Man wants to be Guinness’ new pinball warrior
Jim Foliano, Pinball Garage want to aid Hope Center with marathon session.
HAMILTON — A local man will soon attempt to set the record for most hours playing a pinball machine.
Jim Foliano, executive director at Ticket to Hope, already holds a world record for receiving the most highfives in 24 hours. He will work on the pinball record at Pinball Garage in Hamilton where he must play the “Avengers: Infinity Quest Pinball Machine” for at least 63 hours, which is just more than the current record.
His goal is also to raise money for the same pinball machine to be purchased for The Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields’ forthcoming, year-round indoor facility — The Hope Center.
“It’s called the ‘Game On Give On Pinball Purchase Fundraiser.’ Jake Sweeney Automotive Group is our Gold Ball Sponsor, and it’s going to be a whole weekend of fun at Pinball Garage,” Foliano said. “They are in the process of building The Hope Center, and inside, there will be a game room, and this will be the inaugural piece in the game room,” he said.
After breaking his first Guinness World Record for “The Most High-Fives in 24-Hours,” achieving 15,338 high-fives in a day during this year’s Flying Pig Mar- athon weekend, he’s at it again, hoping to break the World Record for the “Lon- gest Marathon Playing Pin- ball” in January.
Foliano was notified by the Guinness World Record officials early in July, con- firming he had attained the high-five record.
“In terms of Guinness Foliano’s achievement also World Records, I grew up helped Ticket to Hope send reading the book. So, I was 1,000 community members getting these books once a to the Cincinnati Reds game year, and it had all the insane on Aug. 7. people and their pictures, the Based in Hamilton, Ticket long fingernail lady, and the to Hope is a nonprofit whose people with the longest necks. mission is to bring hope to I’ve always been a fan of that individuals needing it the stuff, but I’ve also been try- most by creating unforget- ing to think of ways to grow table experiences. the brand, get more people Ticket To Hope creates an involved, and build commu- inclusive life-changing expe- nity,” said Foliano. rience for those in the com
The previous record was munity. These experiences 14,607 high-fives, set by Pete include event tickets, and Timbs of Australia during the often there’s a need for transBridge to Brisbane fun run in portation.
Brisbane, Queensland, AusSome nonprofits want to tralia, on Sept. 2, 2012. receive tickets from Ticket to
Hope, but sometimes they one, compared to what I did don’t have a means of getting before, is this is in Hamilton their community members at the Pinball Garage,” said to and from an event. Many Foliano, who is a Hamilton of them don’t have cars, they resident. come from homeless shelters “Since I moved to Hamil- or foster families. ton, Brad Baker’s name has
Foliano said his first Guin- come up a lot. I know he does ness World Record goal was a ton for the community, so realized with support from a he’s definitely somebody I team of volunteers, the com- wanted to partner with in munity, and thousands of some way,” he said. high-five participants. Foliano will begin play-
“People just went above ing pinball at 9 p.m. Jan. 11. and beyond to help me get the During the hours when Pin- World Record,” Foliano said. ball Garage is closed, Foliano
He hopes to rally that same will continue to play. What kind of community support the Flip, a pinball live-stream- for his second attempt. ing company will stream the
“The neat part about this event from start to finish. He will be playing on an Avengers: Infinity Quest Pinball Machine.
“I will be playing pinball straight up until Sunday at noon for 63 straight hours,” Foliano said. “One of the rules is you have to play the same machine throughout the entirety of the event.”
Foliano said he “never really played pinball before” prior to practicing for the past four to six months.
“I’ve really just been diving into this game, and it’s a lot of fun. You can learn a lot from it, and it’s exciting for kids. It’s just a phenomenal game. It’s really cool,” he said.
In conjunction with the Guinness World Record attempt, community members can get involved by supporting the “Game On Give On” fundraiser.
“Throughout the event, we’ll be raising funds to support the Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields, a cause close to our hearts. Notably, our efforts will contribute to furnishing their upcoming game room within the much-anticipated The Hope Center with a brand-new pinball machine,” Foliano said.
Silver Ball Sponsors include Miami Valley Gaming, Kruger & Hodges “Your Hometown Injury Lawyers” and Unsung Salvage Design Company.
Throughout the weekend, during regular business hours, there will be food and drink specials, sports autograph raffles, custom T-shirt sales with all proceeds going toward the pinball machine.
“People can come, keep me awake, and have fun with it,” Foliano said.
Andrew Robishaw of Lakeland, Florida currently holds the Guinness World Record for the “Longest Marathon Playing Pinball,” at 62 hours and 21 minutes. He achieved the record from Sept. 1-3, 2023.