Major League Baseball 2K8

It's 2008 and it's time to hit home runs as 2KG Major League Baseball 2K8 brings you your best season ever. Thrilling features have been added to make this season more exciting. Are you out or in? Joe Morgan is announcing 2K8! Play ball!
Team play is more expansive as there are 90 minor-league teams added to the game, including authentic uniforms, many authentic minor-league stadiums, and a few generic ones as well. 2K8 also features a new baseball-card system, in which you can earn players' cards by completing certain tasks. You can then sell duplicate cards for credits to buy new card packs, which consist of 10 cards and may include a stadium or special team. But by far the coolest part of the card system is the online card battles. When you have enough player cards to fulfill the requirements of a full team, you can then combine your cards to create a team and take head-to-head against other gamers' card teams online. An entirely new and unique pitching interface which is unlike anything that's been done before. The main input comes from the right analog stick. The execution involves matching a gesture to throw the desired pitch. This enables a lot more granularity from the input than a digital face-button approach.
Revolutionizing your control of the 5 tools in baseball are brand new pitching, fielding and base running controls and completely overhauled batting interface. Featuring a totally unique trading card mode, robust Minor League system, all-new Signature Style animations for 2008, and more! 90 Minor League teams available in both Franchise and Exhibition modes Over 1 MILLION online gamers in the 2K community for head-to-head games
Customer Review: MLB 2K8 (Wii)
The game arrived earlier than I was told and was in perfect condition. It was the lowest price available and probably one of the best sellers.
Customer Review: Three steps away from great
Okay, if you're reading this review after having read a whole bunch from a lot of sites, including Amazon, you are probably as confused as I was before I picked this game up a couple of weeks ago. Well, I will try to be as up-front as I can about this game and hope that my comments help you decide to buy it. I titled the review "three steps away..." because the game is just that: GOOD, but not quite at "great" yet. The basics: Batting: This is only difficult if you can't get the hang of Wii Sports. It's all about timing. Hitting in a specific direction has never been easier, and I love the ease of bunting and hitting fly balls. (A) Pitching: I actually really enjoy the pitching. It is also timing based, but the fact that this sports game uses the Wii-mote effectively is a big plus. I also like the realistic movement on MOST pitches. There are a couple that move too much for a low-caliber pitcher, but nonetheless, pitching is solid. (A-) Fielding: The fielding controls are a little sensitive, but not unreasonable. I found myself diving when I didn't want to once or twice, but climbing the wall and sprinting when necessary are still pretty easy to accomplish. (B-) Depth: The lack of complete minors rosters is a bit frustrating. I am a fantasy baseball fan, so I'm seeing a few guys hit the majors right now that aren't in the game. BUT, for the most part, the rosters are okay. Some complain that trades weren't accounted for, but not having Santana on the Mets, while frustrating, isn't earth-shattering. The game modes are solid, but the lack of minors involvment is tough to have missed. I also enjoy the trading card system, which is NOT in this game. (C) So, the "three steps" are: - Graphics: No, this Wii isn't as advanced as 360 and PS3, BUT it should look better than PS2, right?!? - Depth: I think the lack of minors and trading cards is acceptable for the first year of this game, but I hope it makes it into 2K9 and beyond. - Fielding: The fielding is a bit choppy and inconsistent at times. This is the only gameplay gripe I've found, and it's not a huge one. I'd grade MLB 2K8 as a B-. I think the game is good, not great. I think that this first effort is a baseball sim that isn't complete. If they can get the graphics slightly better, add some depth, and tweak the minor gameplay issues, it will be an "A" game.

If that action seems a little too much then it is best to train your sights on some other spot on the team. Now for some real mechanics of how to play the position.

The crowd in the stands will come to their feet and applaud when you turn a sparkling and sterling play from the hot corner. Calling third base the hot corner is no fluke or misspeak for the baseballs coming off those lightning fast swings and connecting of heavy hitters are a real chore to handle.

