The original Backyard Baseball ‘97 is a masterclass in 'charismatic' game design. This is the title that birthed the legend of Pablo Sanchez and established the 'Humongous' sports universe. This port is a pure trip down memory lane, retaining the chunky pixel art and the iconic point-and-click interface that defined the late 90s PC era. It’s baseball reduced to its most fun, distilled elements.
What makes ‘97 special compared to later entries is its purity. It’s just the neighborhood kids—no professional licenses, just 30 distinct personalities with their own quirks and themes. Whether you're playing in the Concrete Yard or at Steele Stadium, the game radiates a cozy, summer-afternoon vibe. The strategy of drafting a balanced team (speed, pitching, and hitting) is surprisingly robust. It’s a mandatory play for anyone who grew up in the 90s, and a delightful discovery for anyone looking for a sports game with actual soul.
Available on: iPhone, iPad
Version 1.2.2Thu Jan 22 2026
- Add push notifications
Requires iOS 16.6 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.Rediscover the joy of the original Backyard Baseball 1997! Build your roster from the iconic cast of 30 characters stacked with charming personalities and witty banter, and get the edge on the competition with power-ups, fireball pitches, super strength, and Pablo Sanchez!
Play pick-up games, practice batting, and compete in single games or a whole season with simple, intuitive controls that anyone can master!
Game Modes:
Random Pick-up: A quick way to jump right in! The computer chooses a random team for you and itself, and the game starts immediately.
Single Game: You take turns with the computer to choose players from a random pool of characters.
Season: You create a team and manage it through a 14 game series. The opposing teams are computer generated. At the end of the season the best two teams advance to the BBL playoffs (best of 3). The winner advances to the championship series which consists of the Super Entire Nation Tournament (best of 3) and then the Ultra Grand Championship of the Universe Series (best of 5)!
Batting Practice: Choose a batter and face Mr. Clanky for some batting practice. This is where you’ll learn just when to click to make your chosen batter hit that ball!
T-ball - Select T-ball mode for more accessible game play. Simply click to hit, run, and field!
BACKYARD BASEBALL RULES
The rules for Backyard Baseball are a hybrid of Pro and Little League rules:
No leading off
No Injuries
Bunting is allowed
Tagging up is allowed
Stealing is allowed
At our core, we are fans first–not just of video games but of the Backyard Sports franchise. Fans have asked for accessible and legal ways to play their original Backyard titles for years, and we are excited to deliver. Without having access to the source code, there are hard limitations on the experience we can create. Backyard Baseball '97 runs buttery smooth for iOS devices, looks better than ever, and creates a new installation for digital preservation within the Backyard Sports catalog that allows the next generation of fans to fall in love with the title that started it all.

















Step back onto the sandlot with Backyard Baseball ‘97. This is the original experience where the world first met Pablo Sanchez and the gang. Choose your captain, pick your field, and play through a season of pure, unadulterated baseball. No pros, no fluff—just the original 30 Backyard Kids and the quest for the Ultra Grand Championship.
Original 30 Backyard Kids
Classic Point-and-Click Controls
Nostalgic 1997 Graphics
Multiple Field Locations
Your captain sets the tone. Use the 'Secret Weapon' Pablo Sanchez for an all-around boost, or Achmed Khan if you want pure home run power.
Perfect for a quick match. Choose two teams and a field like Steele Stadium or the Concrete Yard for an immediate showdown.
This is a faithful port of the original 1997 PC classic for mobile devices.