Pair to Rep Massachusetts at North American Pinball Championships

Not since The Who and then Elton John filled the music universe with their renditions of the song "Pinball Wizard" has this kid given so much thought to metal balls and flippers that once made pinball a staple in American bars, arcades and rec rooms everywhere.

In case you haven't heard, the 2024-25 International Flipper Pinball Association's (IFPA) North American Pinball Championship will be held Thursday, March 6, 2025 at the Rochester Pinball Collective in Rochester, New York.

Since the advent of Pong, Pac-Man and Space Invaders, pinball has declined in popularity, at least with some gamers. Some, but not all.

The North American Pinball Championship is an annual pinball competition organized by the IFPA.

IFPA rules state, "The only way to qualify for the IFPA North American Pinball Championship is to win an IFPA State Pinball Championship." The competition is open to residents of Canada.

Wyoming is the only U.S. state not represented in Rochester this year.

The "pinball wizards" will compete for prizes when they meet in Rochester.

Get our free mobile app

The first prize winner will receive an NIB Stern Pro Pinball Machine, a trophy and the title of North American Pinball Champion.

The second-place finisher wins $4,000, while the third-place finisher gets $3,250. In all the top 58 finishers win some level of cash prize.

Bowen Kerins of Salem will represent Massachusetts in the NACS division of the North American Pinball Championship while Mariessa DeVincentis of the Boston area will compete in the WNACS division.

Nick DeStefano and Isabelle Gram will represent Rhode Island.

Kineticist.com has a complete list of all the participants in this year's competition.

Next time you are in Las Vegas, check out the Pinball Hall of Fame at 4925 Las Vegas Boulevard South (near the Las Vegas sign). You won't be disappointed.