The pinball machine "Big Hurt," manufactured by D. Gottlieb & Co. and released in June 1995 under their Premier Technology banner, immerses players in the competitive world of professional baseball. This solid-state electronic (SS) machine, designated Model Number 745, was produced in a run of 1,985 units. The game draws its theme from baseball, leveraging a licensed concept to bring the sport's excitement to the arcade floor.

The development of "Big Hurt" involved a dedicated team. Bill Parker took on the design, shaping the playfield and gameplay mechanics. The visual identity of the machine was crafted by Constantino Mitchell, Jeanine Mitchell, and Susan O'Reilly, with Jeanine Mitchell specifically contributing the color work for the playfield, plastics, and cabinet. Auditory elements were handled by Duane Decker, who composed the music, and Craig Beierwaltes, who designed the sound effects. Software development was a collaborative effort by Allen Edwall, Jon Norris, and Rand Paulin, while Alycen Hareas, Rand Paulin, Scott Melchionda, and Vecennia Jordan animated the Dot Matrix Display. Mechanical engineering for the machine was executed by Marion Czyz and Wesley Chang. "Big Hurt" was a late-era Gottlieb System 3 machine, representing Premier Technology's continued presence in the competitive pinball market of the mid-1990s.

Signature Features and Design

"Big Hurt" distinguishes itself through several unique elements that enhance its baseball theme and gameplay. A primary mechanical feature is the moving baseball glove, centrally located on the playfield. This dynamic toy acts as both a target and an obstacle, influencing ball trajectory and requiring players to time their shots to earn "catches." The inclusion of three flippers—two at the bottom and an upper-left flipper equipped with "Insta-Catch"—provides players with expanded control and shot opportunities, particularly for the various ramps and loops. The playfield also incorporates a captive ball and a three-bank of drop targets, which are integral to activating specific modes and scoring opportunities. The machine features a four-ball multiball, delivering high-scoring potential and intense gameplay sequences. These combined features work to create an interactive experience that goes beyond simple target hitting, pushing players to engage with the machine's distinct physical elements.

Playfield and Mechanics

The playfield of "Big Hurt" is designed to evoke a baseball stadium, with shots and features corresponding to actions and locations in a game. The lower portion of the playfield houses the two main flippers and slingshots, standard components for ball control. An upper-left flipper strategically positioned allows for shots to the left field loop and certain targets. Two pop bumpers contribute to chaotic ball movement and serve to change the value of "Bullpen Awards."

Major shots include a prominent center ramp, which leads the ball to various destinations such as the Left Gap, Home Run hole, or Right Gap, and is where the moving baseball glove mechanism is situated. The Left Field Loop increases in value with successive hits, potentially escalating to a billion points. The Right Field Loop serves to increase the jackpot value by 10 million points per shot. The "Warning Track" feeds the ball back to the left flipper or into the pop bumpers.

Critical targets include the Left Gap, which advances the "inning" count and is tied to raising the Super Jackpot value. The Home Run Hole is a direct scoring opportunity, awarding Home Runs (10 million points) or Grand Slams (40 million points). The Right Gap, or "Players Choice," momentarily stops the ball, allowing players to select from two presented awards. Strategic targets around the playfield, marked "Big Hurt Sign," "Left Sign," and "Right Sign," contribute to spelling "GRAND SLAM," which in turn initiates a four-ball multiball. Further interactive elements include the "Load Bases Lane" for base-loading objectives, the "Big Hurt Pothole" for collecting double jackpots, the "Bullpen Hole" for special awards, and a set of drop targets used for the skill shot, combo bonuses, and "stolen bases." Visually, the "Diamond Lights" at the base of the playfield illuminate to represent runners on base, completing the baseball diamond aesthetic. The artwork, a collaborative effort, utilizes vibrant colors and details to enhance the stadium atmosphere, complemented by Dot Matrix Display animations that provide feedback and narrative progression.

