Difference between revisions of "ESPN Baseball Tonight"

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{{OtherPage|desc=the unreleased [[Sega Dreamcast]] game|page=ESPN Baseball Tonight (Dreamcast)}}
 
{{Bob
 
{{Bob
−
| bobscreen=ESPNBaseballTonight title.png
+
| bobscreen=ESPN Baseball Tonight MD title.png
−
| scale=1.25
+
| bobscreen2=ESPNBaseballTonight title.png
 +
| tab1=Mega Drive
 +
| tab2=Mega-CD
 
| publisher=[[Sony Imagesoft]]
 
| publisher=[[Sony Imagesoft]]
−
| developer=[[Park Place Productions]]
+
| developer={{company|[[Park Place Productions]]|system=MD}}
 +
{{company|[[Sony Imagesoft]]|system=MCD}}
 +
| licensor=[[ESPN]]
 
| system=[[Sega Mega Drive]], [[Sega Mega-CD]]
 
| system=[[Sega Mega Drive]], [[Sega Mega-CD]]
−
| romsize={{MD}} 2MB
 
 
| sounddriver=[[GEMS]]
 
| sounddriver=[[GEMS]]
 
| peripherals=
 
| peripherals=
 
| players=1-2
 
| players=1-2
 
| genre=Sports
 
| genre=Sports
−
| releases={{releases
+
| subgenre=baseball
−
| md_date_us=1994
+
| releases={{releasesMD
 +
| md_date_us=1994-05
 
| md_code_us=T-93056
 
| md_code_us=T-93056
−
| mcd_date_us=1994
+
| md_rating_us=ga
 +
}}
 +
{{releasesMCD
 +
| mcd_date_us=1994-10
 
