Roanoke’s all-new, all-women pinball chapter, Belles & Chimes of Roanoke is coming June 10th! We provide a fun, social, inclusive, and competitive experience for women who are interested in the silver ball. Our goal is to help grow the sport and hobby of pinball by making sure women have space in the hobby to learn and grow as players.
Belles & Chimes is a nationwide network of women’s pinball leagues and clubs, founded in 2013 in Oakland, California. There are chapters across the US and some international chapters as well. All chapters operate as independent franchises with a common mission to provide a space for women to socialize and compete while playing the best games in the world.
League Play
We host bi-weekly league play and occasional tournaments. We are based out of the Roanoke Pinball Museum, an interactive museum dedicated to the science, art, and history of pinball.
This is a beginner-friendly group, so no pinball experience is necessary. You will play with players of all skill levels and on more than 70 pinball machines. For sessions with 6 meetings and a playoff, we submit all results to the IFPA, the sanctioning body for tournaments. You will be entered into the rankings and be able to edit your profile, see both your overall and women’s only rankings, state rankings, and track your progress from tournament to tournament.
Mission
The mission of Belles & Chimes is to provide a fun, social environment for women to play pinball together.
Eligibility
Belles & Chimes is exclusively open to all women players. There are no requirements relating to pinball skill or playing experience. Belles & Chimes Roanoke is open to cisgender, nonbinary, and transgender women and femme-identifying players who are looking for a safe and fun competitive experience and community based on a shared love of pinball!
Cost
Season dues to play in Belles & Chimes Roanoke are $25, and should be paid at the first league night. This money goes towards paying for awards and prizes.
Guests
Not sure if you want to join? Play your first night with us for free! After that, you will need to pay $25 to join. If you’re wanting to just play with us for one night (out of town visitors for instance), we ask that you pay $10 to go into the prize pot.
How to Join
We hold 5 – 7 meetings per season. New members are welcome to join at any point, just show up to a meeting!
League Play is hosted by ROANOKE PINBALL MUSEUM
1 Market Square SE, Roanoke, VA 24011 – located on the second floor of Center In The Square
Summer League dates are
- June 10
- June 24
- July 8
- July 22
- August 5
For more information, contact Heidi Schmidt at bellesandchimesroanoke@gmail.com