The high and inside knuckler and the outside knuckler are sure to be out
of the strikezone, and the change-up and fastball are certain strikes.
Whether the other four types of pitch catch the corner for a strike or miss
for a ball will depend on the hurler's control and stamina ratings and on how
many pitches he's thrown.
The speed of each pitcher's fastballs, sliders, and hard knucklers will
depend on his initial speed rating and stamina ratings and on how many pitches
he's thrown. Every pitcher will tire as a game goes on, especially if he's
throwing a lot of pitches, and both the speed and accurace of his pitches will
fall off. See "Your Line-Up Card" for details on pitchers' ratings and pitch
selection.
If your starter loses his stuff and starts getting shelled, you may want
to go to your bullpen -- see "Going to the Bench". But keep in mind that you
can change pitchers only between half innings and only once during each game.
To pick off a runner -- or just to hold him close to the bag -- release
the joystick button BEFORE moving the joystick to deliver the pitch. You may
then throw to any base as shown.
3rd base
!------------------------------!
! O ! !
! ! !
! ! !
! ! !
! ! !
! / ! \ !
Home ! --------------O--------------! 2nd base
! \ ! / !
! ! !
! ! !
! ! !
! ! !
! ! !
!------------------------------!
1st base
For details on throwing out a runner who takes off after you start your
delivery, see "Fielding and Throwing" below.
At the conclusion of each pitch or play, including foul balls and home
runs, press the joystick TWICE to return the ball to the pitcher -- his
uniform will turn black to indicate that he has the ball.
Press the joystick button TWICE MORE to get set to pitch again -- the
pitcher's uniform will turn to the team color and he'll bend over to look for
the next sign from the catcher. YOU MUST "SET" YOUR PITCHER BEFORE A NEW
BATTER WILL COME TO THE PLATE FOLLOWING A HIT OR AN OUT.
FIELDING AND THROWING
When the ball is put in play, the player nearest the path of the ball
becomes eligible to field it. If the ball has a shadow, it's a fly ball;
otherwise, it's a grounder.
Move the joystick to move the eligible fielder to the ball -- he'll move
in the same direction you push the joystick. His uniform will turn black when
he gets possession of the ball. You may then continue moving the player to
intercept and tag out a runner or to force a runner at any base, or throw the
ball to any base or to the pitcher.
To catch a fly ball, keep your eye on the ball's shadow. As the ball descends, position your fielder so he'll intercept the shadow.
To throw the ball, press and release the joystick button, then move the joystick as shown to throw to a base or press the button a SECOND time to throw to the pitcher on the mound.
Press button twice
to throw to pitcher 3rd base
\
\ !------------------------------!
! O ! !
! ! !
! ! !
! ! !
! ! !
! / ! \ !
Home ! --------------O--------------! 2nd base
! \ ! / !
! ! !
! ! !
! ! !
! ! !
! ! !
!------------------------------!
1st base
The official scorer in Championship Baseball will assign an error when you fail to make a play that should have been made.
To throw out a runner trying to steal, press the joystick button ONCE as soon as your catcher has possession of the ball, then move the joystick as shown above to throw to the desired base.
To tag out a runner trying to steal home, you must MOVE your catcher to intercept the runner. If you don't move your catcher, the runner will slip past him and score. And of course your catcher must have the possession of the ball.
