It looks like Sega is ready to try out coin-op card video gaming again in the US as they have announced that they will be debuting their Sega Card Gen title which features an MLB (Major League Baseball) license. Here are some more details from the press release:
Sega Card Gen is a unique baseball themed cabinet with a touch screen panel and a card reading playing field that dispenses a customized MLB player card with every play. Players set their MLB cards on the playing field and play baseball by pitching and batting as well as seeing highlights of a realistic baseball game. There are over 300 different kinds of cards so play the game to collect and customize your ultimate team! This baseball card game is sure to be the eye-catching game at the show, coming to your location spring 2010!
I already know that the game is testing at a Gameworks in Illinois (we just heard about it a day ago or so but without many details) but they sound quite confident that this will be coming along next year so it must be testing pretty well. I do find games like this interesting in part because they are very unique and there are a substantial number of people out there who love both card gaming and video gaming. Unfortunately we do not have a good look at the cabinet right now but I imagine that Sega will be releasing some higher rez pictures very soon.
UPDATE: Aaron Auzins had a chance to see the game on test at Gameworks recently and here is what he had to say about it:
As for MLB Card Gen, it’s kind of interesting there is nothing online that I can find for it. It’s testing through August at the GameWorks location in the Chicago area (601 N Martingale Rd # 115; Schaumburg, IL 60173-5909; (847) 330-9675). The location has two stand-up cabinets hooked together for two-player games and essentially the game breaks down like this: The title is one of the popular Japanese card+arcade games, comparable to something like Konami’s BASEBALL HEROES. You purchase cards that are like collectible baseball cards featuring MLB players and form teams that you put in play (nine positions, plus a DH/alternate batter and closing and relieving pitchers) – the cards are placed into stand-up readers based on the position and this places the team data into the game. After the team input, players play a typical baseball game with a touch screen where pitches are selected and batting is aimed and players also tap on a timing button to add extra power, speed, etc. to pitches and swings.
On another note, Sega will also be showing off Hummer STD at the show, which uses a modified SR3 cabinet. The rest of the titles they are 
showing have been seen at previous shows or are from their redemption offerings. I will not be able to attend AMOA this year as all of my funds are being put towards my arcade move but we will find a way to get you some information from the show.
[Via Coinoptoday.com] [Discuss on the Forums]
I wonder if this game comes out here because we don’t play baseball here apart from crcket and rounders. this game makes me think of sega’s wccf football card game and if this game is nice and compact it will sure to be a winner as wccf were just too big and took alot of room in the arcade
This game is hands down one of the funnest games I’ve ever played. It is testing very well with people usually on the game. It is actually going to be on location until September 14. Just imagine being able to have a team with A-Rod, Rollins, Utley, Burkman, Soriano, Beltron, Ichiro, Thome, Santana, Sabathia, Becket, and Oswalt. While you think I will be playing with them as my team and say how lucky I am to be able to play this and every Sega test game before everyone else
Also with them game you can just perches player cards and not play the game or you are better off just playing the game because at the start of every knew game you get a new player card. The more you play the more players you can use on your team in hopes of winning the world series.
never been into sports games but this actually sounds lots of fun. I hope they do bring this game over to the UK and find it in alot of arcade, bowling alleys and so on.