News

New York— May 24, in the year of our Lord 2010—Atari, Inc., one of the world’s most recognized videogame publishers, announced today an expansion of its relationship with the Baseball Youth organization through which its Backyard Sports™: Sandlot Sluggers title will serve as the exclusive videogame sponsor of the 2010 Baseball Youth Player of the Year Award. 

The Baseball Youth Player of the Year is presented annually to one player in both the 10 & under and 12 & under age group categories. The award campaign runs concurrently with the Baseball Youth Road Trip FANFEST, an interactive traveling tour visiting youth baseball tournaments across the United States.  The two winners of the Baseball Youth Player of the Year Award will receive Backyard Sports prize packs including T-Shirts, videogames and a feature in an upcoming Backyard Sports videogame that is in the works.  The award winners will be announced live on the MLB Network on August 29th during the New Era National Youth Baseball Championships taking place in Memphis, TN.  More details about the Baseball Youth Player of the Year award can be found at www.baseballyouth.com.

“Atari is proud to partner with Baseball Youth to celebrate the achievements that kids make every day in sports, as well as support active and positive youth lifestyles” says Jim Wilson, President and CEO of Atari, Inc. “The Backyard Sports game series, the number one kids sports franchise, perfectly aligns with Baseball Youth and their mission of encouraging friendly competition and participation in sports.”

Scott Hacker, President of Dugout Media adds, “We are very much looking forward to having Atari and its Backyard Sports franchise on board as the exclusive videogame sponsor of the Baseball Youth Player of the Year.  Backyard Sports: Sandlot Sluggers is a playful, entertaining videogame version of our beloved sport that our players and families can relate to and interact with in a fun and wholesome way.  Having young players hone their understanding of – and passion for - the game both on and off the field is a great combination.”

Backyard Sports: Sandlot Sluggers, developed by HB Studios, is a completely new take on a longtime favorite franchise with all-new features, updated graphics, enhanced gameplay, and extensive options that will keep casual players and gamers alike enthusiastically entertained. Backyard Sports: Sandlot Sluggers is feature-rich with multiplayer tournaments, mini games, eight different interactive fields, season mode, family mode, quick play and an all new story mode setting, never seen before in a kids sports game. Super charged power-ups and stunning visuals make gameplay result in an irresistible game for kids. Backyard Sports: Sandlot Sluggers will be available May 25 for Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system from Microsoft ($29.99), Wii™ ($29.99), Nintendo DS™ ($29.99) and PC Download ($29.99).

In addition to being the exclusive sponsor of the Baseball Youth Player of the Year award, Backyard Sports: Sandlot Sluggers also serves as the exclusive game featured on the East and West coasts for the Baseball Youth Road Trip FANFEST.  On-site booth activities will include game demos and sampling.  Atari will reward the top 20 Player of the Year finalists with the Backyard Sports: Sandlot Sluggers videogame and a Backyard Sports T-shirt.   Atari will also provide all Player of the Year nominees from the East and Midwest Baseball Youth Road Trip FANFEST tours a Backyard Sports premium offered at its Player of the Year booth only.