There was a historical event on Sunday that brought people from across New York state together thanks to a childhood classic arcade game. It was the first time the International Flipper Pinball Association held a women's state tournament in New York. This tournament brought in 16 of the best female players from all over the state. 

Professional women pinball players hope to bring more awareness and impact to the classic game in the future. This is because women made up just over 11% of professional players just a few years ago, according to the Washington Post. 

"It's about visibility,” professional pinball player Gina Collecchia said. “It's about seeing other women play and knowing that you can try it out."

The women participating want to make an impact on the game for those that come after them. The pinball game is dominated by men, according to Kaite Martin, a professional pinball player. 

“It's a sport, but it's arcade games,” Martin said. “The more women you get in, the more likely you will have bigger tournaments. I think a national tournament would be great, and if we were able to get 16 or 24 players at each state fighting to get to the nationals."

In the future, Collecchia says, women would like to have a voice in the rules. 

"What is even more important, though, is to be involved in the rulemaking process,” she said. “I mean, designing the tournaments and having a say."

For the first time ever, the Hudson Valley was host to the New York state tournament at Rock Fantasy Pinball. "It's an honor to host it,” Rock Fantasy owner Stephen Keeler said. “The Rock Fantasy is now a pinball center. It opened as a record store in 1985. We've been in town for 37 years in three different locations."