COME OUT this Sunday to Gestalt in San Franciso when Gene X hosts the bay area official launch of STERN PINBALL’s newest game IRON MAIDEN!  This is the debut design by multi-world pinball champion Keith Elwin.  Registration starts at 1 PM and the tournament begins at 1:30 PM.  $5 Entry for the tournament.  Cash prizes and schwag.  Over 50 beers on tap.  Facebook event page here.

After 10 weeks of qualifying, 22 players competed in the PPM League 3 Season Finals, and what a Final it was!

The format was 3 strikes (lose three matches and you’re out) and the lower seeded player got to choose the era (Modern, Solid State or Electro-Mechanical) and the higher seeded player got to choose the game.

The tilts were mean and the action was fast, but in the end, Luke Baxter, one of the strongest new talents in the Bay Area defeated Phil Hellsten in the 11th Round to take the tournament.

Thanks to the players for making this an awesome season, and thanks to the Pacific Pinball Museum for all their support.

Awarded to the PPM’s hardest worker, Ryan O’Donnell earn the headband for the most points and highest winning percentage in the first three weeks of league competition.

I was at the Oakland Museum main library in the History Room and they had a newspaper article from Playland at the Beach’s last days.

Playland was a Santa Cruz style amusement park that shuttered in the 1970s.  The coast used to be dotted with these parks of this type.  In Alameda, there was [Neptune Beach](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neptune_Beach_(California)).  In Oakland, there was [Idora Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idora_Park).

[Playland not at the Beach](https://www.playland-not-at-the-beach.org/) is a Museum dedicated to Playland and old Amusement parks in general.  They have 30 pinball games, vintage arcade games going back to the 1940s, carnival games that earn tickets that can be redeemed for prizes, and lots of awesome memorabilia from the Park. Everything is on free play.  Also, Fun fact: Playland is where the Its-It ice cream sandwich originated.

Week 2 at PPM League was Pin Golf.  David Lee earned an impressive 10 strokes.  Potter won the side challenge on Creature from the Black Lagoon pin golfing his way to the video mode faster than Leslie and earning a couple T shirts.

There’s still plenty of time left to join up.  Just show up Wednesday before 7PM. We’re a friendly group and all skill levels are welcome, and you’ll get to play pinball for half off.

Bay Area pinball player Louise Wagensonner (IFPA Profile) took 2nd at the It Never Drains in Southern California tournament.  The tournament draws players from all over the US and even a few international participants.  INDISC is both a PAPA Circuit Event and STERN Pro Circuit Event so competition was especially fierce.

Louise is ranked 224th in the world in the overall rankings of over thirty thousand players, and is the fourth highest ranked Woman.  Great job on the win and representing the Bay Area, Louise!

Watch the Women’s Final Four below.  (The video should start at the Women’s Finals, but if not, go to 5:25:00)