This category contains articles related to the characters found in Backyard Baseball 2003.

• Backyard Baseball Dmitri Petrovich Pictures
• Backyard Baseball Dmitri Petrovich 2017

Backyard Baseball is a series of baseballvideo games for children which was developed by Humongous Entertainment and published by Atari. It was first released in October 1997 for Macintosh and Microsoft Windows. Later games were featured on Game Boy Advance, PlayStation 2, GameCube, Wii, and iOS. It is part of the Backyard Sports series. There have been eleven different versions of the game since 1997. Some of the game titles that were created include Backyard Baseball, Backyard Baseball 2001-2010, and Backyard Sports: Sandlot Sluggers.

The original game consisted of 30 neighborhood kids from which the gamer could choose to play.^[1] Over the years, the idea of 'Pro players as kids' became popular, and the original statistics and looks of the players changed. Some of the professional players that were available included Chipper Jones, Frank Thomas, Alex Rodriguez, Alfonso Soriano, Ichiro Suzuki, Sammy Sosa, Jim Thome, Albert Pujols, Nomar Garciaparra, Ken Griffey Jr., and Barry Bonds. As the game progresses, there are some professionals that become available or 'unlockable' including Randy Johnson, Derek Jeter, and Mike Piazza.

In Backyard Baseball, players take a managerial role by creating a team of different players to compete against opponents. In the different installments, a player could play an exhibition game or a 14, 16 or 32 game season (different versions vary) followed by the 'Backyard Baseball League' playoffs, which contains the American League and National League divisional series, the AL and NL championship series and finally the 'Backyard Baseball World Series'. Series games will vary per game.

This game has various playable modes, they include: Single Game, Batting Practice, Spectator, and Season Game.

In 2013, The Evergreen Group acquired the intellectual property from Atari.

Legacy[edit]

Pablo Sanchez, one of the playable characters in the game, has been regarded as one of the strongest characters in video game history.^[2][3][4]

The game has also been noted for its diversity (gender, race) of characters, both in ratio of white to non-white and male to female, as well as skill level and the distribution of the best characters.^[5]

Power-Ups[edit]

Sometimes accompanying the four standard batting modes (Power, Line Drive, Grounder and Bunt), some beneficial power-ups appear. In the original Backyard Baseball, these batting power-ups appeared when the player got a hit when the computer used a 'crazy pitch' (see below). Starting from Backyard Baseball 2001, the power ups were awarded after a hit off a 'crazy pitch' and when the player turned a double play or triple play on defense. In addition to these batting power-ups, pitching power-ups, or 'crazy pitches,' also progressively appear, though they are much more frequent and in number, occurring whenever the player strikes an opponent out. These pitches consume much more energy and causes the strike zone to expand, so most of the pitches given are never used consecutively. In addition to the 'crazy pitches,' a strikeout may also award the player 'More Juice,' a full energy recharge for the pitcher that can be used when the player sees fit to use it.

Backyard Baseball 2001

Batting Power-Ups

• Aluminum Power: This power-up is the most valued and can disappear after one or no tries when in use. Players use an aluminum bat to increase the chances to hit a home run.
• Screaming Line Drive: The power-up last about two uses and appears more frequently. Players hit a fast line drive to the wall and allows the batter to run more or all bases.
• Under Grounder: This move lasts at least two uses. Players hit a ground ball that goes into the ground, causing the ball to reappear in any random area of the outfield.
• Crazy Bunt: The move disappears after one or no tries when in use, but if the power-up is used sparingly, the move can last up to four uses. When the ball is hit, the ball rolls around the field erratically as fielders just barely miss catching it.

Pitching Power-Ups

• Big Freeze: The ball is thrown like normal but suddenly stops just before it enters the strike zone, often faking the hitter into swinging at the pitch.
• Elevator: The ball is thrown low along the ground and then the ball suddenly jumps into the air at the last moment.
• Crazyball: the ball 'laughs' when thrown, and it moves in random directions in the air. Easier to hit if swingspot is enabled
• Corkskrew: The ball makes a spiral motion through the air. Easier to hit if swingspot is enabled
• Zigzag: The ball makes a zig-zag motion through the air. Easier to hit if swingspot is enabled
• Slomo: The ball travels very slowly through the air, requiring precise timing to be hit.
• Spitball: The ball is covered with saliva and jerks in the air.
• Fireball: One of the most powerful pitches, the ball blazes past the batter in a ball of fire at an incredibly high speed. When used by a player, this pitch is the most draining of the pitcher's stamina.

Backyard Baseball 2005

Batting Power-Ups

• Sonic Boom: The player knocks down opposing fielders with a super-powerful shockwave.
• Rubber Bat: The batter bounce a grounder really high into the air — the player will have a chance to reach base before any fielder catches the ball.
• Butter Fingers: The player will splatter the opposing fielders with butter. They'll have a slippery time trying to field your hit.
• Jumping Bean Bunt: This tricky power-up makes the ball jump all over the place!
• Lightning Bat: Produce tremendous power when you connect with the ball.
• Geyser Hit: The batter makes the ball burrow deep underground before it suddenly surfaces somewhere in the outfield.
• Piñata Bat: The batter drives fielders crazy when the ball is hit, the ball multiplies into dozens of bouncing baseballs.
• Orbiter: Knock the stuffing out of the ball.

