APBA Baseball - Basic Game Rules Breakdown and Gameplay

Hey, guys. Thought we would breakdown the APBA Baseball board game for you. We will go through the cards and dice, the rules, setting up a scoresheet and play a couple of innings.
Featuring the Yankees' new rightfielder, Joe Judge.

[@weskring5558]

Since my first APBA baseball game, bought when I was 9 years old in 1966 (1965 season), I've called the game "A - P - B - A", and I'm not going to stop calling it "A - P - B - A". I've played many games with that set of cards. Have other baseball games now, but still have those original set of cards (20 players per team and cut-out on 20# paper the extra set of 4 players per team-that's the way you bought the extra players in those days) AND those original big board result charts. Thank you for a nice video.

[@ChristopherWalrath]

You are most welcome, Wes. This is a great game. My intro to APBA was football in 1987. I saw it in the old Football Digest magazines I read as a kid and finally got it for Christmas in my late teens. And I was hooked and I went deep. I have only had the baseball game for such a short time. Thanks again for watching the video.

[@dantmcbride1]

I bought my APBA board game in 1958. And I still have it. Each year, until I went off to college, I would buy the new year's cards. I still have those cards !!!!! President Eisenhower's grandson, David, was an APBA fan, as well. 😀- Dan McBride -

[@ChristopherWalrath]

Thanks for those memories, Dan. These games have become such a part of us over the years, right? Have a wonderful evening.

[@allancove4483]

You sir, are a man after my own heart! I'm with ya 100% when it comes to the master symbols version. You are spot on because they ARE a headache. I watched a video on youtube on those master symbols & in addition to the master symbols version taking up way too much space on my game table, they also seem to slow down the pace of actual game play. I've always been & always will be, a APBA Basic Game player. It has such a smooth flow & I'm old school in that if it's not broke, don't fix it. And IMHO there was nothing broken with the original APBA Basic game version. But that's just me. And just to give you an idea on how long I've been an APBA player, I've been playing all the way back when they still used those old charts instead of the APBA Playbook. I know, sucks to be old, right? lol And I still have the APBA Football Basic game version complete WITH the original APBA playing boards. Now Hoss, that's old. lol But yeah, I tend to agree with ya about those master symbols. I looked at em & no, their not for me. Just saying.

[@steveborkowski4330]

Played very first APBA baseball game today! (finally figured it out!) '16 Cubs over '16 Indians, 7-3.

[@ChristopherWalrath]

Good onya, Steve. Hope you had fun. Remember, repetition is the key to insanity. Keep on rollin'.

[@jackbrooks2008]

I totally agree with you on just playing basic.. I started playing both stratomatic and apba in 1962.. I actually had the apba football game before the baseball game.. I remember those huge charts and I just ordered the 20/20 apba game and I guess I'll have to get used to the book.. just on a note, when I first got the football game, there was no onside kick selection and I wrote apba and told him that and wouldn't you know about 2 months later they actually added an option for an on-site kick! Getting back to baseball, I like the way you play and I will continue to watch your videos. I do see I would be having a tough time trying to get old teams from the past and if you could let me know how I could go about doing that I would really appreciate it. Thanks very much.... Jack

[@ChristopherWalrath]

Actually, I do not foresee playing APBA too awful much going forward. I am keeping 1979. I have 1905 (copies of Giants, not real cards), 1914, 1950, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1983, Bats 3 (pre expansion) and GTOP IV. I would not want to get rich from these. If you wanna make an offer, I could make you a proud owner.

[@mlbaces3574]

Awesome! I finally got a chance to see abpa in action and I might need to check it out

[@ChristopherWalrath]

Definitely worth it. If nothing else, it is only $30 for the basic game and these teams plus Cubs and Astros.

[@BJWanlund]

Oh! I get to show off some knowledge! Pro tip: I usually put the runner rating in the RUN column of the Payoff Pitch scoresheet! I can put in either a F, A, or S rating in that RUN column. F for fast, S for slow, and A for average (aka no specified run rating on the player card). That might actually help you, so FYI.

[@ChristopherWalrath]

Good tip. Thanks, BJ. Makes sense, don't it though? Youda thunk I would already be doing that one.

[@mikecleary9376]

Thanks for the video Chris. Just ordered the basic game with the 1990 card set. Looks like fun.

[@ChristopherWalrath]

It's a fun game, Mike, and easy to learn.

[@Rellings]

I picked up an APBA Baseball box a couple years ago at a local thrift store for 75 cents and forgot I even had it til today. There is multiple different dates on some of the components inside, but the cards look all to be from 1990. All the contents are pristine quality though, former owner even kept all the clippings from the card cutouts.

[@ChristopherWalrath]

I always check the thrift stores in my area. Folks know me well enough to call me if anything of interest shows up.

[@sdgakatbk]

Very good video. Gives a good feel of playing the basic game.

[@ChristopherWalrath]

Happy to help out the next guy or gal. Anything to make this hobby easier to learn, right?

[@sdgakatbk]

@@ChristopherWalrath Well I just ordered the basic game along with the Master Addition and a bunch of teams. First I'm going to get acquainted with playing the basic game myself and I might take a crack at the master game. I've seen your videos on the master game. I'll have to look at it but I think I'm going to want to make an adjustment about stealing. Also I have plans for a tournament with the teams I've ordered. Should be fun.

