Official Baseball

Official Baseball, manufactured by Genco in April 1934, is a Pure Mechanical (PM) pinball machine built around a baseball theme. As a PM game, it has no electrical components and predates the invention of the flipper by over a decade, relying instead on gravity, plunger skill, and the ball's path through bumpers and obstacles.

The gameplay revolves around a baseball scoring conceit: players get 16 balls per game, and recording 3 outs ends the game. It was available in 1-cent and 5-cent play, adding a touch of accessibility for operators and players alike. The cabinet is a relatively compact 37 1/2 inches long by 17 inches wide, with a height of either 40 or 49 inches depending on the advertisement.

Official Baseball's design and artwork reflect the era's aesthetic sensibilities, evoking America's favorite pastime. Little is known about the game's designer or the specific creative decisions behind its development, but its baseball theme and mechanical simplicity make it a notable example of early sports-themed pinball.