Andy Rosa is one of 64 players headed to the World Pinball Championship in the Seattle area. (Credit: WJBK | myFOXDetroit.com)
HOWELL, Mich. (WJBK) -
"Being able to bump the machine without tilting it," said Andy Rosa. "I think that's my best asset when I play."
For most people, pinball is just a game, but for this Flint native and electronic engineer, it's a passion he dedicates a lot of his time to.
"Easily an hour and a half to two hours per day."
Rosa has spent the past ten years honing his skills in weekly tournaments throughout Michigan and surrounding states, but next week he's headed to Seattle, Washington to compete in the World Pinball Championship.
"We're already all pre-qualified. They choose the top 64 players," Rosa explained. "We have two days of qualifying on a Friday and Saturday, and then the top 32 of the 64 make the cut to go head to head on Sunday."
This marks the second time that Rosa has made it to the World Pinball Championship, and after finishing second overall in 2010, he likes his chances even more this time around.
"I've been working on playing the older games because that's what actually made me lose the last tournament on these darn older machines. So, I've been practicing on the electromechanical, the older machines of the sixties and seventies."
Rosa, who routinely flips machines and has been known to spend an entire hour playing with the same ball, says at the end of the day it's still just a game.
"It is fun and when you put in your head that you're just doing this for the fun of it overall, it kind of takes a little bit of that nervousness away."
Monday, April 8 2013 8:40 PM EDT2013-04-09 00:40:32 GMT
Whether it's Michigan or Louisville players cutting down the nets after Monday's big game, they will be using a yellow and blue ladder specially made for the 75th anniversary of the NCAA tournament.
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Monday, April 8 2013 7:05 PM EDT2013-04-08 23:05:46 GMT
At Michigan, tailgating is usually reserved for football games, but that is not the case when the Wolverines are playing for their first basketball title in nearly 25 years.
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Monday, April 8 2013 6:41 AM EDT2013-04-08 10:41:28 GMT
Michigan head coach John Beilein says prepping for Louisville in only 24 hours is a daunting task. But his players feel ready to bring the university its first national title since 1989.
Michigan head coach John Beilein says prepping for Louisville in only 24 hours is a daunting task. But his players feel ready to bring the university its first national title since 1989.
Thursday, April 4 2013 10:05 AM EDT2013-04-04 14:05:44 GMT
When future classes look back at this Michigan basketball team, they'll see what this 'Fearless Five' did to put basketball back on the map in Ann Arbor.
When future classes look back at this Michigan basketball team, they'll see what this 'Fearless Five' did to put basketball back on the map in Ann Arbor.
Tuesday, February 19 2013 11:19 PM EST2013-02-20 04:19:18 GMT
It was Ali-Frazier, Holmes-Norton and Leonard versus Hagler all rolled into one Tuesday night in East Lansing -- the heavyweight battle between number one and number four at the Breslin.
It was Ali-Frazier, Holmes-Norton and Leonard versus Hagler all rolled into one Tuesday night in East Lansing -- the heavyweight battle between number one and number four at the Breslin.
Friday, May 24 2013 10:44 PM EDT2013-05-25 02:44:03 GMT
The unofficial start of summer is being met with not-so-perfect beach weather. Many beach communities had been hoping for good weather this Memorial Day weekend following the destruction caused by Superstorm Sandy.
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Friday, May 24 2013 9:34 PM EDT2013-05-25 01:34:31 GMT
Actress Amanda Bynes was arrested by New York City police after investigating a report of her allegedly smoking marijuana in the lobby of her Midtown Manhattan building.
Actress Amanda Bynes was arrested by New York City police after investigating a report of her allegedly smoking marijuana in the lobby of her Midtown Manhattan building.
Friday, May 24 2013 9:15 PM EDT2013-05-25 01:15:35 GMT
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Friday, May 24 2013 8:10 PM EDT2013-05-25 00:10:09 GMT
AP photo
Resorts held a grand opening Thursday for Margaritaville, the $35 million restaurant, bar, and gambling complex that's part of a $70 million expansion and renovation.
Resorts held a grand opening Thursday for Margaritaville, the $35 million restaurant, bar, and gambling complex that's part of a $70 million expansion and renovation.
Friday, May 24 2013 6:09 PM EDT2013-05-24 22:09:59 GMT
New York State has 17,000 highway bridges. There are some bad ones. The Tappan Zee Bridge, for example, is set to be replaced because of aging infrastructure.
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Friday, May 24 2013 5:33 PM EDT2013-05-24 21:33:47 GMT
New Jersey Transit bus riders will soon have a new way to get across the Hudson River: by boat. The agency is partnering with New York Waterways, which will provide ferry service to customers. The
New Jersey Transit bus riders will soon have a new way to get across the Hudson River: by boat. The agency is partnering with New York Waterways, which will provide ferry service to customers. The
Andy Rosa is one of 64 players headed to the World Pinball Championship in the Seattle area. (Credit: WJBK | myFOXDetroit.com)
