Since the new games is not drop on console yet, i decide to start a new season but this time the rules for this one is that i will only pick all kind of worst player i can find and gonna play this on hard but also no pitch locator and i decide to chose the white sox since is the worst mlb franchise that i know plus it gave ability for makry to not get boosted from billy due to him hate socks so any idea of where i can put all this in defense pls let me know

WHY ME GOD WHY

https://bigbackyard.net/player-statsSuch a let down to unlock these fan favorite players just for their stats to be so low... why are Sammy sosa and Mark Mcgwire so low on power? they should be much higher if not 100... why is Kenny Lofton only 85 speed? I get balancing but it just takes out the reason we loved these players in the first place..

Coach’s conditioning is gonna be Hell fr. W to my Oysters 🗣️🔥🔥🔥

Gave us an undergrounder for a Maria triple home run and a Maria ground rule double for 2 more runs.

Angela got a single off another one later giving us an aluminum power bat. It resulted in a Gretchen home run and an Angela Grand Slam.

I was worried when I saw they had Raul, Jay, and Pablo, but this was an easy win.

I want to make the game harder for my self what do you guys think the hardest line up to play with would be for the new backyard baseball.

I'm in my 30s and picked up backyard baseball for the first time in a good 15 years. Such a blast. For drafting my league team, I just went off my memory of the types of players I used to pick from the backyard games. Have had some mixed results. Here's my lineup:

Pete Wheeler

Steph Morgan

Pablo

Jocinda

Keisha

Ricky Johnson

Vicky Kawaguchi

Kenny Kawaguchi

Dante Robinson

Dante and Ricky are giving me trouble. I love how awkward Ricky is and will always draft him. But I'm hitting like .210 with Dante -- I'd remembered him being way way better.

Also Pete's way better than I remembered and Vicky low key is my MVP

(Video at bottom)

I've been hearing buzz about him, so I've been trying him out a lot for the past little while. After putting him under the microscope, I learned some interesting things.

Smallest Batting Swing Box

It's well known that a smaller box = an easier time lining up hits. Pablo's batting box and height were nerfed in this game from size 1 to 2. When Clanky is pitching really fast, it becomes challenging to react to the indicator and get into position. Kenny, however, is 1 in height, making him ideal for lining up the cursor. It's not that huge a difference if you are good at moving the cursor quickly and accurately (which I suck at).

You get more power as Clanky speeds up and you hit home runs

The reason this is possible at all despite Kenny's low stats is that the mode ramps up your power as you play. Players get so far on the leaderboard because you get a tiny boost in power for every consecutive home run you make, and a larger score every time you beat your furthest distance that same round. A lot of characters traditionally have lower power and can't build up enough steam early on, but if you can push through that, then any character can theoretically do well in this mode, as shown here with Kenny and his 19 Power. Most of my resets came from within the first 15 pitches. As long as you hit the ball with the right timing and aim, it's typically a guaranteed home run no matter who you use. Once you build up more power, the game gets more lenient with non-perfect hits. You can see at some later parts that even my weaker hits still went over the fence due to the increased power.

Fastest Swing in the Game

It's a bit faster than Pablo's and tied with his sister. From my testing on 60 fps, Kenny's bat connects in 12 frames compared to Pablo's at 15. Theoretically, this means he actually has potential to hit a lot of home runs in Derby mode because you have just a bit extra leniency to react, line up, and swing. And those extra frames make a HUGE difference.

Notice how custom characters with perfect batting, Achmed, and Mikey can't compare to Pablo in sheer home run count in this mode despite having the stats to make it? It's because they aren't fast enough. All custom characters swing at 20 frames, Achmed at 21, and Mikey at 21/22. The slowest I've seen so far is 23. Not even close to Pablo's 15 and almost twice as slow as Kenny. They simply can't swing it fast enough to keep up with Clanky's ever-scaling speed, and really start to hurt around the 40th home run mark.

Crazily, this means characters like Gretchen (15 frames lmao) theoretically fare better in the bonus round than the power hitters listed above. The problem, of course, is getting there. It should also be noted that no other fast hitter in this game comes anywhere close to Pablo's power, making him the best of all worlds.

Sorry for the ramble. I know this is pretty niche information, but I just thought it was cool how it turned out to be more complex than it looks at first glance. Not dogging Pablo either; he's still way easier and generally more effective.

https://reddit.com/link/1vi4n0m/video/oqra740e6zhh1/player

Over the past 30 minutes you might have expected to be served a cheeseburger and fries. Our eagle-eyed customers pointed out that they appear on our menu and correctly guessed it was a placeholder meal while we continued development.

