League Leader
About This Machine
The J. H. Keeney and Company's 1958 pinball machine, League Leader, is an electro-mechanical (EM) baseball-themed 'bat game' that offers a glimpse into pinball design of the mid-20th century. It cost 10 cents per play.
League Leader's gameplay is notable for its use of two separate Pitch and Bat buttons, placed on either side of the cabinet where flipper buttons would normally be, rather than on the traditional lockdown bar. A belt-driven ball lift in the backbox raises each ball to the top of a long metal slide, where it is pitched to the player, who must then bat it airborne into the bleachers for scoring. Backbox light animation depicts men running the bases, and the game ends after three outs.
Little is known about the machine's designer or the specifics of its artwork, but its unique batting mechanism makes it a distinctive example of early sports-themed pinball.
Images (12)
Technical Details
- Theme:
- Sports - Baseball
- Notable Features:
- 10 cents per play. The two Pitch and Bat buttons are not on the lockdown bar like most baseball games, but are placed on the sides of the cabinet where flipper buttons are located on pinball machines. A belt-driven ball lift in the backbox raises each ball to the top of the long metal slide for pitching to the player. Player bats the ball airborne into the bleachers for scoring. Backbox light animation (men run bases). Three outs ends the game.