All Star Foot Ball

The All Star Foot Ball pinball machine is a rare and intriguing example of early electro-mechanical pinball design. Produced by Chicago Coin Machine Manufacturing Company, one of the pioneering manufacturers in the industry, this game is a scarce piece of pinball history - the flyer shown is essentially the only surviving evidence of the game, alongside a listing in an undated Chicago Coin parts catalog. Its exact release year is unconfirmed, but similarities to Chicago Coin's 1968 'All Stars' suggest it may date to around 1968.

The gameplay features a unique blend of classic bat-game mechanics and football theming. The machine offers 15 initial "kicks" (balls), which can be supplemented by earning extra kicks through gameplay. The presence of seven hanging targets and two unpainted metal ramps adds to the game's challenge and visual interest. Although referred to as "kicks," IPDB presumes a standard flipper bat was used to play the balls, since no player figure or manikin appears in period catalog listings.

All Star Foot Ball should not be confused with a different, later Chicago Coin wall game of a similar name, "All-Star Football," made around 1972. With little additional documentation surviving, this machine remains a fascinating and somewhat mysterious piece of pinball's sports-themed history.