| mcd_code_us=T-93115
 
| mcd_code_us=T-93115
 +
| mcd_rating_us=ga
 
| mcd_date_eu=1994
 
| mcd_date_eu=1994
 
| mcd_code_eu=T-93115-50
 
| mcd_code_eu=T-93115-50
 +
| mcd_rating_eu=3
 +
| mcd_date_uk=1994-09-22{{magref|ctw|505|21}}
 +
| mcd_code_uk=T-93115-50
 +
| mcd_rating_uk=3
 +
| mcd_rrp_uk=44.99{{magref|cvg|160|101}}{{magref|segamaguk|14|97}}
 +
| mcd_date_de=1994
 +
| mcd_code_de=T-93115-50
 +
| mcd_rrp_de=119.00{{magref|gwde|3|18}}
 +
}}
 +
| otherformats={{NonSega|IBMPC|SNES}}
 +
| savetype={{SaveType
 +
|MD|password
 +
|MCD|internal
 +
}}
 +
}}
 +
'''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is a baseball game for the [[Sega Mega Drive]] and [[Sega Mega-CD]]. It is named after the long-running ''[[wikipedia:Baseball Tonight|Baseball Tonight]]'' television show that airs on the American television channel [[ESPN]]. The game was licensed by [[MLB]] but not by the [[MLBPA|Players Association]], so while actual team names and logos are used, no player names are in the game.
 +
 +
The Mega-CD version is the only baseball game released for the platform outside of Japan. It features video clips of [[wikipedia:Chris Berman|Chris Berman]] and play-by-play commentary from [[wikipedia:Dan Patrick (sportscaster)|Dan Patrick]].
 +
 +
==Gameplay==
 +
The game is a Major League Baseball game including the 28 teams and stadiums of the [[wikipedia:1994 Major League Baseball season|1994 MLB season]]. The players are present with their statistics but are identified only by their defensive positions. The game uses a view from behind the umpire for pitching and hitting as well as for fielding and running, pivoting the view to follow the ball rather than shifting to an overhead view as is common with other baseball games. There is only one stadium.
 +
 +
Before each game, players choose a team and can set the batting line-up and choose starting and relief pitchers. In the options, players can choose if player one is the home or away team (for exhibition games), toggle assisted fielding (which moves fielders towards a hit ball automatically), and select the difficulty of computer opponents (Easy, Moderate, or Hard).
 +
 +
{{InfoTable|imagewidths=320|
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Defense
 +
| screenshot=ESPN Baseball Tonight, Defense, Pitching.png
 +
| screenshot2=ESPN Baseball Tonight, Defense, Fielding.png
 +
| tabs=yes
 +
| desc=The player can position the pitcher on the mound with {{left}} or {{right}}. Regular speed pitches are thrown with {{B}}; fastballs are thrown with {{down}}+{{B}} and change-ups are thrown with {{up}}+{{B}}. After throwing the ball, its height can be controlled with {{up}} or {{down}} and it can be curved with {{left}} or {{right}}.
 +
 +
The player can view lead-offs on first base with {{right}}+{{C}} or third base with {{left}}+{{C}} (second base is always visible behind the pitcher). The player can throw the ball to any base for a pick-off by holding {{A}} while pressing a direction corresponding to the base ({{right}} for first, {{up}} for second, or {{left}} for third, or {{down}} for home). The player can send the second baseman to cover second base by pressing {{A}} without a direction (the second baseman normally stands in the infield between first and second). The player can cycle through on-screen information (the line score, the batter's statistics, and the strikes and balls) by pressing and holding {{C}}.
 +
 +
Pitchers lose stamina over the course of the game, which affects the speed of their pitches and their control of the ball. Substitutions can be made by pressing {{Start}}. The player can also make substitutions after each inning.
 +
 +
When fielding, the D-Pad controls the player closest to the ball. If assisted fielding is enabled, the fielders automatically move toward any ball hit near them. The position of the ball in the air is shown on the ground by a shaded circle; the fielder currently being controlled is highlighted with a white circle. The fielder can jump to catch the ball with {{B}} or dive after the ball with {{C}} combined with a direction. After catching the ball, it can be thrown to any base by pressing {{A}} while holding the D-Pad in a direction corresponding to the base or it can be thrown back to the pitcher by pressing {{A}} with no direction. The ball must be manually thrown back to the pitcher by a fielder after each play.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Offense
 +
| screenshot=ESPN Baseball Tonight, Offense, Hitting.png
 +
| screenshot2=ESPN Baseball Tonight, Offense, Running.png
 +
| tabs=yes
 +
| desc=The player can move the batter in the batter's box with {{left}} or {{right}}. The batter swings at a ball with {{A}}; the batter can swing high with {{up}}+{{A}} or low with {{down}}+{{A}}. The batter can bunt the ball with {{B}}. The player can have baserunners lead off with {{up}}+{{B}} or return to base with {{down}}+{{B}}.
 +
 +
When running, the player can slide to base with {{C}}. The player can steal a base by holding {{C}} with a direction on the D-Pad corresponding to the next base ({{right}} for first, {{up}} for second, {{left}} for third) or return to base by holding {{B}} with a direction on the D-Pad corresponding to the previous base.
 +
 +
Substitutions can be made by pressing {{Start}}. The player can also make substitutions after each inning.
 +
}}
 +
}}
 +
 +
===Modes===
 +
The game has the following modes, any of which can be played by one or two players:
 +
 +
*'''Season:''' A season of 162 games. Games are scheduled on a calendar, and the player can skip games to play a shorter season (with the game simulating the outcomes of skipped games based on the player's performance in the unskipped matches). The Mega Drive version uses passwords for continuing, while the Mega-CD version saves the player's progress to the console's internal memory.
 +
*'''Playoffs:''' Skips most of the season and only plays the playoff games for the American League or National League pennant and then the World Series.
 +
*'''Exhibition:''' A single game between any two teams (which can be the same team).
 +
*'''Practice:''' A practice mode for pitching or hitting, without any baserunning, fielding, or score-keeping.
 +
*'''Home Run Derby:''' Players get 15 pitches and try to hit as many home runs as possible. If the player gets a home run on the last pitch, the player gets another pitch (and so on until the player fails to hit a home run).
 +
 +
===Teams===
 +
Teams are selected by their league and division, using the then-new 3-division alignment or optionally the old 2-division structure.
 +
{{#vardefine:logodate|1994}}{{BaseballTeamsUSTable
 +
| divisions=yes
 +
| adiv1=West
 +
| adiv2=East
 +
| adiv3=Central
 +
| ndiv1=West
 +
| ndiv2=East
 +
| ndiv3=Central
 +
|
 +
{{BaseballTeamsUSRow
 +
| team=Oakland Athletics
 +
| division=adiv1
 
}}
 
}}
−
| vrc=ga
+
{{BaseballTeamsUSRow
−
| elspa=3
+
| team=Seattle Mariners
 +
| division=adiv1
 +
}}
 +
{{BaseballTeamsUSRow
 +
| team=California Angels
 +
| division=adiv1
 +
}}
 +
{{BaseballTeamsUSRow
 +
| team=Texas Rangers
 +
| division=adiv1
 
}}
 
}}
−
{{sub-stub}}'''''ESPN Baseball Tonight''''' is a baseball game sponsored by ESPN for the [[Sega Mega Drive]] and [[Sega Mega-CD]].
 
