Sammy Sosa High Heat Baseball 2001
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🙂 6.9/10
(Playstation - US, Baseball)
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Developed_By:
Team .366
Published_By:
3DO
Released On:
29 Feb 2000
Sammy Sosa High Heat Baseball 2001 is a baseball game that was released for the Playstation in February 2001. The game features various modes of play, including exhibition, season, home run derby, playoffs, and custom league. It also supports internet play over Heat.net, MSN Gaming Zone, and MPlayer.
The game covers both managerial and player aspects of baseball. As manager, you can manage your major league squad and the minor leagues. You can also place players on the disabled list, inactive list, make player cuts and trades. The game includes a 'career' option to guide your team through multiple seasons.
On the field, gameplay can be customized from controlling every pitch and swing to making managerial calls from the dugout. The game features licenses from Major League Baseball and MLB Players Association, including all teams, players, and stadiums.
UPC-A:
790561505457 (United States)
eBay Product ID:
8063 (United States)
ASIN:
B00004RC1V (United States)
Part #:
SLUS-01063 (USA)
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Number of Players Supported:
1-2 Players
Input Device Features Supported:
Vibration
Controller Types Supported:
Analog Controller
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Manual
Game Guide
Extracted from the original game manual
This text describes a baseball simulation game, focusing on the strategic value of specialized players like closers and relief hitters. The player likely manages a baseball team, making strategic decisions about player usage to maximize their team's performance.
Story
Player Value
A player with 60 innings in a year may have only 250 BFPs, which is below an everyday position player. However, if he is a closer who only appears with the game on the line, one of his BFPs is much more valuable than a hitter's average AB.
Consider the value of a great hitter who could be a "relief hitter" and bat in every at-bat in the 9th inning, or every at-bat with runners on base. This is effectively what a closer does when used cleverly, making his value higher than his BFPs or innings pitched would suggest.
In Closing
I programmed my first computer sports game in 1973. I began playing in my first fantasy baseball league in 1976, three years before Rotisserie was credited with "inventing" fantasy leagues.
In the 1980s, I built EA Sports and pioneered the use of sports leagues and famous athletes in video games. I have attended over 700 Major League Baseball™ games, mostly from the front row, where I discussed strategy with players and collected many foul balls.
I have worked personally with and learned baseball lessons from many professional players, including multiple MVPs, team owners, and managers like Earl Weaver. In 1990, I attended a game in every major league stadium in the same season and also a Japan league game in the Tokyo Dome.
For the last five years, I have dedicated myself at 3DO to building Sammy Sosa High Heat Baseball 2001, aiming to create the best baseball game in the world.
How to Play
Introduction
This guide shares insights learned over the years to increase your knowledge and love for the game of baseball. The advice applies to both real baseball and the Sammy Sosa High Heat Baseball 2001 game.
Getting Started
To learn the game quickly, set everything to automatic except pitching and hitting in the SETTINGS menu. Focus on mastering pitching and hitting first. As you become comfortable, gradually enable other controls.
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Start in 2 PLAYER MODE, even when playing alone, to control both pitchers and batters.
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Practice pitches repeatedly to understand speeds, trajectories, and the umpire's strike zone.
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Develop your swing timing and practice check-swings.
When playing with friends, use SETTINGS to create fair handicaps. For example, you might control everything while your friend only chooses pitches. Another handicap is to throw only fastballs down the middle until your opponent gets runners in scoring position.
The Lineup
Leadoff Hitter
The leadoff hitter should have a high on-base average (OBA) and draw many walks. A walk is as effective as a single for leading off. Being fast and a good base-stealer is an added bonus, helping to avoid double plays and score from second.
Second Hitter
The second hitter should be skilled at advancing the leadoff man. This can be achieved by:
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Having a high batting average as a contact-singles hitter.
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Being a good bunter.
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Being a ground-ball hitter.
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Being good at avoiding strikeouts.
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Having a good OBA and running well.
The goal of the top two hitters is to have a runner in scoring position for the third hitter. Stealing second or executing a hit and run moves runners off first base and into scoring position, also reducing double-play situations.
Third Hitter
The best overall hitter should bat third. A good measure of "best" is Total Average (TA) or On Base Plus Slugging (OPS), which is the sum of OBA and slugging percentage. This statistic strongly correlates with runs scored.
Your third hitter can be a power hitter or hit for average. A high batting average is useful for scoring a runner from second with a base hit.
Cleanup Hitter (Fourth)
Your second-best overall hitter, with an emphasis on power, should bat cleanup. This hitter "protects" your best hitter, preventing opponents from walking them or forcing them to swing at bad pitches.
When your third hitter is on first, the cleanup hitter's power is crucial for scoring from first or driving in multiple runners.
Fifth Hitter
The fifth hitter should be your next best overall hitter. This protects the cleanup man and maximizes RBIs, as your third and fourth hitters will often be on base.
Sixth Hitter
The sixth hitter should be the next best overall hitter.
