Big Hit is a 1952 baseball themed pinball machine from Chicago Coin. This machine uses lights behind the backglass to show scoring. This was the common method until score reels became the trend a year or two after this one was produced. This machine has one score reel type mechanic used for the credit indicator. I thought it was interesting the credit wheel wasn’t printed or painted. Instead, it used a printed piece of paper and it is taped to the wheel.

The machine came from my neighbour a couple doors down. He bought it about 10 years ago and intended to fix it up. The person he bought it from had it for 10 or more years and intended to fix it up. It’s basically been sitting for over 20 years. I bought it and it finally got fixed up.

On the playfield there are two captive balls. These are supposed to emulate a baseball. When you hit a target, a coil smacks the captive ball around a loop. Kind of a cute design.

This machine will be on display in the arcade and we will fire it up from time to time. If you want to give this machine a go, ask.