  
−
==Production Credits==
+
{{BaseballTeamsUSRow
−
===Mega CD Version===
+
| team=New York Yankees
 +
| division=adiv2
 +
}}
 +
{{BaseballTeamsUSRow
 +
| team=Baltimore Orioles
 +
| division=adiv2
 +
}}
 +
{{BaseballTeamsUSRow
 +
| team=Boston Red Sox
 +
| division=adiv2
 +
}}
 +
{{BaseballTeamsUSRow
 +
| team=Toronto Blue Jays
 +
| division=adiv2
 +
}}
 +
{{BaseballTeamsUSRow
 +
| team=Detroit Tigers
 +
| division=adiv2
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
{{BaseballTeamsUSRow
 +
| team=Kansas City Royals
 +
| division=adiv3
 +
}}
 +
{{BaseballTeamsUSRow
 +
| team=Chicago White Sox
 +
| division=adiv3
 +
}}
 +
{{BaseballTeamsUSRow
 +
| team=Cleveland Indians
 +
| division=adiv3
 +
}}
 +
{{BaseballTeamsUSRow
 +
| team=Minnesota Twins
 +
| division=adiv3
 +
}}
 +
{{BaseballTeamsUSRow
 +
| team=Milwaukee Brewers
 +
| division=adiv3
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
{{BaseballTeamsUSRow
 +
| team=San Diego Padres
 +
| division=ndiv1
 +
}}
 +
{{BaseballTeamsUSRow
 +
| team=Los Angeles Dodgers
 +
| division=ndiv1
 +
}}
 +
{{BaseballTeamsUSRow
 +
| team=San Francisco Giants
 +
| division=ndiv1
 +
}}
 +
{{BaseballTeamsUSRow
 +
| team=Colorado Rockies
 +
| division=ndiv1
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
{{BaseballTeamsUSRow
 +
| team=Atlanta Braves
 +
| division=ndiv2
 +
}}
 +
{{BaseballTeamsUSRow
 +
| team=New York Mets
 +
| division=ndiv2
 +
}}
 +
{{BaseballTeamsUSRow
 +
| team=Philadelphia Phillies
 +
| division=ndiv2
 +
}}
 +
{{BaseballTeamsUSRow
 +
| team=Florida Marlins
 +
| division=ndiv2
 +
}}
 +
{{BaseballTeamsUSRow
 +
| team=Montreal Expos
 +
| division=ndiv2
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
{{BaseballTeamsUSRow
 +
| team=St. Louis Cardinals
 +
| division=ndiv3
 +
}}
 +
{{BaseballTeamsUSRow
 +
| team=Houston Astros
 +
| division=ndiv3
 +
}}
 +
{{BaseballTeamsUSRow
 +
| team=Cincinnati Reds
 +
| division=ndiv3
 +
}}
 +
{{BaseballTeamsUSRow
 +
| team=Pittsburgh Pirates
 +
| division=ndiv3
 +
}}
 +
{{BaseballTeamsUSRow
 +
| team=Chicago Cubs
 +
| division=ndiv3
 +
}}
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
==History==
 +
===Development===
 +
Development likely began at [[Park Place Productions]], but finished at [[Sony Imagesoft]], as the latter hired a number of former Park Place employees during production.
 +
 
 +
==Production credits==
 +
===Mega Drive version===
 +
{{multicol|
 +
{{creditstable|
 +
{{creditsheader|[[Park Place Productions]]}}
 +
*'''Executive Producer:''' Richard Knox Sr.
 +
*'''Producer:''' Russell Shanks
 +
*'''Graphics and Animations:''' Dave Estus, Steve Mitchell
 +
*'''Sprite Teams:''' Brian O'Hara, Karen Dole, Joe Brisbois, Dave Fenderson, Charlie Navarro, Emmanuel Valdez, Mike Lewis
 +
*'''Software Tools:''' Bill Hicks
 +
*'''Additional Programming:''' Tim Hays, Altair Lane
 +
*'''Assistant Producer:''' Joe Hight
 +
*'''Sound and Music:''' Tristant T Des Pres, Jeffrey Glenn Tveraas, James Dobson
 +
*'''Testers:''' Dennis Quinn, Isaiah Mitchell aka Kid Dyno
 +
*'''Special Thanks to:''' Mike Knox, Troy Lyndon
 +
{{creditsheader|[[Sony Imagesoft]]}}
 +
*'''Executive Producer:''' Richard Robinson
 +
*'''Producer:''' Allan Becker
 +
*'''Assistant Producers:''' Brian Wiklem, Mike Giam
 +
*'''Tester:''' Jose Cruz
 +
*'''Sony Electronic Publishing:''' Olaf Olafsson, Lester Greenman, Len Israel, Peter Dille, Jeff Benjamin
 +
{{creditsheader|[[ESPN]]}}
 +
*'''Executive Producers:''' Steve Bornstein, Ed Durso, Dick Glover, Tom Hagopian, Jim Noel
 +
*'''Producers:''' John Wildhack, Steve Anderson, Noubar Stone, Jed Drake
 +
*'''Special Thanks to:''' Dan Patrick, Chris "I'll never be your beast of" Berman
 +
| source=In-game credits
 +
| pdf=ESPN Baseball Tonight MD credits.pdf
 +
| console=MD
 +
}}
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===Mega-CD version===
 
