Barry Oursler said in his topcast interview that the last 2000 or so left the factory with straight, and it was designed with straight in mind. Mike Stroll (pres of WMS at the time) insisted on the curved bats because of the disco fever success.... He also later on wanted every game to be like Black Knight (2 level) instead of mixing it up.
I think it's a novelty pin with the curved flippers and a serious pin you can play with the straight. I had straight on mine (sold earlier this year after owning for 19 years or so)
Austin, TX
