PPE 2011 Tournament: When the Bullet Hit the Bone!

September 29, 2011

Another Pacific Pinball Exposition has come and gone. Phew! It kicked my ass! There were 44 competitors in the Open event, 59 in the Classics, 41 in Novice, and 13 in Kids, for a grand total of 157 entrants. That’s more than double anything I’ve ever run before. It hit me like a cannon ball and I felt like I was in the Twilight Zone.

Multi-world champion Keith Elwin also ran a Pin Tac Toe tournament on Friday which had over 30 players. Keith, it should be mentioned, also ran the tournament the last couple years. His skills are legendary.

Here’s a look at the tournament area. Dave Baach, my co-organizer, quickly realized the overhead track lighting could add some awesome to the tournament. The position of the lights didn’t create glare on the games and made for an excellent atmosphere. We ran with it.

Here’s Dave Baach and I, the tournament organizers. Dave is an exceptional tech, cool guy, great organizer and lent me his hotel room to shower when the water was shut off in my neighborhood on Saturday.

Special Guests: The Special Force Girls. Jamie George, Molly Atkinson, and Molly Reismann. Molly Reismann won the masks in Friday’s raffle and was probably the only one to put in tickets!

Nick Fitzpatrick was our first champion of the show, taking 1st in Kids Division! Way to go, Nick! Nick is getting good, folks. Look for him in future tournaments and prepare to get beat by a kid.

Local BAPA league member Walter Hurwitz destroying Centaur. He destroyed it pretty good, too.

This is a face of determination. Nate from Portland stepped up to run most of the novice finals when I had to leave to go run my “How to Play Pinball like the Pros” seminar. He ran it like a CHAMP! When I came back he just said, “No worries, we’ve got it.” And gat dayam he did. Top tier, this man, and I think he might have got bit by the tourney bug and Portlanders may be seeing some more tourney leadership from this guy.

1st in Novice: Per Schwarzenberger

Still looking for the score sheet for the rest! Sorry guys. Send me your names!

Handing out plaques for the Novice Winners.

Julie Gray defends the American Way on Special Force. Josh Lehan informed me the Special Force backglass was so unpopular in Europe that they created an alternate Euro backglass: “Special Force Girls“.

Stephan Colleredo showed solid EM skills and was an unknown. He was 2nd overall qualifier and showed you can show up from out of nowhere and do some damage.

Johnny Modica took 3rd in Classics with solid play, and he’s a fun guy to boot!

Bob Matthews showed great focus and an old school play style using a minimum of fancy flipper moves but magic prediction and reaction skills. Bob is all class. Super respect.

Andrei Massenkoff, the Bay Area phenom who recently won the PAPA World Championship, took first in Classics. Always a good guy, super-competitive, just too cool. Congrats Andrei!

In Open, Karl DeAngelo took 4th, but that was partly because he had to leave after game 1 to catch a flight. Very solid player. You don’t want to be on the opposite end of this guy in a game of pinball.

Cayle George, the IFPA Champion, took 3rd with solid, technical play. Super methodical, technical player that sees all the lights and opportunities. Nothing gets by this guy.

No surprise to see Keith Elwin in the Final Four. Keith took 2nd. Keith also ran Pin Tac Toe. Just a natural at pinball. No nonsense play, clinical, seemingly detached. Yet, an understated guy who often leaves a clutch game with sweat on his brow – you know he’s giving it 100 percent.

The big surprise at this tournament was a man named Kevin Martin. Kevin is the guy who produces the PAPA World Championships, Cupid and Canines, and most recently, the Pinburgh Match Play for All event. As producer, he chooses not to play in his events.

Before I say further, Kevin made a GIANT contribution to the prize pot and also provided the PAPA software for the tournament.

Kevin came into the Finals as the 12th seed (of 16), meaning he had to claw all the way through the ranks. In the Quarter and Semi Finals he was usually in bad position for choice of Game or Order in all his matches. Didn’t matter, he found a place for himself in the Final four by just killing fools left and right!

In the Final at game 3, with Karl out of the mix and fatigue setting in, Kevin found himself a trailing distant third. Only a three-way tie could keep him in the running on the last game. It was starting to look like his skills and karma had worn out their welcome.

But BANG Kevin started Multi and racked a Jackpot on the open to differentiate himself from his assails and the two others could not produce in convincing fashion. A little luck and his competitors finishing one-two to make the whole event tied on points pushed the matter to sudden death.