The third baseman barely has time to blink an eye before little white baseball is coming his way like a missile and is in his space and upon him in a flash.

I can assure you it is not a fun position - If you are even slightly hesitant to get in front of those hard hit grounders, dig them out of the dirt straighten up and fire a rifle shot strike over to your teammate at first base.

How To Play Third Base

During the season, if you play your third base position well Mom will have to repair those trouser legs once or twice. You might say, "What has Mom got to do with me playing third base?" well stud, most runners reaching third base normally are coming with a slide and spikes first. Your job is to stay in front of those spikes and tag that ole boy out. Spikes and trousers legs means the trousers get the worst of that action. Mom's sewing will be needed, we just hope the Doc doesn't have to do some sewing.

No, the angle is much better for the shortstop to reach this pop up and make this catch than it is for the third baseman.

Alright, third baseman, we have you eating the dust of of baseballs barrelling toward you like a wild banshee or a shot from a rifle and you are hustling to play a well placed bunt. You are always ready reacting and on the go every pitch and every play. How do you like this no. 5 spot in the line up and stationed down on the hot corner?

Let's pretend the pitcher is really an ace out there, on the mound, throwing the ball to the hitter approaching 90 miles per hour. If the hitter is batting right handed and he meets the ball with the sweet spot of his bat and pulls it down that third base line look out, Nellie !

Batter Up----Let's Play Ball....

Hey, big guy, sounds easy enough, huh but who has that calm daring do, to step squarely in front of and grab that blue darter.

Situation ! A high pop fly directly down the third base foul line but shallow enough to not reach the outfielder. Is the third baseman the one responsible to make this play?

The third sacker's body movement must be quicker than a cats leap. The line of travel from home plate to the third base waiting position is the shortest blast of the baseball travel distance for any position of the infield. Automatic reflex of foot movement getting square in front of the ball placement of the glove on the dirt infield and gently cradling the ball onto the glove is a body movement of beauty and the envy of a ballet dancer.

This is doubly important if there are any runners on the bases. Runners on the bases mean the third baseman has a responsibility to cover the bag at third to preclude runners from a possible advancement to third.

There are only a few items you must put into that calculator we call our noggin (or brain) before and during every pitch. Should I be back further toward the outfield grass?, Should I be closer to home plate?, Should I be guarding closer to the third sack and the foul line?, Did I notice the heft the batter put on that last swing or cut at the ball?

In a possible bunt situation, the third baseman has a dual responsibility. He must hustle to pick up the ball and throw out the running bunter and he must be aware that if there is a runner on first (normally this is the case on a bunt situation) then he must get on his horse and hustle back to his bag at third. A base runner leaving first will head to third if the third base bag is not being defended.

Little baseball leaves the bat in a blur like a rifle shot as the laws of physics take over--The mathematical results of equal and opposite reaction of the bat speed and ball speed. Standing down there at third base, only 90 feet from the batter give or take a few feet or two, is our main man at the hot corner, our third baseman.

The speed of the ball coming across home plate and the remarkable speed swing of a heavy hitter kissing the ball square on the nose is a blast.

Dare this batter try to lay down a bunt? Is my teammate, the pitcher, throwing a curve ball away from the right handed hitter? I am thinking and calculating constantly while getting into that relaxed half squat, ready for the action.

Play any position in baseball but that no. 5 spot requires the steady nerve of a high wire walker.

The eye of an eagle you say! Yes, for it is vital for the third baseman to see from the bat to his glove the travel of that ball heading his way may be hugging the ground or may be a big fat candy hop.

The likes of Brooks Robinson, the country boy who grew up and played as an All-Star, Gold Glove and Hall Of Fame performer had a stellar career with the Baltimore Orioles was the master down there at the hot corner.

The third baseman has to put his body in front of this streaking missile look the ball onto his glove and take a big sigh as he straightens up, takes that hop, step and throws a strike to the first sacker.

The shortstop may be covering but most likely the shortstop is covering the defense of second base because the second baseman is over covering first.