Quoted from SteveinTexas:

Yes. You do. I put a layer of tape on the playfield surface underneath where I would strike the pins. Use the proper punch to knockout the pins. They only go one way which is the opposite how they go in, as the pounding mushrooms the end.
If you have trouble making them move use a dremel with a small stone tool to gently grind the pin exit end and they pop out.

Quoted from bigdog50:

BEFORE you start removing the above playfield bat (thats not where your problem is) work UNDER the playfield. As another suggested - start with the bar rheostat -- its a white knob that turns usually at from in inside cab. Those tend to get gunked up over they years. a bunch of aggressive turns to full stop in each direction will help clean it and allow it to make better contact. That is what controls bat speed.
Next -- and this is also a likely reason - is that bat mechanism under the playfield is full of black crappy grease that has gummed up moving parts. I usually take of all the parts and soak in or spray with a degunker. TAKE LOTS OF PICS WHEN TAKING APART! Then reassemble when clean with some Super Lube lightly applied on all metal on metal parts -- where the black grease was originally. That bat should have lots of snap after that.
Finally -- that bat coil can be the culprit if lost some spunk over the years. I've only had to replace that coil once on a dozen pitch and bats I restored