{{multicol|
 
{{multicol|
−
'''[[Sony Imagesoft]]:'''<br/>
+
{{creditstable|
−
:'''Executive Producer:''' Richard Robinson<br/>
+
{{creditsheader|[[Sony Imagesoft]]}}
−
:'''Producers:''' John Smedley, Allan Becker<br/>
+
*'''Executive Producer:''' Richard Robinson
−
:'''Sega CD Programming:''' Russell Shanks, Bill Hicks<br/>
+
*'''Producers:''' John Smedley, Allan Becker
−
:'''Associate Producer:''' Greg Oberle<br/>
+
*'''Sega CD Programming:''' Russell Shanks, Bill Hicks
−
:'''Assistant Producers:''' Hunter Luisi, Dennis Quinn<br/>
+
*'''Associate Producer:''' Greg Oberle
−
:'''Lead Artists:''' Katherine Roe, Dave Estus<br/>
+
*'''Assistant Producers:''' Hunter Luisi, Dennis Quinn
−
:'''Graphics and Animations:''' Dave Estus, Steve Mitchell, Andy Jaros, Burt Huntsinger, David Fenderson, Katherine Roe, John Scharmen, Ted Robertson, Scott Rodgers<br/>
+
*'''Lead Artists:''' Katherine Roe, Dave Estus
−
:'''Sprite Teams:''' Steve Mitchell, Katherine Roe, David Fenderson, Chris Meland, Charlie Navarro, Joe Brisbois, Emmanuel Valdez, Dave Estus<br/>
+
*'''Graphics and Animations:''' Dave Estus, Steve Mitchell, Andy Jaros, Bert Huntsinger, David Fenderson, Katherine Roe, John Scharmen, Ted Robertson, Scott Rogers
−
:'''Additional Programming:''' Paul Willman<br/>
+
*'''Sprite Teams:''' Steve Mitchell, Katherine Roe, David Fenderson, Chris Meland, Charlie Navarro, Joe Brisbois, Emmanuel Valdez, Dave Estus
−
:'''Sound and Music:''' Josepth Hight, Rex Baca<br/>
+
*'''Additional Programming:''' Paul Willman
−
:'''Video Design:''' Greg Oberle<br/>
+
*'''Sound and Music:''' Josepth Hight, Rex Baca
−
:'''Technical Design:''' Bill Hicks, Russell Shanks<br/>
+
*'''Video Design:''' Greg Oberle
−
:'''Quality Assurance:''' Robert Baumsteiger, Justin Busche, Bruce Cochrane, Jose Cruz, Greg Kaine, Jody Kelsey, Andre Leighton, Seth Luisi, Tobin Russell, Patricia Shanks, Andrew Stein, Martha Williams, Fred Wigand<br/>
+
*'''Video Production:''' Dave Oberle
−
:'''Special Effects Art:''' Janice Squire, Holliday Horton, Leonard McVicker<br/>
+
*'''Technical Design:''' Bill Hicks, Russell Shanks
−
:'''Sony Electronic Publishing: Olaf Olafsson, Lester Greenman<br/>
+
*'''Quality Assurance:''' Robert Baumsteiger, Justin Busche, Bruce Cochrane, Jose Cruz, Greg Kaine, Jody Kelsey, Andre Leighton, Seth Luisi, Tobin Russell, Patricia Shanks, Andrew Stein, Martha Williams, Fred Wigand
−
:'''Special Thanks To:''' Tina Kowalewski, Tom Taylor, Karen Dole, Brian o Hara, Tim Hays, Altair Lane, Mike Giam, Brad Schlacter, Brian Wiklem, Andy Zaffron<br/>
+
*'''Special Effects Art:''' Janice Squire, Holliday Horton, Leonard McVicker
−
'''ESPN:'''
+
*'''Sony Electronic Publishing:''' Olaf Olafsson, Lester Greenman
−
:'''Executive Producers:''' Steve Bornstein, Ed Durso, Dick Glover, Tom Hagopian, Jim Noel<br/>
+
*'''Special Thanks To:''' Tina Kowalewski, Tom Taylor, Karen Dole, Brian O'Hara, Tim Hays, Altair Lane, Mike Giam, Brad Schlacter, Brian Wiklem, Andy Zaffron
−
:'''Producers:''' John Wildhack, Steve Anderson, Noubar Stone, Jed Drake<br/>
+
{{creditsheader|[[ESPN]]}}
−
:'''Special Thanks To:''' Dan Patrick, Chris, I ll never be your beast of Berman<br/>
+
*'''Executive Producers:''' Steve Bornstein, Ed Durso, Dick Glover, Tom Hagopian, Jim Noel
 +
*'''Producers:''' John Wildhack, Steve Anderson, Noubar Stone, Jed Drake
 +
*'''Special Thanks To:''' Dan Patrick, Chris "I'll never be your beast of" Berman
 +
| source=In-game credits
 +
| pdf=ESPN Baseball Tonight MCD credits.pdf
 +
| console=MCD
 +
}}
 
