Sports Interactive takes it out to the ballgame

London-based Sports Interactive is trying its hand at America's pastime, the company announced today. Having already created games based on British and Canadian pastimes of soccer and hockey, the company is now turning its professional sports management savvy to baseball with Out of the Park Baseball Manager 2006 for the PC.

The first title in the Out of the Park series since it became a part of Sports Interactive's stable, Baseball Manager 2006, will be available by way of digital download beginning next spring.

"We decided to go down this route when it became apparent that we would be unable to secure the necessary licenses to make a physical release more attractive," said SI product manager Marc Duffy. "The digital download system has worked well for OOTP in the past and, while it was always going to be an element of our release plan, it will now be the focus."

In addition to the expected roster management tweaks and financial considerations one would expect from a game of this type, Sport Interactive is including historical and fictional leagues for players to tackle, as well as an online mode that lets dueling owners or commissioners try their skills against those other baseball fans around the globe. The game will also have customizable skins that lets players change the interface to suit their own tastes.

When it comes out next spring, Out of the Park Baseball Manager 2006 will be downloadable for $34.99.