Pitching Power-Ups

• The Fang: The Fang looks like a normal curve-ball, but it bites hard at the last second and goes straight into the dirt.
• Freezer: The Freezer stops just before reaching the strike zone, pauses briefly, and then continues.
• Slo MO: This ball starts moving at ultra-slow speed just before reaching the strike zone.
• Juice Box: The Juice Box will refill your pitcher's Pitch Juice Box.
• Rainbow Pop-up: When it's hit, the ball goes straight into the air for an easy out.
• Crazy Pitch: The Crazy Pitch is so wild that even the pitcher doesn't know where it will go.
• Splitball: This pitch splits into two separate curve-balls, one of which is a fake, unhittable baseball.
• Fireball: The Fireball is so fast it can burn a hole in your catcher's glove.

Installments[edit]

References[edit]

1. ^https://www.theringer.com/features/2017/10/10/16451300/backyard-baseball-20-year-anniversary
2. ^http://www.wbur.org/onlyagame/2017/06/23/backyard-baseball-computer-game-history
3. ^http://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2013/03/the-25-best-virtual-athletes-in-video-games/pablo-sanchez
4. ^http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1990299-most-terrifying-video-game-athletes-to-play-against
5. ^Delayo, Mike. 'The Inclusive Legacy of Backyard Baseball'. Fangraphs.

External links[edit]

One of the best parts about the sports markets is the video games that come with it. Madden, 2K, EA Sports have all changed the way we see and play the game. One franchise often forgotten, however, is Backyard Sports. Debuting in 1997 with Backyard Baseball, this creation of Humongous Sports became one of the favorite games for kids growing up in the late 1990s and early 2000s, myself included. I remember playing against my brother and usually losing to him, but it was still incredibly fun. I decided to figure out which ten players are the best in the game. I will only be ranking according to the original 1997 version, and only in baseball.

#10: Angela Delvecchio

Angela is one of those players who often times gets passed by for someone bigger or with more poise. However, you won’t find a more surefire pitcher than her. One of her other big strong suits is her ability to hit the ball. Simply put, you don’t see strong hitters and pitchers anymore, and Angela is of a dying breed.

#9: Kenny Kawaguchi

In doing research for this article, I found there was a somewhat negative connotation surrounding Kenny, and I don’t get it. This kid came out every day and worked just as hard as everyone else, despite being IN A WHEELCHAIR. He’s a prime example of one of the best parts about this game; its initiative to be inclusive of all. Not only that, he can flat out play. He’s not the best hitter, but his wheels give him the speed, and he’s a pitcher who can last the entire game. If you want to be able to win without having to change pitchers ever, Kenny is your guy.

#8: Dante Robinson

What I like about Dante is how much power he puts behind his swing for such a little guy. Every time he goes up to bat, he puts his entire body into it and powers the ball into the outfield. He’s also fast, but doesn’t have the strongest arm, so he’s a logical infielder.

#7: Maria Luna

Maria is a small cookie, but that doesn’t mean she can’t play baseball. She doesn’t have a facet that really stands out, but she is definitely a good all-around player. And that’s a good thing to have on a team. This is not about making all-star teams, so Luna is a great choice for just about anything (except pitcher).

#6: Dmitri Petrovich

Dmitri gave hope to nerds across the country that they too could excel at sports. I usually made him my catcher, as he can field decently well, but is strongest in his hitting capability. He just needs to get a little faster, and better at throwing!

#5: Achmed Khan

Khan always drove me nuts. One minute, he’s missing every chance to make a play in the infield, distracted by his music, and the next he’s hitting a home run. He’s a fantastic cleanup hitter that can stymie any pitcher. Also, credit to him for pioneering the headphone athlete look.

#4: Jocinda Smith

Lucinda is another well-rounded player, but unlike our previous ones, she stands out in her hitting capabilities. She can knock any ball deep for a base hit and really set a strong offensive tone. Because of that, she makes a great leadoff or early hitter. Her fielding is great as well, but keep her away from the outfield.

#3: Pete Wheeler

How can you not love Pete? He’s just such an innocent soul who doesn’t know much about the game, but still wants to play. Just because he doesn’t know what he’s doing doesn’t mean he should be underestimated. When you think Pete Wheeler, you think speed. This kid usually has a high batting percentage simply because he almost always beats the ball to the bag. He’s another strong leadoff batter, and an often forgotten facet of his game is his arm. That, coupled with his speed, make him an excellent outfielder, plus he can be a great reliever on the mound.

#2: Kiesha Phillips

Backyard Baseball Dmitri Petrovich Pictures

If Kiesha was real, she’d make the MLB. I bet the league would change its rules to let her into the game. She’s built like a lineman and has the strength of one, meaning if you need someone to smack the ball out of there, she’s your gal. Sometimes when you take strength you forfeit speed, but that is not the case with Kiesha. She is every bit as fast as she is strong, plus her arm is something every outfield needs. She beats every female stereotype in the book, and really shows everyone who’s boss.

Backyard Baseball Dmitri Petrovich 2017

#1: Pablo Sanchez

Sometimes you encounter players unlike any other. Michael Jordan and LeBron James in basketball. Walter Payton and Brett Favre in football. Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux in hockey. Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, and Pablo Sanchez for baseball.

What made him so good? Think about how many players you could stick anywhere on the field and he’d still be the best one out there. Anywhere. Catcher, infield, outfield, and pitcher. Think about how many players hit a homer on almost every ball they encounter. He almost never strikes out, or gets thrown out. If you gave him a direction, he’d follow it to a T. And he’d do that despite not knowing a lick of English.

Sanchez’s abilities can not be beat. He is the culmination of everything that is great in the sport of baseball. To quote his baseball card, “simply put, this kid is good.”

Do you agree with my list? Who’s your picks? Let us know in the comments, and be sure to subscribe to email notifications of our posts!