Oct 11 The Freedom To Play Pinball

Posted at 11:54h in News by

Do you remember your first exposure to a pinball machine and the excitement it brought you? Do you ever wonder what it would be like if you weren’t able to play pinball?

There are some wonderful people coming to the Expo who have dedicated their lives to helping children who are hospitalized with medical issues. They are the charity known as Project Pinball. Daniel Spolar and his staff have placed many pinball machines in Hospitals and Ronald McDonald Houses across the country to provide a spark of enjoyment during what can be a traumatic stay in a Hospital for kids.

Unfortunately, not everyone has the physical capability to reach the flipper buttons on a pinball machine. So what can be done to help those who are physically limited to enjoy this wonderful experience we take for granted? The Project Pinball team is working with several companies to develop game controllers that will give everyone “the freedom to play pinball.” The controllers are specifically designed to allow people with disabilities to play pinball and be included in pinball events and tournaments. Those who are in a wheel chair or have other problems working the flippers will be able to use a newly developed controllers to play pinball by using the remote flipper buttons on the new controller.

This year the Project Pinball booth will have 10 or more pins from several different manufacturers set up for you to play with the new inclusive and accessible controllers. Come and try them out and provide your feedback on how they work!

They will also be hosting an ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) Inclusive Pinball Tournament named “Freedom to Play” that will feature the ADA Enhanced Game Controllers. Join in on the tournament and experience these controllers first hand! It’s absolutely free and there will be some neat prizes to win by just entering the tournament. Top finishers will receive plaques and more cool prizes! The link to the event page for the Tournament is: https://facebook.com/events/s/freedom-to-play-pinball-tourna/1440906456753482/?mibextid=RQdjqZ

This year the Project Pinball booth will also feature a Space Jam themed pinball machine that was designed and developed for actor Christopher Reeve who was paralyzed from the shoulders down after suffering a fall from a horse. This special pinball machine was made so he could enjoy a game of pinball during his stays at the hospital.

WAYS YOU CAN SUPPORT PROJECT PINBALL

  • Project pinball will once again be holding a live auction at the EXPO from Thursday October 19th through Saturday October 21st at 4:00 PM. You can check out the items available at the Project Pinball booth and bid on some amazing items with the proceeds going to the charity.
  • You can buy raffle tickets for a Williams Comet pinball machine that will be awarded during the Expo.
  • Daily during the Expo you can compete for the high score on Flipper Football at the Project Pinball booth.
  • For the first time this year you can participate in a 50/50 drawing with a payout of $5000 when the fund reaches $10,000.
  • Also, there are ongoing raffles for your choice of Stern Pro and Premium pinball machines. For more information on Project Pinball and how you can help, go to their website at https://projectpinball.org/.
  • And, of course, you can make a donation directly to the Project Pinball Charity to support any or a specific Hospital fund raising project.
    Please support our friends at Project Pinball and all of the children who benefit from this great charity!


I have been engrossed in the pinball community for 7 years now and I can say without a doubt it has changed me forever. Growing up in Springfield, OH I never really ran into any pinball machines out in the wild before. It wasn’t until I moved to Florida and was going to college that I ever played a real pinball machine. After my first game on Theatre of Magic, I was hooked, to say the least.

 

After volunteering for Project Pinball, I was quickly hired onto the Team. At first, I was the Media Relations Specialist, then the Media Director, and now I oversee the whole operation as the Director of Operations. I am blessed to have such a rewarding career. To see the children and their families receive the gift of Pinball and be able to utilize the machines for their therapeutic benefit is huge for recovery and rehabilitation. Not to mention, the amount of stress relief that pinball provides is truly incredible.

 

After assisting in over 50 pinball machine dedications, I can say how inspiring these children and their families are. Pinball is truly therapeutic and empowering for each individual who comes in contact with it.

 

My favorite pinball machines are Circus Voltaire, Godzilla, and The Addams Family, because you can’t have just one favorite.

Hi there! My name is Taj Kniceley (she/her/hers) and I am the Marketing and communications Specialist/Grant Writer for Project Pinball Charity. I grew up in Springfield, OH, and I now live in Western Michigan on a soon-to-be farm with my partner Tyler! My biggest (unkept) secret is that I am absolutely in love with my two cats Laela and Rosie.

