• May 04, 2015 Backyard Baseball 101: the Quintessential Guide to Succeeding in a Children’s Video Game as an Adult May 4, 2015 May 4, 2015 / Alex Wise Every kid who grew up in the 90’s or 2000’s and whose family owned a computer played Backyard Baseball and if they didn’t their childhood didn’t exist and it’s that simple.
• The 2014 MLB season is a little under a month away. The fiery hot stove of the baseball off-season is slowly but surely cooling off, as 47 of MLB Trade Rumors’ Top 50 Free Agents have signed. While each of the three notable free agents remaining could definitely help a team, there is a whole other free agent market waiting to be exploited.

• Backyard Baseball Webber Twins Photos
• Backyard Baseball Webber Twins Photos

This is a FAQ for Backyard Baseball. If you have any questions, or if I miss something or make a mistake, email me at peachfreak90@hotmail.com. All questions will go into the Asked Questions section.

Talk about a couple of powerhouses in gaming. Both of these franchises absolutely deserved to have two titles in the tournament, as they have each been incredibly influential for an entire generation of gamers. Mario needs no introduction; he’s been a household name for decades. Backyard Baseball was part of the Humongous Entertainment family, a game developer responsible for widely popular games like Putt-Putt, Spy Fox, and Pajama Sam. You’d be hard-pressed to find a millennial who didn’t play at least one Humongous Entertainment game growing up, and it would be even more difficult to find someone who hadn’t played a Mario title. These games helped shape a generation of baseball fans, so it’s only fitting that they square off here.

Gameplay: Both games go for simplicity in their controls, with Mario Superstar Baseball mostly revolving its mechanics around the A button, and Backyard Baseball 2001 being entirely point-and-click. You can do just about anything in Mario with the A button, including hitting, pitching, changing pitches, charging up your swing, jumping or diving in the field, and throwing the baseball. The only things you need another button to do are advancing or retreating on the bases, or sprinting. I think there’s slightly more nuance in the Mario games, as you can use your charging ability to add power to your swing or behind your pitch, but it does require timing to get it right. If you charge up your swing too early, you’d inevitably hit a pop-up as opposed to launching a fly ball. In Backyard Baseball 2001, all you had to do to hit a home run was choose the power swing, and as long as the character you were using had a good hitting rating, you had a good chance of hitting a home run. Pitching has more nuance as well, as you can curve the ball to your liking, as well as throwing a full-on power pitch, or just charging it up a little bit to get some more power without losing movement. Both games are easy to learn, but Mario is more difficult to master and there’s enough of a skill gap that it’s at least worth mentioning, which is more than I can say for Backyard Baseball 2001.

[gfycat data_id=”graveoddbudgie”]

Replayability: It would be really easy to look at the games’ available features and award this category to Mario. The challenge mode has more of a storyline than Backyard Baseball’s season mode, which is essentially just an organized version of the pickup game. In the challenge mode in Mario, winning games and completing in-game missions allow you to pick up players from the opposing team, giving you a sense of accomplishment beyond just the wins. There’s also mini-games (what’s a Mario title without mini-games) and Toy Field, both of which bring enough differing mechanics and objectives that it feels fresh. However, Backyard Baseball 2001 has the ultimate trump card when it comes to replayability, and that is in roster construction. This game feels endless in terms of the ways you can play the same game just by choosing different players. Every player has distinct strengths and weaknesses, and those play out in every aspect of the game, including fielding. Endless debates have been had about where to play a certain player on the field. Is Pablo Sanchez best in center field, or at shortstop? Is Mikey Thomas a right fielder, a third baseman, or a catcher? Do you put together a lineup of pros, or just backyard kids? Should you pick both of the Webber twins and get their ratings boost, or is it better to get the Khan brothers and their ratings boost? Mario Superstar Baseball should feel this way, too, but the players don’t feel as dramatically unique from each other as the kids in Backyard Baseball do. That makes roster construction feel less exciting, and that’s where Backyard Baseball 2001 really shines.

Graphics: Both of these games deserve a ton of praise for this category. The Mario games always have a crisp, clean design with bright colors, wild character models, and that timeless cartoon look. Backyard Baseball set out to differentiate itself from the baseball games of its era, which were looking to get as photorealistic as they could. The character models for Backyard Baseball are mostly caricatures, but in the best way possible. Pablo Sanchez’s shirt rode up above his pot belly and Marky Dubois didn’t ever wear shoes. Both games set out to be the best version of themselves they could be, and both have clearly achieved that. Personally, I give the edge here to Backyard Baseball 2001 as well, as the distinct and unique animations that every player got is more memorable to me than the Mario animations. I can still picture Dmitri Petrovich jumping as he swung the bat, or the way Pete Wheeler would get up to the plate and face the wrong way, before using his ridiculously long legs to stretch out over to the other batter’s box to get in the right spot.

