R.B.I. 2 BASEBALL ================= R.B.I. 2 sets a new standard in Baseball simulations. Easy to play, you can really feel the crack of ball against bat as you hit a big one and go for a home run. Wind up to pitch a fast ball or play tricky with a slow curver. Put on your glove and dive for catches or try to tag those runners between bases. For afficionados we've Included details of all 26 American pro ball teams: the real players with their batting, pitching and fielding stats. All this detail, combined with superb animation, sound and special effects, have made sure this is the only baseball game to get an American Major League Baseball Players Association endorsement. For sheer realism you can't beat RBI's heart pounding action - if it gets any more realistic, you'll need a glove to play. BASEBALL FACTS: Baseball takes place on a field consisting of two parts - the Infield (the Diamond) and the Outfield. It may look like rounders, but it sure as hell ain't! Pitchers can throw balls at speeds of up to 100mph!, although with over 162 games per season they need constant resting and rotation as starters. Most of the action takes place in the infield diamond. The bases which are located on the points of the aforementioned diamond are 90 feet apart and are known as Home, First, Second and Third Base. When batting, your objective is to move along each of the bases until you get home - Ok maybe it is a bit like rounders! If you have time you can complete the circuit in one, scoring one run, although usually you advance one or two bases at a time. The best hit is one that sends the ball straight over the wall and into the crowd - a Home Run, whereby every base that is loaded (has a runner on it) automatically gets home, so if first and third are loaded and the batter hits a home run, they all walk around to Home scoring 3 runs! (ie first, third and of course the batter). A ball is called a Foul when it is hit behind the foul lines which run from home through third to the perimeter and from home through first to the perimeter. All this presumes that you manage to hit a ball, which of course is tricky - at least at first. So what happens then? Well if you miss it and the ball has travelled over the plate, then it's called a Strike! Confused? - you will be. BASEBALL SCENARIOS: Lets take a short walk through a series of pitches to see if we can clear things up: 1. The Pitcher (the guy who throws the ball) steps up to the Mound (the lump of earth in the centre of the diamond), he winds up, spins and the ball comes flying out at about 90mph straight at the Batter just 20 yards away aiming for the Strike Zone (imagine a box begining at the batter's knees and ending at the top of his chest, located over the plate), the batter swings and misses - its a strike! 2. The pitcher gets ready again, he pitches, but now he's a bit over- confident after getting a strike, so the ball misses the strike zone, and the batter doesn't swing (if he did swing but didn't connect with the ball, it would be a strike anyway) the umpire waves his hands - its a Ball! 3. The pitcher is really annoyed now, and lets fly a fastball, straight and true at the plate, the batter swings, connects and the ball flies across the ground, past the short stop coming to rest beyond the Left Field fielder at the perimeter. The batter drops the bat and runs like hell for first base. He makes it in on a slide just before the First Baseman catches the ball - Safe! 4. The pitcher gets a signal from his Catcher and throws a neat Curve- ball. The batter swings and connects, but it's up in the air - a Fly Ball. The ball is caught at centre field - the batter is out, but the runner at first has already started running for second base. Now he has to Tag Base (run back to the base he came from), before he can run on. He turns, runs back and makes it! 5. The third batter steps up, the pitcher gets ready, winds up, but the runner on second has already edged off his base and starts running. The ball goes wide, the batter lets it go and before the catcher can get to it, the runner makes third base - its a Steal! So there are three ways in which the fielding side can put out a batter or a runner: (i) By causing the batter to fail to hit the ball with three strikes (the catcher must catch these balls). (ii) By catching the ball hit by the batter before it bounces. (iii) By a fielder touching a runner with the ball before he gets to a base. Any three of these put out the batting side. SOME OUTSTANDING FACTS: • The fastest pitch ever thrown was by Nolan/Ryan - 108 mph! in 1974. • Over 100,000 balls are used by both ma leagues during a season at a cost of $3 each. • Britain won the world amateur championships in 1938! • The first professional baseball team was Cincinnati Red