Board of Directors
Patrick Baldwin, President
I wish that I could say that pinball has been a life long passion and that I have been playing seriously for many years, because that would hopefully mean I was in the IFPA top 1000 players, but alas, that is not the case. Sure, I threw coins into machines and flipped the flippers as a kid while in the arcades with my dad, but that was the extent of my childhood pinball experience.
Like many other people, it took a world-wide pandemic in 2020 to thrust me into the world of pinball. A chance reconnection with a former teaching colleague during an in-service, a random pinball themed lunch break, and the world shutting down, all in one day, was the catalyst to quitting teaching after 21 years in 2022 to help open and manage Past Times Arcade. Feel free to either thank or blame Mike Hale for introducing me to the inner world of pinball and being my pinball mentor and brother all these years.
During my three years at Past Times, in addition to helping manage the arcade, I was given the opportunity to run leagues and tournaments. It was during these years that I found myself on a personal journey of discovery, learning more about myself than I ever had, and finding my clan of people that I didn’t know I was missing. Pinball changed and improved my life in unimaginable ways, and I’m excited to be able to offer, through serving as President of Steel Valley Pinball, whatever I can back to the community that has done so much for me.
Should you need to find me in an arcade, your best chance will be to look for the early Stern Electronics and Bally solid-state machines. Although my pinball adventure began with learning to clean and repair electromechanical pinball machines, as a player, I have really fallen in love with the early solid-state machines. However, I know full well that I should be spending more time playing the DMD and LCD modern machines, for besides my own brain and aging reflexes, their rule sets and where points are located are truly my pinball nemeses.
Jordan Fulton, Vice President
I flip fast and tilt rarely. I live at my local arcade and am here to help grow our local pinball scene.
Not big on self-promotion just here to play and hang out with friends.
Richard Cornell, Secretary-Treasurer
I started playing pinball in 2016, competitively in 2023. I enjoy playing socially with friends and aiming for high scores. I always feel at home in front of a pin.
Favorite Machine: The Simpsons Pinball Party
"Nemesis" Machine: Theatre of Magic
Beth Shepherd, Women’s Coordinator
I flipped my first serious shots in late 2024 after my sister, Nicole Turk, pulled me headfirst into the wonderfully chaotic world of pinball—and I’ve been hooked ever since. I’m far from being a “wizard,” but every time I step up to a machine, I challenge myself to try something new… even if it completely backfires. That’s part of the fun, right? Every game is a lesson, and I’m learning something new every single day.
Between my sister Nicole, my mentor DJ Toth, and a whole village of pinball friends who are now basically family, I’ve been surrounded by encouragement, advice, and the occasional “try that shot again.” A few of my favorite games include Medieval Madness, Genesis, and Creature from the Black Lagoon—though my nemesis game is always changing. If a machine knocks me out of a tournament or drops me dead last in match play, you can bet I’ll be back. I look at what went wrong, shrug it off, and say, “Alright… let’s do this again.”
Pinball has pulled me out of my shell and introduced me to some of the coolest people I’ve ever met. The community is welcoming, supportive, and just the right amount of competitive. My advice to new players? Take a deep breath and have fun. Even on the rough days when nothing is working, it always ends the same way—with a fist bump, a smile, and a “good game.”
Women’s Pinball Community 💜
Being involved in the women’s pinball community has truly made me feel like I belong. Between my local spot at Pinball Planet and participating in events with Lake Erie’s Women’s Pinball and the Queen City SeaWitches, the fun never stops. The women’s pinball community is incredibly supportive, welcoming, and accepting—always ready to cheer you on, celebrate your wins, and help you through the tough games. The laughs are endless. What can I say? We know how to have fun!
Fred Whitacre, Jr., Ad Hoc Member
I’m Fred, and I’ve been living in Girard, Ohio since 1991, when I moved here in 7th grade. Pinball is a more recent passion—I barely played at all until Past Times Arcade opened in my hometown a few years ago. Once I dropped about twenty hours into Bad Cats, I was completely hooked.
One of my first Christmas gifts as a toddler was a home Pong console, which kicked off a lifelong love of video games that’s followed me through just about every gaming console since. I’m also a lifelong musician, playing drums, trombone, and singing (though I’ve never tried to do all three at the same time). I’ve been the drummer for death metal band Kitchen Knife Conspiracy since co-founding the group in 1998. I also play drums and sing in a mostly ’90s grunge cover band, Undercover Juicebox.
I graduated from Girard High School in 1995 and earned my BA in English from Youngstown State University in 2000. In 2010, I completed my MA in English at YSU—and I’m happy to say I am permanently finished with homework.
Since 2000, I’ve taught English and Video Editing at Warren G. Harding High School in Warren, Ohio. Teaching high school students has truly been one of the great joys of my life, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have a career I genuinely love.
I met my much better half, Erin, in high school marching band. We started dating in 1997 and married in 2005. She often joins me for weekend pinball sessions—and regularly beats me on the flippers. She’s rad.
I’m also a physical media collector, with a focus on vinyl records, compact discs, and video games. You can find me on Instagram sharing pieces from my collection as The Red Chair Reviews. On top of all that, I’m a diehard San Francisco 49ers fan. Bang bang Niner gang!
Without question, Steel Valley Pinball will help nurture growth in our local pinball community, and I’m absolutely stoked to be a part of it. Catch me at Past Times Arcade and say hello. I’ve got a beard and look slightly unkempt. Just don’t ask me to play the 1979 Gottlieb Incredible Hulk pinball machine with you. I won’t. I hate that game.
JJ Lehett, Ad Hoc Member
I played a little pinball back in the late 80s and early 90s, but it was mostly just background noise compared to the video games I was really into.
Then I basically didn't touch a machine from 1992 until summer 2024. During those years I got deep into bowling — leagues, tournaments, the whole deal — until my wrist finally told me to find an alternative ‘pasttime'.
I wandered into Past Times Arcade looking for a new hobby, and that was it — I was hooked on pinball again.
I enjoy the DMD and early solid-state games, but the tech side of me really gravitates toward the modern LCD ones: more lights, deeper rules, better callouts, and big screens. I'm still working on reaching Escape from Nublar on Jurassic Park... it'll happen eventually.
My first billion-point score was on James Bond, so that one holds a special place.
Overall favorite, though? Batman '66. The theme, rules, lights, video, and just how well it all comes together — it's tough to beat.