Harry's Grand Slam Baseball Game
by Out of the Box Publishing, Inc
List Price:
Our Price: $22.84
You Save: $2.15 (9%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $20.98 (click here)
Category: Toy
See more product details
Product Summary
Manufacturer: Out of the Box Publishing, IncBrand: Out of the Box
Model: 1962
Product features:
- Each player manages a team and plays cards to simulate actual baseball plays
- Great for both players and baseball enthusiasts
- Even includes rules from the original game
Toys and Games Reviews of Harry's Grand Slam Baseball Game
Customer Review: A Grand Slam in my book!
Summary: 5 Stars
I admit that I passed over this game a few times initially without a care, but having played it now, I couldn't have been more wrong. This is a great baseball game that is played with cards, not spinners, dice or pinballs. Most baseball games utilize either a dice or spinner system to determine a play, but this game is a little different in that you play your hand of cards against your opponents hand to determine a play. So for example, if it's my turn at bat and the 3 cards that I hold in my hand are (strikeout, single, and a triple) and my opponent, who is pitching, has (strikeout, error, ground out), I want to try to play my offense cards (ie, the single and triple) to score before my opponent, or even myself, play the 3 outs to retire the side. It's not realistic in the sense that you already know part of the outcome based on the cards in your hand, but it does give you a little bit of managerial play calling. For example, can I put an extra runner on base prior to playing a home run card or will the pitcher retire the side before I get that far? Then on the flipside, when you take to the mound, you're always trying to come up with those 3 outs without any damage done.
The game has a lot of plays that you might not normally find in a casual baseball game, such as a balk, hit batter, passed ball. It also has a pinch hitter/relief pitcher feature where you take a card from the draw deck and place it face down until you decide to use it. And since it can go either way, whether you're hitting or pitching, it could be, say, a strikeout or a home run.
My only gripe, and it's somewhat minor is the fact that a runner cannot go from first to third or score from second on a triple. But a variation on gameplay could easily be introduced with a dice roll to determine those situations (ie, 1-3 is a success, 4-6 is a failed attempt) if desired.
The game isn't terribly complex nor is it meant to be like Strat-o-matic or APBA Baseball, but the simple back-and-forth play of cards doesn't fail to create a great sense of tension, relief, and excitement. There's a lot of whooping, laughing and groaning that happens, which is great for a game that is meant to be played in 20 minutes.
The game is faithfully recreated based on the original game. It's basically a small box of cards and the original instructions. But even cooler is the fact that OOTB Games created a retro-like tin to house the original game, as well as include a scoreboard dial system that actually improves on the original scorekeeping. So you can play the game like the original or more conveniently with the scoreboard. A very thoughtful reproduction and improvement to the game. The picture of the tin looks like it's the size of one of those retro tin lunchboxes, but it's actually much smaller, which is a good thing as it doesn't take up much room.
This game is pretty much a 2-player game. Although the original instructions has a method for playing with more people, it's basically sharing and taking turns, which isn't all that great, IMO.
If you like baseball, particularly something that harks back to the Golden Era of the 50's & 60's, this is a keeper of a game for those casual and quick moments of gameplay. I plan on buying a couple more for friends as gifts.
Description of Harry's Grand Slam Baseball Game
In Harry's Grand Slam Baseball Game, each player manages a team and plays cards to simulate actual baseball plays. This easy to learn baseball game can be completed in under 20 minutes. Introduced in 1962, this game has been a real hit with players and baseball enthusiasts alike, and this faithful reproduction includes the rules from the original game. For 2 players ages 8 and up. Includes 54 game cards, baseball diamond, scoreboard, card reference, updated rules, and game history. For 2 players ages 8 and up.Card Games Toys
Toys and Games
Bestsellers in Card Games Toys
A Game of Thrones Card game: Kings of the Sea ExpansionFantasy Flight Games; Fantasy Flight Games; Release date: 2011-02-04; Toy
Best price: $23.95
Price in other shops:
Prophets of the Bible Card Game - How Well Do You Know the Prophets - LDS Mormon Card GameCedar Fort, Inc.; Pioneer Plus; Toy
Best price: $6.38
Price in other shops:
Munchkin 4 Need for Steed (Revised)by Steve Jackson Games
Steve Jackson Games; Steve Jackson Games; Release date: 2010-12-08; Toy
Best price: $13.49
Price in other shops:
The Art Of Christian ConversationPublisher Services Inc (PSI); TAOC; Release date: 2010-12-15; Toy
Best price: $13.14
Price in other shops:
Crappy BirthdayNorth Star Games; North Star Games; Release date: 2011-08-17; Toy
Best price: $14.99
Passover Go Fish Card GameEmily Sper; Emily Sper Author-Artist; Toy
Best price: $6.95
You Gotta Be Kidding Card GameZobmondo; Zobmondo!!; Toy
Best price: $5.45
Price in other shops:
Mudpuppy Forest Friends Thank You Create-A-Card Set MultiMudpuppy; MudPuppy; Release date: 2011-06-01; Toy
Best price: $9.97
Price in other shops:
Fun & Dance Oversize Playing CardsMudpuppy; MudPuppy; Toy
Best price: $31.45
Uno Hairspray Special Edition Card GameSababa Toys; Toy
Similar Toys and Games
The Boy Who Saved Baseballby John H. Ritter
Puffin; Published: 2005-03-17; Paperback; Book
Best price: $2.00
Price in other shops:
Baseball (DK Eyewitness Books)by James E. Kelley
DK Publishing; DK CHILDREN; Published: 2010-03-15; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $9.89
Price in other shops:
FX-318 Fox Sports Baseball TriviaArchbrook Laguna (formerly BDI); Excalibur; Toy
Best price: $18.99
Price in other shops:
Strat-O-Matic Baseball Current EditionStrat-O-Matic Game Company; Strat-O-Matic Game Company; Toy
Best price: $47.50
Baseball Guys by Kaskey Kids - Red and BlueKaskey Kids; Kaskey Kids; Release date: 2006-07-01; Toy
Best price: $24.99
Deluxe Stadium Baseball GameInternational Playthings; I-Play; Release date: 2010-03-29; Toy
Best price: $31.99
Price in other shops:
The Kid Who Only Hit Homers (Matt Christopher Sports Classics)by Matt Christopher
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; Published: 1986-07-30; Paperback; Book
Best price: $1.90
Price in other shops:
Headz Baseball Family Fun Strategy GameGriddly Games; Griddly Games Inc.; Release date: 2009-04-15; Toy
Best price: $9.79
Price in other shops:
The Everything Kids' Baseball Book: From baseball history to player stats - with lots of homerun fun in between! (Everything Kids Series)by Greg Jacobs
Books; Adams Media; Published: 2010-03-18; Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.94
Price in other shops:
Jukem Football Card Game - Made in the USA.Flying Pig Games; Jukem; Toy
Best price: $14.95
Price in other shops: