Triple Play 2002 FAQ For the Xbox system Written by peach freak or peachfreak90@hotmail.com Copyright 2003-2005 Tim Brastow. All rights reserved. Version 6.30 This FAQ is for Triple Play 2002. You can't put this FAQ on your website without my permission, sell it, or any other violation of copyright laws. You can, however, save this and put it in My Documents or something else. If I make a mistake, miss something, or if you have a question, email me or IM me at peachfreak90@hotmail.com, and if you have a question, I will add an Asked Questions section or if I'm missing something, I'll add it in my next update. You can also IM me to say hi, or to tell me how you like this FAQ and you can rate it if like too. Table of Contents: 1. Update History 2. Controls 3. Teams 4. Game Options/Info 5. 2001 Stuff 6. Credits ================== 1. Update History ================== Version 1.00, June 22, 2003: Finished FAQ Version 2.00, June 23, 2003: Added an options section, fixed errors in the controls section, and added missing things in the controls section. Version 3.00, June 24, 2003: Added some catchy 2001 info, put MLB.com in the credits section. Later on, this FAQ was posted, but I updated this twice. On the second update, I added more stuff to section 4, put another person on the credits list, but I'm still calling this version 3.00. Version 4.00, June 25, 2003: Fixed some stuff in this FAQ to make it look neater, and put in the rules of baseball in section 4. Version 5.00, September 11, 2003: No update here, but I fixed up the section dividers to make them look better. Version 5.10, December 19, 2003: No update here, but I changed my email address, since my other one wasn't working. Version 5.70, January 9, 2004: Added in "Trade Players" and "Sign Free Agents" in section 4 of this FAQ. Version 6.00, November 7, 2004: Added info about the playoffs in Section 4 of this FAQ. Version 6.30, July 3, 2005: Rise and shine. Long time no see for this game. Well I added a section for the options when you play this game in my options section. ============ 2. Controls ============ ---------- Fielding: ---------- A: Throw to pitcher from someone in the infield; throw to a cut-off man from the outfield. Left Control Stick: Move Left Control Stick (while pressing A): Throw to a base. A + Down for Home Plate, A + Right for First Base, A + Up for Second Base, and A + Left for Third Base. X: Jump; dive when moving. If you're against a wall, you can use this to rob a homerun or catch a foul ball. L and R: Fielding options. L reviews outfield options, and R reviews infield Options (such as Guard Lines, get in Double Play position, etc) Right Control Stick: Throw to a base faster than Left Control Stick + A (right for fist, up for second, left for third, and down for home plate) ---------- Pitching: ---------- A, B, Y, X: Pitch (each button has a different pitch type, depending on the pitcher) Left Control Stick: Set the pitch inside or outside the strike zone. D-Pad: Pick someone off, and just like fielding, the D-Pad corresponds the infield, but down is used to always pitch outside the strike zone, as if you were intentionally walking them. Black or White Button: Hide pitch Here are the pitches (The A button is always a fastball, but pitchers know a maximum of 4 pitches, minimum of 2): Fastball Screwball Knuckleball Curveball Slider Sinker Changeup Splitter --------- Batting: --------- A: Swing B: Bunt Control Stick: Get batting circle into the pitch, and the black rectangle is the strike zone, so don't go for every single pitch. L and R: Turn batter/switch batting stance --------- Running: --------- D-Pad: Advance runner to next base, D-Pad corresponds the field, or when a batter is up, use this to steal a base. R: Retreat all runners L: Advance all runners B: Feet slide X: Head first slide A (While Tapping): Sprint ========= 3. Teams ========= --------------------- American League East --------------------- Boston Red Sox Running: 2 Hitting: 4 Power: 4 Pitching: 3 Fielding: 4 Overall: 3 Home Field: Fenway Park New York Yankees Running: 4 Hitting: 5 Power: 4 Pitching: 3 Fielding: 2 Overall: 3 Home Field: Yankee Stadium Baltimore Orioles Running: 3 Hitting: 2 Power: 2 Pitching: 3 Fielding: 4 Overall: 2 Home Field: Camden Yards Toronto Blue Jays Running: 3 Hitting: 4 Power: 4 Pitching: 3 Fielding: 3 Overall: 3 Home Field: Skydome Tampa Bay Devil Rays Running: 3 Hitting: 2 Power: 1 Pitching: 2 Fielding: 3 Overall: 2 Home Field: Tropicana Field ------------------------ American League Central ------------------------ Chicago White Sox Running: 4 Hitting: 3 Power: 3 Pitching: 3 Fielding: 3 Overall: 3 Home Field: Comiskey Park Cleveland Indians Running: 3 Hitting: 3 Power: 3 Pitching: 3 Fielding: 4 Overall: 3 Home Field: Jacobs Field Kansas City Royals Running: 5 Hitting: 3 Power: 3 Pitching: 2 Fielding: 4 Overall: 3 Home Field: Kauffman Stadium Minnesota Twins Running: 2 Hitting: 3 Power: 2 Pitching: 4 Fielding: 5 