Baseball, America’s National Pastime. The sport is beloved by people across the country. Even though the World Series is over, that doesn’t mean you have to wait until spring to enjoy the game. Grab one of the many baseball board games that allow you to recreate the excitement of the ballpark from the comfort of your own home.
The Strat-O-Matic Baseball game has it all: realistic scenarios, multiple levels of difficulty, and plenty of strategy and excitement. But there are other games out there that have cool game boards, easy rules, and plenty of friendly competition.
In this article, you’ll find the best baseball board games. You’ll read about the ideal age ranges, the best features, and what customers say about the games. I’ve poured over hundreds of reviews and drawn on personal experience to bring you the best information.
Read on to find a baseball board game that’s sure to be a hit.
Contents
- 1 At a Glance
- 2 Baseball Board Game Reviews
- 2.1 Strat-O-Matic Baseball Hall of Fame Game: Best Baseball Board Game
- 2.2 Game Zone Super Stadium Baseball Game: Runner-Up
- 2.3 Grandma Smiley’s What About Baseball Board Game: Best Dice-Based Board Game
- 2.4 MLB-Opoly Junior: Best for Kids
- 2.5 Across the Board Baseball Game: Best Splurge Baseball Board Game
- 2.6 MLB Baseball Trivia Challenge: Best Trivia Baseball Game
- 2.7 eeBoo Baseball Card Game: Best Baseball Card Game
- 2.8 Kocak Gold Baseball Dice Board Game
- 2.9 MLB Slammin’ Sluggers Baseball Game
- 2.10 Deartisan Baseball Board Game
- 3 Buying Guide
- 4 Best Baseball Board Games: Final Verdict
At a Glance
My top pick is the Strat-O-Matic Baseball Game. This baseball board game has been around for a long time, but most people agree it’s still the best. It gives you the most realistic baseball experience.
If you want the best baseball board game for families, I recommend Super Stadium. It’s fun to play for all ages, and the tactile nature will keep kids engaged.
Not all baseball games simulate a realistic baseball game. If you’re have a passion for baseball trivia, you should grab a copy of MLB Trivia Challenge. It’s officially-licensed by the MLB and has 1,000 questions over the history of the sport.
If you want a board game for kids, you might try MLB-opoly Junior. It’s geared toward kids, and you can choose your favorite of 30 MLB teams for a customized experience.
Lastly, if you’d enjoy a dice-based tabletop baseball board game, you should try Grandma Smiley’s What About Baseball. It has the highest reviews of all the dice-based board games, and it’s made in the U.S.A.
Baseball Board Game Reviews
Strat-O-Matic Baseball Hall of Fame Game: Best Baseball Board Game
Number of Players: 2 (or two teams)
Age: 10+
Publisher: Strat-O-Matic
Strat-O-Matic has been producing sports simulation games since 1961, but the New York company is most known for its baseball board game. The Strat-O-Matic Baseball Game gives you the most realistic and immersive baseball experience. It’s perfect for the most devoted fans.
This is the Hall-of-Fame version of the current Strat-O-Matic baseball game. It comes with 279 Hall of Fame player cards. Each card represents a real Hall of Fame member inducted through the current season. The Strat-O-Matic Baseball game is officially licensed by the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.
The player cards include all sorts of statistics. The player cards are based on the average of each player’s seven best seasons. There isn’t as much debate over how justified the stats are, since it doesn’t athletes that are still playing.
You can create new lineups using the player cards and see how they perform. This board game essentially makes you the team manager, responsible for making personnel decisions and determining strategies. This adds a level of authenticity that’s hard to beat. You’ll feel like you’re managing a real baseball team.
The Strat-O-Matic baseball game offers three levels of difficulty. Level 1 is the basic level, with a quick set up time and streamlined rules. It’s best for beginners and for those who want a game that can be played relatively quickly.
Level 2 has more rules and more excitement, with increased strategy and complexity. It’s best for those who want a realistic experience without the intensity of the advanced level. In my opinion, this is the most enjoyable level. But that depends on your personal preferences.
Level 3 is the advanced level. It offers amazing depth and complexity, and it’s the most immersive experience of the three levels. This is for the most hardcore fans, those eat, drink, and breathe baseball.
Even though Strat-O-Matic baseball has been around for decades, it’s still one of the most popular games on the market today. Its appeal has endured, and that speaks to how good this board game is.
Pros
- 279 two-sided HOF player cards
- Three levels of difficulty
- High replay value
- Incredibly realistic gameplay
Cons
- Learning curve
- Pricey
Game Zone Super Stadium Baseball Game: Runner-Up
Number of Players: 1-2
Age: 6+
Publisher: International Playthings
What if a game creator combined a baseball game with pinball? You’d get the Game Zone Super Stadium baseball game. This tabletop baseball game is unique and super fun. It’s designed for one or two players, kids ages six and up.