}}
 
}}
−
==Promotional Material==
 
−
<gallery>
 
−
File:ESPNBaseballTonight MCD US PrintAdvert.jpg|Mega-CD US print advert
 
−
</gallery>
 
  
−
==Physical Scans==
+
==Magazine articles==
−
===Mega Drive Version===
+
{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Magazine articles}}
−
{{ratings
+
 
−
| icon=MD
+
==Promotional material==
−
| segapower=65
+
{{gallery
−
| segapower_source={{num|64|page=57}}
+
|{{galleryPrintAd
−
| segapro=46
+
|gameplayers|0705|87
−
| segapro_source={{num|35|page=48}}
+
|egm|58|109
 +
}}
 +
|{{GalleryPrintAd
 +
|text=Mega Drive print advert
 +
|egm|59|154-155
 +
|gamepro|60|52-53
 +
|egm2|1|86
 +
}}
 +
|{{galleryPrintAd
 +
|text=Mega-CD print advert
 +
|sv|21|99
 +
}}
 +
|{{galleryPrintAd
 +
|text=Mega-CD print advert
 +
|gameplayers|0710|117
 +
}}
 
}}
 
}}
 +
 +
==Physical scans==
 +
===Mega Drive version===
 +
{{ratings|MD}}
 
{{Scanbox
 
{{Scanbox
 
| console=Mega Drive
 
| console=Mega Drive
Line 67: Line 315:
 
| cover=ESPNBaseballTonight MD US Box.jpg
 
| cover=ESPNBaseballTonight MD US Box.jpg
 
| cart=Espnbaseballtonight md us cart.jpg
 
| cart=Espnbaseballtonight md us cart.jpg
 +
| manual=ESPNBaseballTonight MD US Manual.pdf
 +
| poster=ESPNBaseballTonight MD US Poster Front.jpg
 +
| posterback=ESPNBaseballTonight MD US Poster Back.jpg
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
===Mega CD Version===
+
===Mega-CD version===
−
{{ratings
+
{{ratings|MCD}}
−
| icon=MCD
 
−
| segamaguk=89
 
−
| segamaguk_source={{num|14|page=97}}
 
−
}}
 
 
{{Scanbox
 
{{Scanbox
 
| console=Mega-CD
 
| console=Mega-CD
Line 88: Line 335:
 
| back=ESPNBaseballTonight MCD EU Box Back.jpg
 
| back=ESPNBaseballTonight MCD EU Box Back.jpg
 
| square=yes
 
| square=yes
 +
| disc=ESPN Baseball Tonight MCD EU Disc.jpg
 +
| manual=ESPN Baseball Tonight MCD EU Manual.jpg
 
}}
 
}}
 +
 +
==Technical information==
 +
{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Technical information}}
 +
 +
==References==
 +
<references/>
 +
 +
{{ESPNBaseballTonightOmni}}
 +
{{ESPN}}

