The subreddit for the bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players. America's Pastime.For the best user experience, we.
- The pros in the Backyard Sports Series are based on real players in real life Barry Sanders RB (Detroit Lions) The pros in the Backyard Sports Series are based on real players in real life Barry Sanders RB (Detroit Lions). Backyard Baseball 2005 Edit. Albert Pujols.
- Jun 05, 2012 by Anthony Zonfrelli This post can also be seen on Deadspin.com here. Backyard Baseball: the beloved childhood computer game of our generation, where everyday children played in pickup ballgames with the youthful incarnations of your favorite Major Leaguers. These sandlot games were held in such high esteem that future pros like Mike Piazza and Vladimir.
Humongous Entertainment steps up to the plate with another release in its sports series and hits a home run. With original animation, a delicate mix of Major and Little League rules, and kid versions of Major League Baseball heroes, Backyard Baseball 2001 is an excellent sports title for kids. A lighthearted feeling of a pick-up game combined with simple controls and fun power-ups will draw kids in for the long haul as they bat their way to a world series championship under a real life team name like the Reds or a name all their own.
For kids (and grownups) who know anything about baseball, they can delight in choosing a roster of a baseball greats such as Sammy Sosa, Mark McGwire, Randy Johnson, and Ken Griffey Jr. just to name a few. Their sweetly animated kid-versions can be combined with the Backyard Sports series regulars, or users can comprise a team of all superstars. Whatever players are left behind after assembling a team will be placed on the opposing team, which is nice since generic computer opposition is avoided. Mixing up the characters provides the most fun, and creates the best teams since only a few pro pitchers are available. Once a team is chosen, players can designate the batting lineup and their outfield positions. Single games and series games are both options, and many other features can be customized such as choosing if the game should be six or nine innings. Younger players can customize the controls and strike zone as well as play with a tee, while more experienced PC armchair athletes can turn off the pitch locator and select the hard setting for a more challenging game. Hardcore PC sports fans however, may not like this game because of its simplicity.
Backyard Baseball Characters
Regardless of chosen settings, the games play out much like any baseball game minus any poor sportsmanship. Batters can bunt, steal bases, but cannot hit the batter with a pitch. Depending on the sound control settings, players will hear a lot of chatter and off the wall commentary. A few choice phrases such as 'we want a batter, not a broken ladder,' are mostly humorous, but the repetitive chanting could potentially grate the nerves of some adults. In fairness, all the silly incantations are perfectly inline with an adolescent baseball game, and can actually be very funny.
Both the batting and pitching power-ups add to the overall good time most players will already be having. Pitching power-ups are earned with every strike out, and it's not an impossible feat. The fireball is the best pitch to throw, but since it costs the pitcher's entire juice box stamina it should be used wisely. Strategically, the power-ups alter the game only slightly. In other words, you can still win without them; yet certainly add to the fun. In addition to these added 'bonuses,' the game boasts possibly the easiest controls of any Backyard Sport to date. Though it supports a gamepad, a good working mouse will suffice. The large arrow icons pointing the way to navigating the game are also simple for kids to use.
Backyard Baseball 2001 is a great selection for young sports fans. Being the first title to feature child versions of real life players, it relates to kids and appeals to their interest in the sport. The game has plenty of fun and kid-friendly features and is definitely one of the better sports titles for children. It wouldn't be a seventh inning stretch to say most kids will want to play over and over.
People who downloaded Backyard Baseball 2001 have also downloaded:
Backyard Baseball, Backyard Soccer, MVP Baseball 2005, Oregon Trail Deluxe, RollerCoaster Tycoon Deluxe, Game of Life, Zoo Tycoon 2, Age of Empires 2: The Age of Kings