Batter Up

Batter Up, designed by Ed Krynski and manufactured by D. Gottlieb & Company in August 1970, is a single-player electro-mechanical (EM) game from the late EM era. It is the add-a-ball version of Gottlieb's 1970 'Baseball' - add-a-ball games rewarded skilled play with extra balls rather than free replays, a format built for jurisdictions where replay awards were restricted. Carrying model number 301, Batter Up saw a confirmed production run of 560 units, a fraction of its replay sibling's 2,350.

The gameplay features are straightforward yet engaging: two flippers allow players to control the ball's movement, while two pop bumpers and two slingshots provide additional scoring opportunities. Four standup targets and two vari-targets add variety to the game, with the latter requiring precise aim to score high. The machine's stop-motion backglass light animation of players running the bases is a notable feature, adding a touch of whimsy to the gameplay experience.

Batter Up's design and art - by Gottlieb artist Art Stenholm - are characteristic of the 1970 EM era, and the wedge head cabinet is a distinctive feature of Gottlieb machines from this period. The machine offers players a dual challenge to master both of its scoring systems: the maximum displayed point score is 99,990 points, while the runs score can reach 99 runs.