The Kmiec Red Post Web Page

After noticing odd-ball red posts on some of my Bally games, I decided to see what information I could dig up on this interesting bit of pinball trivia...

It was Bally pinball designer Greg Kmiec who specified a single solid red post on his playfields as a covert signature. Greg designed games for Bally from the mid 1970s to the late 1980s. Bally stocked solid red posts for use on their bingo games. But during the mid '70s Bally pinball playfields were populated by white posts. Greg's red post is pretty easy to spot in this era. By the late '70s Bally switched from solid white to translucent red posts. The switch makes the lone solid red post a bit more difficult to find (especially in old photographs). During the '80s Bally was using various colors of translucent posts and the supply of solid red posts seems to have dried up (Bally bingo production ceased in 1980). During this period, Greg's signature posts were translucent and of a contrasting color.

Over decades of play and service the red post was often mistaken for an incorrect part and moved or discarded. The existence and original location of the red post is difficult to confirm on some games. The red post is often hidden under a playfield plastic. But on some games the red post is out in the open and the original location is easily confirmed by game flyer pictures.

This page is an attempt to pictorially document locations of the Kmiec red post. As noted above, some information is debatable. Greg has been kind enough to communicate with me on this topic and has generally confirmed the information I have. However, Greg does not remember the exact location of every red post. Nor does he recall if any of his games prior to Wizard have a red post. The red post story is also recited on page 60 of Michael Shalhoub's book "The Pinball Compendium 1970-1981".

The games below are more or less listed in chronological order. Additional picture contributions and comments are welcome. Shoot me an email.

Wizard

The red post is out in the open above the flip-flop unit. The position of this red post is correct based on the game flyer. Image courtesy of David Gersic.

Bow and Arrow

The red post is hidden under the plastic between the center target and lower thumper bumper. I have observed this red post commonly positioned on several different Bow and Arrow playfields. Therefore, I believe the position shown is correct. Picture snapped at the 2010 Pinball Wizards Convention.

Hokus Pokus

The red post is by the upper left ball gate. The position of this red post is correct based on the game flyer. Picture snapped at the 2009 Pinball Wizards Convention.

Old Chicago

The red post supports the spinner. The position of this red post is correct based on the game flyer. Image courtesy of Mark Salas.

Capt. Fantastic

The red post is above the drop target bank. The position of this red post is correct based on the game flyer. Image courtesy of Mark Weiss.

Night Rider

The red post supports the right orbit ball gate. The position of this red post is correct based on the game flyer. Picture of my Night Rider.

Power Play

The red post is hidden under a playfield plastic next to the shooter lane ball gate. I have observed this red post commonly positioned on several different Power Play playfields. Therefore, I believe the position shown is correct. Picture of my Power Play.

The Six Million Dollar Man

The red post supports a plastic next to the top left ball gate. I have observed this red post commonly positioned on several different SMDM playfields. Therefore, I believe the position shown is correct. Picture snapped at the 2014 Allentown PinFest.

Paragon

The red post supports the spinner. I have observed this red post commonly positioned on several different Paragon playfields. Therefore, I believe the position shown is correct. Picture snapped at the 2009 Pinball Wizards Convention.

Harlem Globetrotters on Tour

The red post supports the far left spinner. I have observed this red post commonly positioned on several different Globetrotters playfields. Therefore, I believe the position shown is correct. Picture snapped at the 2009 Pinball Wizards Convention.

Supersonic

The red post supports the shooter lane ball gate. I have observed this red post commonly positioned on several different Supersonic playfields. Therefore, I believe the position shown is correct. Picture snapped at the 2009 Pinball Wizards Convention.

Xenon

The red post is hidden under a playfield plastic by the left orbit ball gate. I have observed this red post commonly positioned on several different Xenon playfields. Therefore, I believe the position shown is correct. Picture of my Xenon.

Vector

The red post supports a plastic and is just to the right of the upper flipper. The position of this red post appears to be correct based on the game flyer. I believe that the post is translucent red, not the traditional solid red. Image courtesy of Russell Flegg.

Breakshot (Capcom)

The red post is below the upper right ball gate. Note the reflection in the top polished ball guide. Also note that the post is translucent red, not the traditional solid red. The position of this red post appears to be correct based on Breakshot promotional and other photos I've seen. Image courtesy of Steve Gligorea.

Other Kmiec Games

Below is a list of Greg Kmiec games not shown above. If you have one of the games listed below and you find a red post, send me an email. As noted above, some of Greg's earliest games may not have a red post. And some of Greg's newer games may have a single translucent post of some color other than red.



Amigo

Ro Go

Knockout

Aladdin's Castle

Star Ship (one-off prototype that became Supersonic)

Grand Slam

Kings of Steel

Spy Hunter

Cybernaut

Motordome

City Slicker

Transporter the Rescue

Epilogue? As of 2018 it's been years since I've added any additional information to this page. Perhaps I have found all there is to find. There's a curious circular nature to this information as people use this page as a reference to restore their games. My "facts" eventually become facts weather true or not. For what it's worth, I always keep an eye out for dirty old junk playfields that look like they've never been serviced. If I consistently find a red post in the same place, I assume I'm correct.