So.... for those who have been looking for a solution to the drain issue.
The best solution I’ve come to thus far has been to bend the ballguide above dracula. I bend it out slightly so the ball trajectory is curved a little more inward. It seems counterintuitive since we are trying to -Avoid- middle drains, but that’s what works. Fairly consistently keeps the ball in play. For a little while. After a few good solid plays, the ball guide works its way back, and I’m back to nudging and praying.
So the other night I’m thinking about what I can use to wedge in there to keep the ballguide in place. I root around for rubber, and find a ring that perfectly fits around the existing black rubber -and- pushes the ballguide out. It worked flawlessly!!
Took me all of about 30 seconds to install (lift the plastic gently and shove it down around the black post rubber, push the ballguide out of the way so it has clearance, done.
I do want to find a similarly sized piece that’s made of firmer rubber, but this seems to be the trick. Does not impede the ball whatsoever, and I’ve got a perfectly level game with no issue hitting Drac’s Bruno Maglis!