APBA

:"APBA can also refer to the American Power Boat Association, which is not related to the APBA Game Company."

APBA (pronounced "APP-BAH") is a game company located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. It was created in 1951 by Richard Seitz. The game company on their official website states that the letters stood for "American Professional Baseball Association".

The company's first offering was a baseball simulation table game using cards to represent each major league player, boards to represent different on-base scenarios (e.g. "Bases Empty"), and dice to generate random numbers. The game can be played against another person or in solitaire fashion. Devoted fans keep track of the results and assess how players' performance compares to their real-life statistics.

The game company later produced football, golf, basketball, hockey, bowling, and saddle racing games modeled after the baseball game (cards, boards and dice).

Later, computer adaptations of some of these games were produced.

APBA enthusiasts have included President George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush, Dwight Eisenhower, and sports agent Arn Tellem. Many players and others involved in the game have been fans.

For much of its history APBA's main competitor has been Strat-O-Matic. Other competitors include, or have included, Replay Publishing, Big League Manager, Design Depot, Negamco, Pursue the Pennant and Statis Pro Baseball. In 2000, faced with a long decline in sales, APBA redesigned the physical appearance of its baseball game and changed its marketing approach.Fact|date=February 2007

APBA continues to have a devoted following, with conventions held every year. The highlight of the convention is a tournament played by the attendees. Each player uses a stock team (1975 Reds, 1961 Yankees, 1957 Braves, etc.) and plays their games with that team.

APBA acquires rights to Baseball For Windows

In February, 2007 The APBA Game Company announced that they have acquired the rights to the Baseball for Windows code, which was held by a third party. APBA anticipates an upgrade will now be released in the fall of 2008. The next version will be Baseball for Windows 6.0 featuring the voice of Pete Van Wieren, replacing Ernie Harwell.

Convention tournament results

Year - Location - Winner - Team
* 2008 - Las Vegas, NV - Brian Wells - 2001 Mariners
* 2007 - Frazer, PA - John Duke - 1927 Yankees
* 2006 - Las Vegas, NV - Bob King - 1977 Phillies
* 2005 - Lancaster, PA - John Hunt - 1975 Reds
* 2004 - Las Vegas, NV - Eric Naftaly - 1957 Braves
* 2003@ - Lancaster, PA - Robert Klimist - 1963 Dodgers
* 2002 - Lancaster, PA - Brian Wells - 1999 Diamondbacks
* 2001 - Lancaster, PA - Richard Matthews - 1970 Orioles

@The 2003 Tournament was held in Lancaster, PA, but was not officially sponsored by the APBA gaming company.

External references

* [http://www.apbagames.com/ Official website]
* [http://www.apbagames.com/stadium/the_press_box/wots/newsday082901.html Newsday story about effect of APBA and Strat-O-Matic]
* [http://www.apbagames.com/stadium/the_press_box/press/7_23_2007.html] Game copmpany press release about new version of Baseball for Windows
* [http://tabletopbaseball.org/apba.html APBA Baseball Game]
* [http://groups.yahoo.com/group/APBA APBA, A Yahoo discussion group on APBA baseball]