Pete Rose Score Baseball Game Review
Doug Larson
OCC Editor in Chief
This is Pete Rose Baseball!
Produced by illco Toys in 1979, this Pete Rose “Score Baseball Game” features all the excitement of a real game of baseball without the troublesome licensing of the MLB. Pete Rose was most known for his legendary career with the Cincinnati Reds and Philadelphia Phillies, and though he passed away in 2024, his legacy still lives on in the hearts of fans. He was arguably one of the most prolific players ever to swing a bat. Today we’re going to have a look at this piece of memorabilia.
Game Box
When looking at the box art of the 1979 Pete Rose game, it’s very straightforward. There’s a photo of the game itself so you know what to expect, and of course, promotional photos of Pete himself. Right away I noticed the absence of any team branding. The back of the box is bare cardboard, and the box itself has a fully removable lid for easy storage. This looks like the kind of game you’d find on an end cap at the hardware store.
Game & Rules
The 1979 Pete Rose baseball game is designed for two players, however only one person can actively play at a time. This means that each inning players take turns playing at bat. Players place a ball on the pitcher’s mound, then use the spring loaded bat over home plate to hit. When they pull back on the bat to wind up, the ball on the pitcher’s mound is released, and the player must release the bat at the right time to hit the ball. The game is designed to play and keep score exactly like a real baseball game, and that’s where the trouble begins. The only score tracker provided is a tiny set two of wheels on the scoreboard numbered 0 – 19 for Home and Guest. There is no way to track balls, strikes, fouls, or who is on base. This makes playing the game in earnest difficult. It can be done, but you’ll want to keep a pen and paper handy.
The game features a sorting system that is pretty neat. As you hit balls out into the field, they sink into available score slots that are marked as strike, foul, out, single, double, triple, & home run. The balls will roll under the game board back to the player into the designated score slot at the base of the board. I thought it was a nice feature of the game. It turns out that this baseball game of skill is tricky, but possible to learn, and a good time to play. I don’t know if I’d go a full nine innings, but one or two would be enough to settle a friendly wager.
Rule Book
Pete Rose Score Baseball came with one single sheet of instructions, and it was magnificent. I have heard the joke that the “instructions were written on rice paper” as a poke at foreign production, but this is the first time that I think I’ve actually encountered it in real life. The paper that the instructions are printed on is so fine that it’s translucent. Yet it is strong and snappy with an excellent smooth feel. The instructions themselves appear quite urgent as they are printed in all caps. They explain the rules of the game and the scoring. Sure as the game’s title, the rules are identical to the sport.
Is It Fun?
I thought this was an enjoyable little curio that’s perfectly suited for the discerning collector. It’s not a particularly valuable piece, nor is it the greatest example of a baseball board game, but it has its own charm. Part of what I find so endearing is this game’s complete failure to include an effective scoring system, which is literally part of its namesake! Pete Rose Score Baseball Game is worth playing if you enjoy nostalgic treasures. It is not what I would consider a full featured game, but more a piece of sports memorabilia that’s enjoyable to play with.
See my video review of Pete Rose Score Baseball Game