Previous Next

It may lack the lustre of American big league sport but Street Sports Baseball players have all the form and determination of their high-profile counterparts. They play with the same type of ball, bat and bases, and they use the same terms - pitcher, territory, left field, run - but the game takes place on a local playing field rather than a big stadium.

The same is true of Epyx's version of the game which follows the rules closely, allows the player strategic flexibility and scores through the runs on a multiple screen, 3D representation of the pitch. First, though, you decide whether you want to play against a friend or chance suicide with a computer opponent. Decision made, you've got to choose your team from sixteen neighbourhood kids who all want to be in on the play.

Each kid has his, or her, own characteristics, some make good runners while others field well or are hot on the pitching diamond. Butch, for instance, will take chances if he can see even the slimmest likelihood that he can make it from one base to another, while Ralph is so fleet of foot and mentally agile that he can dodge just about anything.

A computer-controlled team makes play look easy. Its players hit the ball accurately almost every time and its fielders are slick and almost always on the mark.

Batting is the most difficult. The pitcher can throw at any angle or speed and you've got to match it with bat positioning - not an easy task in this simulation because the only sure way to hit the ball is to lunge with the bat at the right time. If you miss the ball three times, and it falls into the hands of the catcher crouching behind you, you're struck out without a chance to run.

When you do manage to hit the ball, the computer displays your run, base to base, from a bird's eye view. It also marks the position of the ball on that plan so you can gauge whether to try for the next base.

Pitching isn't a cinch either, but it's easier than batting and you're likely to make more headway by knocking the opposing team out than on your own runs.

Street Sports Baseball has a few strikes against it. The batting and pitching controls are too limited and the computer comes across up aces too many times for natural skill. If you can put up with the machine's team ego, and select a good squad from the rabble you're shown, you might just enjoy this game.