The game board is a baseball field, complete with a scoreboard behind the outfield fence. The game includes a spring-loaded bat, which can hit singles, doubles, triples, and even home runs. There are pockets that designate the outcome of the hit. I gotta say, it’s quite satisfying to “hit” the ball in this game.
The pitcher “throws” the ball (pinball). You control the pitcher, who is capable of throwing a fastball, slider, sinker, or change-up. Use the dual pitching lever to control the direction and speed of the pitch.
The fielding team consists of seven fielders plus the pitcher. The magnetized infield creates ball movement. Position your fielders in one of three slots. If the pinball lands in a fielder’s pocket, it’s an out.
The Super Stadium Baseball game has a switch hitter feature, batter counts, and a score pad. It’s a little pricier than the average baseball board game, but it comes with more detailed pieces. The field is plastic, but it’s thick and solid quality. We’re not talking about flimsy cheap plastic like a lot of kids’ games.
Of course, the number of loose pieces could be problematic. That’s a lot to keep up with, plus there are more ways things can go wrong. Pieces can break, get stuck, etc.
Overall, Game Zone’s Super Stadium is an awesome tabletop baseball game. If you’re a fan of baseball or pinball, you’ll enjoy this tabletop game.
Pros
- Pinball format
- Realistic gameplay
- Easy to learn
- Choose different pitches and speeds
- Solid quality
- Creative and entertaining gameplay
Cons
- Has a lot of loose pieces
Grandma Smiley’s What About Baseball Board Game: Best Dice-Based Board Game
Number of Players: 2-4 (or two teams)
Age: 8+
Publisher: Grandma Smiley
If you’re looking for a tabletop baseball game that’s geared toward baseball fans of all ages, the What About Baseball board game is a great option. It’s published by Grandma Smiley and made in the U.S.A.
This board game provides a realistic baseball experience, complete with pitch counts, a baseball field game board, and paper line-ups. It doesn’t simulate the probabilities of a real game, but it does have several possible outcomes from each dice roll.
The game has two playing modes: basic and advanced. The basic gameplay is perfect for kids ages eight and up. The advanced playing mode is suited for adults and experienced players.
The basic mode is pretty much based on dice rolls, but the advanced mode adds a little more strategy. It includes balks, stealing attempts, double plays, and more. There are even printable sheets for those who want to keep stats.
The gameplay is straightforward. Roll the green dice to determine the pitch (ball, strike, foul, or contact). If the hitter makes contact, roll the white dice to determine the outcome (out, single, double, triple, or home run). In the advanced mode, use the brown dice if the white dice roll totals less than nine. The black die is for a run scoring option that’s only used in advanced gameplay.
Even though the What About Baseball board game received high praise from customers, it isn’t the best value option. I wouldn’t call it expensive, but it’s pricey for what’s included. If you love baseball board games, however, it would be worth checking for a good sale.
Pros
- Easy to learn
- Basic and Advanced Gameplay Modes
- Fun for kids and adults
- Vintage look, authentic feel
- Made in the U.S.A.
Cons
- Mostly luck-based
- A little pricey (for what’s included)
MLB-Opoly Junior: Best for Kids
Number of Players: 2-4
Age: 6+
Publisher: MasterPieces
MLB-Opoly is an officially licensed MLB game published by MasterPieces. Players get to choose from one of 30 Major League Baseball teams to customize their playing piece. That also means you get to pay more for a licensed product, but you can’t have it all, right?
MLB-Opoly is easy to learn with simple rules. It helps if you’re a baseball fan, but it’s not necessary to play. The box says the game is for kids ages three years old and up, but the product description has a minimum age of six. I recommend a minimum age of six.
The setup is much like a Monopoly game. Opening Day is GO, while the Batter Up spaces replace the Chance and Community Chest cards. Instead of collecting properties, you collect positions and equipment for the season. In this Junior version, however, you’re required to buy whatever you land on. This will speed up the game for children with shorter attention spans.
You can collect money and win big by going to the World Series, or you might Strike Out, the equivalent of Jail in the regular version.
One cool thing about this game is that the Batter Up cards teach you a little about baseball history. So it’s great for baseball fans who enjoy learning about the game.
You can switch out your team each time for flexible game groups. The money denominations are smaller, so they’re easier for young players to count.
This game doesn’t provide a realistic baseball experience, but if you love baseball and Monopoly, this game blends the two quite well.