 

In 2021, I joined the Team when I heard they were searching for a writer. Language is incredibly powerful and I knew I could help elevate the mission by providing a new perspective. What I love most about my role is that I not only have the opportunity to serve patients and families but that I am also able to deepen community relations. Project Pinball Charity is truly a grassroots charity, and strengthening connections is necessary when it comes to a community’s health and longevity.

 

My favorite pinball machine, as well as Broadway show, is The Phantom of the Opera. A close second is The Addams Family, although my favorite Morticia Addams is Carolyn Jones - the OG. If Pennywise ever makes it onto a pinball machine, though, then it’s game over for the other two!

As far as I can remember, I’ve been a pinball machine enthusiast. Growing up in the 1970’s & 1980’s, pinball machines were everywhere. I bought my first pinball machine at age 12 with paper route money and the neighborhood kids lined up to play. Today I’m living my childhood dream - fortunate enough to own a collection of 25 machines; most of them from the 70’s & 80’s.

 

I host Orange County NY Pinball Club events and host my own tournaments called The Catskill Classic. I enjoy competing in pinball tournaments, always meeting interesting people, and making new friends. Some of my best friends I’ve met through pinball.

 

I met Daniel Spolar at The Southern Pinball Festival near Orlando Florida in 2011. At the time, Daniel was seeking support from the local pinball community, in raising funds and technical assistance to rehabilitate a pinball machine that was donated to a Children’s Hospital for the kids to enjoy, but it wasn’t being maintained - thus defeating its intended purpose. Daniel was so passionate about the need to fix this pinball machine for the kids and keep it regularly maintained, that it was an extremely easy cause for me to support. I was impressed by Daniel’s desire to involve the pinball community, rather than fixing the problem on his own. As time went by, I became very good friends with Daniel, and as Project Pinball Charity has grown, I’ve continued my support by helping to spread awareness about its mission.

 

I’ve organized and promoted fundraising events, worked the booth at pinball conventions, attended several pinball machine dedications at Children’s Hospitals and Ronald McDonald Houses, prepared donated machines for fundraising, and I’ve talked about Project Pinball Charity in the local media. It’s a wonderful cause that provides so many benefits to countless individuals and families, it’s been easy for me to encourage others to help support our mission. I’m always thankful and humbled by the generous support we receive. I hope to continue my association with Project Pinball Charity for many years to come!!

 

My favorite pinball machines are Gottlieb 300, Stern Stars, The Addams Family, and Iron Maiden.

It was more than 20 years ago when I picked up three System 11 machines and 'found' the pinball community. The friendships that I've developed are invaluable. I learned fairly early on that the hobby is as much about the people as the machines, if not more so.

 

It was in 2019 that I had a 5-hour breakfast with Daniel. It was during that time I realized I wanted to do what I could to help Project Pinball. I had the idea of a silent auction at Pinball Expo and worked to organize it. The feedback was great and we've had one each year since. I was invited to attend a local dedication and it was transformative. As soon as the machine was ready, children immediately came to check it out. One child played with his rolling IV stand at his side which was incredible to witness. I was asked if I'd be interested in helping the charity as the Technician Coordinator.

 

I came to Project Pinball to do something that would have a positive and tangible impact on the lives of others. I would like to assist in the expansion of the charity and branding while working to do whatever is necessary to support operations. I would love to see 100+ machines placed all over the world! I know we have supporters in the UK who would be happy to be Volunteer Technicians supporting machines, let's see if we can make it happen. It can't be put into words the impact the machines have on the children and their families. I am excited to have the charity continue to have a positive and lasting impact on so many lives.

 

My favorite pinball machine is Transporter the Rescue.

Daniel Spolar originally from Pittsburgh, once lived in Bonita Springs, and now resides in Fort Myers with his adorable miniature pinscher, Maggie.

 

He is a pinball enthusiast with a collection of well over 30 pinball machines, as well as an avid road cyclist.

 

He enjoys traveling the country and placing pinball machines for the pure joy that they bring to others around him.

 

He is usually outdoors doing all kinds of adventurous activities, including hang gliding.

 

He will never back down from a challenge and is always working to better others' lives. Daniel does not have a favorite pinball machine because there are too many to choose from!