Overall: 3 Home Field: Metrodome Detroit Tigers Running: 2 Hitting: 1 Power: 1 Pitching: 1 Fielding: 3 Overall: 2 Home Field: Comerica Park --------------------- American League West --------------------- Seattle Mariners Running: 5 Hitting: 5 Power: 3 Pitching: 5 Fielding: 5 Overall: 4 Home Field: Safeco Field Anaheim Angels Running: 3 Hitting: 4 Power: 3 Pitching: 3 Fielding: 5 Overall: 3 Home Field: Edison International Field Texas Rangers Running: 2 Hitting: 5 Power: 4 Pitching: 2 Fielding: 4 Overall: 3 Home Field: The Ballpark in Arlington Oakland Athletics Running: 3 Hitting: 4 Power: 3 Pitching: 4 Fielding: 4 Overall: 3 Home Field: Network Associates Coliseum --------------------- National League East --------------------- Atlanta Braves Running: 3 Hitting: 4 Power: 4 Pitching: 4 Fielding: 3 Overall: 3 Home Field: Turner Field Montreal Expos Running: 3 Hitting: 2 Power: 2 Pitching: 2 Fielding: 3Overall: 2 Home Field: Olympic Stadium Florida Marlins Running: 3 Hitting: 3 Power: 3 Pitching: 2 Fielding: 3 Overall: 2 Home Field: Pro Player Stadium New York Mets Running: 2 Hitting: 3 Power: 2 Pitching: 2 Fielding: 3 Overall: 2 Home Field: Shea Stadium Philadelphia Phillies Running: 3 Hitting: 3 Power: 2 Pitching: 4 Fielding: 3 Overall: 3 Home Field: Veterans Stadium ------------------------ National League Central ------------------------ Chicago Cubs Running: 2 Hitting: 3 Power: 4 Pitching: 3 Fielding: 3 Overall: 3 Cincinnati Reds Running: 2 Hitting: 3 Power: 2 Pitching 2 Fielding: 4 Overall: 2 Home Field: Cinergy Field Milwaukee Brewers Running: 3 Hitting: 2 Power: 2 Pitching: 1 Fielding: 4 Overall: 2 Pittsburg Pirates Running: 2 Hitting: 2 Power: 1 Pitching: 3 Fielding: 2 Overall: 2 Home Field: PNC Park Houston Astros Running: 3 Hitting: 3 Power: 3 Pitching: 3 Fielding: 5 Overall: 3 Home Field: Minute Maid Park St. Louis Cardinals Running: 3 Hitting: 4 Power: 3 Pitching: 4 Fielding: 3 Overall: 3 Home Field: Busch Stadium --------------------- National League West --------------------- Arizona Diamondbacks Running: 3 Hitting: 4 Power: 4 Pitching: 5 Fielding: 4 Overall: 4 Home Field: Bank One Ballpark Los Angles Dodgers Running: 3 Hitting: 4 Power: 3 Pitching: 3 Fielding: 3 Overall: 3 Home Field: Dodger Stadium San Diego Padres Running: 2 Hitting: 3 Power: 2 Pitching: 2 Fielding: 3 Overall: 2 Home Field: Qualcomm Stadium San Francisco Giants Running: 3 Hitting: 4 Power: 4 Pitching: 3 Fielding: 3 Overall: 4 Home Field: Pacific Bell Park Colorado Rockies Running: 3 Hitting: 4 Power: 4 Pitching: 4 Fielding: 4 Overall: 3 Home Field: Coors Field ===================== 4. Game Options/Info ===================== First, the options: Difficulty: Rookie, Pro, or All-Star Innings: You can choose to have 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9 before you start a game. Errors: Turn them on or off to have you be competitive or have 100% defense. Drafts: When you start a new file, you can pick to have drafts or not. Season Length: Choose between 15, 30, 60, or 162 games. Playoff Length: Choose the number of games for the playoffs for each of the 3 rounds at 1-1-1, 1-1-3, or 5-7-7. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Home Run Derby Just like the derby on the day before the All Star Game, you can choose to have a One-on-One or Tournament to determine the real deal with the bats. You can pick whatever field you want to play in and set the difficulty settings, and on rookie the pitch is always down the middle. Whenever you don't hit a homerun, it will count as an out, and the players switch once you make 10 outs. For tournaments, you pick all the players you want until the bracket is full. One on One, you pick to people to compete, and you can have 2 players to play. Single Game This is a game where it doesn't count towards the standings, just for practice for 1 or 2 players. The batter's average or pitcher's ERA doesn't go up or down, it was just their statistics from last year. Season All team's schedules are exactly the same from the 2002 year. Before you play, it will show you the scheduled teams and who they're playing. If the team you picked for your season is a computer in the roster, go down to their game, and press X so you have control of them. When you pick the game you want to play, there will be a screen with the two teams and a controller. Move the controller to the left or the right for the team you want to control. After the game is over, go back to the list of games you picked from the date, and press Y to simulate the games and show the other team's scores. DVD Extras They show how they made this game, an interview of the broadcasters Bob Costas and Harold Reynolds. Also some other stuff by EA Sports. ---------------------------------- Stuff to view before playing ball ---------------------------------- Rosters This shows your current lineup, the positions player play, and the pitching rotation. If you want to see a pitcher bat in an American League field, use