meet rec center royalty

By Bryce Smith
Virtual League
Feb 02, 2026

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By Bryce Smith
Virtual League
Feb 02, 2026

Share This Blog

team profile: rec center royalty

Team Members: BIGEFOR3, JANTAWN, SETHSIL, TBD

 

Location: New York City and Florida
 

Year Founded: 2026
 

Team Song: We Fly High (Ballin’) by Jim Jones in Florida and Heart of a Champion by Nelly in NYC

Rec Center Royalty spans two states, one obsession, and countless Pop-A-Shot machines. Led by captain Eric “BigEfor3” Steigelfest and backed by a NYC crew forged through qualifiers, group chats, and sheer competitive instinct, this team brings big energy wherever they play. From Pig Beach in Queens to Florida home courts, Rec Center Royalty is carving out its place in the Pop-A-Shot Virtual League—one high score (and cold beer) at a time.

What follows is a mostly accurate transcript, edited for clarity, brevity, and journalistic integrity.  

q&a with their captain eric “bigefor3” steigelfest

Pop-A-Shot: Who's on the team? How do you know each other? 
 

Rec Center Royalty: Eric Steigelfest aka BIGEFOR3 – The token Florida Man on the roster
Andrew (JANTAWN) - New York City
Seth Silverman (SETHSIL) - New York City
Andrew (TBD) New York City
 

Eric and Andrew met at the 2025 St. Louis Qualifier – bonding over phenomenally good hot honey pepperoni pizza to drown our sorrow in pizza grease after not even qualifying for the bracket.
 

Andrew, “TBD”, and Seth met through a neighborhood basketball WhatsApp group chat.
 

Pop-A-Shot: Where’s the team’s home court?
 

Rec Center Royalty: Pig Beach in Queens, NY—an “exciting foray into the smoked meat universe.” We’re there for Pop-A-Shot…and the beer.
 

Pop-A-Shot: How did Eric manage to get his own Pop-A-Shot Elite?
 

Rec Center Royalty: Eric’s family and friends chipped in to make it happen. He grew up obsessed with Pop-A-Shot, so owning an Elite is a lifelong dream—bubble hockey is next.

Pop-A-Shot: Any challenges being split between two locations?
 

Rec Center Royalty: Mostly just wishing we could high-five after big scores.
 

Pop-A-Shot: Inspiration behind the name Rec Center Royalty? 
 

Rec Center Royalty: Every Pop-A-Shot machine we see feels like a challenge to claim the high score. Do it enough, and you become royalty—plus Eric still likes dunking on people in men’s league.
 

Pop-A-Shot:  Outlook after a tough start?


Rec Center Royalty: Eric reminded us we might be the best 0–2 team ever. Heads up, eyes on a winning streak, and focused on a playoff push.

 

Pop-A-Shot: Any teams you’re watching closely?
 

Rec Center Royalty: Nope. We’re locked in on weekly improvement. Eric will be averaging 160+ by season’s end—quote him.

 

Pop-A-Shot: We appreciate your time, is there anything else you'd like to share before we go?

Rec Center Royalty: Andrew has had some version of a Pop-A-Shot machine in his home for 25+ years and has been chasing a National Championship berth since 2024.

team building through distance

Early matchups may have tested them, but Rec Center Royalty is locked in on growth, consistency, and a late-season surge. With eyes on the playoffs and confidence building week by week, this is a team that believes the scores will follow the process. Keep an eye on their climb—and follow the action all season long in the Pop-A-Shot Virtual League.

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