Ballerina

Ballerina is a fascinating example of early flipper-era pinball design from Bally Manufacturing Corporation. As one of the pioneers of the industry, Bally played a significant role in shaping the evolution of pinball, and Ballerina represents a chapter from the very dawn of the flipper game. Its playfield layout is essentially the same as Bally's 1948 'Melody', except that a flipper-shaped stationary post replaces a triangular post in the center of the playfield.

Ballerina offered five balls for five cents, with two flippers, twelve scoring bumpers, and five kick-out holes. The machine's unique twist lies in one of these kick-out holes, which is unusually placed below the outhole, creating a bonus opportunity that adds an extra layer of strategy to gameplay.

The ballet theme is carried by artwork from Lester Hilbrich (1911-1999), who worked for Advertising Posters, Sullivan-Nolan Advertising, and Lions/Bally over his career. While the machine's designer is not recorded, Ballerina stands as an appealing example of late-1940s pinball craftsmanship and a testament to Bally's early flipper-era output.