X in the lineup menu to toggle between the DH and pitcher. The Trade Players feature lets you swap one player for someone on your team, if you are trying to make your team the powerhouse bunch. Sign Free Agents Using this, you can see free agents (players, and a free agent is when either a player who's contract with a team is done, has been released from a team, or that they have not signed a contract with any team). You swap one person on your roster for the Free Agent you want. Statistics This menu shows all player's batting average, homeruns, etc... League Leaders Only the top people in homeruns, RBI's batting average, etc join the big list, possibly making the All Star list. Save Game At the very bottom of the list is one of the most important ones. You save your file here, and this counts for the completed games that you've played, and traded players. ******************************************************************************* How to play: Don't just think my controls section covers the whole game, and it doesn't. Once you're up to bat, here is how the umpire calls the pitches: If swing and miss, it's a strike. Whenever you don't swing and the ball is in the strike zone, it's a strike. 3 strikes and you're out, and this obviously goes towards the computer too. Whenever you don't swing and the pitch is outside the strike zone, it's ruled a ball. If you get 4 balls before you put it in play (in fair ground, fouls are still in play until they reach the seats), you will be walked and will automatically go to first base, but if there's a runner at second or third, but no one at first, they won't proceed due to no force. If you hit the ball but it goes outside the base lines, it's a foul ball, and will count as a strike, but no matter how many foul balls how hit, they won't count as strike 3. When you hit the ball inside the base line, and you don't make it to first before the ball does, you're out. Another way to get someone out is to tag the runner or throw it to the base they're running to, but remember, it will only count as an out if it's a force play, as there is someone running to the base they was just at. 3 outs ends an inning, and the team that was fielding bats. Now, when you hit the ball, and you make it to second base without a throwing error, they call that a double, getting to third is a triple, and getting to home is a homerun, both in and out of the park. Having any runner cross the plate counts as a run, and an RBI (run batted in) towards the batter who hit him home. Any time a ball one hops the fence, it counts as an automatic double. Now, back to fielding: catching foul balls count as an out, and still counts in fair territory. Any time the ball hits the ground, you must play it and throw to first, or throw it to a base when there's a force play. Infield flies do happen in this game, and these happen whenever there's one runner that can be forced but fewer than 2 outs will be needed. It is an automatic out, so the fielder can't drop the ball on purpose and turn a double play. Now, sacrifices: These happen on bunting and fly balls, but let's start with bunting: say there's just one runner on base with fewer than 2 outs. You bunt the ball, but if the runner on base is safe, but you are out, it is considered a sacrifice bunt, and does not count as a, at bat or hit. That rule same applies with walks and sacrifice flies: Sacrifice flies are when there are fewer than 2 outs in the inning, and you hit a fly ball to the outfield, with a runner on first. The fielder catches the ball, but the runner at third can go to the plate and try to score. It's a sacrifice fly, and will not count as an at bat or a hit, but you still get credit for an RBI. ******************************************************************************* Standings Divided into 6 divisions and 2 leagues, this shows all teams records, their home runs, ERA, and other recordable stuff. Read below if you don't know how the standings work. ******************************************************************************* How the Standings Work: Ok, let's say there was a team who had a 1 game lead over the second place team. If the first placeman wins, and the second placeman loses, the first place team will have a 2 game lead over the second place team. If the first place team loses, and the second place team wins, both teams will be tied for first place. Now, let's say the first place team had a day off. If the second place team wins, they will be half a game behind the first place team, if they lose, they will be a game and a half behind the first place team. ******************************************************************************* Trade Players Trade a player on your team for another player on another team. Playoffs: At the end of the season, you go to the playoffs if you win your division or the Wild Card (by taking first place). The Wild Card is one of the 4 playoff spots (in order to make the brackets