• ID = PS0913
• STYLE = Baseball
• DEV. = Treyarch Invention, LLC
• PUB. = EA SPORTS
• R-DATE = Mar-14-2001
• ESRB = E / For Everyone
• PLAYERS = 1-2 players
• LIST PRICE = $19.99
  

Triple Play Baseball brings hard-hitting baseball action to life by taking advantage of the raw power of the PlayStation2. It's officiallylicensed by Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association, so included are all the Big League teams, players, and stadiums--even the newly built Miller Park in Milwaukee and PNC Park in Pittsburgh. Three-time National League Manager of the Year Dusty Baker provided design input, resulting in an authentic gaming experience.

The improved pitcher-batter interface features pitching and batting cursors and a visible strike zone. Players will enjoy the enhanced fielding control with one-button throws and power sensitivity. Toronto Blue Jays manager Buck Martinez provides color commentary, and Sean McDonough handles the play-by-play. Chuck D, Vitamin C, and Fastball laid down the grooves for the soundtrack.

Description 2:
The most popular Major League Baseball series ever trots on in to the PlayStation 2 in its most compete form to date. Fans of the long-running TRIPLE PLAY series will recognize the three main modes: Single Game, Season, and Playoffs. The PS2 entry, however, showcases advanced defensive intelligence, brand-new field effects, and an overhaul of pitcher and batter interfaces making for some extremely lifelike ball. All of the real MLB players and franchises (including up-to-date stadiums) are in attendance, and the facial textures come from 150 real MLB players.

The creators have also built new stadium sounds and celebrations from the crowd to closely re-create the real ballpark experience. Sean McDonough and commentator-turned-manager Buck Martinez provide the complete play-by-play, and there are even scripted animations for arguments with the umps. Those looking for offbeat thrills will appreciate the inclusion of a 12-player Big League Challenge at Las Vegas’ Cashman Field.

• Real MLB players and teams.
• Four modes.
• Great play-by-play.
• New interfaces.
• Multiplayer action.

Amazon.com Review
'Tis the season for an extra spring in your step... especially if the bases are loaded and your pathetic excuse of a swing plopped the ball at the pitcher's feet. Even if you haven't been up to bat for a season or two, Triple Play Baseball should whip you back into shape in no time. The series debut on the next-generation system packs the punch everyone expects with accurate player models from the 2001 team rosters, highly detailed renderings of all 30 major league stadiums, realistic lighting and shadows, smooth camera transitions, and a few choice gameplay enhancements to boot.

EA Sports tweaked the interfaces and fielding control to pop the offensive and defensive experience up a few notches. The pitcher/batter interface is updated, allowing players to control a greater range of attributes--from stance, batting angle, and power to pitching angle and speed. In addition to standard play modes for one or two players--Single Game, Season, and Playoffs--Triple Play Baseball features a Big League Challenge mode, challenging 12 Major Leaguers to a home run hitting tournament. Throughout the game, Toronto Blue Jays manager Buck Martinez and Sean McDonough deliver color commentary and play-by-play narration in the series' fine form. --Eric Twelker

Amazon.com Preview
If you thought Triple Play Baseball on the PlayStation was loaded with plenty of big-league features, realistic player models, and intuitive fielding control, wait until you find out what EA Sports has in store for you with Triple Play for the PlayStation2.

This time around, EA Sports' classic baseball series will include a new visible strike zone, as well as a reworked pitching and batting cursor to make the game play more like the real national pastime. The PlayStation2 allows for real-time lighting effects that allow incredible shadows mimicking day, dusk, and night game scenarios, as well as reflections off player equipment.

If you think the Yankees' reign of the major-league baseball roost has gone on too long, you can take your favorite major-league team, complete with updated team rosters, and try to see if you can unseat the reigning world champions.

Buck Martinez (now the coach of the Toronto Blue Jays) and Sean McDonough return for the play-by-play and color commentary. Some new camera angles, including fielding, pitching, and batter views, have been added to bring a more TV-style appearance to the action. And to make baseball fans feel more at home in the game, all 30 major-league parks been re-created according to their blueprints--factoring in such nuances as scoreboards and skyline views.

The series brings back the Big League Challenge mode in this update. Set in Cashman Field in Las Vegas (new home to the Dodgers' Triple-A team), this home-run-derby-type competition brings 12 players to the plate to vie for the long-ball crown. --Todd Mowatt