Backyard Baseball isn’t just a game. It’s nostalgia.
For many players, Backyard Baseball brings up instant memories of afternoons spent building the perfect team, friendly rivalries, debating draft picks, or that one character you picked every single time. Years later, those memories are still strong.
That’s exactly why the return of Backyard Baseball has generated so much excitement. This isn’t just the revival of a classic sports game, it’s the return of a childhood favorite for an entire generation of players. It’s now available on Steam with more releases available soon!
How do you give a voice to characters millions of players already hear in their heads?
I’ve learned to see this as an exciting challenge as a voice actor. When a character already lives in players’ memories, our job isn’t just to copy the voice they already know, it’s to earn their trust as we give that character a new voice.
Getting the opportunity to voice two original Backyard Baseball characters has been incredibly special. I love being a small part of a game that means so much to so many people.
It’s not always about being a perfect voice match. Sometimes honoring the original character players love while adding your own energy can give a character new life.
Bringing Backyard Legends Back to the Field!
I’m thrilled that I got the opportunity to voice two beloved Backyard Baseball characters, Ernie Steele & Ronny Dobbs. They have hilariously different personalities that I wanted to bring authentic voices to without losing the fun.
Ernie, known as “Funny Bones”, is one of the tallest kids on the field, and is constantly laughing and joking throughout the game, while Ronny, hopping to the plate, is one of the game’s smallest players, and despite always being excited to play he’s prone to crying.
Ernie Steele thinks pretty much everything is funny, so of course there was a lot of laughter during that session. Laughing a lot is something Ernie and I definitely share in common.
Ronny “Spud” Dobbs is Sally’s timid younger brother who definitely wants to prove he is a great ball player too. Playing into his “big kids don’t cry” attitude while literally saying some of his lines through tears was also a lot of fun to play.
One of the things I love most about Backyard Baseball is that fans don’t always choose characters because they’re statistically “the best.” Sometimes they choose them because they make them laugh, remind them of being a kid, or are simply part of their favorite memories of the game.
I also love that every kid has their own strengths and weaknesses. Who you choose can change the game based on each player’s unique personality. Ernie’s home field, Steele Stadium, is a perfect example of that. Even little details, like a player’s favorite color, having a sibling on the same team, or playing in their own backyard, can affect their performance. I wouldn’t be so quick to put Ronny on the same team as Sally!
Why Backyard Baseball Still Matters
A game revival usually means a new generation of players, but what’s special about this game is seeing parents and their kids playing enthusiastically together.
I got to see some of that in action at the Backyard Baseball x Shopify Pop-up in SoHo along with fellow New York Voice Actor Sheli Báez who is the voice of Maria Luna in the game. We also got the chance to speak with the CEO of Playground Productions “Backyard Lindsay” herself about her passion for this game’s future, which was a treat since all of our voiceover work was done remotely.
What makes Lindsay’s passion for this project particularly inspiring is that she’s a former elementary school teacher who tracked down the IP rights to bring this beloved franchise back by founding Playground Productions and partnering with Mega Cat Studios.
I appreciate creative projects that are made by people who truly understand their audiences. Having spent years working with children through educational theater before becoming a full-time voice actor, I know how much thought goes into creating stories that respect kids’ intelligence, curiosity, and imagination. I think that’s part of what makes Backyard Baseball resonate across generations—it remembers and respects what it feels like to be a kid.
Voice Acting in Sports Games
I’ve voiced sports games before, including Helena in 3on3 Freestyle and Freestyle 2: Street Basketball, but Backyard Baseball combines that energy and excitement with my specialty in voicing kid characters.
But this game doesn’t just cater to kids, it’s genuinely challenging for adult players as well, and these kid characters have a nostalgic charm that feels less childish and more like timeless personalities who bring out the kid in every player.
Unlike animation, players don’t simply watch these characters, they spend hours with them. They hear the same memorable lines repeatedly, celebrate victories with them, laugh at the same jokes, and sometimes blame them for heartbreaking losses. Our job was to make each character feel distinct and full of personality. That means every line has to feel authentic, even after hearing it again and again. We also had great voice direction from Eric Vale who really encouraged me to have fun with each part.
Voice acting in games means becoming a real part of the player’s experience in a uniquely personal way, so I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to help create new memories while honoring the ones so many players already have.
For many players, Backyard Baseball helped create some of their favorite childhood gaming memories. Getting to contribute to the next chapter of the Backyard Baseball franchise definitely feels like a major win!
Female Voice Actor for Family Friendly Video Games and Kids’ Content
If you’re looking for a versatile voice actor with experience in video games or character-driven projects I’d love to collaborate with you!
I’m a character voice actor based in New York City, but I can record remotely and work with game studios, production companies, and content creators worldwide.
🏀 You can hear me voicing Helena in 3on3 Freestyle & Freestyle 2: Street Basketball
★ Click here to see more Video Game projects I’ve loved working on ★
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