Ump

The Ump pinball machine, manufactured by Stoner Manufacturing Company in 1941, holds a significant place in the history of the game. As one of the earliest electro-mechanical (EM) pinball machines, it represents a crucial transitional phase between the mechanical pinballs of the early 20th century and the modern electronic games that followed.

The Ump's gameplay features are characteristic of its era, with scoring bumpers and a straightforward objective to accumulate points. However, its unique aspect lies in its sports theme, specifically baseball, which was a popular choice for pinball machines during this period. The machine's design likely reflected the cultural obsession with America's pastime at the time, making it an interesting specimen for enthusiasts of both sports history and vintage pinball.

Notably, the Ump's 18 scoring bumpers would have provided players with multiple opportunities to rack up points, a feature that added variety and challenge to the game. Unfortunately, little is known about the machine's designer or any notable production runs, but its inclusion in the Stoner Manufacturing Company's catalog for 1941 underscores its significance as an early example of the EM pinball genre.