Stuck Ball Ruling

[jmg]

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/396726118?t=03h13m28s

Ball is stuck on the top of a slingshot.

The player in this scenario did not ask for a ruling, but what should the ruling have been if he asked? It does not fall under the scenarios listed in the IFPAPA rules for stuck balls when they should be placed in the drain (on inlane/outlane post, on center post, in outlane, or stuck directly above outlane), so likely should be placed on a flipper if the machine is opened.

As an official, I think I would have given the player the option to nudge to free the ball themselves or allow me to bump the machine to free it (with the player being responsible if the ball drains). Is this what others would have done or would they place the ball on a flipper?

[stevevt]

@jmg

As an official, I think I would have given the player the option to nudge to free the ball themselves or allow me to bump the machine to free it (with the player being responsible if the ball drains). Is this what others would have done or would they place the ball on a flipper?

Let’s take a look at the stuck ball rules.

7. Stuck Balls

During the course of play, it is possible for one or more balls to become stuck on a playfield feature, usually after becoming airborne. If this happens during single ball play, the player must wait for four automatic ball searches to occur. At the discretion of the tournament director, the forcing of a ball search to be triggered can be waived. This is for situations where inducing a ball search has adverse effects on the current game state. The expiration of any timed feature during this period is not considered a malfunction.

If the stuck ball has not been freed after four such searches, or if the machine is not performing searches for some reason, the player must alert the scorekeeper, and a tournament official will be brought to the machine. The player must remain alert and at the machine, as he or she is responsible for the ball if it becomes freed at any point. Where possible, machines will be configured with “chase” features disabled, so that additional balls will not be released into play as a result of ball searches. However, in the event this occurs, the player is responsible for continuing play, and a suitable malfunction will only be ruled if the machine is unable to function normally from this point forward.

A tournament official may initially choose to try to free the stuck ball through judicious nudging, tapping, etc. The player must remain ready to resume play at the machine during this attempt. If actions by the official result in a Tilt, this will be treated as a major malfunction (not the fault of the player). If the official frees the ball but the player does not successfully continue play, this is normal play (the fault of the player). Loss of Tilt warnings due to tournament official nudging is considered normal play.

If the tournament official is unable to free the stuck ball, the machine will be opened, and the stuck ball freed and placed either in the plunger lane, or on the upraised flipper of the tournament directors choosing, with the flipper button held by the player. In the event this is not possible, the official may select another location or feature where the ball can be placed safely while the machine is being closed in order to resume normal play.

If I’m the TD, I wouldn’t risk “judicious nudging, tapping, etc.” and I’d just skip to opening up the coin door and putting the ball on the right flipper. The same way I wouldn’t risk nudging or tapping if the game had a super tight tilt.

[cayle]

@jmg

o likely should be placed on a flipper if the machine is opened.

Per most rules sets, including ifpa, player can ask a TD to free stuck ball in a position like this. Stuck ball would be placed on a flipper.

When you think about it, imo that is a fair and natural outcome. For a ball to come to rest in a position like that it generally has to be moving very slowly. If it were to not have balanced “stuck,” it would have very gently rolled left or right and still been in play.

[mwelsh]

Note to self: always get a ruling!

[hisokajp]

@stevevt

A tournament official may initially choose to try to free the stuck ball through judicious nudging, tapping, etc.

I for once like to elect doing the above when possible. If I know for sure the ball can come out with minimum effort and no risk of tilting.
A ball isn’t really “stuck” if it can go back to being “in play” by the player or TD using normal gameplay moves.

[Snailman]

@cayle

If it were to not have balanced “stuck,” it would have very gently rolled left or right and still been in play.

Hahaha. I just watched the video clip. That hurt.
It’s interesting that in the case of this layout where the sling-top is high above the inlane/outlane post, a ball rolling gently to the right (toward outlane) is actually at great risk to go to the outlane. But I like the clear-cut rule as it currently exists, and give the benefit of the doubt to the player in this case.
As mentioned: always get a ruling.

[jmg]

I agree with Germain. If a ball can be freed with a light slap that will not result in a warning, then this should be the first option. The player didn’t ‘earn’ a free ball on the flipper.

[jay]

As the TD in this case, I would have ruled it a stuck ball and was prepared to head over with the keys (to stick it on a flipper) as soon as I saw it. I was also surprised when @mwelsh went for the nudge but then I also made some puzzling decisions under pressure that night (8 ball… oops). My reasoning is that even though I could probably safely nudge it out, I’d much rather take an extra few seconds to place the ball on the flipper and let the normal flow of the game continue vs. risking a potential compensation ball—especially in a tightly contested final, with some very skilled players and respectable prizes on the line.