Sound: This category is similar to the graphics for me, in that each game aimed to be itself and in that both games succeeded. Backyard Baseball 2001 had unique walk-up music for all the Backyard kids, which gave off their own signature vibe. You knew exactly what each kid was about as they walked to the plate. Sunny Day and Vinnie the Gooch remain unmatched in their charm and ability to call a baseball game, and the sounds of the game were authentic as well. Mario Superstar Baseball had the signature Mario music, and also made sure each ballpark had music that represented the characters who called that park home. The only lacking part of the sound for Mario, in my opinion, is in Lakitu the umpire. I just cannot stand him calling balls and strikes, and there’s no variety to it either, so you hear the exact same “STRIKE” call each time. The music, the sounds on the field, and even the players themselves are all fantastic and memorable, however, so don’t let one bad part get you down about this game.

Conclusion: I’ll be honest, I’m not really sure which game I would consider better. Both games bring a lot to the table and really succeeded at giving their target audience a baseball game for them. Humongous Entertainment had been an educational computer game company and set out to make a baseball game that would appeal to that audience. They even made a point of adding in commentary urging kids who enjoyed this game to go ask their local parks about playing little league baseball. Mario Superstar Baseball was a game designed for fans of the franchise, who knew how much fun other Mario sports titles were like Mario Golf and Mario Tennis, and made a game that felt like if Mario Party decided to just be a baseball game. I know which game I’ve put more hours in over my lifetime, and that’s Backyard Baseball 2001, but I’ve also sunk a ton of hours into Mario Superstar Baseball. This one is just too close for me to call.

Featured Image by Justin Paradis (@freshmeatcomm on Twitter)

Backyard Baseball is a software released in 1997 by Humongous Entertainment.

Commentators[edit]

Sunny Day[edit]

• I think we're all ready to play some baseball!
• It's time to get down with your favorite baseball players!
• (custom player) steps up to bat.
• (when the computer player's turn to bat ends) Alright, it's our turn now!
• (player hits a home run) Goodbye, baseball!

Vinny the Gooch[edit]

• Waaaaiiit a minute. The Gooch does not under any circumstances say 'Hi ho'. Sunny Day may be saying 'Hi ho', but The Gooch just says YO!
• Vinny da Gooch is lovin' that!
• (describing Pablo) Even though the Secret Weapon doesn't speak any English, we all know he's a rad dude!
• (describing Achmed) Achmed is one of the best hitters on the team!
• This young batter means business.
• (when a homerun happens) I don't know what kind of pitch that was, but it tasted just like chicken!
• (when a player gets out) He/She was robbed!
• (when a player makes it home) Sweet as candy i tell ya! I like candy, everybody likes candy. That's why Halloween is such a popular holiday!
• (describing Sunny Day) What she means is she's never gonna stop yapping.
• (when a homerun happens) Aloha means goodbye, baby.
• (when a strike happens) It was in there like swimwear.

Backyard Kids[edit]

Achmed Khan[edit]

• (getting picked) Let's rock 'n roll! (Amir Khan also says this)
• I wanna rock! Rock! (scats) I wanna rock!
• (after getting struck out) Aw man, I blew it!
• (stepping up to bat) I'm gonna smack this one! (Amir Khan also says this)
• (stepping up to bat) This one's outta here! (Amir Khan also says this)

Amir Khan[edit]

• (getting picked) Groovy!
• (after getting struck out) I hope Achmed didn't see that!
• (after getting struck out) Major bummer! (Achmed Khan also says this)

Angela Delvecchio[edit]

• (during the chatter) Hey, we wanna batter, not the broken ladder, y'know!
• (striking out a batter) Hey, what'd I tell ya?
• (striking out a batter) Ba-da-bing-ba-da-boom! Bye-Bye, batter!
• (stepping up to bat) I'm gonna smack this one for sure.
• (after getting struck out) No way that's gonna happen again!
• (stepping up to bat) You guys in the outfield better move back.
• (after getting struck out) Don't say a word.
• (getting tired) Okay, I know I'm good, but my arm needs a rest before it turns into a big noodle.

Annie Frazier[edit]

• (getting picked) Sweet!
• (stepping up to bat) I'm looking for a kind hit here, pitcher!
• (stepping up to bat) Come on, pitcher, hook me up!
• (getting tired) Hey, I'm pooped. I need a sub.
• (getting tired) Can I get a sub out here? My arm is toast.

Ashley/Sidney Webber[edit]

• (one of the twins getting picked) Goody! Now pick my sister Ashley/Sidney too!
• (the other twin getting picked) Oh, goody! Ashley/Sidney and I are on the same team!
• (only one twin getting picked) Goody!
• (during the chatter) We've got spirit, yes we do. We've got spirit, how 'bout you?
• (stepping up to bat) I'm gonna crush this one!
• (stepping up to bat) I'm gonna smash the ball outta here!
• (after getting struck out) Tennis is my sport anyway.
• (getting tired) Say, my tennis elbow is acting up.

