I've had EM machines out since the mid 90s and so far no problems..
Repair happens now and then, but after a total gone through, they hold
up well. I put out Man-Run-the-Bases Pitch and Bats where Kids hang out
(my local Community Center, Pizza Shop, a Buddy's Restaurant) and they get
played quite a bit. The old mechanical Skee Ball gets played very much from
all ages.. (T)
BTW - Thumbs up to the waitress that interacted when you were coining out..