Pinch Hitter

The Pinch Hitter, manufactured by Pacific Amusement Manufacturing Company (PAMCO) in 1936, is a rare and early example of electro-mechanical pinball with a baseball theme, from an era before flippers existed (flippers were not introduced until 1947). The machine's existence highlights PAMCO's role as an early manufacturer in the development of pinball, predating the more well-known companies like Gottlieb and Bally.

This Pinch Hitter is classified as a payout machine, a common type of coin-operated amusement device in the 1930s that rewarded players with payouts based on outcomes, rather than the flipper-based skill play that would come to define pinball a decade later.

Little detailed information is available about this specific machine's features or artwork. Its rarity and age make it a valuable piece for collectors and historians, offering a glimpse into the early days of pinball's development and the evolution of its themes before the flipper era.