The EBPL Wants You!
If you enjoy pinball and want to interact with other enthusiastic players then the East Bay Pinball League (EBPL) is the place for you. All skill levels welcome: from the beginner to the advanced, we have a team for you.
Where: Phoenix Games
When: Thursday 7:30 pm
What Happens: Play pinball with three other players and try to get the best score possible.
How to Join: Visit Phoenix Games on Thursday. Let an employee know you’re interested in the EBPL. Try to stop by early if it’s your first visit so we can show you around. Bring some quarters.
Results: After 11 weeks, your name will be submitted to the International Pinball Flipper Association (IFPA) and you’ll be given a world ranking. You’ll also have an opportunity to play in the East Bay Tournament and have your name engraved on the coveted “EBPL Top Players” plaque. Impress your friends, impress the ladies, meet some really enthusiastic people, enjoy yourself and remember…it’s just a game.
Blame These Two Guys
Meet the guys who founded the first and oldest pinball league in the East Bay.
In 2009, Kevin Riekki (pictured on the left) and Phoenix Games owner Chris Lopez (pictured on the right) met at Phoenix Games and discovered they were both enthusiastic about pinball; actually, they just loved to play games in general but pinball gave them an excuse to play even more.
They discussed creating a local “pinball league” and while they felt there was an interest in pinball, they were uncertain of how many people would actually join a league. In their minds the “worst case scenario” was that no one would attend. All they knew for certain was that they’d both be there and Chris would encourage, coerce, and possibly use force to get the employees to participate.
Kevin set out to announce the first East Bay Pinball League (EBPL) meeting on various internet sites while Chris informed customers about the meeting and also placed additional pinball machines on location for variety and league play.
Together, they were able to get six people to attend the first EBPL meeting. Oddly enough, Kevin didn’t show because of a prior obligation (He claims he was camping but rumor suggests he was at Hooters or a strip club).
Today, the EBPL boasts thirty members that consistently attend league nights with various members ranked in the top 500 in the world, and provides a casual and enjoyable atmosphere for all pinball players regardless of skill level.
The EBPL has also rallied together over the years and brought the pinball community together in times of crisis by establishing fundraisers and donating all proceeds to victims of the Boston bombing and Hurricane Sandy. They also contribute yearly to the Pin-A-Go-Go boys and girls club fundraiser and have established themselves as a well respected league in the local community.
When asked about what he liked best about the EBPL, Kevin stated, “A combination of things really; the casual atmosphere our league embraces, the socialization, friendships and the overall sense of community and of course, pinball.” While Chris is in agreement with Kevin regarding the socialization and sense of community he also added, “Over the years the EBPL has proven themselves to be a really enthusiastic, dysfunctional group of pinball misfits of which I’m proud to have frequent Phoenix Games and also call my friends.”
Dedicated to the original founding EBPL members who still attend today; Kevin Riekki, Austin Ewing, and Chris Lopez.