Stockings in 1869. • Ronald Reagan was a baseball announcer in Chicago before the Second World War! • The record number of home runs in a season is held by Babe Ruth, who scored 60 in 1927. • Baseball is probably based on rounders! INTRODUCTION RBI Baseball simulates real baseball. Most of the rules and strategies of the real game apply - You must pitch, bat, run and substitute players well to achieve success. Each player in the game has his own strengths and weaknesses based on real life statistics. For batters, the stats include his position, hitting ability, power, running speed and stamina. All players in RBI were developed from 1989 statistics of the actual pros - A player who stole a lot of bases and achieved a high batting average in real life will have a high speed in the game. Similarly a player with numerous home runs in real life will have a good power rating in the game. You will learn through experience how best to manage your favourite teams and players. Note: Due to the execution speed of the 8 bit computers a simplified simulation of the players' actual stats is used. HOW TO START PLAY Press BUTTON #1: 1P: Play against the computer. 2P: Competitive play. Watch: Computer vs. Computer (Demo Mode). Options: To select options. Team Selection: Move the cursor to select the team from the conference of your choice. When playing the computer, it will select its team automatically. Starting Pitcher Selection: You may use up to 5 pitchers per game - 1 starter and 4 relievers or 2 starters: Move the cursor to the player that you wish to remove from the line up. His name appears at the top of the screen, below the word 'Replace'. Now move the cursor to the player you wish to insert from the bench. His name appears to the right of the person he is replacing. Press BUTTON #1 to substitute, and BUTTON #2 not to substitute. Starting Line-Up Selection: Move the cursor with the Joystick/Keyboard. Press BUTTON #1 to change players. Press BUTTON #2 to accept current lineup. TIME OUT OPTIONS Move cursor using Joystick/Keyboard. Instant Replay: See instant replay of the last play. Some plays cannot be viewed by instant replay. Play Ball: Press BUTTON #1 to return to play. Substitutions: Change Batter/Base Runner or Pitcher. Scoreboard: Press BUTTON #1 to see the scoreboard. OFFENSE CONTROLS At Bat: Move the batter's position in the batter's box using the Joystick/Keyboard. Button # 1: Batter swings bat. Press and hold for a complete swing. To bunt, press and release quickly. Base Running: Use Joystick/Keyboard: Up: Runner advances from / returns to second base. Down: Runner advances to home plate. Left: Runner advances from / returns to third base. Right: Runner returns to first base. Button #1: Using Joystick/Keyboard select base runner, and press Button #1 to make base runner advance to the next base. Once the base runner is between bases you can make him return by selecting the base he came from with the Joystick/Keyboard and pressing Button #1. Note: Base runners run as soon as the ball is hit. When a fly ball is hit, it is up to the player to make all of the base runners go back to avoid a double or triple play (that is when two or three players on the batting side are put out in the same play.) After tagging up, you may advance to the next base. DEFENSE CONTROLS Pitching: Use Joystick/Keyboard: Up: Slowball. Down: Fastball. Left: Curveball Left. Right: Curveball Right. No Direction: Normal speed pitch. Note : The pitcher can move from side to side on the mound before the pitch is thrown. Button #1: Pitches the ball. Press and hold Button #1, then using the Joystick/Keyboard, press Up, Down, Left or Right to select pitch type. Release Button #1 to throw the pitch. Button #2 : Pick off base runner. Use this to catch a runner attempting to edge off the base. You can choose which base the pitcher throws to by using the Joystick/Keyboard and pressing Button #2. Fielding: Use the Joystick/Keyboard Up: Move fielder up / Select second base. Down: Move fielder down / Select home plate. Left: Move fielder left / Select third base. Right: Move fielder right / Select first base. After the ball is hit, you may run, dive and jump for the ball. Press Button #1 when the ball is near to you and you will jump or dive depending on whether the ball is in the air or on the ground. Press left or right to control the direction of the dive. Button #1: Press the button to throw the ball. The ball will be thrown to the base you select with the Joystick/Keyboard. If no base is selected the ball will be thrown to the pitcher on the mound. Errors : Occasionally a fielder will 'bobble' the ball, or make a poor throw. Avoid throwing the ball to a base when a fielder has left the position. DEMO MODE In demo mode the computer plays itself, which