Professional Baseball

Professional Baseball, manufactured by Mills Novelty Company in 1934, is an early and notable pinball machine from the sport's Pure Mechanical (PM) era. Made during a period when electromechanical (EM) machines were only just beginning to emerge, it demonstrates how the game was transforming from a simple, manual device into more complex and engaging entertainment.

One of the most distinctive aspects of Professional Baseball is its gameplay mechanics. Players can score points through gobble holes (11 in total) and free play holes (2), with a score totalizer located in the lower playfield providing real-time feedback. The game's theme is reflected directly in its rules: three strikes result in an 'Out,' while three outs end the game entirely -- mirroring real baseball scoring.

The machine's design and art are well-preserved on surviving examples, offering a glimpse into the aesthetic of early pinball machines, with the baseball diamond painted directly on the playfield and the score totalizer framed in metal below it. While details about its designer are unknown, Professional Baseball stands out as a representative example of pre-electromechanical pinball craftsmanship -- and should not be confused with Mills' similarly named 'The Professional,' which has a different playfield design and totalizer.