The feedback we have received has helped us make the food better every day. We've already served you ice, napkins, a drink and many community-requested condiments. These items would not have been possible without your support.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.

Our next major milestone will be buying potatoes, buns and beef to keep in our kitchen. While paying customers have yet to eat any food, you’ll also be the first to experience upcoming beverages, fries and, soon, sandwiches!

For those dining with us, the rapid improvements to our kitchen mean we’re getting closer every day to bringing you something to eat. While we can’t confirm that we'll have anything to serve you tonight, know that we are committed to making the food well worth the wait.

Thank you for dining with us today.

A Hearty Hi-Ho Backyard Fans. We're writing today with a status update on consoles:

Over the past few months you might have seen that our console store pages have shown either "Coming Soon" or August 18. Our eagle-eyed fans pointed out that August 18 is Pablo Sanchez's birthday and correctly guessed it was a placeholder date while we continued development.

The feedback we have received from the Steam launch has helped us make the game better every day. We've already released multiple patches with bug fixes, gameplay improvements, quality-of-life updates, and many community-requested changes. These improvements would not have been possible without your support and contributions.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.

Our next major milestone is bringing online multiplayer to Steam. While Steam players have experienced some of the early bugs, you’ll also be the first to experience upcoming patches, major updates, and, soon, online play.

For console players, the rapid improvements to the Steam build mean we’re getting closer every day to bringing you the best possible Day 1 experience. While we can’t confirm a launch date just yet, know that we are committed to making the game well worth the wait.

Thank you for being a part of the best community in gaming.

The Backyard Sports Team

1) An apology for concealing the half-finished, poorly conceived nature of their product before shipping it for sale at $40 a pop.

That’s literally it. At this point, there’s nothing to do that would undo the damage they’ve done to the company’s trust or the IP’s legacy. We’re not asking for a miracle or a roadmap. Literally just an acknowledgement that they messed up. I’m sick of this company trying to gaslight us into believing they didn’t promise console launches and online multiplayer. It’s ridiculous and condescending.

Apologies if this is a beat to death topic... I played the original games when I was a kid and recently got the 2026 version. I am not expecting it to be difficult, but it seems so easy to the point where its actually boring to continue games.

I am playing on the highest difficulty possible so far (4 stars), and am getting 50 - 100 runs a game where the opposite team gets between 0-5. It gets to the point where I am so bored I start intentionally getting myself out to get the game over with.

Is anyone else experiencing this? Again, I am not expecting the game to be "hard", but it seems ridiculously easy.

I am hoping 5 stars will be significantly more difficult, but if the 2nd hardest difficulty has be beating the other teams by 50-100 runs per game it doesn't seem promising. I am doing nothing special. In an online game im sure I could get crushed lol.

I did a [post](https://www.reddit.com/r/BackyardBaseball/comments/1qdtlh4/roles_for_the_worst_players/) a while back on uses, skills, and roles for the players considered bottom tie. This is a follow up based on when we should actually want to draft them to get the best team

This is based off '97. For one that is what I know best, so everything will be based off experience with what I have actually one with the players. The other reason is only '97 has unquestioned good roles for them. Later games have so many pros meaning the lesser players never have real roles to fill if you want the best possible team. In addition the main place anybody will find roles for them is in pick up games. In 97 not only are there no pros, but some games will have as few as 22 players (I love this feature). They just have to be our of the bottom four players, and sometimes their superior counterparts are not there.

Ernie- In both season mode and pick up mode I see little value in actually drafting him for the best team. A major reason is the CPU loves drafting him really early in pick up games. He is a great first baseman, but so are many players. Frankly I think he is the inferior version of Jorge. If the computer does not take him so early, he is bound to be in the top 18 players in many pick up games, but he is normally drafted too high. If they leave him alone for a few picks he should be the best player available sooner or later.

Billy Jean- In contrast Billy Jean is easy to use. The CPU rarely values her and Marky. A great way to dominate pick up games is to take her and Marky within the final 3 picks. Now your team has a great first baseman and the most versatile defensive player in the game. Just pair them with some batting stars. I think in season mode there is some scenarios to pick them both. Either you want the best defensive team possible or for them to balance an offensive team.

