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Backyard Baseball returns July 9 on Steam with a new sandlot lineup
Backyard Baseball is set for a fresh release on Steam on July 9, 2026, with wishlisting already open. The announcement teases a new character, Funnybones, and gives a wink to longtime favorite Ernie Steele stepping into the spotlight [2].The series first took the field in 1997 and grew into a staple of youth sports gaming, blending a roster of neighborhood kids with, in later entries, child versions of MLB stars. Names like Pablo Sanchez became franchise icons, while modes ranged from single games to full seasons and a Backyard Baseball World Series [1][3].For fans who grew up on cracked bats and cardboard outfields, the new entry promises a return to pick-up-and-play sandlot energy with familiar faces and a few surprises. Circle the date and keep an eye on that Steam wishlist as the franchise gets back in the batter’s box [2].