The bullet hit the bone.

And now one game to decide everything.

With scores tied, a coin was flipped. Came up Capcom Airborne. Kevin was the highest scorer in qualifiers on this game and was now, for the first (and only) time in his Finals run, in a dominant position. He didn’t squander it. He stepped up and capitalized, ruled the skies, took home top honors!

Kevin Martin has long been known to have the SHOW. But on Sunday, September 25th, he also proved without question, he also has the GO.

KEVIN MARTIN HAS WON THE OPEN DIVISION OF THE PACIFIC PINBALL OPEN!! GRAND CHAMPION!! HUGE CONGRATS TO KEVIN MARTIN!!

Novice Qualifying Results

1   Per Schwarzenberger 160
2   Benjamin Liggett     156
3   Izzy Schwartz        144
4   Garrett Albright     136
5   Michael Spears       133
6   Damien Charlety      130
7   Stephan Colloredo    127
8   Jim Anderson         115
9   Jeremy Williams      109
Craig Rockwood       109
11 Chris De Leon        105
12 Robert Rog           104

FINALS QUALIFYING CUTOFF

—————————-
13 Shon Dolcini         102
14 Brian King           99
15 Mickey Shiro         97
Mark Altvater        97
17 Natalie Short        92
18 Selena Shook         90
19 Tom Terlecy          88
Erica Riekki         88
21 Jeff Ridenour        85
Tim Juchcinski       85
23 Allen Short          82
24 Joshua George        80
25 Eben Rosenberger     79
26 Johnny Igaz          76
27 Molly Reisman        71
28 Richard Nevins       69
29 Donna Rockwood       68
Matt Sarnoff         68
31 Mark Fitzpatrick     67
32 Erin Ray             65
33 Sean Reynolds        63
Teresa Altvater      63
Brian Beggs          63
36 Bryan Lester         59
37 Ric Craig            55
Jennifer Forman      55
39 Tim Harrison         53
40 Andrew Hoff          40
41 Jeanette Rog         29

Kids Tournament
1   Nick Fitzpatrick     85
2 Bella Gershlein      85
3   Brayden Gardener     83
4   Tyler Enright        83
5   Dashel Miner         78
6   Joaquin Bansuelo     74
6   Juan Flores          74
8   Jack Gioffre         72
9   Adison Brager        68
10 Connor Kennedy       67
11 Nico Colloredo       65
12 Anthony Theis        64
13 Alexander Colloredo 62