Gameplay Dynamics

"Big Hurt" offers a range of gameplay mechanics designed to simulate a baseball game's progression and scoring. A "Skill Shot" initiates each ball, requiring players to hit a raised drop target after plunging for an immediate home run or grand slam. The game features multiple "Rounds" or modes, typically activated by hitting the right hole when lit. These include "Golden Glove" (a two-ball multiball where players aim for the glove for catches), "Frank's HR Derby" (a two-ball multiball focusing on the home run hole), "Steal Home" (a timed mode for stealing bases and earning trading cards), "#35 All Stars" (a timed mode for adding players to the lineup by making various shots), "Frank Thomas Cards" (a two-ball multiball for collecting trading cards by shooting orbits), and "Night Game" (a two-ball multiball with lit shots as targets). Completing all normal modes unlocks the "World Series," a timed one-ball wizard mode.

Multiball sequences are central to high scoring. The regular four-ball multiball can be initiated via "Players Choice" or as a "Bullpen award." The jackpot sequence during multiball involves a "Home Run" shot (scoring the jackpot), followed by an orbit shot, then another "Home Run" within five seconds for a "Double Jackpot," and a repeat for a "Super Jackpot." The base jackpot starts at 20 million points and increases by 10 million with each shot to the right orbit, also increasing during the "7th Inning Stretch" or regular multiball. The "Super Jackpot" scales with innings completed, reaching a maximum of 900 million points across nine innings.

Innings advance by shooting the left gap or during the "Night Game" mode. The "7th Inning Stretch" is a four-ball multiball event. Reaching the "9th inning" lights the left gap for 30 million, followed by the right gap for another 30 million, requiring rapid successive shots. Spelling "GRAND SLAM" initiates the "Grand Slam Derby," another four-ball multiball.

Hitting the moving glove scores points and can relight the right hole, with accumulating "Catches" leading to various awards like extra balls or lighting the right orbit. "Frank Thomas Trading Cards" are collected through steals, the "Frank Thomas Cards" mode, "Bullpen Awards," or the left outlane, and can be traded at the right scoop for score multipliers, extra balls, and super jackpots. "Bullpen Awards" are granted by hitting the Bullpen hole after a certain number of pop bumper closures, with the award changing based on pop bumper activity. "Players Choice Awards," triggered by the right gap, allow players to select one of two presented bonuses. Combos are a significant scoring element, with two-way, three-way, and four-way sequences awarding increasing points for sequential lit shots. Walks and Steals are achieved by hitting the left scoop then the center drop target, with a repeated combination granting a steal and a trading card if a walk is lit. Bonuses are calculated at the end of each ball based on catches, and at the end of the game based on catches, trading cards, and runs. The game also tracks and awards "Champs" for Homeruns, Grand Slams, Catches, and Stolen Bases, providing competitive benchmarks.

Reception and Legacy

"Big Hurt" elicits a range of opinions within the pinball community. Its strengths are frequently cited as its engaging gameplay, with many players finding it enjoyable and possessing a good playfield layout featuring multiple ramps and varied shots. The moving baseball glove is often highlighted as a distinct and well-integrated feature, enhancing the thematic immersion. The game's baseball theme is generally regarded as well-executed, with announcer callouts and sound effects contributing to the feeling of being at a live baseball game. Multiball modes, particularly the "Home Run" and "Grand Slam" ramp shots, are also popular. Some enthusiasts point to the machine's robust construction, suggesting a solid build quality compared to some other games of the era. Many consider "Big Hurt" to be a strong value proposition within the used pinball market, especially for a home collection.

However, "Big Hurt" also draws criticism for specific aspects. The sound quality is a common point of contention, with the music sometimes described as uninspired or even repetitive. The artwork, particularly the backglass, is often viewed as average rather than captivating. The game's rules and code receive mixed feedback; some players perceive the scoring as unbalanced, particularly for the left orbit shot, which can become overly lucrative, potentially simplifying the high-score chase. Concerns about the rules being occasionally confusing or repetitive, alongside negative feedback regarding the "card collection" mechanic, are also voiced. The very feature that makes the game unique, the moving glove, is also a source of frustration for some, who find it can block shots or lead to premature ball drains. Despite these criticisms, "Big Hurt" is frequently considered an underrated machine by a segment of the community, offering a fun experience, especially for baseball fans. It stands as an example of Gottlieb's later System 3 efforts, showcasing their continued mechanical innovation and thematic integration in a competitive market.