Backyard Baseball 2005 - E

A great baseball simulation for kids!

Publisher: Atari Category/Genre: Computer Software - Sports Platform: Windows Price: $20 Graphics: 3-D Playability: Easy to learn and play Reading Level: 2nd grade-up Release Date: 08/31/2004 ESRB Rating: E

Common Sense Note

Parents will love the diversity of the "neighborhood kids" represented in this baseball simulation, which blends competition and whimsy.

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Jinny Gudmundsen

Your memories of playing baseball as a kid may be of picking dandelions in right field, but in the Backyard Baseball simulations, you can hit a grand slam, pitch a no-hitter, and nail a runner trying to steal second base.

Originally introduced in 1997 as a computer baseball simulation, this year's new editions can be played on either the PC (Backyard Baseball 2005) or PlayStation 2 (Backyard Baseball).

Backyard Baseball is not your traditional baseball simulation. The players are all kids who are as diverse as the American youth who will control them. When little Vicki Kawaguchi comes up to bat, she pirouettes her way to the plate. Marky Dubois plays with a pet frog in his overalls. Kenny Kawaguchi is in a wheelchair. Some of the players are even kid-versions of current baseball stars including Alex Rodriguez, Carlos Delgado, and Sammy Sosa.

The pitching and hitting do not always follow your baseball expectations. While you can choose to deliver traditional pitches, you can also throw wacky ones, including the "Splitball," which sends two curveballs at the batter--one of which is fake. Fielders will go crazy when batters use the "Pinata Bat" that turns the hit into dozens of bouncing baseballs.

Kids learn management skills in picking the best players for their team. Each player has his or her own baseball card showing the stats in various baseball skills.

New this year are the addition of 3-D graphics and more challenging game play. Hardcore baseball fans might find the game too whimsical, but younger kids and the average sports fan will find Backyard Baseball to be a hoot.

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