Open Division
Qualifying Standings as of Tournament End
The top 16 players advance to final rounds at the end of qualifying
Rank	Name	Points	Best Games
1	Cayle George	328	#2 on IM, #7 on Drac, #8 on TZ
2	Karl DeAngelo	316	#2 on TZ, #5 on T2, #6 on Drac
3*	Keith Elwin	290	#1 on Drac, #3 on IM, #23 on SF
4*	Tim Hansen	290	#7 on SF, #7 on IM, #18 on T2
5	Josh Lehan	288	#10 on SF, #10 on IM, #14 on Drac
6*	Kyle Seller	279	#6 on T2, #9 on TZ, #15 on Drac
7*	Josh Warren	279	#11 on SF, #13 on TZ, #22 on Air
8*	Andrei Massenkoff	278	#3 on TZ, #3 on Drac, #5 on IM
9*	Zoe Vrabel	278	#1 on TZ, #13 on IM, #26 on T2
10	Johnny Modica	277	#2 on T2, #9 on Drac, #14 on SF
11	Bob Matthews	273	#5 on Drac, #6 on IM, #7 on Air
12	Kevin Martin	270	#1 on Air, #12 on TZ, #33 on Drac
13	Joe Scaletta	257	#13 on Drac, #23 on Air, #26 on TZ
14	Hal Erickson	255	#1 on T2, #5 on TZ, #19 on IM
15	Julie Gray	252	#5 on SF, #22 on T2, #25 on IM
16 TIE	Nathan Stellhorn	248	#5 on Air, #21 on Drac, #38 on SF
16 TIE	Damien Charlety	248	#4 on IM, #23 on Drac, #35 on T2
18	Pat Castaldo	243	#8 on Air, #13 on SF, #23 on IM
19	Chris Heilig	237	#10 on T2, #15 on IM, #41 on TZ
20	Kevin McCabe	233	#9 on T2, #27 on Air, #32 on Drac
21	Jay Archibald	226	#15 on Air, #27 on TZ, #28 on T2
22	Matt Willmarth	211	#13 on Air, #22 on TZ, #34 on IM
23	Tim Harrison	208	#17 on Air, #20 on TZ, #29 on SF
24	Pat Choy	197	#29 on IM, #38 on TZ, #44 on T2
25	Brad McCabe	192	#11 on Air, #32 on T2, #44 on TZ
26	Rodney Olsen	191	#25 on Air, #32 on TZ, #37 on SF
27	Ron Hallett Jr.	183	#15 on SF, #23 on T2, #51 on IM
28	Brian Goldstein	182	#4 on TZ, #29 on Air, #49 on Drac
29	Chris Murray	173	#8 on SF, #54 on Drac, #56 on Air
	Bob Schwarzmann	173	#31 on TZ, #39 on T2, #52 on IM
31	Darrin Bebout	170	#33 on T2, #37 on IM, #45 on TZ
32	Mike Nedresky	167	#28 on SF, #42 on T2, #45 on Drac
33	Alex Samonte	157	#9 on Air, #53 on T2, #64 on SF
34	Tim Juchcinski	155	#16 on IM, #20 on SF, #77 on TZ
35	Todd Seaver	150	#41 on Drac, #46 on TZ, #50 on Air
36	Molly Atkinson	147	#19 on Air, #24 on SF, #74 on Drac
37	Mitch Tunick	146	#18 on IM, #56 on T2, #66 on TZ
38	Gavin Keable	142	#28 on Drac, #60 on T2, #61 on IM
39	Mike Kang	136	#27 on SF, #51 on Drac, #57 on IM
40	Chris Kochan	124	#34 on SF, #47 on Air, #62 on TZ
41	Erik Martynn	107	#24 on Air, #53 on IM, #82 on T2
42	Jeannie Rodriguez	103	#53 on Air, #65 on SF, #65 on Drac
43	Adam Newmark	83	#20 on Air, #76 on IM, #85 on TZ
44	Dave Stamm	73	#44 on Air, #71 on T2, #82 on TZ
back to live standings – view score ranges – view next page – view previous page

