Get ready to relive your childhood! The iconic Backyard Sports franchise is back, thanks to Playground Productions, a company dedicated to creating family-friendly content.
Yesterday, Playground Productions confirmed the revival of Backyard Sports with a teaser trailer featuring beloved characters like Pablo Sanchez and Stephanie Morgan, as the new Backyard Sports games will retain the classic aesthetic that made the original series so beloved, promising to deliver the same nostalgic experience to a new generation of players.
In the words of CEO Chris Waters: “We’re incredibly excited to reintroduce Backyard Sports to a new generation of players. 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. I can’t wait for fans to see what we’re building on the Playground.”
Also Read: EA Sports FC 25: Release Date, Pre-Order Bonuses and All You Need to Know
Backyard Sports Plans and Future

Besides unveiling the return trailer, Chris Waters hinted at expanding the franchise beyond video games, potentially into films, television, and merchandise. While Playground Productions has not yet confirmed if they will collaborate with professional sports leagues to feature current athletes in the new games, fans can expect more announcements soon.
Lindsay Barnett, founder and CEO of Playground Productions, emphasised the cultural significance of the series, stating, “Backyard Sports is more than just a game; it’s a cherished part of childhood for millions of people. I look at media as the largest classroom in the world. As such, our goal is to produce meaningful content that entertains, educates and inspires. The return of Backyard Sports is the perfect embodiment of that goal.”
For example, Backyard Sports re-entered the public consciousness last year when Philadelphia Eagles centre Jason Kelce expressed his desire to reboot the series. In his New Heights podcast in January, Kelce mentioned: “I don’t even know if I want to mention this. I’ve been looking into seeing if anybody holds the rights to Backyard Baseball and Backyard Football secretly because I want to buy it and get this thing going again.”
Backyard Sports Nostalgic Past
The Backyard Sports series began with Backyard Baseball in 1997, introducing players to the unforgettable “Backyard Kids” characters like Pablo Sanchez, Stephanie Morgan, Kenny Kawaguchi, and Pete Wheeler. Developed by Humongous Entertainment and published by Atari, the franchise quickly expanded to include other sports, such as soccer, basketball, football, and hockey. Each game featured a charming cast of fictional characters alongside kid versions of real-life sports stars.
In 2001, the franchise took a significant step by partnering with Major League Baseball (MLB) to include one player from each of the 30 teams, depicted as their younger selves. This collaboration introduced players like Randy Johnson, Ken Griffey Jr., and Cal Ripken Jr. into the Backyard universe. This trend continued with partnerships with the MLS, NBA, WNBA, and NHL in subsequent titles.
However, despite its success, the franchise struggled to maintain its identity and quality with constant ownership shifts. The last Backyard Sports games, released in 2015, were for mobile platforms. However, these games did not capture the same charm and depth as the earlier PC titles and failed to gain significant traction in the crowded mobile gaming market, thus resulting in their hiatus.
Closing Notes
.png)
Even so, Playground Productions promises to honour Backyard Sports’s legacy while making it accessible to a new generation. The upcoming games promise to bring back the charm, humour, and gameplay that made the original titles so beloved while potentially introducing new features and content that cater to modern gaming tastes.
Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the series, the return of Backyard Sports is sure to bring a smile to your face and a bit of childhood joy back into your life, as the announcement has already stirred up excitement among fans who grew up playing the original games in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
For more up-to-date info regarding the games or others, follow our Facebook page for timely updates and more surprise announcements from the ever-expanding gaming community.
Author Profile
Latest entries
GAMING2024.11.25Strinova Agents Tier List: A Detailed Guide About the New Anime 5v5 Shooter
GAMING2024.11.25Antonblast: Everything to Know About the Action-Packed Platformer Before Its Release Date on December 3
GAMING2024.11.22Guntouchables, An Online Co-Op Shooter Title by Ghost Ship Publishing, Is Launching Early Access in Spring 2025
GAMING2024.11.22Platypus Reclayed, A Remake of the Original Platypus Game in 2002, Is Launching in 2025