can be useful for learning techniques etc. SERIES PLAY In two player mode you play a seven game series. In one player mode, you can play a seven game series by choosing one team from the National League and one from the American League or you can play all the teams in the league by choosing two teams from the same league. HINTS AND TIPS Pitching: Remember that starting pitchers have more stamina than the relievers. Always be aware of your pitcher's ability because he gets tired. Keep an eye on the MPH and how much you can move the pitcher sideways. The fastball and the sinkerball will use more stamina than normal pitches. When pitching to the computer, especially when a power batter is batting, try not to throw it over the middle of the plate. Using the sinkerball when you have two strikes on the hitter is often a good tactic. Fielding: You should begin to move your fielders as soon as the ball is hit. Get familiar with the starting points of all your fielders so you can react quickly instead of waiting until you see the fielders. When a ball is hit high (a 'pop fly'), you need to predict where the ball is going to land and move the closest player to that destination. Adjustments should be made based on the shadow of the ball and the tone that indicates the height of the ball. When throwing back to the bases, it's generally good to try to pick off the runner closest to home base, not the batter running for first, unless you have two outs already - in that case get out whoever is furthest from a base, as any home runs made on that play won't score if you get the third out and end the innings. Batting: Do not stand still in the batter's box. Deceive the pitcher as to where you will be when the ball is thrown. Learn to 'steal' bases - get your runners going once the ball has been pitched. Be careful not to get picked off though by running too early. Remember a caught ball means every runner has to tag base before running on. A tactic often used is the "bunt". When the batter just lets the ball hit his bat without trying to wack it as far as possible, then this is a "bunt". General: If you replace a fielder with a player that is not from the same position, there will be more chance of errors. In two player mode, never talk to your opponent about the last pitch. If he knows what you think about it, that may help him on the next pitch. When you throw the ball, choose the desired direction with the Joystick or Keyboard, then press BUTTON #1. Don't select a direction, let go and then press BUTTON #1. You must hold the Joystick/Keyboard in that direction until after the button is pressed. CONTROLS IBM Default Controls: Player #1 Player #2 F1 = Time Out F2 = Time Out F3 = Go to Options F4 = Goto Options Left = Left Arrow Left = A Right = Right Arrow Right = D Up = Up Arrow Up = W Down = Down Arrow Down = X Button #1 = Enter Button #1 = S Button #2 = Backspace Button #2 = Space Bar C64: Player #1 Player #2 Run/Stop Key = Time Out Run/Stop Key = Time Out C = Key = Bunt C = Key = Bunt Joystick Port #2 Joystick Port #1 Button #1 = Fire Button Button #1 = Fire Button Button #2 = Left Shift Button #2 = Right Shift ST/Amiga: Player #1 Player #2 F1 = Time Out F2 = Time Out F3 = Go to Options F4 = Go to Options Joystick Port #2 Joystick Port #1 Button #1 = Fire Button Button #1 = Fire Button Button #2 = Left Shift Button #2 = Right Shift RBI SPECTRUM/ AMSTRAD VERSION LOADING: Spectrum Disk: Insert disk, press ENTER on boot menu. Cassette: Type LOAD "" and press ENTER. Amstrad Disk: Insert disk, type RUN"DISC" and press ENTER. Cassette: Hold down CONTROL key and press ENTER. (If you have a disk drive attached type ITAPE first). CONTROLS: Follow on screen instructions for keyboard or use Joystick. TEAM SELECTION: Select ONE or TWO player version, then select teams from American or National League. Players must then pick the starter for pitching and the batting order. BATTERS SCREEN: Pitching Press FIRE to pitch, LEFT & RIGHT move the pitcher left and right. After you have pressed FIRE, the pitcher takes a few moments to "wind-up" before he throws. During the wind-up, move the Joystick/Keyboard to select the type of throw you want. Curve left slow Slow ball Curve right slow \ ^ / \ | / Curve left normal <--- Normal ball ---> Curve right normal / | \ / v \ Curve left fast Fast ball Curve right fast If you want to substitute a pitcher press "CAPS SHIFT C" and follow prompts (F0 on the Amstrad). If you want to pause the game press "CAPS SHIFT P", any other key unpauses (F1 on the Amstrad). If you want to quit the game press"CAPS SHIFT Q" (F2 on the Amstrad). Batting LEFT, RIGHT UP & DOWN move the batter. The lower you stand when you hit the ball the greater your swing, but also the chance of missing is higher. PITCH SCREEN: If