[@bleacherbumsgaming7323]

Been looking forward to your take on a full game.

[@LK3185.]

Thanks for this breakdown. I'm new to Baseball card and dice hobby, I have a strat set but haven't used it much.. bought it years ago, I do like it but keep looking for other games and APBA I feel I would like (I don't mind chart really as long as I can understand them) APBA basic seems simple enough yet still fun..except the stealing mechanism but my main problem with them is the pricing is against my budget. I wanted to get 1996 but its gonna cost me $85 shipping included.. so I have to buy the base game and then that season which would be over $100.. hard to justify except not many companies have all the seasons.. the only one i know of on the cards and dice that is close is Fall Classic. I may go that route but not really a fan of the paper charts.. the APBA book is actually appealing to me. Sorry for the ramble, this was a wonderful teaching video, I just wish APBA pricing was cheaper.. I even checked out APBA go but it wouldn't let me sign up.. (a problem with my email for some reason lol)

[@ChristopherWalrath]

Might check out Inside Pitch baseball from www.insidesportsgames.org/inside_pitch.htm Great game, check it out. I have videos on the channel and there are many more. Best parts, you can purchase inexpensive PDF files and print and play.

[@LK3185.]

@@ChristopherWalrath yes, I was going to mention that inside pitch and Replay (the PC version is fantastic even though I don’t love the game engine there) are my top choices. What’s amusing in doing the research is that all these baseball games are good but they all have different flaws Thanks

[@FoxCrueCards]

Thanks for sharing! I just picked this game up... cant wait to roll it

[@ChristopherWalrath]

Welcome to the insanity. What season(s) did you get?

[@FoxCrueCards]

@@ChristopherWalrath I only got the four that were included.. wanna get a feel before I drop the $ for seasons... but the more I watch the game the more I think I am gonna love it.

[@ChristopherWalrath]

Same here. Have fun man. Ask any questions.

[@allancove4483]

Here's how I up the ante when it comes to base stealing with the APBA Basic game version. If a batter has an 11 in his singles &/or doubles column & he reaches first base, I go straight too the hit & run section because if the next batter has a 13 or a 14 on his car when using the hit & run, I noticed a long time ago that the runner on 1st because he has an 11 on his card, steals second on a swing & a miss or on a pitch called a ball. Seems to work pretty well. Just saying.

[@ChristopherWalrath]

Thats a nice take on it using Basic mechanics. I like it. Merry Christmas.

[@allancove4483]

@@ChristopherWalrath Thanks for the kind words. I just one day out of the blue noticed that, in the playbook on the hit & run chart & it worked. It's also a great way to stay out of the DP ball too! And on behalf of the wife & myself along with our critter, Merry Christmas & have a blessed & safe New Year!

[@DeViLzzz2006]

Very simple to understand. Good tutorial. I would have this already but unfortunately the cost to Canadians looking to get APBA is insane. $84 and change US including shipping just for the basic game is quite a bit to ask considering you don't get a season included. Honestly very sad about it all as I want to play APBA.

[@bleacherbumsgaming7323]

Good stuff Chris, very good overview. I agree on the base stealing too, seems like you could make a house rule to remedy that fairly easy.

[@ChristopherWalrath]

I am going to review the mechanics and make something up.

[@southpaw5483]

Hi Chris, Did you physically cut the tabs out in your rule book? cheers.

[@ChristopherWalrath]

Yes I did. And glad I did. Much quicker flipping for me.

[@southpaw5483]

@@ChristopherWalrath Thx Chris. Thinking of doing that myself but wanted to check with a few "experts" first before taking scissors to the book. Wishing you continued health and happiness. cheers.

[@ChristopherWalrath]

I have always been of a mind to modify something physically if it makes things just that much easier to use and manipulate.

[@DaveGardnervideos]

on a Z or ZZ pitcher, if you get 14 for 2 balls, what happens it you roll 14 again on the same batter? Another ball and roll or a walk ?

[@ChristopherWalrath]

I believe that would be a walk.

[@Mrjobakes]

Nice video, but where do you come up with Joe Judge? Aaron Judge.

[@ChristopherWalrath]

Mistakes were made. Glad you enjoyed the video. Think that mentioned by me in way previous comments. Thanks.

[@3-ddjr460]

It's pronounced APP - BAH

[@johnwest2189]

Do the pitchers have fatigue innings?

[@ChristopherWalrath]

They have batters faced values that are used to determine fatigue, as it were.

[@johnwest2189]

Tabletop Sports Delaware OK, thank you. I just ordered the game. Never played it but am looking forward to it, and I enjoy your videos!

[@MrMoley55]

ZZ pitchers are the Tops !!

[@ChristopherWalrath]

Have not used any yet. But I can most certainly see the value in stocking up on a few. Especially for low opponent OBP.

[@ChristopherWalrath]

And I go back and read comments months later. I get it. Good one.

[@hurakagame9195]

I see what you did there.

[@petes2feet]

Fantastic run through, I have been looking for a video like this, wonderful. Great work.

[@ChristopherWalrath]

Happy to help.

[@michaellaura716]

Great job, but you were talking about an B&D pitcher. There is no such thing as a B&D pitcher.

[@ChristopherWalrath]

Was just learning the game back then. Might have missed a thing or two. 😉 Thanks for watching.

[@MrWrestling2]

A P B A for me too

[@erose964]

Yea,and it’s also F O R D for me too.