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.com ---- To left field--it goes back, back, and over the fence into the neighbor's yard! Sosa scores, and McGwire is right behind him! For the first time ever, Humongous Entertainment brings select Major League Baseball players and the Backyard Kids together in Backyard Baseball 2001. For the ultimate team, pick players such as Cal Ripken Jr., Mark McGwire, and Randy Johnson--as kids. Choose from 30 MLB teams or create a team with customizable colors, playing field, and strategy. Play a single game, play through an entire season, or go online and play against other Backyard Baseball players on the secure Junior Sports Network. Review ------ First released in 1997, this updated baseball simulation is designed especially for young kids, playfully introducing them to America's beloved sport. As in more sophisticated sims, players pick teams and gameplay options, only in this case, players pick neighborhood kids to fill out the roster. Each kid has a unique personality and set of skills. New to this version are 31 "pint-sized" versions of professional Major League players like Cal Ripken Jr.., Mark McGwire and Barry Larkin. This adds an element of humor to the game, as you meet and play with these cute little future superstars. What we like most about the program are its many options that give children control over the experience. Kids can design team uniforms, create custom players, play alone or with others over the Internet, and so on. They choose each pitch, when to swing the bat and how hard to hit. Just like the real thing, the game takes practice, but it's thoroughly engaging and downright addictive. Flaws are few. There are some non-interruptible animation sequences that we would have skipped if we could and the save features are limited, only allowing season games to be saved. Also, the program requires some reading at first, until you've got the navigation system memorized. All in all, though, this is a great program for many reasons. It breaks stereotypes (girls and physically challenged players play) and racial barriers (a cornucopia of ethnicities are represented) and it's just plain fun to boot. Teaches: sports, baseball Age Range: 5-12 Copyright © 2000 Children's Software Revue -- From Children's Software Revue® -- "Subscribe Now!" ( https://secure.tradenet.net/childrenssoftware/csroffer.html ) The "Backyard" series is a hit because it really is like rounding up neighborhood kids, choosing sides and playin' a pick-up game. But this sequel packs even more zing per swing by mixing in animated kid-sized versions of Major League Baseball stars-the likes of Cal Ripken Jr., Mark McGwire, Randy Johnson and Alex Rodriguez, among others. Oh, the usual suspect backyard gang's still there too (or create your own player!) to play in single games or whole seasons. But now, besides bush-league monikers like the "Bombers" and the "Monsters" for you team, you can chose from 30 major league teams and logos. Choice of playing field remains diverse, from manicured grassy infields to scruffy sandlots. And the play's the thing: It imitates life on neighborhood diamonds nationwide where ever youngsters of different abilities take vicious cuts at the plate, chatter nonstop to annoy sing players and make plays in the field they'll remember forever. Any youngster who plays youth baseball will love this game; anyone who doesn't might learn to love baseball because of it. A 2000 Parents' Choice® Gold Award. Reviewed by Don Oldenburg, Parents' Choice® 2000 -- From Parents' Choice® ( /exec/obidos/subst/partners/marketing/parents-choice.html )