One of Nintendo's surprise hits of 2020 is Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics. The straightforward appeal of the package, and the ability to play both online and local, makes Clubhouse Games a perfect game for the current times. The collection includes digital versions of well-known tabletop games like Checkers and less recognizable ones like Hit and Blow. That means Mario, Pikachu, and other mascots are nowhere to be found, but that doesn't mean the game is completely lacking in Nintendo flair. It just so happens that the devs snuck some retro references in there.
A Redditor with the handle of u/Intern_Waffle (hopefully they get hired and get those syrup benefits soon) pointed out that Clubhouse Games Baseball has a neat little visual detail. The game takes on the appearance of a toy, complete with figurine players. A spring-loaded device in the center shoots the ball at the batter. The developers considered how this would work as an actual physical toy, as the center of the "field" appears worn by the ball constantly rolling down. That's thoughtful in and of itself, but Reddit commenters pointed out how Baseball connects to Nintendo history.
The mechanics of Clubhouse Games Baseball mimic those of 1983's Baseball on the NES. The homage is probably intentional, as Clubhouse Games' Golf also models a course off of NES Golf.
Baseball might not sound like a staple of the Nintendo brand, but the NES game is often cited as a reason why the console succeeded. It was a launch title developed by Shigeru Miyamoto, and many think the worldwide appeal of the sport led to great sales. More importantly, it helped sell gamers of the time on the idea of moving gaming away from arcades and into their homes. For these reasons and more, Baseball holds an honored place in Nintendo history.
This isn't the first time Baseball was referenced in a later Nintendo game. Super Mario Party also contains a mini-game version of Baseball. It probably won't be the last time it's referenced either. Here's hoping we get a Smash Bros. version of the game so we can see a Falcon Pitch.