you are fielding, watch the fielder scanner (bottom left of screen) to see your closest fielder to the ball. LEFT, RIGHT, UP & DOWN move all your fielders until you catch or pick up the ball. Press FIRE to throw it, quickly followed by a Joystick/Keyboard direction to indicate the base you wish to throw it to. BASE 2 ^ | BASE 3 <---------------------- Joystick ----------------------> BASE 1 | v HOME BASE Runners If you have just batted, then any runners you have will run automatically onto the next base. However, they will stop if the ball is too close for them to run safely. If you want them to run on anyway, press FIRE and then LEFT, RIGHT or UP for any base you wish a runner to carry on running from. THE TEAM: RBI was originally written by Tengen on the PC and C64 and converted to the Spectrum, Amstrad, ST and Amiga by the Kremlin. Andy Taylor: Born on the 23rd of February 1968 to astonished parents in Preston, Lanes. His parents moved to Evesham where Andy caught up with them and stayed there to complete his A levels. During these difficult times (for his parents) Andy wrote several games on the ZX81 (as punishment) and suprised everyone by getting them published. From then on there was no looking back (neck brace) as he moved to programming the Spectrum and later the Amstrad CPC. Andy's hits include his brother, Judge Dredd, Technocano and St Dragon. He's now working hard on Super Space Invaders for the Sega Master System, which he's finding rather difficult as the Sega hasn't got a keyboard! Paul Margrave: Was born in Nottingham in 1965 but not in a coalmine a fact which he now truly regrets. Originally he intended to study advanced flat cap folding, but was persuaded to study something with a longer name - an HND in Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Trent Poly was just the thing. After graduation Paul realised the earning potential of computer games when C&VG published a listing of his for the Atari and paid a whole L10.'He jumped on his custom turbo charged C5 and motored down the M1 to London to work on titles such as Bobsleigh (C64), F16 Combat Pilot (ST, PC), Licence to Kill, Cyberball and The Spy Who Loved Me. Paul's hobbies include Guinness and women in leather underwear. Tony West: One of twins, Tony often tries to hide his origins but was born in Baghdad in 1967 to Mr & Mrs S. Hussein-West although he usually drops the first half. After deportation due to an incident with a camel, the family returned to England. Arriving in Plymouth, the boys were deposited in the local Polytechnic. He soon left to pursue a career in computer graphics on the VIC-20. Realising his mistake (the salesman was most definite that the VIC had 16 million colours and eight megs of ram - all for L199), he switched to the C64 working on titles as varied as Shao-Lin's Road and R.I.S.K. before teaming up with Paul. Tony is by his own admission almost unbelieveably good looking - even more so than his identical twin brother. RBI BASEBALL: The Players The Batter The batter takes his turn at bat when he steps up to the batter's box behind the plate. He receives the ball thrown at him by the Pitcher. The batters take their turn to bat in the order assigned by the Team Manager. The Pitcher The Pitcher is the defensive player who throws the ball at the Batter. He must at all times keep one foot on the Pitchers Plate which is a piece of whitened rubber 24" long by 6" wide, when delivering a pitch to the batter. Pitchers can throw at speeds of up to 100mph! but soon tire and have to be replaced. The Outfielder This is your last line of defense on a long hit, often a high jumping oufielder saves the day by stopping the ball going out of the field thereby preventing a Home Run. The Catcher This guy does more than just catch balls which pass the batter, he leads the fielding team and advises the pitcher which pitch to throw from his position behind the plate. Catchers are relied on for their encylopedic knowledge of the opposition's previous form. The Baseman Most of the exciting action in baseball takes place around the bases as the baseman attempts to catch the ball, usually just as the runner comes sliding, jumping or diving in. In addition the baseman has to be an excellent tactician often throwing on the ball to the next base a runner is making for. The Umpire There are usually four umpires in baseball, one for each base. Sometimes an additional two are provided to watch the foul lines. Umpires will allow some dissent, but the fastest way to an early shower is to over argue a close play. Programmed by The Kremlin © 1991 TENGEN INC All rights reserved. Atari Games Corporation Software. Artwork & Packaging © 1991 Domark Software Ltd Published by Domark ^ Software Ltd. Ferry House, London SW15 1PR Tel: 081 780 2224