Custom roms is what it would take, pretty sure. Even if you tied in the coil to release the balls into the drain switch, the game still isn't programmed to give enough time to let the thing drain without starting the next ball/player.

That said....just get over it, and accept it how it is, or don't use it for competition if it bothers you that much. Plenty of 70's/80's (and a few EMs!) all play this way. You're doing yourself a disservice, IMO, by leaving them out of tournaments. Qualifying is fine, maybe think about how the players will react if it's used in a finals though.

I think those people are 'remembering' a different game.

Custom rom would be interesting as it would have to eject the ball that's there as it was locking the other ball.

Aren't the locks lit all the time on space station anyway like space shuttles'? All you'd be doing is requiring an extra shot to the lock vs. leaving the locks there for the next player.

You can steal locks - same as most Sys11 games.

If nobody steals your balls - they will still be there next time you step up to the machine.

If they have been stolen, you’ll need to lock them again.

rd