HardBall

When one brother stands under the hole at the top of the screen after the other has died, when the other appears and drops down he will bounce off the lower brother's head. If the lower brother jumps at this time, the dropping one will travel much further.

If you swing low, your hit will be a fast grounder. If you swing high, you'll hit a slow bouncer to second. If the ball goes near either foul line, the infielder won't catch the ball and you can get at least a double.

Champs are the better base stealing team, with the first, second and eighth players in the lineup having the best chance of sliding in safe before the tag can be made. It helps if you have the batter swinging at the pitch.

When you're playing an opponent (computer or hu man) and you catch a foul ball, the next player in the line-up will inherit the ball/strike count that existed before the player fouled out. For example, if you had a two-strike and two-ball count on a batter who fouls out, the next batter due up would come to the plate with the same two-ball, two-strike count, be fore ever receiving a pitch.

There is an easy way to throw runners out even though the ball is hit to the outfield. If the ball is hit to the left field, throw the ball to third base. If the ball is hit to right field, throw the ball to first base. Never throw the ball to second base, as it always takes longer for the ball to get there.

The computer is a very dumb opponent in this game. He chases bad pitches and makes slow people try to steal second base, especially on the first pitch. You can get triples and inside the park home runs if, after hitting the ball past the third baseman and reaching first, you immediately jump for second. When the fielder tries to throw you out at second, you not only have time for a coffee break, but you can also get to second and third, and even home plate if your runner is Jose or Darien. With two balls on the batter, the computer usually throws a strike down the middle. With a non-power hitter at bat, swing high. The ball will go into the air and come down rolling toward a fielder. The batter will have enough time to reach first base. When in the field, always throw to the nearest base.

First play one-player mode with no Alt. Be the visiting Champs. Substitute your pitcher for a non-pitcher such as O'Brien. Then exchange positions with O'Brien and Darien. Substitute Darien in pitching mode with another pitch er like Moulini, then switch O'Brien with another second base man like Jimenez.

When you throw a pitch outside the strike zone, the catcher's glove follows the joystick's motion, revealing to the batter where the ball is going to go. To prevent this from happening, simply choose the direction you're going to throw the ball before the batter chooses to bunt or steal.

It helps when you bat to keep the bat level. Don't swing high, low, in or out—just push the fire button, which will allow the batter to swing down the middle. Also, wait until the pitch comes down the middle.