So many sports programs are so serious. Real players, real stats, real rules. I get review copies of these things all the time, and I foist them off on local obsessive sports nerds. But I am not giving away my CD-ROM of Backyard Baseball.
In Backyard Baseball, you coach a team of dopey-looking kids. When you pick teams, definitely don't miss Pablo Sanchez. He doesn't speak English, but he's the best player in the league. I usually put him in left field. Pete Wheeler isn't too bright ("I'm gonna hit a touchdown," he says as he steps up to the plate), but he sure can hit. Kiesha Phillips is a must - count on her to hit it out of the park. If you pick Sidney Webber, pick her twin sister, Ashley, too - they play better together.
Backyard Baseball is for kids 5 to 10, but most players on my real-life team (21 and up) love it. Sports nerds may prefer more realistic ball games, but the rest of us may find ourselves addicted to leading little bands of junior misfits to victory.
Backyard Baseball: US$29.95. Humongous Entertainment: +1 (425) 485 9258.
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Backyard Baseball