Billy Jean Blackwood[edit]

• (stepping up to bat) Y'all better step back a few!
• (after getting struck out) That's okay. I didn't wanna run anyway.
• (getting tired) Yoo-hoo! My arm's getting tired out here!
• (striking out a batter) Sorry, I'm just doin' my job.

Dante Robinson[edit]

• (during the chatter) I see London, I see France, I see your underpants!
• Just gimme a minute! I'm still hungry!
• (stepping up to bat) I'm turning that ball into creamed corn!
• (stepping up to bat) Bring on the meat!
• (after getting struck out) Next time!
• You should pick me. I've got a pretty good arm!
• (getting picked) Let's dig in!
• My name is Dante, but the kids call me 'Stretch'. I guess that's supposed to be a joke!
• One time, I ate a whole turkey! Bet you didn't know that!
• (striking out a batter) Smooth like butter!
• (striking out a batter) Chew on that, tough guy!
• (getting tired) Whew! I'm running out of juice!
• (getting tired) I'm getting noodle arm!
• (on the mound) Eat this!

Dmitri Petrovich[edit]

• (striking out a batter) Indeed, I achieved the proper ball spin.
• (after getting struck out) It appears as if I need to rethink my strategy.
• (during the chatter) May I remind you that the primary objective is to hit the ball?
• (not getting picked) I must admit I am a bit disappointed.
• (bored on the field) Please, cease this foolishness and just FORFEIT THE GAME!!!!

Gretchen Hasselhoff[edit]

• (getting picked) Goodygoodygoodygoodygoody! (Goody goody goody goody goody!)
• MymomnamedmeGretchenafterhergrandmanamedGretchen. (My mom named me Gretchen after her great grandmother named Gretchen.)
• (stepping up to bat) I'mgonnasmackthisoneouttasight. (I'm gonna smack this one outta sight.)
• (getting tired, talks more slowly than usual) Um... I'm tired.

Jocinda Smith[edit]

• (stepping up to bat) Watch this homerun!
• (getting picked) Hey, alright! (Kimmy Eckman also says this)
• (stepping up to bat) It's time for a homerun!
• (getting tired) My arm is toast!
• (getting tired) My arm is spent! How 'bout a sub?

Jorge Garcia[edit]

• I don't like to swim and I don't like to get dirty.
• (getting picked) I suppose I'll play, but I don't want to get dirty, OK?
• (unprovoked) Did you guys see the map of Hawaii that Justin Verlander painted on Kate Upton’s lower back?

Kenny Kawaguchi[edit]

• (getting picked) Alright! Thanks, buddy!
• (stepping up to bat) Here I go!
• (stepping up to bat) Okay, pitcher, give me one right over the center!
• (after getting struck out) Boy, I messed up.
• (after getting struck out) I'll do better next time.
• (striking out a batter) I'm good.
• (on the mound) I'm gonna get you, batter!
• (getting tired) Man, I don't wanna complain, but my arm is tired.
• (getting tired) I could use a sub right about now.

Kiesha Phillips[edit]

• (stepping up to bat) Heeeeerree's... Kiesha!
• (during the chatter) Watch out, Batman! Here comes the Joker!
• (during the chatter) Say, what's up, Doc?
• (stepping up to bat) Baseball been very very good to me.
• (after getting struck out) You are Despicable!
• (after getting struck out) Coises! Foiled again!
• (getting tired) I need a sub and I'm not talking lunch here!
• (getting tired) I can't take much more of this, captain!

Kimmy Eckman[edit]

• My name's Kimmy and I like candy.
• (stepping up to bat) This one's going to miles!
• (after getting struck out) Darn, darn, darn it!
• (getting tired) Come on, coach! I'm dying out here!
• (on the mound) I'm gonna blow this one right by!
• (getting tired) Hey, kid! My arm's getting tired!

Lisa Crocket[edit]

• (not getting picked) Whatever.
• (stepping up to bat and on the mound) Here goes nothing.
• Leave me alone.
• (getting tired) How about a sub, ace?
• (getting picked) Neat.
• (getting tired) I'm tired. Give me a sub.

Luanne Lui[edit]

• Aww, I wuv you!
• (striking out a batter) I got you! Neenoo Neenoo!
• (on the mound) Neenoo Neenoo! Baddo Waddo!
• (after getting stuck out) Me gonna cwy...
• (getting picked) Did you heew that, Teddy? We got picked!
• (stepping up to the plate) This one's fo you, Teddy!
• (getting tired) Teddy says it's time fo his nap. So we need a sub.
• (on the mound) Oh, I wuv pwaying basebaw!