Latest revision as of 00:11, 4 July 2024

For the unreleased Sega Dreamcast game, see ESPN Baseball Tonight (Dreamcast).

n/a

  • Mega Drive
  • Mega-CD

ESPN Baseball Tonight MD title.png

ESPNBaseballTonight title.png

ESPN Baseball Tonight
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Sega Mega-CD
Publisher: Sony Imagesoft
Developer:
Licensor: ESPN
Sound driver: GEMS
Genre: Sports (baseball)

















Number of players: 1-2
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
US 		T-93056
Videogame Rating Council: GA
Sega Mega-CD
US 		T-93115
Videogame Rating Council: GA
Sega Mega-CD
EU 		T-93115-50
ELSPA: 3+ OK
Sega Mega-CD
DE 		DM 119.00119.00[4] T-93115-50
Sega Mega-CD
UK 		£44.9944.99[2][3] T-93115-50
ELSPA: 3+ OK
Non-Sega versions

ESPN Baseball Tonight is a baseball game for the Sega Mega Drive and Sega Mega-CD. It is named after the long-running Baseball Tonight television show that airs on the American television channel ESPN. The game was licensed by MLB but not by the Players Association, so while actual team names and logos are used, no player names are in the game.

The Mega-CD version is the only baseball game released for the platform outside of Japan. It features video clips of Chris Berman and play-by-play commentary from Dan Patrick.

Gameplay

The game is a Major League Baseball game including the 28 teams and stadiums of the 1994 MLB season. The players are present with their statistics but are identified only by their defensive positions. The game uses a view from behind the umpire for pitching and hitting as well as for fielding and running, pivoting the view to follow the ball rather than shifting to an overhead view as is common with other baseball games. There is only one stadium.

Before each game, players choose a team and can set the batting line-up and choose starting and relief pitchers. In the options, players can choose if player one is the home or away team (for exhibition games), toggle assisted fielding (which moves fielders towards a hit ball automatically), and select the difficulty of computer opponents (Easy, Moderate, or Hard).

ESPN Baseball Tonight, Defense, Pitching.png

ESPN Baseball Tonight, Defense, Fielding.png

  • ESPN Baseball Tonight, Defense, Pitching.png

  • ESPN Baseball Tonight, Defense, Fielding.png

Defense
The player can position the pitcher on the mound with Left or Right. Regular speed pitches are thrown with B; fastballs are thrown with Down+B and change-ups are thrown with Up+B. After throwing the ball, its height can be controlled with Up or Down and it can be curved with Left or Right.

The player can view lead-offs on first base with Right+C or third base with Left+C (second base is always visible behind the pitcher). The player can throw the ball to any base for a pick-off by holding A while pressing a direction corresponding to the base (Right for first, Up for second, or Left for third, or Down for home). The player can send the second baseman to cover second base by pressing A without a direction (the second baseman normally stands in the infield between first and second). The player can cycle through on-screen information (the line score, the batter's statistics, and the strikes and balls) by pressing and holding C.

Pitchers lose stamina over the course of the game, which affects the speed of their pitches and their control of the ball. Substitutions can be made by pressing  START . The player can also make substitutions after each inning.

When fielding, the D-Pad controls the player closest to the ball. If assisted fielding is enabled, the fielders automatically move toward any ball hit near them. The position of the ball in the air is shown on the ground by a shaded circle; the fielder currently being controlled is highlighted with a white circle. The fielder can jump to catch the ball with B or dive after the ball with C combined with a direction. After catching the ball, it can be thrown to any base by pressing A while holding the D-Pad in a direction corresponding to the base or it can be thrown back to the pitcher by pressing A with no direction. The ball must be manually thrown back to the pitcher by a fielder after each play.

ESPN Baseball Tonight, Offense, Hitting.png

ESPN Baseball Tonight, Offense, Running.png

  • ESPN Baseball Tonight, Offense, Hitting.png

  • ESPN Baseball Tonight, Offense, Running.png

Offense
The player can move the batter in the batter's box with Left or Right. The batter swings at a ball with A; the batter can swing high with Up+A or low with Down+A. The batter can bunt the ball with B. The player can have baserunners lead off with Up+B or return to base with Down+B.

When running, the player can slide to base with C. The player can steal a base by holding C with a direction on the D-Pad corresponding to the next base (Right for first, Up for second, Left for third) or return to base by holding B with a direction on the D-Pad corresponding to the previous base.

Substitutions can be made by pressing  START . The player can also make substitutions after each inning.