Pinch Running
Pinch-running should be used to gain a significant speed advantage to score the winning run from second or first, typically in the last inning. Using a pinch-runner too early might deplete your bench, leading to unfavorable matchups later, such as the pitcher having to bat.
If you are losing and need more than one run, it's often better to score with the "slow" runner already on base and save your bench for creating additional runs.
Roster Management
Ideal Team Composition
An ideal team has 14 position players (hitters) and 11 pitchers, including:
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2 catchers
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6 infielders
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6 outfielders
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5 starting pitchers
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1 long reliever (swing man)
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2 middle relievers
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2 quality "setup" relievers
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1 great closer
Some teams carry 3 catchers and 5 outfielders, using them carefully due to injury proneness.
Hitters: Lefties and Righties
Aim for an equal number of left-handed and right-handed hitters. Since most pitchers are right-handed, having more lefty hitters provides a platoon advantage. However, too many lefties make you vulnerable to lefty pitching.
Having star players who play almost constantly allows you to stock your bench with players for good platoons at other positions. For example, if an average LF is backed up by three other players who can play LF (two of whom are lefties), you can ensure the best matchups.
Bench Strategy
Keep at least two righty and two lefty hitters in reserve. Save your best bench players for later in the game. A player who excels against lefty pitching can "freeze out" opponents from bringing in lefty relievers.
Ensure every position is covered to maintain pinch-hitting options. Avoid using your last lefty or righty until the end of the game to prevent long periods of bad matchups.
Versatile Bench
Your bench should cover all weaknesses, including good defensive backups for positions with weak starting defenders.
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Have at least one excellent baserunner who can come off the bench; avoid using them as an early pinch-hitter.
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Have platoon-mates for your weakest starting hitters and backups for those platoons to handle at least three pitching changes.
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The best backups have solid batting averages and can play multiple positions. A single from a pinch-hitter can score a key run from second.
Pitching Staff
Starting Pitchers
Have an ace starting pitcher and a solid number two. This helps break losing streaks, match up against strong opponents, and win key playoff games. Other starters don't need to be as good, as they will start less often and throw fewer innings. This is especially true for the fifth starter
Tips & Maps
Steal
A high-risk, high-reward gamble to advance a runner, ideally with a success rate of 67% or higher to increase overall runs scored.
Defending against the Steal
Pitchers should use pickoff throws and occasional pitchouts, and select high fastballs to help the catcher throw out the runner.
Squeeze
A sacrifice bunt with a runner on third attempting to score, best used with less than 2 outs and a good bunter.
Defending against the Squeeze
The infield should move in, and pitchouts are particularly effective to eliminate a runner at third base.
Runner on third, zero or one out
This is a valuable situation for scoring, requiring a disciplined at-bat from the batter to put the ball in play and avoid strikeouts.
Taking the extra base
Runners should attempt to take an extra base when the odds of success are high, such as 67% for stretching a single into a double or 75% for going from first to third on a single with less than two outs.
Stealing 3rd
Should be attempted only if the odds are good, or if the run is critical, otherwise it's better to wait for a safer way to advance.
Defending Baserunning
It is generally better to hit the cutoff man with throws from the outfield to ensure faster, shorter throws and prevent additional runner advancement.
Strategies for Late in the Game (Leading)
If leading, throw more strikes, challenge hitters, and use one-run strategies to secure the win, eventually bringing in defensive subs.
Strategies for Late in the Game (Trailing)
If trailing, focus on getting on base, taking more pitches, and avoiding wasted outs, using one-run strategies only if trailing by a single run.
Bullpen management
Manage your bullpen to avoid overuse, saving your best relievers for critical situations in close games, typically from the 6th or 7th inning onwards, or for save situations in the 9th.
Pinch-hitting
In close games, pinch-hitting is crucial to avoid wasting outs and capitalize on scoring opportunities, especially when runners are in scoring position or after the 5th inning if trailing.
The double-switch
A tactic to avoid risky pitching changes by strategically placing a new pitcher and a new position player in the batting order to optimize matchups and preserve bullpen arms.
Defensive substitution
Should only be used when you don't need to score more runs or when the defensive sub is unlikely to bat, typically with a small lead late in the game, to improve defense without hurting offense significantly.
Pinch-running
A rarely used and often wasteful tactic, only justified when you are likely to score the winning run from second base, potentially using a starting pitcher not scheduled to pitch.
Bullpen and Bench Management (General)
Treat bullpen and bench management like a chess game, creating favorable matchups by saving weapons for critical moments or big opportunities.
Trades
The true measure of a trade is how much your team improves relative to your opponent, focusing on acquiring players who will get playing time in needed positions and getting rid of those who don't.
Player Ranking and Value
When ranking players, consider their relative value to others at the same position, as positions like 1B and LF are less valuable defensively and easier to fill with good hitters, freeing up bench spots.
Pitcher vs. Hitter Value
Pitchers who face many batters (BFP) and perform outstandingly are often more valuable than comparable hitters, especially if the hitter doesn't have a significant defensive impact.
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