Steel City Pinball Association
(Formerly Three Rivers Pinball Association)
The Three Rivers Pinball Association (TRPA) was founded in August 1993 by Dave Stewart, with the intent of creating pinball leagues in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, area. In September 1993, the first league was formed at Doc's Place, in Shadyside. The league, with its own unique format, was 10 weeks long, plus one additional week for playoffs. It was very popular among the players of the six original 2-player teams. The success led to the creation of a second league in Pittsburgh, at the Southside Beehive.
In the winter of 1994, the Doc's League increased to 8 teams, and the Beehive league debued with 12 teams. Once again, there was tremendous success, with many players going home with trophies, prizes courtesy of Bally/Williams, RCA Victor, and H. Lazar & Sons, and lots of cash.
In the summer of 1994, TRPA president Dave Stewart had to step down, due to new employment in a different city in Maryland. The reigns were passed on to Bill Kurtz. Dave then co-founded the Free State Pinball Association, which is also growing every season.
TRPA was initially created in conjunction with a local operator (H. Lazar & Son), who insisted on all pinball events only being held in their own establishment. This limitation, along with the fact that TRPA could not advertise in any of the competitor's location, led to the decision of Dave and Bill to split away from the operator. They created a completely player-run association without any links to any local operator, and called it the Steel City Pinball Association (SCPA). The TRPA, whose name was registered by H. Lazar and Son, was put to rest in favor of the new association.
The SCPA is now one of the largest pinball associations in North America. Many members of SCPA have had very good showings in international competitions, such as PAPA and IFPA, including Ellen Frankel, Dave Stewart, Steve Zumoff, Bill Kurtz, Rob Chesnavich, Jacki Hays, Nancee Kumpfmiller, and Lori Grosick.
The SCPA also hosted the most successful PAPA Fall flipoffs in November 1994. Over 140 people participated, with the grand prize being a trip to New York City to participate at PAPA-5. Paul Harm emerged victorious in that competition.