Classics Division
Qualifying Standings as of Tournament End
The top 16 players advance to final rounds at the end of qualifying
Rank	Name	Points	Best Games
1	Hal Erickson	316	#1 on HG, #8 on TP, #14 on Abr
2	Stephan Colloredo	315	#4 on Cen, #8 on BP, #10 on HG
3	Keith Elwin	303	#1 on BP, #2 on Cen, #3 on HG
4	Cayle George	299	#6 on JP, #9 on Cen, #18 on BP
5	Johnny Modica	286	#3 on Cen, #9 on Abr, #20 on HG
6	Mike Kang	281	#8 on HG, #15 on Abr, #17 on JP
7	Bob Matthews	275	#3 on Abr, #7 on HG, #18 on JP
8	Chris Heilig	273	#4 on Abr, #17 on TP, #22 on Cen
9	Walter Hurwitz	267	#8 on Cen, #11 on HG, #24 on BP
10*	Karl DeAngelo	262	#1 on TP, #9 on BP, #21 on JP
11*	Andrei Massenkoff	262	#9 on HG, #11 on Abr, #29 on BP
12	Nathan Stellhorn	260	#4 on JP, #10 on TP, #10 on Abr
13	Gavin Keable	259	#4 on TP, #12 on JP, #12 on Abr
14	Josh Lehan	252	#7 on JP, #24 on TP, #27 on Cen
15	Todd Seaver	251	#1 on Abr, #7 on BP, #50 on TP
16	Rodney Olsen	250	#16 on Abr, #22 on TP, #23 on JP
17	Julie Gray	249	#5 on Abr, #17 on Cen, #24 on HG
18	Alex Samonte	239	#11 on Cen, #32 on HG, #33 on Abr
19	Kyle Seller	226	#17 on HG, #25 on TP, #40 on JP
20	Damien Charlety	220	#6 on TP, #37 on BP, #39 on HG
	Joseph Perry	220	#12 on HG, #17 on Abr, #19 on Cen
22	Bob Schwarzmann	218	#2 on BP, #10 on Cen, #59 on HG
23	Darrin Bebout	217	#5 on JP, #14 on HG, #40 on BP
24	Josh Warren	216	#19 on BP, #23 on Cen, #27 on TP
25	Benjamin Liggett	210	#3 on JP, #23 on BP, #28 on TP
26	Joe Scaletta	205	#1 on Cen, #35 on JP, #52 on TP
27	Erik Martynn	203	#8 on Abr, #13 on TP, #40 on HG
28	Brad McCabe	200	#19 on JP, #23 on Abr, #31 on Cen
29	Ty Humphrey	199	#11 on JP, #21 on Cen, #36 on Abr
30	Tim Harrison	198	#12 on BP, #42 on Cen, #49 on HG
31	Kevin Martin	194	#4 on HG, #22 on BP, #45 on TP
32	Pat Castaldo	186	#14 on Cen, #15 on BP, #56 on TP
33	Mitch Tunick	184	#2 on TP, #24 on Abr, #63 on JP
34	Randy Elwin	181	#22 on Abr, #30 on JP, #59 on TP
35	Jeffrey Newmann	180	#28 on Abr, #30 on Cen, #39 on JP
	Tim Hansen	180	#11 on BP, #29 on TP, #63 on HG
37	Molly Atkinson	175	#30 on Abr, #37 on TP, #44 on JP
38	Ryan Herceg	169	#20 on Abr, #46 on BP, #51 on TP
39	Jeannie Rodriguez	167	#31 on HG, #42 on TP, #50 on JP
	Dave Baach	167	#19 on Abr, #28 on BP, #67 on Cen
41	Chris Murray	164	#28 on Cen, #44 on TP, #53 on JP
42	James MArtinez	161	#14 on BP, #34 on HG, #61 on Abr
	Kevin McCabe	161	#17 on BP, #36 on HG, #64 on JP
44	Tom Terlecky	155	#16 on BP, #27 on HG, #66 on Abr
45	Clifton Bain	142	#33 on BP, #37 on HG, #57 on Cen
46	Mike Nedresky	135	#21 on TP, #45 on BP, #71 on Abr
47	Dave Stamm	132	#30 on TP, #49 on JP, #68 on Abr
	Jeff Ridenour	132	#26 on Cen, #51 on Abr, #57 on BP
49	Rick Togneri	122	#26 on BP, #50 on HG, #72 on TP
50	Jim Vierra	116	#46 on HG, #58 on JP, #62 on TP
51	Brian Goldstein	100	#38 on Cen, #57 on HG, #74 on BP
52	Zoe Vrabel	99	#49 on Abr, #54 on TP, #70 on Cen
53	Bob Rog	90	#25 on BP, #71 on Cen, #78 on Abr
54	Jeanette Rog	86	#37 on Abr, #64 on BP, #77 on Cen
55	Stewart Katz	82	#35 on BP, #61 on TP, #86 on HG
56	Michael Spears	78	#41 on Abr, #74 on HG, #78 on JP
57	Cheryl Sweppy	47	#66 on TP, #75 on Abr, #76 on BP
58	Molly Reisman	46	#56 on Cen, #77 on HG, #85 on Abr
59	Pat Choy	45	#64 on Cen, #75 on BP, #80 on TP
back to live standings – view score ranges – view next page – view previous page

Pin Tac Toe winners:

1st: Josh Lehan, Josh Warren & Jeannie Rodriguez (won $140)

2nd: Bob Matthews, Todd Seaver & Warren ? (don’t seem to have
his name)

3rd Place was Cayle, Andrei & Tim Hansen (Tim had to leave
so they just plunged his turns).

Andrei, Cayle and Tim were the favored, however, since Tim had to bow out, his teammates had to plunge his balls and pray. Word at the tournament was that Jeannie Rodriguez was the franchise player of the winning team, and the main reason they went on to victory.

3 Comments

Henry permalink

October 1, 2011 4:05 pm

At some point, when I have time (HA!), I’d like to synch up some of the play footage from Keith’s cameras with the stuff I shot. Caveats being that I ran out of space on a card taping Cayle on Dracula, and there wasn’t an overhead camera on the final game (Airborne). That’s assuming I could get a copy of said playfield footage, etc.

(Then again, Dracula was such a train wreck that I’m not sure you’d WANT that footage out there. Well, maybe for shits and giggles.)

Also, I still haven’t figured out where to post that 4 1/2 hours of seminar footage. Because, yeah … 4 1/2 HOURS. And I need to bug Martin for the sound board recordings (though he’s probably got much bigger things to deal with at the moment).

-H
pinballdonutgirl permalink

September 30, 2011 8:04 am

Thanks for the great write up! You and Dave put on a beautiful tournament. Congrats to all the winners and competitors.