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SAN FRANCISCO – February 12, 2026 – Ares Interactive today announced Baseball Hits 26, a free-to-play mobile baseball game that pairs authentic pro-style action with fast, approachable, and satisfying gameplay for casual fans and baseball aficionados alike. The game is now available for pre-registration on the App Store and Google Play. Those who pre-register will have access to an exclusive bundle featuring a Rare Cal Raleigh player for their roster, in-game currency, and a platform-exclusive virtual badge to help jumpstart their teams at game launch.
Baseball Hits 26 | Official Announce Trailer
With superstar catcher Cal Raleigh as the cover athlete, Baseball Hits 26 delivers the authentic feel of big league baseball through fluid, motion-captured animations, accurate ball physics, and player ratings inspired by real athletes, creating gameplay that’s instantly satisfying while still rewarding smart, strategic decisions.
Designed for portrait play and quick sessions, at world wide launch, Baseball Hits 26 features intuitive one-touch controls, including “tap to swing” at the plate and “tap to pitch” on the mound, to get players into the action from the very first at-bat and keeps full nine-inning games moving at a fast-play pace that can fit into just a few minutes.
Players can recruit, collect, and upgrade a full roster of real professional baseball players, officially licensed by MLB Players, Inc., all while they dial in their timing at the plate, fine-tune their lineup, and climb the competitive leaderboards to become the best in the world. Baseball Hits 26 is built for baseball fans who love games, not just gamers who like baseball.
Social play sits at the heart of the experience. Clubs let players connect with other fans to chat, compete in live events and tournaments, climb the leaderboards solo or alongside their Club, and earn shared rewards that capture the spirit of a clubhouse and make every day feel like game day. Players can also join the official Baseball Hits 26 Discord community for news, events, tips, and fan highlights.
Additional features available at worldwide launch will include a steady lineup of ways to play, including Home Run challenges and playoffs that keep the action moving, with new content and player drops rolling out year-round.
“Baseball is a game of timing, those split-second moments when every swing and every pitch can change everything, and we wanted that tension and payoff to translate instantly on mobile,” said Michael Saperstein, Director of Engineering at 7th Inning. “Baseball Hits 26 is faster and more approachable than a traditional simulation, but it still feels like real baseball and rewards players with collaborative social play, deep strategy, competitive progression, and meaningful stats.”
“Having the opportunity to partner with Ares Interactive as the cover athlete for Baseball Hits 26 is a highlight,” said Cal Raleigh, an all-star catcher. “The game is going to be perfect for road trips when I’ve got some downtime and just want to have a little fun.”
“Baseball Hits 26 is a partnership MLB Players, Inc. is excited to be part of,” said Evan Kaplan, President of MLB Players, Inc. “This new game will be a great option for fans looking for quick-play virtual baseball action. The veteran developers at 7th Inning Studio are just the team to deliver an authentic experience.”
7th Inning is a new studio founded by Ares Interactive and staffed by former developers of the MLB Tap Sports™ Baseball franchise in key development roles on Baseball Hits 26. The team aims to capture the spirit of the series’ best moments while expanding the ways fans play through competitive roster building, club-driven events, and a steady cadence of modes and live content throughout the season. Players are invited to follow Baseball Hits 26 on X.com, Facebook, Instagram, BlueSky, YouTube, and join the game’s official Discord server for news and updates.
Pre-register now on the App Store and Google Play. To learn more about Ares Interactive, please visit the official Ares website.
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[Link to Press Kit]
About Ares Interactive
Founded in 2024, Ares Interactive is a privately held, next-generation, cross-platform free-to-play game developer and publisher with studios in San Francisco (7th Inning) and Berlin (Swift Games). Built by veteran leaders from some of the most respected names in interactive entertainment, the company brings deep experience shipping, scaling, and operating hit free-to-play games. Ares is focused on creating player-loved experiences designed to grow into long-running franchises and on operating live titles led by its flagship game, Heroes vs Hordes. For more information, visit the Ares Interactive website or LinkedIn.
About MLB Players, Inc.
MLB Players, Inc. is the business arm of the Major League Baseball Players Association. The Major League Baseball Players Association is the collective bargaining representative for all professional baseball players of the 30 Major League Baseball teams. MLB Players, Inc. serves as the exclusive group licensing agent for all commercial business interests and licensing activities involving active Major League and Minor League Baseball players. Follow @MLBPA on Instagram and X.
*All copyrights, trademarks, logos, and brands are the property of their respective owners.
Media Contact:
Colin Regan
PR@aresinteractive.com
Zebra Partners on behalf of Ares Interactive