200 episodes tracked since 2020 about →
Episode 262: Alex Ward
PodcastAnalysis updated 2d ago38 min listen
We discuss his time in Knoxville and Georgia, pinball, plus we talk about family, racism and more. If you don't know Alex, you'll wish you did after listening to this incredible man.
Highlights
- Ward discovered Token Game Tavern by accident while looking for a home improvement store, found it had just opened weeks before, and this became the foundation for Knoxville's competitive scene.
- The first unsanctioned Knoxville tournament attracted about 30 people on a Tuesday night, and the scene grew significantly from there with free play incentives on Tuesdays and Sundays.
- Ward has an IT/electrical engineering background that transfers to pinball machine troubleshooting and repair work.
- For tournament preparation, Ward adjusts his home machines by turning off extra balls, tightening tilt, and removing rubbers from posts to simulate tournament conditions.
- During COVID-19 lockdown (as of recording date), Ward has been adding extra balls back to machines to allow completion of wizard modes he's never reached.
- Tennessee has a larger contingent of women competitive pinball players than expected, and they felt comfortable playing at Knoxville tournaments without harassment issues.
- Ward lost 40 pounds during COVID-19 lockdown period, going from 315 to 275 pounds through better eating, sleep, and outdoor activity with his son.
- Pinvasion tournament (hosted by Brian at Portal Arcade in Georgia) adjusts machines with tighter tilts, removed rubbers, and lightning flippers to create more challenging competitive conditions.
Notable quotes
“I just thought I'd go take a look inside. I opened the door, and I found out that they had just opened a month before, or a few weeks before I moved to Knoxville... And a week later, I came back, and the rest is history from there.”
“With that incentive, it helped people relax and learn the game of pinball without any pressure. And what a great introduction, too, because you want to fork over a lot of money to a hobby that you may or may not enjoy when it's free.”
“It's about seeing all your friends from all over the world. That's it. I don't ever care really how I do in the tournament.”
“Pinball machines became my cars, looking under the hood and seeing what's wrong and finding out there's a lot of wealth of information out there to help you fix a machine.”
“Silence is not acceptable... it certainly takes empathy, education, and compassion.”
“When you sit silent, it really just not only hurts people that are being affected, it also hurts you, especially if it's something you know is wrong.”
“Once it becomes too difficult it becomes not fun. You just got to find that fine line.”
Entities
- Louisville Arcade Expo· event
- Pinberg· event
- Pinvasion· event
- Knoxville Pinball Players· organization
- Pinball Profile· organization
- Alex Ward· person
- Bowen Cairns· person
- Brian Broyles· person
- David Spake· person
- George Talley· person
- Jeff Teolis· person
- Luther· person
- Portal Arcade· venue
- Sutry's Bar· venue
- Token Game Tavern· venue
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