Talkin' BaseBall Pinball machines

[perezfan]

Here's mine...

A slightly earlier model than those posted by Ted and Max. Mine has fewer "bells and whistles", but lots of aesthetic appeal. It's a "one player" game that works great, with the exception of two burnt out lights. Anybody know who to contact for routine maintenance of these? (Max - we're close geographically, so perhaps you have a contact?)

The one thing I really miss on my Machine are the Home Run "ramps". As a kid, I used to love launching those homers into the "grandstands". IMO, nothing in the hobby has more charm than these wood-rail games with the runners circling the bases behind the glass...

Great thread!

[tedzan]

Thanks for posting your machine. What vintage is it ?

Also, I have gotten parts from an outfit in upstate New York. It's been quite a while since I have, and I don't recall the source.
There are suppliers on the West coast, try a search on google.

Fortunately, I have done all the repair & maintenance work on my machine. Because (here on the East coast) the pinball gurus
don't make "house calls".


TED Z

[Rob D.]

Mine also is a one-player model, Mark. From 1963.

http://www.ipdb.org/search.pl?any=sl...ype=quick#2210

[tedzan]

Here's a story you "pinballer's" will appreciate.

Everytime any of our 3 grandchildren are visiting us, they go straight to the Super Slugger. Six years ago, Kurtis and Madison (then
11 and 8 years old, respectively) were competing with each other....running up their scores on the machine.

Suddenly, I hear them calling...."Grampie, Grampie "

I run down to our lower garage to see (and smell) smoke emanating from the machine. Apparently, they had held down the Batting
button too long; and, this caused the Bat actuator solenoid inside the machine to burn up. I had instructed them to always moment-
arily press the Bat button. But the're just kids, these things do happen. My daughter Debbie was really upset, she knows how much
I enjoy this pinball machine.

I lifted the top of the machine and unsoldered the electromagnet coil that energized the bat mechanism. I acquired an exact replace-
ment coil from a supplier in upstate New York. Soldered it into the machine and turned on the power.

"SLAM-BAM".....now I really had a "Super Slugger", as the Bat was significantly more powerful than before. My grandchildren did me a
great favor (although they sure didn't think so that day). Obviously, the original solenoid had lost some of its juice over the past 50+
years.

What was more satisfying than realizing that I had revitalized my machine....was the glee on Kurtis' and Madison's faces, when I told
them that they had inadvertently did us all a great favor.


TED Z

[oaks1912]

Ted.... With the update made to the machine, you'll have to start tabulating a new summary of high scores. All new home run totals made after this "juicing", shall we say, will have to include an asterisk to reflect this artificial supplement, which was not available to previous record holders (you, Pat Roche , Ronnie & myself). By some longshot of a chance, was this part manufactured by Balco Enterprises.........? Hmm.......

[tedzan]

Just getting back to you regarding your "?" in post #5.

You are way ahead of me in the Tobacco pack game.

My collection comprises of AMERICAN BEAUTY factory 25 (VA), MECCA, OLD JUDGE, PIEDMONT factory 25 (VA),
PIEDMONT factory 42 (NC), PIRATE, and RECRUIT.

Best regards ole buddy,

TED Z

[bijoem]

great thread.


great machines.

I don't remember your machine Ted (before my time I guess) - but it is very cool looking.


I remember playing 'Slugger'

For sure my favorite was "Pinch Hitter" -
I loved that game!
Max - that machine is absolutely beautiful!

[tedzan]

The United's Super Slugger Pitch & Bat machines were not as numerous as Max's Williams machines.

Where did you play the BB pinball games ?

Also, if you do a search on my machine, you'll find some great pictures of it.


Best regards and will we see you at the Philly Show this weekend ?

TED Z

[bijoem]

Ted -

I will see you tomorrow. I am looking forward to it.


I played BB pinball in arcades in malls, hotels, amusement parks, and boardwalks. I think I grew up in the arcade era. They were everywhere.

[tedzan]

For those of you interested in more info on my Super Slugger BB pinball machine....check-out this link:

http://www.marvin3m.com/baseball/supslug.htm


TED Z

[perezfan]

Great stuff, Ted! Such pride of workmanship and attention to detail... that is one spectacular machine. I can't think of anything that better defines the golden era of baseball (and Americana) better than that.

