Taking Control
If you have played any of the past Major League Baseball 2k games before, you may be more comfortable using the classic controls. However, using Total Control is recommended, because it is superior in almost every way. It lets you do what you want easily and also gives you access to some special moves that aren't available with Classic controls.
Pitching
Every pitch[/kwlinnk] is made up of two moves. For example, to throw a [kwlink 610]fast ball, move the right stick down to wind up and then up to throw. Watch the circle meter, you want to do your first move right when the yellow circle meter matches the white circle and then do the second move right after. If it looks like you locked in on the white circle, then you will throw a Max Pitch that is almost unhittable.
Practice throwing different pitches at different parts of the plate to see how it affects the batter. For example, if you want to see a fly ball, try throwing a high inside curveball. To force a grounder, throw a low and away curveball. For a curveball, the first move is to put the joystick in the 7 o'clock position and the second move is to move it to the 2 o'clock position. You do not need to swing the joystick around in a circle to make the throw, just move it from one position to the next directly.
If you want to pitch out, press down on the left joystick or just hit the X button.
Batting
Just like in real life, good batting is a combination of reading the pitch and timing. Also like in real life, practice makes perfect, so get a friend to throw the same pitch at you over and over so that you can learn to recognize the pitch and get your timing down for a good hit.
Like in pitching, there are two moves for batting. Pulling back the right joystick will make you take your step and pushing forward will make you perform the swing. These two moves should be done together fluidly for a solid hit. You should do the first move and step for every pitch that comes at you, but only swing if you think it is a good pitch. Practice with strikezone on so that you can see the different sizes between each batter.
You won't really need to use the left joystick much if your timing is good. In fact, if you use the left joystick wrong, you may end up fighting the pitch. For example, if the pitch is low and you are trying for a homerun, you might end up with a fly ball instead. The left joystick is only useful if you are really good at reading pitches.
Typically people swing too fast, so slow down your swings. Use the Inside Edge ability to see if the pitcher is calm or rattled, which can give you a hint on how well they are pitching. Don't always use contact, the computer is really good at making double plays. Instead, practice timing for a good power swing.
Baserunning
If you are looking to steal a base, the first you need to do is to get a big lead. Three steps is about right. Hold down the trigger button for steal and release it when you want to steal. Watch the pitcher and see how he winds up before a pitch. Try to time your steal just as the pitcher passes the point of no return and must throw at home. Some pitchers will have a very fast delivery and you won't have a chance without a fast runner. Others will bend a leg, separate the ball from their gloves, do a high leg kick or drag step. Just watch and release the trigger button once they start the first move, it's not hard once you get the pattern.
Also pay attention to the game situation. When the count is against the batter, there is a better chance for a breaking pitch. Also, if there is a runner on third, stealing second is pretty easy since the computer tends to throw at third first.
Fielding
Not much to say here since the computer will usually handle most of it for you. However, you can get your player to do an awesome wall jump to rob someone of a potential homerun! Just get right up to the back wall and hold the X button. If you are doing it right, a meter will appear. Let go of the X button when the meter is green and you will do a [kwlink 17717]wall jump[/kwlink] and catch the ball!
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