As in earlier editions, Backyard Baseball 2006 features playable "kid" versions of ten Major League Baseball stars: Carlos Delgado, Eric Gagne, Nomar Garciaparra, Vladamir Guerrero, Pedro Martinez, Albert Pujols, Alex Rodriguez, Ivan Rodriguez, Alfonso Soriano, and Ichiro Suzuki. Four additional "kid" characters, Mike Piazza, Sammy Sosa, Jim Thome, and Dontrelle Willis, can be unlocked with skillful play. Backyard Baseball gamers can play it straight, or play with power-ups and bonuses to spice up their sandlot-style games.