Thanks for posting...

[David W]

Originally Posted by perezfan

Here's mine...

A slightly earlier model than those posted by Ted and Max. Mine has fewer "bells and whistles", but lots of aesthetic appeal. It's a "one player" game that works great, with the exception of two burnt out lights. Anybody know who to contact for routine maintenance of these? (Max - we're close geographically, so perhaps you have a contact?)

The one thing I really miss on my Machine are the Home Run "ramps". As a kid, I used to love launching those homers into the "grandstands". IMO, nothing in the hobby has more charm than these wood-rail games with the runners circling the bases behind the glass...

Great thread!

I used to work for a video game outfit in Northern Indiana. The owner had all kinds of parts/old games/etc....

I am sure if you contact a local vending/amusement company in your area, you might have a good chance of finding replacement parts.

[perezfan]

Originally Posted by David W

I used to work for a video game outfit in Northern Indiana. The owner had all kinds of parts/old games/etc....

I am sure if you contact a local vending/amusement company in your area, you might have a good chance of finding replacement parts.

Thanks! Will try that, and Google as well. The Yellow Pages were pretty much worthless... about as "old school" as these great machines!

Ted... apparently yours is actually from 1955 and mine is from 1953, according to the database.

[tedzan]

Are you alluding to the possibility that my machine is now on "steroids" ?

Hey ole buddy, I guess your old score (and mine) will have to be "asterisked"....


Well, next time you are in Pennsylvania, you'll have to better your old score. Then I can remove the asterisk.

Incidently, the steel balls are hit so much harder now, that it is much tougher to get the 50-Run bonus shot.

Take care old friend.


TED Z

[tedzan]

Thanks for this info......

"Ted... apparently yours is actually from 1955 and mine is from 1953, according to the database"


TED Z

[bbcard1]

We still have at the Williams machines when we make it to Myrtle Beach...one of the arcades has a whole wall of them. Make to to 27 runs and you get a prize...I have won once or twice, but last summer I made it to 26 runs with one out and promptly hit two outs...good times.

[tedzan]

My cousin lives in Myrtle Beach. I will certainly check out that arcade when we are visiting them. Thanks for your info.



TED Z

[sayhey24]

I'm late to the party, but thought I would add my Williams pinball machine, or at least the part that's not covered by piles of other baseball stuff.

Greg
http://www.baseballbasement.com

[tedzan]

A nice variety of BB pinball machines on display here.

Thanks for showing them....and, let's see, or hear, some more about these electro-mechanical creations that have given us so much pleasure.


TED Z

[GoldenAge50s]

---that machine you have is a BEAUTY! Thanks for showing it! The others bring back memories too!

Having been born & raised in a couple of small country towns in WNY, pinball machines were not something I had seen much of growing up.

In the early '50's I went on vacation thru the midwest w/ my parents & we spent a few days in St Louis, staying at a real nice downtown hotel.

While looking around the lobby area I spotted a big ole' Williams Baseball machine! I was hooked!

Every nickel I could conjure from my parents I spent on that machine--every free moment I had I was there in the lobby trying to knock those little silver balls up the ramps & into the stands--it was the highlight of my visit to St Louis!

[iggyman]

Not mine but what the heck, it sort of belongs in this thread. That is Harry Coveleski in the pic.

Lovely Day...

[susmiester]

I have one of these but the back glass graphics are almost gone where can I get the graphics for it how much are they worth

[Hankphenom]

The game at my local bowling alley was a pitch and bat style, and by timing the bat just so we could catch the ball on the screw that held the bat, then let the ball roll down the bat, swing again, and get a home run almost every time. We'd rack up a bunch of free games, then play it the way you were supposed to. There were probably days when the machine was played hundreds of times but only collected a handful of nickels, or maybe even just one.

[tedzan]

Originally Posted by susmiester

I have one of these but the back glass graphics are almost gone where can I get the graphics for it how much are they worth

Hi guy

Which pinball machine do you have ?


TED Z
.

[pro9]

Hank, we used to the same thing, EXCEPT we would sell the games at half price.