Pros
- Easy to play, fast-paced
- Bright and colorful game board
- Great for kids
- Fun baseball theme
Cons
- Not a realistic experience
Across the Board Baseball Game: Best Splurge Baseball Board Game
Number of Players: 2 (or two teams)
Age: 6+
Publisher: Across the Board
Across the Board baseball game is a dice-based tabletop game that can be played by two players (or two teams). The game is made in St. Louis, Missouri, and it’s appropriate for adults and kids ages six and up.
The setup is similar to the other dice baseball board games on the list. To play, the “visiting” team sends the first batter to home plate and rolls the dice. Use the dice combination and the key displayed on the corners of the game board to determine the outcome of an at-bat.
Use the included dry-erase marker and scoreboard to keep track of runs. You can change the name of your team each time you play. The Across the Board baseball game comes with five chrome pegs and four brass pegs. One of the chrome pegs is used to track the number of outs for each half-inning. The remaining pegs are used as batters and base runners.
The maple game board is diamond-shaped and comes in a box shaped like a home plate, which adds a fun touch to the game. The use of pegs and grommets is a nice upgrade to the usual plastic or cardboard tokens.
The Across the Board baseball game is fun for all ages. It’s a higher-end, well-crafted version of the basic dice baseball board game, but it’s quite pricey. Not only that, but there were some reports of missing dice, pegs, or pegs that didn’t fit right into the grommets.
Pros
- High-quality, sturdy pieces
- Simple rules, easy to learn
- Fun for all ages
- Made in the U.S.A.
Cons
- Expensive
- Some reported missing dice or pegs
MLB Baseball Trivia Challenge: Best Trivia Baseball Game
Number of Players: 2-6
Age: 14+
Publisher: MasterPieces
The MLB Baseball Trivia Challenge Game is another MLB-licensed game published by MasterPieces. It’s set up like the classic Jeopardy game, with categories and different point values available.
This trivia game includes over 1,000 questions about baseball history, so you can replay this game several times before repeating questions. There are 200 trivia cards with questions for each point value. The higher the point value, the more challenging the question.
The categories include Batter Up, Chatter, Honors, Nominees & Winners, and On the Mound. When your team answers a question correctly, you cover the space on the board that matches the category and point value.
As with the other MasterPieces board game, this Trivia challenge is officially licensed by Major League Baseball. Of course, that means a higher price tag, but it also means you get the official MLB logo and questions that span its history.
As you might imagine, this MLB trivia game is not ideal for young kids. It requires reading and a knowledge of baseball statistics, players, and the history of the sport. The game is appropriate for players ages 14 and up.
Pros
- Easy to play
- Has over 1,000 questions for replay value
- Fun for fans of baseball history
- Officially licensed
- Good for teens and adults
Cons
- Pricier
eeBoo Baseball Card Game: Best Baseball Card Game
Number of Players: 1+
Age: 5+
Publisher: eeBoo
The eeBoo baseball card game is a great game for kids ages five and up. It comes with player cards, instructions, a sample scorecard, and a foldable baseball field sheet. If you’ve ever played the vintage Ed-U-Cards baseball game, this is a modern spin on the original 1960s version.
This is a pocket-sized game that you can take with you anywhere. It’s great for car rides, airports, waiting rooms, or at home at the table. Playing this game is an easy way to teach young kids the basic rules of the baseball game.
Players draw player cards until they complete an inning. Each card shows a different possible outcome, such as “fly out” or “double.” It’s a fun and easy way to “play” baseball and pass the time with your kids or with friends.
If you want something light with a short playing time, you’ll like this baseball game. If you want something realistic with strategy and exciting competition? You’ll be disappointed.
It also requires you to furnish some supplies to play it. The instructions tell you to copy the sample scoreboard on paper to keep score. It also suggests using pennies, rocks, or jellybeans as players. But it’s the least expensive game on the list, so I guess you get what you pay for.
Pros
- Portable, easy to transport
- Simple rules, easy to learn
- Single-player option
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Completely luck-based
- Requires extra materials to play
Kocak Gold Baseball Dice Board Game
Number of Players: 2 (or two teams)
Age: 7+
Publisher: Kocak Gold
The Kocak Gold Baseball Board Game transports you to baseball’s golden age. An engraved wooden board, dice, and marbles offer a nostalgic, tech-free gaming experience.
Play a complete nine-inning baseball game, just like in real life. Obviously, it helps to understand the basics of the game, but you don’t have to be a baseball connoisseur to play. In fact, it’s one of the game’s major advantages, in my opinion. Everyone can play.
