Teach me to not suck at Baseball Stars (NeoGeo)

[Ze_ro]

Alright, so I finally worked up the cash to get into the NeoGeo scene... however, the only game I have so far (which I got with the system) is Baseball Stars, and I absolutely suck at the game. I can't even score a single run against the computer.

Can someone teach me some strategy for this game or something? I don't even have a manual, so even just some hints from the manual would do (In fact, does anyone have any links to NeoGeo manual scans?)... which teams are better/worse? How do I control where I hit the ball to? Can I control my players once they're on the base? (ie, try to steal a base, or not run when it's a pop fly). Anything would help. I have more games on the way, but it's frustrating to be so bad at the only game I have for the system.

--Zero

[pseudonym]

neo-geo.com might have some.

[chadtower]

I got a NG cab specifically for Baseball Stars. I play it a lot. I love it. It's awesome.

[tholly]

I got a NG cab specifically for Baseball Stars. I play it a lot. I love it. It's awesome.


That's a pretty helpful hint.....he should be able to score a run now. LOL

[max 330 mega]

i dont have baseball stars 1, but i do have BBS 2, and i know when i got it i was getting so pissed because i couldnt hit the ball, best thing to do, is play it tons, and when batting do this :
line guy up where you want him, as ball comes towards you learn the appropriate swing time but when you swing, as you hit the button that makes you swing, push the stick either towards top left corner, or top right corner, thats how to knock the ball really far .

[Insaneclown]

neo-geo.com might have some.

Of course it does...Iam neo-geo.com. Hehe...

[Ze_ro]

line guy up where you want him, as ball comes towards you learn the appropriate swing time but when you swing, as you hit the button that makes you swing, push the stick either towards top left corner, or top right corner, thats how to knock the ball really far .
Well, at least SOMEONE gave a hint :P I'm still not sure how my positioning affects my hit though. I don't seem to have any trouble actually hitting the ball, but the majority of the time I just pop up for an easy out, or I end up hitting it to a place where a guy can easily get at it and throw me out at first... Once in a while I get lucky and manage a single, but I've never even gotten close to a home run.

I take it that holding a direction as you hit the ball causes it to (mostly) go in that direction, but what does the horizontal/vertical position of your batter do?

--Zero

[Gapporin]

I take it that holding a direction as you hit the ball causes it to (mostly) go in that direction, but what does the horizontal/vertical position of your batter do?

I believe that with most baseball games, when you are down in the batter's box, (i.e. nearer to the catcher) you tend to pop up balls. When you are up in the batter's box, you tend to hit grounders.

[chadtower]

The hint was good, you have to drive the player into the ball with the stick as you swing. That's how you hit homeruns.

Keep in mind as well that the games will always be close, since it's a coin-op game designed to keep you willing to pump quarters in.