Trickle Ball

The Trickle Ball, a Pure Mechanical pinball machine from Trimount Coin Machine Co. of Boston, Massachusetts, is a rare and intriguing conversion piece in pinball history. Its exact production year is unknown, but it is documented as a conversion of Chester-Pollard Amusement Co.'s 'Play Golf,' done by Trimount -- normally a distributor rather than a manufacturer -- who replaced the playfield with an actual bagatelle and shortened the cabinet legs.

One cent buys four balls in Trickle Ball, an unusual value proposition for its time, allowing players to experience multiple shots with a single coin drop. The single trap hole adds a layer of challenge and strategy, forcing players to carefully aim their shots. These features distinguish Trickle Ball from the original Play Golf cabinet it was converted from.

The golf theme carries over from its source machine, though little further information on Trickle Ball's specific aesthetic has survived. As a rare example of a distributor-driven conversion of an existing pinball design, Trickle Ball offers a glimpse into the improvisational business practices of the early coin-op industry.