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Tabletop Baseball Game Maker Granted License by Major League Baseball Properties  2/11/10

New Baseball Game to Throw Out its First Pitch  2/16/08

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Tabletop Baseball Game Maker Granted License by Major League Baseball Properties

U.S. Manufacturer Called Up to the Big Leagues

SEATTLE, WA (February 11, 2010) – Seattle-based Ballpark Classics, Inc. and Major League Baseball Properties (MLBP) today announced they have entered into a multi-year licensing agreement. The agreement gives the company rights to re-create Major League Baseball (MLB) venues as scale-model inserts for its popular Ballpark Classics tabletop baseball games.

Termed the “foosball of baseball,” Ballpark Classics is a game system that combines a wood cabinet with an array of felt-top fields and fences, called Parkpacks. Parkpacks are 3-D scale models of famous MLB stadiums, fields and parks, and under the agreement, Ballpark Classics will manufacture and distribute iconic MLB venues such as Fenway Park, Yankee Stadium and Wrigley Field.

“Ballpark Classics has caught on with a growing fan base,” said Doug Strohm, president and founder of Ballpark Classics. “Now we can take it to the next level and field a winning lineup of beloved MLB ballparks that fans can play and enjoy at home.”

“We are pleased to welcome Ballpark Classics into the MLB family,” said Howard Smith, senior vice president, licensing, Major League Baseball. “Ballparks hold a special place in the hearts of our fans, and Ballpark Classics celebrates their unique attributes and history with a game that’s fun for all fans.”

Ballpark Classics MLB home games are making their debut at the American International Toy Fair in New York City, February 14–17, 2010.

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About Ballpark Classics
Ballpark Classics is a tabletop arcade baseball game of skill and strategy. Featuring fine hardwoods, precision craftsmanship and a nonwoven fabric playing field, Ballpark Classics provides infinite pitching options and realistic hitting in an authentic MLB ballpark setting. To pitch, players place a steel baseball into a pitching pipe and squeeze it with their thumb or fingers. By changing finger placements and adjusting the force, players throw fastballs, curves, change-ups, sliders and more. It’s easy to do, but challenging to perfect—just like real baseball. Batting is all about timing, bat speed and getting inside the pitcher’s head. Needing no batteries or electricity, Ballpark Classics is fun for all ages and works across generations. Ballpark Classics is a great unplugged experience with high play value and trophy quality. For more information on Ballpark Classics, visit www.ballparkclassics.com.

About Major League Baseball Properties
The Major League Baseball Clubs formed Major League Baseball Properties (MLBP) in 1966 as the Clubs’ agent for marketing and trademark licensing and protection. MLBP is responsible for managing consumer licensing activities, developing national advertising campaigns, cultivating sponsorship opportunities with major consumer brands and corporations, growing the game and the business of baseball outside the United States, and creating national marketing programs in conjunction with Clubs, broadcast rights holders and national sponsors. MLBP also operates a full-service video and audio production unit (Major League Baseball Productions), a publishing division and a stock photo licensing agency and manages logistics for the All-Star Game and World Series as well as all other special events. For more information on Major League Baseball, log on to www.MLB.com.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New Baseball Game to Throw Out its First Pitch

From Childhood Dream to the Big Leagues, Ballpark Classics Debuts at Toy Fair 2008 in New York City

NEW YORK CITY (February 16, 2008) – The rule of three is a recurring theme in baseball. So it is with Ballpark Classics, maker of beautiful tabletop baseball games that pay homage to America’s pastime with quality construction, quality game play, and a quality experience.

Ballpark Classics, which debuts at Toy Fair 2008, February 17–20 (booth #6218), features real pitching and real hitting in a lifelike, detailed, 1-inch-to-18-foot scale model that offers interactive, engaging, three-dimensional fun and strategy for baseball fans and game players ages 8 and above.

The predecessor to today’s Ballpark Classics game was first created by Doug Strohm in 1976 at age 14. To say Strohm was a fan of baseball is an understatement, growing up during the glory days of the Big Red Machine. Once a year, the county fair came to his small Ohio hometown, and with it, a much beloved arcade baseball game. Leading up to that one week in August, he mowed lawns, washed cars, and pulled weeds to save up enough dimes to play it again and again. 

Frustrated when the fair left town, Strohm set out to create his own version of the arcade game that he and his friends could play all year long. Without access to electronics, complex parts, or even a driver’s license, he made the first game from plywood scraps, 2x4 lumber, paneling, marbles, and baseball cards. Today’s redesigned Ballpark Classics is a far cry from the original, but it has that same 14-year-old’s wonder and enthusiasm at its core.

“Clearly, this has been my passion for many years,” said Doug Strohm, president and founder of Ballpark Classics. “And I’ll put its play value up against any mechanical baseball simulation ever made. What’s most important to me, though, is our goal to get kids and adults away from their screens, if even for just a few minutes a day. We want to bring friends, family, and generations together to have fun playing Ballpark Classics and talking baseball. I want to share this great experience we have created with everyone.”

Every Ballpark Classics game is made in the USA with safe, durable, quality materials, and is finished with superb attention to detail. The result is a classic game that hearkens back to a time when kids collected baseball cards, games weren’t assumed to be video games, and family time was a little more sacred.

“We love seeing the delight that people experience when playing our games,” said Strohm, “We’ve seen it from the baseball purist, as well as from people completely unfamiliar with baseball.”

With a suggested retail price of US$329, Ballpark Classics equates to the price of a video game console but provides a more participatory experience that fosters that special human connection, even across generations. “When people see the craftsmanship and experience the game play and strategy inherent in Ballpark Classics, they want to own one.” said Strohm. “It’s the perfect gift, a special marquee piece for a fan’s game room, and can be the centerpiece for everyone’s game night.”

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About Ballpark Classics, Inc.

Founded in April 2007, Ballpark Classics, Inc., manufactures and sells high-touch, low-tech baseball games for adults and children ages 8 and above. The company’s beautiful tabletop games capture the thrill of baseball and evoke the charm and character of present and vintage ballparks. Ballpark Classics is a game of skill and strategy that draws people together for a great experience that’s fast and fun and plays like real baseball. For more information, visit www.ballparkclassics.com.

About the President and Founder

Doug Strohm, creator and founder of Ballpark Classics, grew up loving baseball in the heart of America. He has over 25 years of experience in engineering, advertising, marketing, product strategy, and product management ranging from start-ups to midsize to multinational corporations in both business-to-business and business-to-consumer industries.

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