MLB Showdown 2001 :: Trading Card Game

Courtesy of Wizards of the Coast

Courtesy of Wizards of the Coast

Courtesy of Wizards of the Coast

Has rainy weather ruined your afternoon ballgame once too often? Are you in the mood to play ball at 4am? It's time to play baseball in your own living room. This new game from Wizards of the Coast is all about collectible baseball cards you can actually play ball with.

Your fave teams and players are on totally sharp looking cards with their stats based on their season 2000 performance. There's also pics of the players in action and some of the funniest "constipated" facial expressions ever.

Playing ball is pretty simple. First you build your team - each player is worth points and you only have so many. Better players cost more but the whole Cubs line-up is cheaper than dirt. Then you set them up - there's a big fold-out to use till you get used to playing, then you can ditch it and save a ton of space.

To play the game you line up your batters, choose a starting pitcher and roll a die to pitch the ball. It's that easy. Each card shows what happens when they're at bat, all you have to do is play. That's the basic game, the advanced game gets trickier with substitutions, bunts, walks and strategy cards to spice up the game.

The biggest problem with MLB Showdown 2001 is the need for space. You'll need a table to play on 'til you ditch the fold-out and you'll always need a flat spot to roll your dice.

If you're a baseball nut it beats the heck out of collecting cards you can't play with and it's a fun game to boot.