Modes

The game has the following modes, any of which can be played by one or two players:

  • Season: A season of 162 games. Games are scheduled on a calendar, and the player can skip games to play a shorter season (with the game simulating the outcomes of skipped games based on the player's performance in the unskipped matches). The Mega Drive version uses passwords for continuing, while the Mega-CD version saves the player's progress to the console's internal memory.
  • Playoffs: Skips most of the season and only plays the playoff games for the American League or National League pennant and then the World Series.
  • Exhibition: A single game between any two teams (which can be the same team).
  • Practice: A practice mode for pitching or hitting, without any baserunning, fielding, or score-keeping.
  • Home Run Derby: Players get 15 pitches and try to hit as many home runs as possible. If the player gets a home run on the last pitch, the player gets another pitch (and so on until the player fails to hit a home run).

Teams

Teams are selected by their league and division, using the then-new 3-division alignment or optionally the old 2-division structure.

League Division Team Players
American West Oakland Athletics Oakland Athletics
Seattle Mariners Seattle Mariners
California Angels California Angels
Texas Rangers Texas Rangers
East New York Yankees New York Yankees
Baltimore Orioles Baltimore Orioles
Boston Red Sox Boston Red Sox
Toronto Blue Jays Toronto Blue Jays
Detroit Tigers Detroit Tigers
Central Kansas City Royals Kansas City Royals
Chicago White Sox Chicago White Sox
Cleveland Indians Cleveland Indians
Minnesota Twins Minnesota Twins
Milwaukee Brewers Milwaukee Brewers
National West San Diego Padres San Diego Padres
Los Angeles Dodgers Los Angeles Dodgers
San Francisco Giants San Francisco Giants
Colorado Rockies Colorado Rockies
East Atlanta Braves Atlanta Braves
New York Mets New York Mets
Philadelphia Phillies Philadelphia Phillies
Florida Marlins Florida Marlins
Montreal Expos Montreal Expos
Central St. Louis Cardinals St. Louis Cardinals
Houston Astros Houston Astros
Cincinnati Reds Cincinnati Reds
Pittsburgh Pirates Pittsburgh Pirates
Chicago Cubs Chicago Cubs

History

Development

Development likely began at Park Place Productions, but finished at Sony Imagesoft, as the latter hired a number of former Park Place employees during production.

Production credits

Mega Drive version

  • Executive Producer: Richard Knox Sr.
  • Producer: Russell Shanks
  • Graphics and Animations: Dave Estus, Steve Mitchell
  • Sprite Teams: Brian O'Hara, Karen Dole, Joe Brisbois, Dave Fenderson, Charlie Navarro, Emmanuel Valdez, Mike Lewis
  • Software Tools: Bill Hicks
  • Additional Programming: Tim Hays, Altair Lane
  • Assistant Producer: Joe Hight
  • Sound and Music: Tristant T Des Pres, Jeffrey Glenn Tveraas, James Dobson
  • Testers: Dennis Quinn, Isaiah Mitchell aka Kid Dyno
  • Special Thanks to: Mike Knox, Troy Lyndon
  • Executive Producer: Richard Robinson
  • Producer: Allan Becker
  • Assistant Producers: Brian Wiklem, Mike Giam
  • Tester: Jose Cruz
  • Sony Electronic Publishing: Olaf Olafsson, Lester Greenman, Len Israel, Peter Dille, Jeff Benjamin
  • Executive Producers: Steve Bornstein, Ed Durso, Dick Glover, Tom Hagopian, Jim Noel
  • Producers: John Wildhack, Steve Anderson, Noubar Stone, Jed Drake
  • Special Thanks to: Dan Patrick, Chris "I'll never be your beast of" Berman
Source:
In-game credits
ESPN Baseball Tonight MD credits.pdf
[5]

