The clip is 42 seconds, and looks like something out of a late 1990s or early 2000s children’s cartoon. Kids assemble from around the neighborhood at the local ballpark and get ready to “Play Ball” in a colorful animation.
Except, for an entire generation of Millenial and Gen Z sports fans who grew up on the “Backyard Sports” video games, those aren’t just any kids. That’s ace pitcher Stephanie Morgan flashing her trademark screwball and bubble gum pop. That’s Achmed Khan and Pete Wheeler joining her. That’s slugger Kiesha Phillips, mad scientist Dmitri Petrovich, twins Tony and Angela Delvecchio and speedster Kenny Kawaguchi along for the ride before Morgan stares down the legend himself — Pablo Sanchez.
[Related: Top 10 sports video game characters: Where does Pablo Sanchez rank?]
Backyard Sports is returning after nearly a decade hiatus, its developer Playground Productions announced Tuesday. The 42-second trailer evoking the video game line’s flagship “Backyard Baseball” title immediately went viral upon its posting to social media.
“We’re incredibly excited to reintroduce Backyard Sports to a new generation of players,” Chris Waters, chief product officer at Playground Productions, told Sports Illustrated in a statement. “We’re taking great care to preserve the look…
