FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE……..
THE UNITED STATES OF PINBALL
The Nation’s Pinball Elite Compete To Become The Best Of The Best
It may be fitting that 2019 marks the 80th anniversary of the first drama to win both the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The seminal work of William Saroyan, one of the most prominent literary figures of the mid-20th Century, “The Time of Your Life” featured the central character of ‘Willie’ who had the goal of beating the ‘marble machine.
Well, here we find ourselves again as January 19th will find a new generation of ‘marble machine marvels’ attempting to become the nation’s best pinball player. After a year of almost nonstop grueling competitions, featuring more than 2,000 tournaments and leagues staged from coast to coast and over 16,000 players putting their flipper skills and endurance to the test, it all leads up to this. It comes down to a single day marathon for 832 of America’s finest pinball wizards representing 44 states and the District of Columbia, vying for their share of over $62,000 in cash and prizes.
The International Flipper Pinball Association is pleased to announce the 6th Annual IFPA State Championship Series finale. An incredibly ambitious undertaking, the competition is based on tracking the World Pinball Player Rankings (WPPR) performance of players in all IFPA sanctioned tournaments and leagues on a state-by-state basis throughout the year. And calendar year 2018 proved to be one of the most active and successful times in history as pinball continued an unparalleled resurgence not only from coast to coast but throughout the world.
Competitive pinball has captured the attention and interest of men, women and children around the globe. There are now over 65,000 ranked players who are showcasing their individual skills in more than 5,400 different events and leagues being staged annually. And these numbers keep increasing at a dramatic rate.
In just over a decade, the International Flipper Pinball Association has been able to provide support, guidance and a structure for so many of the organized leagues and tournaments thanks to the tireless efforts of over two dozen different IFPA country directors. The result has been more than $2,000,000 in cash and prizes awarded globally during the past twelve months.
The International Flipper Pinball Association was created with the express purpose of encouraging, supporting and endorsing competitive pinball throughout the world. The organization provides oversight and assistance to not only establish pinball leagues, but also tournaments, and other promotional activities.
“It is remarkable to see what the IFPA has been able to achieve and the undeniable impact on the fortunes of a game that traces its history back to France and the leisure time diversion of ‘bagatelle’. Somehow pinball has managed to bridge generations as well as technology to remain captivating for so many”, states Josh Sharpe, President of the IFPA. “Pinball remains the quintessential challenge of man versus machine and this has never been more evident than the new locations and businesses opening their arms to the magic of the silver ball with the net result that millions of players are taking part in this totally immersive and tactile experience that defines pinball.”
The IFPA is sponsored by Stern Pinball, deeproot pinball, Nitro Pinball, Fargo Pinball, CoinTaker, Pin Stadium, Recbar, Captain’s Auction Warehouse, Music City Pinball, Operation Pinball, Player One Amusement Group, Jersey Jack Pinball, Pinball Star Amusements, Zen Studios, Comet Pinball, Planetary Pinball Supply, Little Shop of Games, Bay Area Amusements, Color DMD, Betson Enterprises and Raw Thrills.
For more information regarding the IFPA or any of its participants, please contact International Flipper Pinball Association Vice President Zach Sharpe (ifpapinballPR@gmail.com) or check the organization website: www.ifpapinball.com.
