Pelzer Pinball King Headed to World Championships

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

Last week Nate Grant graduated from high school. This week he heads from his home in Pelzer to Riverside, California, to compete in the world pinball championships. This International Flipper Pinball Association will host the top players in the world based on rankings.

Grant is ranked 55th in the world (he was number one in the world in the 18 and under group until his recent birthday dropped him into the over 18 category), and hopes to play well and move up in the international weekend tournament.

Not bad for a guy who’s only been playing the silver ball for six years. His dad Ken Grant took his son along for a high school reunion in Maine, and when Nate showed promise the first time he played, his flipper future looked bright.

After finding the local Facebook group, The Fellowship of the Silver Ball, which offered tournaments, which led to other tournaments and a fast track to success. During COVID, he discovered he could hold his own playing against the top players in the world, and that encouragement and fellowship was a bonus to Nate’s natural abilities.

“This last year he's grown immensely and going to these much bigger tournaments found out he could win those, too,” said Ken Grant.

His father saw the momentum and encouraged Nate by setting up a pinball palace next to his house with a room full of completive pinball machines where they now host tournaments. He purchased the latest competitive machines for his parlor to give Nate a home base to practice.

Meanwhile, Ken said the local pinball community continues to grow. He said the first tournament at his house pinball palace drew 16 competitors, and the most recent brought 75, which created some parking issues at his rural home in Pelzer.

But he said the sense of competition and community is worth the effort.

“It's an amazing time, and amazing people,” said Ken.