Pinball resurgence rolls along with passionate players in Akron, Cleveland and beyondhttps://www.ohio.com/akron/entertainment/pinball-resurgence-rolls-along-with-passionate-players-in-akron-cleveland-and-beyondIt used to be huddled in the corner. Its colors muted, its lights darkened, its calamitous noises silenced, a place to toss your coat or rest your drink, its scribbled “Out of Order” sign like an ominous headstone signifying its fate: Ghost of Games Past. But now it’s in the midst of a beautiful resurgence. Pinball machines are on the rise in bars, arcades and game rooms, while pinball leagues and tournaments are seeing an increase in players. This was evident on a recent Monday night at Stonehedge, the bowling and entertainment center just off Route 8 in Akron, where the inviting glow of Batman and Star Trek and Game of Thrones and Metallica beckoned. “This is the Mecca, Akron’s pinball parlor,” said Tommy “Pin Wizard” Bizzi. “We have 23 machines here.” When he’s not working, Bizzi is playing pinball, and when he’s not playing pinball he’s organizing pinball tournaments,