American Baseball is a sports game developed and published by Sega for the Sega Master System. It was first released in the United States in March 1989 as Reggie Jackson Baseball, featuring an endorsement by Major League ball player Reggie Jackson. It is the first instance of Sega of America promoting their sports titles with direct celebrity endorsement.
The game is a baseball game with the 26 Major League Baseball teams but only with the cities and not the team names and with fictitious players.
Before each game, players choose auto or manual fielding and a starting pitcher. There are three different stadiums, which are chosen randomly. Games can be played with one player against the computer or with two players. Player one is the visiting team and bats first.
Defense
When pitching, the player positions the pitcher with and . The pitcher throws the ball with , and the player can hold and for a curve ball, for a high ball, or for a low ball. The batter is eliminated when three strikes are thrown; the batter gets a free base if the pitcher throws four balls or hits the batter.
The player can substitute a relief pitcher with +.
The fielders are moved with the D-Pad and jump with . If automatic fielding is enabled, the fielders run after the ball automatically (but the player can override them at any time). Once the ball is in possession, it can be thrown to base by pressing while holding a direction corresponding to the base ( for first, for second, for third, or for home).
Offense
When hitting, the player positions the batter with and . The batter swings with , and the player can hold for a higher swing or for a lower swing. The batter stops the swinging motion when the button is released. The player can instruct a baserunner to steal a base or continue running to the next base by pressing while holding a direction corresponding to a base ( for first, for second, for third, or for home).
The player can substitute a pinch hitter with +.
Modes
The game has the following gameplay modes:
Exhibition Game: An exhibition mode, for playing a single game against the computer or against another player. In single-player games, the player chooses the opposing team.
Tournament: Plays a tournament of games against the computer.
Watch Mode: The player can choose two teams and watch the computer play itself. The player can take over using the control pad at any time; the computer regains control if the player does not press anything.
Home Run Contest: The player has 20 turns at bat to get as many home runs as possible. There are no balls, strikes, or outs and no baserunning or fielding. This mode can be played with two players taking turns (with the computer pitching for both players).