• Loading stock data...
Saturday, August 23, 2025
The biggest names in sports media. All in one room. Buy tickets now!

Beloved ‘Backyard Sports’ Brand Says It Will Relaunch After Decade Hiatus

  • The game turned stars like Derek Jeter into animated kids.
  • It was a fixture on computers, but it expanded into other gaming systems.
Courtesy Backyard Sports

Backyard Baseball is coming out of retirement. 

The parent company of the computer game said Tuesday that it is relaunching after a nearly decade-long hiatus. 

Playground Productions launched Backyard Baseball in 1997, starring a child character named Pablo Sanchez. The game recreated some of sports’ biggest stars as animated kid cartoon figures playing sports in a backyard, Sandlot-esque setting.

The announcement came in a trailer, but the plans were largely vague.

“We’re incredibly excited to reintroduce Backyard Sports to a new generation of players,” Chris Waters, chief product officer at Playground Productions, said in a press release. “We’re taking great care to preserve the look and feel that made the original games so special while updating them with modern features and gameplay that today’s audience expects.”

The company said the games “will return bigger and better than ever while staying true to what made the franchise so special” and will be released “in the coming months,” according to the release. The company also plans to expand the franchise into TV, film, merchandise, and more.

Playground eventually branched out to other titles including Backyard Football, Backyard Soccer, Backyard Hockey, and Backyard Skateboarding. The games were originally developed by Humongous Entertainment, but they were published by Atari and were mainly for computer consoles. As its popularity increased, the game expanded into GameCube, Game Boy, Wii, PlayStation 2, and other systems over time. The franchise hasn’t had a release since its app version in 2015. 

“‘Backyard Sports’ is more than just a game; it’s a cherished part of childhood for millions of people,” said Playground Productions founder and CEO Lindsay Barnett in the release. “I look at media as the largest classroom in the world. As such, our goal is to produce meaningful content that not only entertains but also educates and inspires. The return of ‘Backyard Sports’ is the perfect embodiment of that goal.”

Among the franchise’s most famous fans are NFL brothers Travis and Jason Kelce, who discussed the franchise on their popular New Heights podcast in January. 

“I don’t even know if I want to mention this,” Kelce said on the podcast in January. “I’ve secretly been looking into seeing if anybody holds the rights to Backyard Baseball and Backyard Football because I want to buy it and get this thing going again.”

Sources told Sports Illustrated the Kelces are not involved in the franchise’s relaunch. But seven months later their wish has appeared to have come true. 

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Samuel Basallo

Orioles Give Catcher Record Extension Amid Adley Rutschman’s Stunning Fall

Samuel Basallo’s reported $67M deal would be a record for pre-arbitration catchers.

$2B A’s Vegas Stadium Hits Milestones, on Track for 2028

Construction progress and costs pick up in the Las Vegas project.
Mo Vaughn

How Michael Bloomberg Jump-Started Mo Vaughn’s Business Career

The Red Sox legend had a sprawling housing empire before starting a podcast.
Jul 13, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred announces the pick for the Athletics pick during the MLB Draft at The Coca-Cola Roxy.

MLB Confident New Rights Will Exceed $550M ESPN Deal

MLB would redistribute rights forfeited by ESPN back in February.

Featured Today

Dec 21, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) warms up as the Texas Longhorns prepare to play the Clemson Tigers in the first round of the College Football Playoffs at Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium.

Schools Are Hesitant to Allow PE Into Their Athletic Departments

Regardless of budget, schools don’t believe the risk is worth the reward.
Oct 2, 2024; Rosemont, IL, USA; Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti speaks with the media during the 2024 Big Ten Women’s Basketball media day at Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.
August 22, 2025

‘Not Ready to Jump In’: Power 4 Commissioners Aren’t Sold on PE

Top leaders in college sports have yet to see a satisfactory proposal.
Nov 23, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin looks at quarterback Drew Allar (15) during the first quarter against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Huntington Bank Stadium.
August 22, 2025

Private Equity Enters College Sports—Without the Equity

As college football starts, lending agreements have become PE’s best way in.
Sep 8, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants running back Eric Gray (20) returns a kickoff against the Minnesota Vikings during the first half at MetLife Stadium.
August 18, 2025

‘Fauxbacks’ Throw Back to a Retro Uniform That Never Existed

Many throwback jerseys are brand-new designs or “Franken-Unis.”

Thunder Favored, but Bettors Backing Pacers Big in NBA Finals

The most bet-on exact series outcome is the Thunder winning in five.
Fanduel
March 4, 2025

FanDuel Retains Sports Betting Crown With $14B in 2024 Revenue

The FanDuel parent company posts big increases in revenue and net income.
May 8, 2025

FanDuel Misses Projections As Betting Favorites Dominate 

FanDuel is hit by customer-friendly betting outcomes during March Madness.
Sponsored

Building A Pro League From Scratch

Front Office Sports and Gainbridge® spotlight what it takes to build a professional women’s soccer league.
February 20, 2025

Americans Bet $148 Billion on Sports in 2024, Up 23.6%

Both overall handle and revenue rose by more than 20% last year.
DraftKings app
February 14, 2025

Lawsuit Says DraftKings VIP Program ‘Preyed On’ Gambling Addicts

The company’s being sued for negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
DraftKings
August 2, 2024

DraftKings Announces Consumer Tax Starting Next Year

The company’s stock fell 5% Friday morning.
July 24, 2024

The Perfect Storm Propelling ‘EA Sports College Football’ to Early Success

Growing fandom and a long wait have already reaped dividends for EA.