That is, everyone old enough to know not to put marbles in their mouths. Their small size makes them a choking hazard for littles.
Here’s how it works: Roll the pair of dice. Use the engraved “key” to determine what happens based on your dice roll. For instance, if you roll a four and a five, that would result in a pop-fly out. Just like regular baseball, each team hits until the third out.
There are no strikes or balls in this baseball game, so you don’t have to know the count. It jumps straight to the result of the at-bat.
There are some issues with quality control. Several customers had missing dice or marbles, while others received a slightly warped game board. This version is inexpensive, so it’s not an especially risky purchase. Still, it’s best to check the contents as soon as the game arrives to ensure all the pieces are there.
The concept behind this game is great. It’s simple, easy to learn, and fun to play for all ages. If you love baseball and you love the idea of a tech-free game, you should give this one a try.
Pros
- Easy to learn
- Vintage, nostalgic look & feel
- Great for families
Cons
- Poor quality control
MLB Slammin’ Sluggers Baseball Game
Number of Players: 2
Age: 6+
Publisher: Merchant Ambassador
The MLB Slammin’ Sluggers Baseball Board Game is basically cheap copy of the Super Stadium baseball game. The one advantage it offers is the 30 Major League Baseball team billboards and 200 individual player pieces.
Slammin’ Sluggers has seven cardboard fielders for each team, plus a pitcher. You can control the pitcher to throw fastballs or curve balls, using the magnet underneath the playing field. The scoring trackers on the field allow you to keep the count.
If you’re a fan of a particular team, you can customize the large scoreboard with your favorite team’s logo.
This version doesn’t have the same level of quality as Super Stadium. It’s like the producers spent all their money on licensing and cut corners elsewhere. With cardboard fielders and a plastic bat, it has a cheap feel to it. But if you want to play as your favorite MLB team, you might be willing to make that trade-off.
Pros
- Choose your favorite MLB team
- Control the pitches and speeds
- Tracks the count
- Simulates a realistic game
Cons
- Cheaply made, low quality
Deartisan Baseball Board Game
Number of Players: 2 (or two teams)
Age: 6+
Publisher: Deartisan
This Deartisan baseball board game is strikingly similar to the Across the Board game and the other dice-based baseball board games. It’s played between two teams (or two players), and it’s suitable for kids and adults.
Players roll the dice to determine whether they get a hit or get out. Batters are represented with blue or red pegs, which are moved around the baseball diamond with holes for each base. The dry-erase scoreboard allows you to keep score.
So what makes this version different from other games? It’s supposedly made of real oak wood, and the wooden dice are a nice touch. The dice combination key is engraved on the wooden game board instead of being on paper or on a sticker.
However, the brand is somewhat obscure, with little information and even less of an online presence. On top of that, I have a hard time believing a real oak game board is as inexpensive as this one is. It has very few reviews, to boot.
This brand has a scammy vibe. I may be wrong, but I would go with one of the other baseball board games over this one, to be on the safe side.
Pros
- Easy to play
- “Oak” wooden board
- Dry-erase scoreboard
- Suitable for all ages
Cons
- Brand is suspiciously obscure
Buying Guide
If you’re searching for baseball board games, you need to know what makes a great game. Look for the following things to get the best game experience:
If you’re playing baseball games, you want high replay value. Being able to replay a game over and over again makes it a more exciting purchase. A one-time game has to be pretty epic for you to get your money’s worth. (You can read more about some of those legacy games, if that’s your thing.)
A good baseball game has to be realistic. Fans can tell you, hitting a home run every time is not believable. There should be variation in the game to simulate the host of possibilities that exist in a real-life game of baseball. Strike, ball, foul ball, hit by pitch? Fly out, ground out, single, double, etc.? Stealing or no stealing? You get my point…
Another thing to consider is who will be playing the game. Some games can be played by children, while other games are too advanced for kids. Some games are fine for people who only know a little about baseball (e.g. MLB-opoly Junior), while others are only suited for hardcore fans (e.g., Strat-O-Matic).
Lastly, you have to think about the production value of the game. It’s just not as fun to play on cheap, flimsy plastic or with subpar pieces. Quality materials, good graphics, and a sturdy game board are all signs of better production value.
Best Baseball Board Games: Final Verdict
Want a baseball board game that’s a home run? Get the Strat-O-Matic Baseball Hall of Fame Game. It’s a classic that provides a realistic baseball experience. It’s no wonder that this board game has maintained consistent popularity over the years.
If you’re looking for something different, you might try Game Zone’s Super Stadium. It’s a great board game for kids and adults, and it offers a unique gaming experience.
Looking for more games? Check out games you can play on paper for your next family game night.