PITCHING

• When pitching, try to be as accurate as possible. If you blow a pitch, the batter gets a tip off and the pitch is easier to hit! This is especially true when facing power hitters, who can make you pay for a mistake with doubles, triples, and even home runs.
• The longer you hold a pitch button or key, the more effective the pitch will be. Fastballs will be faster and breaking balls will have more movement.
• Go for less pitch effectiveness when your pitcher is tired. Try releasing the button before it reaches red in the pitching meter, which will help you to be more accurate.
• Timing is the most important ingredient in hitting, so try to fool batters by mixing up speeds. Don?t always depend on your best pitch.
• Don?t always pitch into a batter?s cold zones. A good hitter can tell if you are falling into a pattern.
• Make sure you are using the Aim Outside button -- the right CTRL key on the keyboard -- to occasionally throw outside the strike zone. If you can get a hitter chasing pitches outside the strike zone, you have a better chance of a strikeout or a weak hit that results in an out.
• If you have a DirectX 8.1-compliant PC gamepad with a left analog stick, you can use it to aim pitches for both balls and strikes instead of using the Aim Outside button.
• Pitches low in the zone will tend to force grounders, so if you need a double play aim for the bottom of the strike zone.
• A pitch aimed at the top of the strike zone will tend to force a pop fly when executed correctly.

• Swing Timing is the biggest factor in determining where hits will go.
• When learning the game, you might consider trying to time the hit at first, without using the D-pad, arrow keys, or analog stick.
• As your timing improves, try hitting the ball down the middle, then to the opposite field, etc. But keep in mind that the key to Total Swing Control is to hit the ball where it is pitched.
• If you need a sacrifice fly, hold the D-pad, up arrow key, or left analog stick up to try to send a ball deep into the outfield.
• To try to hit a grounder through the infield, hold D-pad, down arrow key, or left analog stick down when swinging.
• Bunting is often overlooked, but it can be very effective, and a nice offensive complement to even a power hitting team.
• When bunting, the D-pad, arrow key, or left analog stick still controls the desired direction of the hit. Push up to aim deep and down to leave the ball closer to the plate.
• On bunts, pushing left or right on the D-pad, arrow keys, or left analog stick will aim the ball up the third base or first base lines.
• Sacrifice bunts are hard to execute, but can turn the tide in a close game. You should definitely try these when you are playing human opponents online -- it can be very effective as a surprise tactic.

• The Fielding Throw Meter controls both power and accuracy. Releasing in the red area will throw harder but may cause errors.
• If you catch a grounder and you want to quickly flick the ball to the second baseman, all you need to do is tap the throw key or button.
• Try to get in the best possible position to field a ball. Keep in mind that if you?re not quite close enough to the ball, your fielder may try to dive for you.
• Body momentum, arm strength, and accuracy are the keys to throwing -- try to get your player moving towards your target before pressing the throw key or button.
• If you are playing with default keyboard controls, we recommend using Assisted Fielding when you are playing the game.

• The CPU will control your runners for you, but will run cautiously. Take control of them to grab an extra base.
• Remember to hold down the key or button to control the runner, and then send them to the intended base using the appropriate arrow key or D-pad direction.

  For example, if you want your runner on first to attempt a steal of second base, you would hold down the ?1? on the keypad, and press the UP arrow key. On a Gravis gamepad, you would hold down the Green button (button 3), and push up on the D-pad.

• Use the ?advance all? and ?retreat all? keys/buttons when you are behind late in a game, or if you get into trouble and need everyone to go the same direction.
• Taking an extra lead-off improves your chances to steal but also improves your chances to be picked off. Be especially careful trying to steal third.
• On the other hand, don?t be afraid to try the occasional steal of home, especially against a human player, who may not be expecting it.
• While the CPU will sometimes slide for you, you can choose a head-first or feet-first slide at any time by pressing the right CTRL or SHIFT keys, or the appropriate keys on your supported gamepad.