Pitching

Sign

* Pitch Normal: This is the routine strategy used for most pitches when the 

bases are empty, the game situation is neutral, and the batter poses no special threat.

* Pitch Around: This strategy is used when the pitcher would rather not give up 

a home run to a powerful hitter. The pitcher is not throwing strikes, so there is an 

increased chance of walking the batter.

* Walk: Gives the hitter a free pass to first base. With less than two outs and a runner 

on second, this sets up a double play. However, baseball experts advise against putting 

the tying or winning run on base.

* Hold Runner:  Pitcher keeps a watchful eye on the runner at first base. This keeps the 

runner from taking a big lead, thus hampering his ability to steal second base.



Pitch Type

Even the best hitters guess what's coming, so pitchers must mix

up their pitch selection.

 

* Fast Ball

* Change Up

* Curve

* Slider

* Knuckle



Throwing

When throwing conservatively the fielders throw to the proper cut-off man to keep the 

trailing runner(s) from advancing.  When throwing aggressively, fielders throw for the 

lead runner. It is best for only fielders with the strongest arms to attempt the aggressive 

throw.



Infield

* Normal: All players assume their normal positions.

* In: Fielders come closer to home plate. Used against a weak hitter, or when the winning 

run is on third base.

* Deep: Infielders move to the edge of the outfield grass. This increases their chances to 

stop hard shots, but it leaves them vulnerable to a bunt or slow roller.

* Guard Lines: The first and third basemen hug the foul lines,

cutting down the chance for an extra-base hit.  However, this positioning leaves big gaps 

on either side of second base.

* In at Corners: Guard against the bunt when the first and third basemen move in toward 

home plate.

* Left Shift: Infielders swing around to the left to defense a right-handed pull hitter, 

or a left-handed hitter who likes the opposite field.

* Right Shift: Infielders swing around to the right to defense a left-handed pull hitter, 

or a right-handed hitter who likes the opposite field.

* Double Play: Shortstop and second baseman slide closer to second base to get an extra 

step on turning a double play. This opens up holes on both sides of the infield.



Outfield

* Normal: Outfielders play straightaway and at average depths.

* In: Outfielders move in against a weak hitter, or to increase their chances of fielding 

line drives.

* Deep: Outfielders move back to the warning track to get a better jump on deep fly balls.

* Guard Lines: Left and right fielders move toward their respective foul lines. This cuts 

down on extra-base hits down the lines, but leaves large gaps in straightaway left and right 

field.

* Left Shift: Outfield swings over to the left.

* Right Shift: Outfield swings over to the right.



Batting



Sign

* Hit Away: Batter takes a normal swing.

* Steal: Lead base runner attempts a steal.

* Hit & Run: Signal for all base runners to run with the pitch. This gives the runners a 

better opportunity to take extra bases on a hit. However, it leaves them vulnerable if the 

batter fails to make contact or if he hits a line drive that is caught.

* Bunt: Batter attempts a bunt.

* Take: Batter lets the next pitch go by.

* Sac. Fly: Hitter attempts to hit the ball in the air to the outfield, giving the runners 

a chance to tag-up and advance one base.

* Hit Behind: Batters attempts to hit the ball to the right side, behind the runner, 

reducing the chance for the defense to turn a double play.

* Double Steal: The green light to steal for runners on first and second.



Note: With runners on first and third, a suicide squeeze is attempted when the runner 

on third base runs aggressively, and the hitter attempts a bunt.



Expecting

Batters guess which pitch is coming next by selecting one of the following pitches.

* Fast Ball

* Change Up

* Curve

* Slider

* Knuckle



Closer: Should have high number of Saves and similar numbers in Games and Games Finished 

categories.



Middle Reliever: Should have a similar number of Games, but much fewer Games Finished than 

a closer.



Long Reliever: Should have fewer Games than a middle reliever should, and few, if any 

Games Finished.



