"Ballpark Classics is at the top of our list as one of the greatest family games ever created. We've already had several visitors to our home since purchasing this game who have marveled at the simplicity yet pure joy they got while playing just a few games. Kudos to the entire Ballpark Classics crew for the quality and elegance that makes this such a winner!"
- Lou Bosse' Jr.
Montpelier, VA
Ballpark Classics is fast and fun and plays like real baseball! To pitch, deliver the ball in different ways at the top of the pitching pipe and throw fastballs, curves, change-ups, and sliders. You'll quickly learn to control the ball's speed, spin, and location just like the pros do!
To hit the marble-sized steel ball, the batter pulls a lever to swing the real wood bat. A solo player can also pitch and hit from the pitching position. To hit a home run, smack the ball back up the pitching pipe and over the fence. Outs are recorded by strikeouts and when a batted ball stops on the field in fair territory without scoring a hit.
Batters reach base by walks or hits. Outs, base runners, and the current inning is tracked on the game, while the count (balls and strikes) is maintained by the players. Scoreboards in the left and right field corners keep it honest. From first pitch to final out, a 9 inning game rarely takes more than 30 minutes.
Here are five of the most popular pitches in baseball: the fastball, curve, changeup, cutter, and slider--as thrown in Ballpark Classics. Click the play buttons below to see how they look from the batter's box.
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How to Throw a Fastball A popular way to throw the fastball is to balance the ball in the pitching pipe underneath your thumb. Then, place your index finger under the pipe and squeeze. To put it on the outside corner, place the ball a little to the left of center. For high and tight, start the ball slightly to the right. Practice changing speeds and location. |
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How to Throw a Curve Getting the ball to bite into the felt turf about half way through the infield is the key to throwing a curve. Can be hard to control, but develop a good one, and it's even harder for the batter to handle. With practice, letting the ball slide off the side of your finger or thumb at about 8 o'clock in the pipe will produce the pitch at left. |
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How to Throw a Changeup Set up the hitter for a fastball, then freeze them with this changeup. Sounds like a fastball, looks like a fastball at first, but once you master this pitch, its late movement will cause your opponents much distress. To throw it, use the fastball approach, but ease up a little on your release and let the backspin do its thing. |
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How to Throw a Cutter The cutter, or cut fastball, can break either toward or away from the batter depending upon which hand you throw it with. To master this pitch, grip the ball as if throwing a changeup, then move your hand to 3 o'clock (or 9 o'clock) in the pitching pipe. Push down hard, and let the ball roll off the inside of your thumb. |
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How to Throw a Slider Once you have your curve under control, add a slider to your arsenal of pitches. A slider breaks hard and fast so you will need the right combination of backspin and speed to make it go. Apply some spin to the ball at the sides of the pipe for a tricky trajectory, and paint the inside and outside corners. |
Full count and the bases loaded? Playing a rookie and you want to give them a fighting chance? In both cases, you need to throw a strike. So groove one by placing the ball at 6 o'clock in the pipe, let it go, and hope for the best!
