Commercial designer John Sparti began building custom dice rolling stadiums as an offshoot of his work designing labels for products like Turtle Wax and Simoniz. Since building his first stadium, a replica of Fenway, he has created 265 stadiums for eager gamers (as of June 4, 2023, the date this interview originally posted).

John credits his wife for suggesting he sell his creations on eBay. and his portfolio has expanded from there. He has since sold that first stadium, preferring it be in the hands of a grateful customer. One of the most difficult stadiums he has created is the Polo Grounds, which required significant research before he settled on re-creating one of the venue's many iterations.

https://spartidesign.myportfolio.com/mini-dice-stadiums-1

VIDEO VERSION: https://youtu.be/Q3_QiD-URH0

Chuck Foreman. Carl Eller, Stu Voigt. These and many other legendary Minnesota Vikings have been connecting with fans through social media thanks to Ben Theis, founder of  @SkolMarketing  and Minnesota Sports Legends. Stemming from a work encounter with Foreman, Theis hit upon the idea of working with iconic athletes of his beloved Minnesota Vikings, as well as other state sports legends, to bring them closer to fans through digital media. As Foreman recommended Ben’s services to former teammates, MSL has grown to represent more than two dozen golden-era athletes, who share their experiences through everything from signed merchandise, personalized videos and in-person events.

VIDEO VERSION: https://youtu.be/tWxrajoYeso

In 1983, at age 24, Richard Sarkisian decided to replay the history of baseball with a few friends. Almost 40 years later, his PANJ Table Baseball League has replayed every MLB season from 1903 to 2002. And on Sept. 9, he and his 22-team league will meet in King Of Prussia not only to conduct their draft for the next season project but to replay the concluding season's World Series.

VIDEO VERSION: https://youtu.be/gBmTWUo59Zc

Spent the weekend of July 28-30 Rocky Mountain way at Plaay Dot Con 23. First time, unforgettable time — and definitely not the last time. A few thoughts about the great folks and moments from my day--and-a-half there. Guitar in intro is my #Gibson #J200.

Check out further recaps from Tabletop SportsCast and Plaay's blog:

VIDEO VERSION: https://youtu.be/IZ8tNkIVwY4

#plaaydotcon23 #plaaygames #tabletopsports #fantasyfootball

Edwin Zack is revered in the APBA community for his exhaustive APBA Baseball handbook. After a five-year illness, Zack passed on Aug. 8, 2023. His longtime friend Dan Armstrong notified his closest friends in the APBA community, and the news — and tributes and remembrances — spread quickly. 

I interviewed Ed Zack and his collaborator Dan Armstrong in 2012 — the 20th anniversary of the first edition of the Zack handbook. While I published my interview with Ed on our original Facebook page, my interview with Dan is unpublished as yet. Here, I read my complete article detailing my interview with Ed and the first part of the transcript of my conversation with Dan. I also read Ed’s introduction letter from an original first-edition of his baseball handbook, published in 1992. 

Not long after initiating an APBA Baseball tournament inside the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown for April 1, 2023, I asked Ed if he would be willing and able to speak to the attendees in a surprise hourlong Zoom session to cap the milestone occasion. His words, excerpted from the longer conversation I recorded, open and close this podcast. 

No matter what game you play, Ed’s work stands as a testament to the power of the tabletop sports game hobby to capture the imagination and fuel a limitless appreciation for the craft of creating these games. 

Read Edwin Zack’s “The Ultimate Handbook for APBA Baseball Cards” at www.zackapbahandbook.org.

Longtime tabletop sports gamer and collector Giorgio Salvadego gives us a rundown on the state of gaming in Italy from his home region of Veneto (think Venice). He has played in numerous leagues, including the Happy Gilmore Golf Association with APBA luminaries Steve Kanehl, Royce Sleighter, George Gerney and John Wright, as well as the APBA International Bowling League. He's even traveled to the U.S. and Canada to play, first visiting Long Island, New York, in 1987 to play in his Strat-O-Matic hockey league; he also attended SOM's 40th anniversary event in Akron Ohio. He visited Vancouver in 1998 to play his bowling finals face to face with Wright.

VIDEO VERSION: https://youtu.be/2xkkSa3MDyE

Former New York City radio personality turned highly successful game designer Mike Fitzgerald has dozens of credits to his name — including the smash Baseball Highlights 2045, as well as Football Highlights 2052, the Mystery Rummy series, and many, many more winners. His latest — and likely last — sports offering, Crunch Time, brings pro basketball to the tabletop in a compact and fun way. He's also working on a new "build a band" game.

VIDEO VERSION: https://youtu.be/FLTrCZ4iRo0

The legions of electric football fans have a real treat in store Jan. 9 through March 3 at “Art of the Buzz: The Art of Electric Football” exhibit at Columbia State Pryor Art Gallery in Tennessee. Curated by Chris LeMay founder of the National Electric Football Game Museum in Spring Hill, the event will be held every weekday and by special weekend appointment by contacting LeMay through his website, nefgm.org. From an original 1949 board to various boards and figures, the exhibit also features a competition and presentations by well-known electric footballers like Ron Mango. Tudor Games has also donated a deluxe edition of the game for a tournament winner.   

Sports game designer John Gardiner gives us a U.K. player’s view of the wealth of options on the market — including some of his favorites from Lambourne Games. John’s credits include Replay World of Athletics, Replay World of International Swimming, Replay World of Ice Skating, Triathlon — and even beach volleyball.

Lambourne Games website: https://www.owzatgames.com/c

Longtime gamer Ronnie Wyatt, inspired by first by PC boxing games Lance Haffner TKO and Title Bout II, and later by Roberto Chiavini’s complete Olympics boxing set and his more recent Noble Arts boxing game, has created a new contender in the boxing game realm.