1. Backyard Baseball Best Lineup 2017
2. Backyard Baseball Best Lineup 2016

1. Mar 23, 2004  Major League Baseball pros join the Backyard Kids. Young baseball fans can pick Alex Rodriguez, Alfonso Soriano and 14 other stars, all playing as kids! Choose lineups.
2. BackyardBaseball: Sports league web site provided and hosted free of charge by LeagueLineup.com - The Youth and Amateur Sports Portal!

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.

There are numerous fictional teams used throughout the Backyard Sports Series. This list does not include the real MLB, NBA, NHL, NFL, and MLS teams used by various games in the series. From Wikipedia.

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]

As I woke up this morning, had some nice cold AJ I thought to myself.. “If I could build a lineup in backyard baseball today, I’d be unstoppable.” I would be the best coach to ever teach these kids. I could change their lives. I could bring them to the ship. I might be taking this a bit too serious but fuck it.

Batting First

Pete Wheeler- Petey is an absolute, under the radar stud. This kid can get the bat on the ball and go for extra bases if need be. If Pete can poke the ball into the gap he’s GONE. In the parker, 1-0. He might run like he has a hot, steamy one dripping down his leg but big deal. The kid can move. We need this kid on base and if not he’s fucking benched. Some people think that Pete has zero idea what he is doing on the field and I kind of agree. His baseball IQ might be extremely debatable but who cares, the boy can play. Peter’s speed is a huge asset in his out fielding ability. He covers a lot of ground and tracks down tons of fly balls.

Batting Second

Achmed Khan- This kid is just pure, raw talent. With the ability to get the bat on the ball if he sees the right pitch. Some may think it’s tough running with these giant headphones on his head, but not Achmed. That’s what makes this kid so special. Achmed has no problem taking the extra base while running but I solely think that it is because he can’t hear the coaches screaming at him to stop. I wonder what he’s listening too. We need Achmed batting second to put the bat on the ball and drive in Pete Wheeler. He kind of worries me though, I’m not going to lie. He kind of looks like a psychopath. He is the type of player we need on this team.

Batting Third

Pablo Sanchez- THE SECRET WEAPON. Need I say more? This kid is the best athlete of all time. Baseball field? Home-runs. Football field? Touchdowns. Soccer field? Goals. And I heard he makes a mean chili. This kid actually does it all. We need Mr. Weapon batting third because if he doesn’t put a hole in the fence from the laser beams coming off of his bat then we can use him on the base path. Pablo’s discipline at the plate plus his elite contact ability makes him a force to be wrecked with. I will be putting Pablo at short stop because he can get the a ground ball in a hurry and also has a great arm at first base. You can play this kid anywhere and he will destroy the competition. Rumer has it that Pablo Sanchez has been smoking cigarettes since he was 8 years old. When I grew up and my teachers asked me who I wanted to be like when I got older, I’d answer Pablo Sanchez. Next question.

Batting Fourth

THE KIESHA PHILLIPS- Absolute manic at the plate. Standing at 6 foot 8, 265 pounds, Kiesha is the Lebron James of backyard baseball. Get the fuck out of the way when Kiesha is coming down the first base line because she has no problem hit-sticking you off of the bag. The power that Kiesha presents at the plate is unheard of. Absolute raw power. She could sneeze on the ball and put it 400 feet. Some often check her birth certificate because she plays with 8 year olds and drives herself to the games. The spectators are often frightened by the screaming line drives that come off of her bat. Don’t let her size fool you, she can BOLT around the bases. I will be having Kiesha play first base because tough shit she isn’t playing anywhere else.

Batting Fifth

Mikey Thomas- Who actually might be one of the nicest people on the planet, with a weird obsession for rice pilaf. Mikey Thomas has been playing baseball ever since he was a young boy so his fundamentals are off the charts. Mikey is fat and can’t really run on the bases. So that is why we are batting him fifth for some clutch RBI’s and possibly a dinger or 2. With this big lefty in the line up it will shake up any defense. You cant even bench this kid because he cries and then his parents call me. I will be playing Mikey at third base because he can get in front of the ball, block it and hopefully throw a few people out.

Batting Sixth

Luanne Lui- This girl has wheels but her stuffed animal smells like shit. If Lulu can just get the bat on the ball, it is very likely for her to beat out any ground ball. She shows an extreme amount of heart and this is the type of girl you need on this squad. Lulu has been working on her bunting ability for a while and now she can bunt in her sleep. With her extreme bunting ability and speed, the infield will play close. If Ms. Lui recognizes this she will hit a missile down the third baseman’s throat. Luanne Lui is going to be our Ace of a pitcher this year. Her fireball is a pitch that not many people in the league can catch up to. With that pitch coming in at a whopping 95 MPH, she can also dip down to 80 MPH with her circle change up. What a player.

Batting Seventh

Ernie Steele- He might have the skinniest neck and most awkward proportions in the league but he is a great all around player. His ability to play any position in the field with ease is one of a kind. Growing up, Ernie’s family wanted him to play basketball but Ernie had a dream to play baseball. Batting at the number seven spot, Ernie is going to shock the opposing team because that deep in the lineup you usually don’t find someone with the skill set like Ernie. If I could change anything about him it would be the high-water pants that he wears. They just look ridiculous.

Batting Eighth

Tony Delvecchio- This kid is just OK but, every here and there he will do something incredible. He honestly might be the coolest video game character I have ever seen. He just looks like he wears denim jackets and always has a cigarette behind his ear. That’s really the only reason I’m putting him in the line up, because he’s the coolest person I have ever seen.

Batting Ninth

Jocinda Smith- Jocinda has went under the radar in the Backyard industry. But not to me. No way no how. She is one of the best athletes that this game has and no one even talks about her. I am batting Jocinda (MVP) Smith ninth because who is going to expect this SAVAGE to be batting last? No one. When she gets up and the other team isn’t too worried, they are going to throw her a meatball. BOOM. 350 foot ROPE over the left/center wall. And don’t forget her fielding ability. Gold Glove material.

And there you you have it. Coach Chris coming at you live with the lineup of the century. I got my New Balances on, short shorts and a whistle around my neck coaching the living fuck out of this team. Next stop, Disneyland.

Chris P

Backyard Baseball Best Lineup 2017

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