What Are Air Balls in Pinball? (And Why They Can Damage Your Machine)
- Wizard Mod
- Jun 29
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 2
Every Pinball Player Has Experienced One
If you've owned a pinball machine for any length of time, you've probably seen it happen.
The ball suddenly launches into the air instead of following the playfield.
Sometimes it lands safely.
Sometimes it crashes into plastics.
Sometimes it hits ramps.
Sometimes it strikes the inside of the cabinet.
These unexpected jumps are known as air balls, and they're a completely normal part of pinball.
What Causes an Air Ball?
Despite the name, an air ball isn't random.
They're usually caused when the pinball contacts the sharp edge of a target, post, guide or rubber at just the right angle.
Instead of rolling smoothly across the playfield, the ball rides upward and briefly becomes airborne.
Modern machines with powerful flippers and fast layouts can produce surprisingly dramatic air balls, especially during fast combinations or competitive play.
Are Air Balls Dangerous?
Most air balls are harmless.
However, repeated impacts over many years can leave small marks on cabinet artwork, plastics or other nearby parts.
Collectors who want to keep their machines looking as close to new as possible often choose simple protective upgrades for areas most likely to experience occasional contact.
Protecting the Inside of Your Cabinet
One of the largest exposed surfaces inside a pinball cabinet is the area alongside the playfield.
High-quality cabinet artwork upgrades not only extend the visual appearance of the machine, but also add an extra protective layer over the original cabinet finish.
Our premium WizBlades use thick laminated materials with excellent resistance to everyday wear, helping protect the cabinet artwork while dramatically improving the appearance of the machine.
Air Balls Are Part of Great Gameplay
Ironically, some of the fastest and most exciting pinball machines also produce the occasional air ball.
Games designed by legendary designers such as Steve Ritchie and Keith Elwin feature fast shots, powerful rebounds and energetic gameplay that players love.
Which Machines Produce More Air Balls?
There's no definitive list, but faster games with aggressive shot geometry naturally create more opportunities for unexpected ball movement.
Machines like Godzilla, King Kong, Jaws, Foo Fighters and Sonic all feature energetic layouts that keep the ball moving quickly around the playfield.
Fortunately, that's part of what makes these games so exciting.
Should You Worry?
Not really.
Air balls are simply part of pinball.
They've existed since the earliest machines and will continue to appear on modern designs.
Understanding why they happen—and taking sensible steps to protect your machine if you're a collector—is all that's really necessary.
Like many things in pinball, they're simply another part of the game's unpredictable charm.
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