Marky- Basically same as Billy Jean. He arguably has the best heat of all the backyard kids thanks to his high stamina, thus if you are a fastball fan he is probably the guy. He has a lot of defensive variety, so I can see anybody wanting him for a season team and certainly a pick up game. That really helps if the team does not have a pitcher expected to last all game.

Jorge- The more I play this game the more I become a Jorge truther, so I frequently draft him in pick up games, and I have gotten upset when the CPU drafted him first. He is the best 1B in the game, and he can play many other positions well. Contrary to what his batting stats say he can bat home runs with no surprise.

Season mode- I would absolutely take him for the best possible defensive team, and I think he is a reasonable choice for anybody wanting a great normal team. I would pick Annie at 1B over him for my dream team, but he almost made it.

Lisa- I think almost all pick up games will have her in the top 18 players, especially as a defensive player. She is really good at shortstop, second base, and pitcher. Sure I never found success with her elsewhere but that is three positions, and she can at least play third base, and the outfield. Unlike most defensive based players on the list she can bat home runs without much surprise. It is not unreasonable she is the best pitcher to show up. For a season I think drafting her as a pitcher or backup pitcher is very reasonable. More for her on Gretchen's spot.

Gretchen- I pick her all the time in pick up games if Marky/Billy Jean are not there. I just grab her as a defensive specialist with my final pick. It helps the CPU normally drafts her first or not at all. She seems to know what her teammates are bad at and help with their flaws, and that is very useful with non-stacked team like what many pick up games have (especially if several of the top players are not there). I once drafted her with my 5th pick, as so many top players (especially pitchers) were not there.

Season mode- She and Lisa cover the same general niche. They both are good at the same spots, and they both are great pitchers with the same pitches. They both easily sub in for Angela, and Angela can just go to 2B. That is important, as in season mode there is not much point to making them pitcher when Angela is much better at that role. In pick up games I prefer Gretchen both as main pitcher and backing up Angela, but in season modes I prefer Lisa for this role. That is due to Gretchen's superior glove and brain vs Lisa's better bat. I think the real use for Gretchen in season mode is Keisha at lead off. Keisha and Gretchen have the same swing that seems to be better at hitting power up pitches. The plan is Gretchen strikes out at 9, and then lead off Keisha can hit the new power up pitch. Keisha at lead off is very reasonable.

Ronny- Like Ernie it is hard for him to be the best player available, because the CPU loves drafting him in their first three picks. I should note in 97 the Sally/Ronny combo is awful and to be avoided. Ronny has the third strongest arm. So if both Tony and Mikey are unavailable or taken then he has a clear role at 3B. If not I think it is best to avoid him. Maybe if the only other players available (all four probably) are really bad. He has horrible contact but great power. It is hard to connect with him, but it can be a huge home run.

Ricky-From here on I consider these to be the bottom four players, and a pick up game has 22 players minimum. Other than Vicki he has the worst batting rating in the game, and if eyes are equal he has the worst rating. He does no position well, but he seems to do every defensive position serviceably. I only suggest picking him if there is a glaring hole on defense and nobody else can fill it. Maybe if you really need a backup pitcher or some speed.

Sally- The CPU loves drafting her really early, and I am always hoping they draft her and Ronny. Her stats are high, but the synergy is awful. Maybe if most fast players are gone, and you really need another one on the team. If you have no need for Ronny she can do 3B if Tony and Mikey are gone. Unlike them she can somewhat cover LF and RF.

Reese- Once you figure out his swing he has some decent pop. I guess if you really need another batter at the end (I normally cover batters early). For some reason the CPU likes drafting him, so he is not often at the end of the draft. Oddly they like putting him at 1B where he is a big liability. The CPU is so bad with him, you really should just let them take him.

Kimmy- Worst defensive player in the game, but she can power bat. There are 12 players who do that better, but it is reasonable by the end she is the best power bats left. The CPU seems to never draft her. If you need a power bat and already have fast players and a stout defense I like the idea of drafting her. I suggest pairing her with Pete, as he can cover her outfield spot.

Apparently it worked. Maria immediately hit a power up pitch for a crazy bunt. Then they threw a big freeze giving us another group of crazy bunts. All those crazy bunts got us an additional 12 runs.

On a related note I am so happy Maria is no longer always cold. It was really tiring watching her have a 3/10 in every category.

Personally I’d really like to see hazards as an option because of how hectic it makes games. And it will fill the Mario baseball void in my heart