Ball Kickers

A solenoid-powered mechanism that kicks the ball from one location on the playfield to another, distinct from the Slingshots-type Kickers that simply repel the ball on contact. Ball kickers are directional launchers — they capture or intercept the ball at a specific point and propel it to a predetermined destination, often across a significant distance. The mechanism appeared on over 60 IPDB-cataloged machines and serves as a playfield routing tool, allowing designers to move the ball between areas that are not connected by lanes, ramps, or natural ball paths.