Park Effects: 



The following factors are considered in determining play results:



1.  Distance from home plate to the outfield walls (left, center, right, left-center, right-center).

 

2.  Fence heights for unusual walls (i.e. Green Monster in Fenway Park).

 

3.  Playing surface (grass or turf).

 

4.  Weather conditions based on the calendar (wind, temperature, and rain).



Pro League Baseball 97 Glossary



Assist: Awarded to a player who contributes to a putout by deflecting or throwing the ball.

At Bat: Logged for every complete plate appearance by a hitter, except for: sacrifice bunt, 

sacrifice fly, base on balls, hit by pitch or interference or obstruction by the catcher.

Balk: All runners on base are awarded the next base if one of the following occurs:

a) While toeing the pitching rubber, the pitcher begins his normal pitching motion but fails 

to release the ball to the batter.

b) While toeing the pitching rubber, the pitcher fakes a throw to first and fails to complete 

the throw.

c) While toeing the pitching rubber, the pitcher fails to step toward a base before throwing to it.

d) While toeing the pitching rubber, the pitcher fakes a throw to an empty base, without the 

intention of completing a play.

e) The pitcher releases an illegal pitch, where the ball is physically altered; or the 

pitcher releases the ball before the batter is set in the batter's box.

f) The pitcher throws the ball while facing in a direction away from the batter.

g) The pitcher fakes a delivery to the plate while he is not on the pitching rubber.

h) Delay of game caused by the pitcher.

i) The pitcher, while not in possession of the ball, fakes a delivery to the batter.

j) After assuming his natural position for delivering the ball, the pitcher loses control 

of the ball (except when throwing to the batter or an occupied base).

k) While on the pitching rubber, the pitcher drops the ball.

l) While issuing an intentional walk, the pitcher releases the ball while the catcher is not 

in position behind the plate.

m) The pitcher comes to a set position and delivers the ball without coming to a complete stop.



Batting Average: Base hits divided by at bats.

Earned Run: A run scored by any combination of hits, walks, stolen bases, sacrifice hits, putouts, 

fielders choices, hit batters, balks or wild pitches.

Earned Run Average: Earned runs multiplied by 9 and divided by the number of innings pitched.

Fielding Percentage: Putouts and assists divided by the sum

(putouts + assists + errors).

Games Behind (GB): A differential in games between the first place team and a trailing team 

in the same conference. This is calculated by adding the difference in wins between the two teams, 

to the difference in losses between the two teams, and dividing by 2. (Example: 1st Place Team 65-47,

2nd Place Team 58-56; the total differential is 16 games, so the 2nd place team is 

8 GB (games behind).

On Base Percentage: (Hits + walks + hit by pitch) ö (at bats + walks + hit by pitch).

Putout: Credited to a fielder who catches a batted ball, receives a throw that results in an out, 

or tags a runner out.

Quality Start: A game where a starting pitcher lasts at least 6 innings and allows 3 runs or less.

Rotation: A group of starting pitchers who rotates starts throughout the season. Traditionally, 

a 4-man rotation was used until the 5-man rotation was adopted in the '70s. Due to injuries and 

tired arms, most pitching staffs also use "spot starters" who pickup a handful of starts during 

the season.

Runs Responsible (Stat Manager: Runs Resp.): Total of runs and runs batted in.

Sacrifice Fly: A fly ball that is caught for an out, but produces a run by advancing a runner 

from third. It does not count as an official at bat for the hitter.

Slugging Percentage: Total bases divided by at bats. 

Squeeze Play: With a runner on third base, the batter attempts to lay down a bunt while the 

runner on third breaks for home.

Total Bases: The total number of bases accumulated through hits

(i.e.: single = 1 base, double = 2 bases).

Total Chances: Putouts + assists + errors.

Unearned Run: A run scored directly or indirectly with the aid of an error (including a dropped 

foul fly that prolongs an at bat), passed ball, or interference/obstruction.

Winning Percentage: Wins divided by total games played.