the top spot. Helena’s record over the years speaks for itself (played in 4 IFPAs, won PAPA B, 1st in Swedish Championship Classics, etc.). Both Robin and Louise have made great strides recently; in fact, Robin is #2 in the California SCS as of today.  For the first time in a long time, the race is on!
Youth Rankings
Once the domain of the Sharpes, then Joshua Henderson, it’s now a 4-way race for top youth.  Escher Lefkoff (now 144th), with his 3rd place finish at Expo [knocking me out 2-1 in the winner’s bracket semifinals; ouch, nice job, Esch!], will leapfrog Colin Urban (now 118th) by a couple of points to #1 youth for the moment.  Frederick Asher (138th) and Aleksander Kaczmarczyk (142nd) are only about 30 points behind those two.
PAPA Circuit (through Boras and Pittsburgh Pinball Open)
What will it take to make the Circuit Final next April?  Here’s a table of how many points it took to be in the Top 40 after each circuit event for the past two seasons.  Note that since only 24 players plus ties can earn circuit points in an event, all eligible players who made the top 24 in the first event are in at that point, and almost all after two events.
Circuit Point Cutoff by # Events
# 2015-2016 2016-2017 Change
1 6 7 1
2 3 7 4
3 14 15 1
4 22 21 -1
5 30 30 0
6 35 38 3
7 43 38 -5
8 45 45 0
9 50 50 0
10 50 50 0
11 56 60 4
12 59 60 1
13 60 69 9
14 67
15 71
16 73
17 75
18 82
Based on last year and this year to date, I’d project somewhere around 85-95 points to make the cut; with the inevitable no-shows, players down to 75 points may have a chance to play and should keep their calendars open for the Circuit Final date (Wednesday April 5, 2017).  If you’ve got 100+ Circuit points, you should be pretty safe.
North America vs. Europe (and elsewhere)
The portion of the top-ranked players that are from the US and Canada has increased in the past 4 years.  At the beginning of 2013, 12 of the top 25 and 27 of the top 50 were Europeans.  Just over a week ago, only 4 of the top 25 and 16 of the top 50 were European.  (Marcus and Julio jumped back in this past week, so it’s now back up to 6 Europeans.)  Most of the Europeans who used to be top 25 are now in the 26-50 range, and their former 26-50 level players have dropped further.  No, we’re not that much better, but the US is definitely out-eventing Europe when it comes to earning WPPRs.  The US has not just more events, it has more players per event, too.  That makes all of the non-first-place positions worth more, since the WPPRs scale down slower as the player count rises.  Circuit Events and large shows like Northwest, Expo and Florida are behind much of it.
As an example of the impact of more events and more players per event, look at the NYC Modern Pinball SuperLeague.  You earn 30 points just for making the top 4, 20 for making the top 20, and you can do that 12 times a year.  It really adds up.  We have a few players now in the top 100 who have earned almost all of their points without leaving NYC.  Let’s take a deeper look.
Modern Pinball (through September 2016 results)
I’ve had several people express interest in how much impact playing in the New York City Modern Pinball Super League has on people’s rankings.  What I’ve done here is compute an alternate WPPR total for 11 of the top point earners where each receives only points for theirbest monthly result each calendar year.  This is similar to older versions of the WPPR rules.  I’ve also shown what portion of their ranking-used WPPRs (i.e. their current 20 top results) are from events in or near NYC (~25 mile radius).
Impact of Modern Pinball Superleague vs. using only best result each year
Player 10/12 WPPRs Rank Alt. WPPRs Alt. Rank % NYC area
Steven Bowden 914.41 6 838.70 7 33%
Sean Grant 582.85 23 380.88 71 67%
Francesco LaRocca 509.36 35 288.58 138 83%
Greg Poverelli 496.58 36 317.77 114 91%
Lee Hendelman 390.63 63 91.36 710 100%
Basci Dinc 372.26 73 193.71 288 77%
Eric Asher 337.99 94 127.69 507 90%
Matthew Carlson 302.16 123 95.95 686 88%
Robert Sovatsky 297.52 129 124.25 521 90%
Frederick Asher 287.04 139 99.20 659 91%
Craig Cash 267.20 157 76.29 873 99%
Congratulations to everyone mentioned here for your successful play, and keep it up!
0 Comments »

$tern Rewards Program – September 2016 Update

Posted By Josh Sharpe, on October 12, 2016

rewardThe IFPA is excited to announce that the following players have been now qualified for the $tern Rewards Program based on their September 2016 IFPA endorsed tournament performance! These players have until August 15th, 2017 to exercise their reward option.

PLAYER OF THE MONTH – Jorian Engelbrektsson
BIGGEST MOVER AWARD – David Yopp
BIGGEST MOVER AWARD – Renee Bourgeois
BIGGEST MOVER AWARD – Edward Chavez

Detailed rules for the $tern Rewards Program, including an updated list of qualifiers, and updated list of rewards available can be found HERE.

0 Comments »

World Pinball Player Rankings – Biggest Movers of September 2016!

Posted By Josh Sharpe, on October 12, 2016

sept2016moversThe IFPA is pleased to announce that the following players saw the biggest jump in their world ranking based on their September 2016 tournament performance.

The biggest movers for September 2016 included David Yopp from Arlington, TN, who moved up 13,801 spots from the following results:

Wedding Day Knockout Main Tournament 1st 1.76

David moved up to a rank of 8541st in the world.

Renee Bourgeois from Keller, TX moved up 10,313 spots from the following results:

DFW Summer League II League 24th 0.85
Dallas Makerspace “IFPA Tourney of the EM’s” EM Division 9th 0.54

Renee moved up to a rank of 9021st in the world, and 212th in the Texas SCS.

Edward Chavez from Houston, TX moved up 9597 spots from the following results:

Game Preserve Bi-Weekly WPPRs Main Tournament 6th 0.52
Game Preserve Bi-Weekly WPPRs Main Tournament 5th 0.72

Edward moved up to a rank of 9622nd in the world, and currently sits in 220th place in the Texas SCS.

Congratulations to David, Renee and Edward, as well as the other players that saw a jump in their ranking from their September tournament performance!

0 Comments »
-