Mega-CD version

  • Executive Producer: Richard Robinson
  • Producers: John Smedley, Allan Becker
  • Sega CD Programming: Russell Shanks, Bill Hicks
  • Associate Producer: Greg Oberle
  • Assistant Producers: Hunter Luisi, Dennis Quinn
  • Lead Artists: Katherine Roe, Dave Estus
  • Graphics and Animations: Dave Estus, Steve Mitchell, Andy Jaros, Bert Huntsinger, David Fenderson, Katherine Roe, John Scharmen, Ted Robertson, Scott Rogers
  • Sprite Teams: Steve Mitchell, Katherine Roe, David Fenderson, Chris Meland, Charlie Navarro, Joe Brisbois, Emmanuel Valdez, Dave Estus
  • Additional Programming: Paul Willman
  • Sound and Music: Josepth Hight, Rex Baca
  • Video Design: Greg Oberle
  • Video Production: Dave Oberle
  • Technical Design: Bill Hicks, Russell Shanks
  • Quality Assurance: Robert Baumsteiger, Justin Busche, Bruce Cochrane, Jose Cruz, Greg Kaine, Jody Kelsey, Andre Leighton, Seth Luisi, Tobin Russell, Patricia Shanks, Andrew Stein, Martha Williams, Fred Wigand
  • Special Effects Art: Janice Squire, Holliday Horton, Leonard McVicker
  • Sony Electronic Publishing: Olaf Olafsson, Lester Greenman
  • Special Thanks To: Tina Kowalewski, Tom Taylor, Karen Dole, Brian O'Hara, Tim Hays, Altair Lane, Mike Giam, Brad Schlacter, Brian Wiklem, Andy Zaffron
  • Executive Producers: Steve Bornstein, Ed Durso, Dick Glover, Tom Hagopian, Jim Noel
  • Producers: John Wildhack, Steve Anderson, Noubar Stone, Jed Drake
  • Special Thanks To: Dan Patrick, Chris "I'll never be your beast of" Berman
Source:
In-game credits
ESPN Baseball Tonight MCD credits.pdf
[6]

Magazine articles

Main article: ESPN Baseball Tonight/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Game Players (US) #0705: "Vol. 7 No. 5 May 1994" (1994-0x-xx)
also published in:
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Logo-pdf.svg
Mega Drive print advert in Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) #59: "June 1994" (1994-xx-xx)
also published in:
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Mega-CD print advert in Sega Visions (US) #21: "October/November 1994" (1994-xx-xx)
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Mega-CD print advert in Game Players (US) #0710: "Vol. 7 No. 10 October 1994" (1994-xx-xx)
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Physical scans

Mega Drive version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
60
[10]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
75
[11]
Sega Pro (UK) NTSC-U
46
[12]
Sega Mega Drive
 60
Based on
3 reviews

ESPN Baseball Tonight

Mega Drive, US
ESPNBaseballTonight MD US Box.jpg
Cover
Espnbaseballtonight md us cart.jpg
Cart
ESPNBaseballTonight MD US Manual.pdf
Manual
ESPNBaseballTonight MD US Poster Back.jpgESPNBaseballTonight MD US Poster Front.jpg
Poster

Mega-CD version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Computer & Video Games (UK)
88
[2]
Games World: The Magazine (UK)
51
[13]
Mega (UK) PAL
65
[14]
Sega Magazine (UK) PAL
89
[3]
Sega Power (UK)
65
[15]
Sega Mega-CD
 72
Based on
5 reviews

ESPN Baseball Tonight

Mega-CD, US
ESPNBaseballTonight MCD US Box Back.jpgESPNBaseballTonight MCD US Box Front.jpg
Cover
ESPNBaseballTonight MCD US Disc.jpg
Disc
Espnbaseballtonight mcd us manual.pdf
Manual
Mega-CD, EU
ESPNBaseballTonight MCD EU Box Back.jpgESPNBaseballTonight MCD EU Box Front.jpg
Cover
ESPN Baseball Tonight MCD EU Disc.jpg
Disc
ESPN Baseball Tonight MCD EU Manual.jpg
Manual

Technical information

Main article: ESPN Baseball Tonight/Technical information.

References

  1. ↑ Computer Trade Weekly, "" (UK; 1994-09-19), page 21
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Computer & Video Games, "March 1995" (UK; 1995-02-15), page 101
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Sega Magazine, "February 1995" (UK; 1995-01-15), page 97
  4. ↑ Games World Magazin, "" (DE; 1995-02-17), page 18
  5. ↑ File:ESPN Baseball Tonight MD credits.pdf
  6. ↑ File:ESPN Baseball Tonight MCD credits.pdf
  7. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "May 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 109
  8. ↑ GamePro, "July 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 52
  9. ↑ EGM², "July 1994" (US; 1994-07-19), page 86
  10. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 105
  11. ↑ GamePro, "July 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 119
  12. ↑ Sega Pro, "August 1994" (UK; 1994-07-14), page 48
  13. ↑ Games World: The Magazine, "March 1995" (UK; 1995-01-26), page 18
  14. ↑ Mega, "February 1995" (UK; 1995-01-xx), page 46
  15. ↑ Sega Power, "March 1995" (UK; 1995-01-19), page 57


ESPN Baseball Tonight

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