Maria Luna[edit]

• (stepping up to bat) Okay. I'm gonna knock the stuffing outta this one!
• (stepping up to bat) Okay. This time, I'm gonna hit like a pinata!
• (after getting struck out) Ay-yi-yi!
• (striking out a batter) I... Got... You.
• (getting tired) Hey there, I'm tired.
• (after getting struck out) That's no good!

Mikey Thomas[edit]

• The kids call me Nugget, but my real name is Michael Rhett Thomas.
• (getting picked) You're my friend!
• (not getting picked) I'm telling my mom!
• (stepping up to bat) I've gotta get on base!
• (stepping up to bat) I want right down the middle for me!
• (after getting struck out) No fair! I'm telling my mom!
• (after getting struck out) That's okay.
• (getting tired) I'm tired of pitching now.
• (striking out a batter) I'm pretty good, huh?

Pablo Sanchez[edit]

• (stepping up to bat) ¡Adiós, béisbol! (Goodbye, baseball!)
• (getting picked) ¡Excelente! (Excellent!)
• Soy Pablo. ¿Quieres jugar? (I'm Pablo. You wanna play?)
• (striking out a batter) ¡Adios!
• (when the player clicks him on the player cards section while holding shift) Okay, don't tell the other kids, but uh... I speak English. I learn Spanish in school.
• (taunting from the field) creo que no qieres jugar (I don't think you wanna play)
• (after getting struck out) Este bate no sirve para nada! (This bat is useless!)
• (getting picked) Vamos a ganar! (We are going to win!)

Pete Wheeler[edit]

• (getting picked) Uh... huh?
• (getting picked) So whose team am I on?
• (stepping up to bat) I'm gonna hit a touchdown!
• (during the chatter) Bet ya can't hit a touchdown!
• (during the chatter) Ra ra ra! Go, team!
• (stepping up to bat) Uh, what am I supposed to do again?
• (after getting struck out) Now what?
• (striking out a batter) Uhh... Whoops.
• (getting tired) Uhh... I don't wanna throw the ball no more.

Ronny Dobbs[edit]

• Know what's neat? Aw, nothing.
• (during the chatter) Miss it! Miss it! Now you gotta kiss it!
• (after getting picked) Neat. I get to play.
• (stepping up to bat) I'm going to hit this one two hundred gazillion miles!
• (stepping up to bat) Neener-Neener! You can't strike me out!
• (after getting struck out) No fair!
• (getting tired) I'm getting sleepy.
• (striking out a batter) I'm pretty good for a little guy.
• (after getting struck out) I don't wanna play anymore!
• (getting tired) I don't wanna pitch anymore.

Sally Dobbs[edit]

• (after getting struck out) I could've hit a home run if I wanted to.
• (getting tired) I need a sub. I don't have the same energy as some of the younger kids, you know?
• (getting tired) I'm getting kinda tired of pitching.

Stephanie Morgan[edit]

• I don't know why...
• (during the chatter) Hey, batter!
• (during the chatter) My, oh my!
• (stepping up to bat) As you can tell, I modeled my stance after the great Babe Ruth.
• (after getting struck out) How Humiliating!
• (after getting struck out) Oh well. I'm sure Cal had his bad days, I suppose.
• (getting tired) My daddy says I shouldn't pitch for too long.

Tony Delvecchio[edit]

Backyard Baseball Webber Twins Photos

• (during the chatter) Be-au-ti-ful!
• (getting tired) What're ya tryin' to do, kill me? I need a sub here!
• (during the chatter) Hey, Slick, swing, why don't ya?
• (during the chatter) Growin' a beard out here, waitin' for some action!
• (stepping up to bat) Watch this one, Slick!
• (getting picked) Listen here, Slick, you made the right decision!

Vicki Kawaguchi[edit]

• I'm going to be a ballerina when I grow up.
• My name is Vicki Kawaguchi. My brother's name is Kenny. He's in a wheelchair. Can I go now?
• One time, I was practicing my pirouette and I got so dizzy, I barfed. But don't tell anyone, okay? But it was really gross and stuff, because I just ate a grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup. Promise you won't tell?
• (getting picked) Hooray!
• (stepping up to bat) Don't throw the ball fast, okay?
• (stepping up to bat) Here comes the graceful ballerina to the plate.
• (after getting struck out) Stupid baseball is for babies!
• (after getting struck out) That's okay.
• (getting tired) I'm tired of pitching. Can I stop now?
• (getting tired) I don't wanna pitch anymore, please?
• My mommy says I'm her little butterfly and daddy calls me his baseball swan. Kenny calls me pipsqueak.

External links[edit]

Backyard Baseball Webber Twins Photos