Pinball Wizards Compete in World Championship

Kevin Martin’s warehouse on Keystone Street in Scott holds the world’s largest privately owned collection of pinball machines, making him the ideal host of the World Pinball Championships.

Martin owns more than 450 pinball machines, but only some of the machines are suitable for tournament play. Martin holds this event every year, and similar competition, Pinburgh in the spring.

Competitors from all around the world–some from as far away as Australia, Switzerland and Sweden–will be vying for cash and prizes and the title of World Pinball Champion. The winner of the tournament, which began Thursday and ends Sunday, goes home with a giant trophy and $10,000.

There are six divisions of competitive play at the PAPA. The A division is for league or tournament champions and other world-class players. The B division is suitable for players with league or tournament experience, or anyone looking for a greater challenge and potential reward. The C division caters to casual players, first-time competitors and other novices.

In addition to the skill level rankings, there is a Junior’s Division (players 16 years of age or younger), a Senior’s Division (players 50 years of age or older), and a Classics Division (Classic pinball machines released at least 20 years before the date of the tournament).

This is Martin’s 14th annual World Pinball Championship.

“Every year it gets bigger and better," Martin said. "We had 406 competitors last year and we are estimating about 500 competitors this year."

All proceeds to the PAPA Tourney and Pinburgh go to the Humane Society. Martin, who has two cats and a dog is deeply committed to the Humane Society.

“I’ve been involved with them locally, since I came to Pittsburgh [from South Carolina] 16 years ago.”

He is proud of the money he has raised for the organization. Martin added they raised $12,000 for the Humane Society last year.

The man to beat this weekend is Keith Elwin of Carlsbad, Calif. Elwin currently reigns as the World Pinball Champion and also holds the Match Play Champion (Pinburgh 2011). Elwin is the first person ever to win the World Pinball Champion title three consecutive years.

According to Ross Brooks, a volunteer at the event, there is a $25 entrance fee for all competitors, but anyone can come down and watch for free. Non-competitors can come down and watch their favorite competitor, play a machine or just check out the vast collection of pinball machines, some are 50 to 60 years old. Of course, you don’t have to go down to see your favorite player; live standings are now online www.papa.org.

Next up for Martin and the Pinball players is Pinburgh which is scheduled for March 30.