Special Sub-Topic: The World of "Backyard Baseball" Click Here To Play: The World of "Backyard Baseball"

Many different versions have come out since "Backyard Baseball" first appeared. What was the first year of its appearence?

1997. There are versions from 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2006 and 2007. Early editions can be played on Windows and Mac, while later editions added Gameboy Advance, PS2 and the Gamecube.

The 2001 edition added a new feature. What was it?

Major leaguers as players. Players such as Mark McGuire and Ken Griffey, Jr. as kids gave it a new feel. Previously, the players were just kids.

In the early editions (2007 and prior)"Backyard Baseball" has power-ups to help the player. How do you get a special pitch power-up?

Strike out a batter. There are many different special pitches - some more effective than others. The use of one tends to drain the pitcher's power.

The 2007 and prior editions have a standard power-up that allows a player's energy level to increase. What is it?

Juice box. You get a juice box by striking someone out. To increase a player's energy, you must have them in the pitcher's spot and be on defense.

Which of the following is not a batting power-up in the 2007 and prior editions?

Wild and wacky. The aluminum power will give the batter a massive homerun. The crazy bunt goes everywhere and the undergrounder disappears underground and then pops back up. The other one is lightning power which is a screaming line drive.

In the 2007 and prior editions the only way to get a hitting power-up is to hit a special pitch.

False. That is one way to do it. The other way is to turn a double play on defense.

Which of the following is a special pitch in the 2007 and prior editions?

Fire ball. The fireball, along with the slo-mo elevator, spitball and big freeze are some of the many pitches you can use. You get one after every strike out.

You can play either a six inning or a nine inning game in the 2007 and prior editions.

True. There are records for each of the two categories. That allows the player to keep track over several seasons.

The name of the robot pitching machine in the 2007 and prior editions is Mr. ...?

Clanky. There is an option for batting practice. You can choose what pitches he throws, and go for as long as you want.

The first two pitchers to appear were Curt Schilling and who?

Randy Johnson. The "Big Unit" wears the uniform of the Diamondbacks. The other 3 have all won Cy Young Awards while playing with the Braves. The games stays basically the same in all its versions. Graphics do improve. The biggest change is which players are included in each version.