equal), and to take it, you must have the best record (besides the teams in first place), and not finish off in first place of your team's division (any team in first place can't take the Wild Card). Then, the winners of the AL/NL West, Central, and East are the other 3 playoff spots. Here's how the brackets work. Let's say the Wild Card winner was from the AL/NL Central Division. The Wild Card winner will take the winner of the AL West/East, whoever has the better record (the Wild Card winner can't play the winner of their division (so they can't play the AL/NL Central). So, the AL/NL West/East winner (whoever's record is lower) takes on the AL/Central. Here are the rounds in the playoffs: Round 1: American/National League Division Series Round 2: American/National League Championship Series Round 3: World Series AL/NLDS is a best 3-out-of-5 series. Whoever takes 3 games goes to the Championship Series of their league. There is also something called "Home Field Advantage". That means the team with the better record gets to play at home for Games 1, 2, and 5 (if necessary), but the Wild Card winner cannot get it. AL/NLCS is a best 4-out-of-7 Series. Whoever takes 4 games goes to the World Series. Home Field Advantage is to the team with the better record, and the team with the better record plays games at home in games 1, 2, 6, and 7 (if 6 and 7 are necessary). The winner also gets a pennant and is the league's champion. The World Series is also a best 4-out-of-7 Series. Whoever takes 4 games is the World Champion (of the season of course), gets a World Series Ring. Home Field Advantage here alternates every year (NL got it in 2001, AL got it in 2000, etc), and home games for the Home Field Advantage team are games 1, 2, 6, and 7 (if 6 and 7 are needed). These days the winner of the All-Star Game gets Home Field Advantage (since 2003). ----------------------- While Playing the Game ----------------------- When you are in the game, there are plenty of options you can do. First you can pause your game and select options. Here are the options you can do: Difficulty: During any time of the game, you can switch the game's difficulty, between Rookie, Pro, or All-Star. Rookie is useful for beginners at the game. For Pro, it will be too hard at first but it will be REALLY easy once you get used to it. For All-Star, it will be very hard, and your amount of close games will increase. Errors: Choose to have fielding errors off or turn them on for real ball players. Pitcher Power Meter: Every time the pitcher throws the ball, it will show its power meter at the top of the screen, showing how hard the ball is being thrown and if the pitch will be effective or not. You can choose to turn this off if you want. Fielding Aid: You know those yellow arrows to direct you to the baseball if you are in play? You have the option to turn them off if you want real competition. If you are not good at finding where the ball is going to fall, keep this on. It will be a big help to you at fielding. Overlays: At the bottom of the screen for every batter, it will show the batter's name and show how to swing and bunt. For different things to be viewed, change the overlays. You can change it to Help, Statistics, Cycle, or Attributes. Help: Shows that A is to swing the bat and B is to bunt. Attributes and Cycle: These are just about the same thing. They will show your batter's speed, power, and contact when they approach the plate. Statistics: Shows how many at bats the batter has in the game and how many hits. This is my option of choice. Vibration: When the ball is hit really hard, your controller may vibrate a lot. Turn this off if it gets annoying, or keep it on for fun. Widescreen: Just like a DVD, you can have this game in widescreen of full screen. Turn this on to get a widescreen game, where everything looks skinny and such. Otherwise let the screen be full, which works better. Volume: There are 3 type of volume you can control: Announcers: Controls how loud you want Bob Costas and Harold Reynolds to be. Sound FX: Just all of the sounds that happen during the game. Crowd: If all of the crowds cheering and such gets annoying, you can lower their voices by simply cranking this bar down. ============== 5. 2001 Stuff ============== World Series: Arizona Diamondbacks over New York Yankees All Star Game: Safeco Field, American League over National League 2001 Standings: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- American League ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AL East: W L PCT GB -----------------|---|---|----|----| New York Yankees |95 |65 |.594| 0 | -----------------|---|---|----|----| Boston Red Sox |82 |79 |.509|13.5| -----------------|---|---|----|----| Toronto Blue Jays|80 |82 |.494|16.0| -----------------|---|---|----|----| BAL Orioles |63 |98 |.391|32.5| -----------------|---|---|----|----| TB Devil Rays |62 |100|.383|34.0| ------------------------------------ AL Central: W L PCT GB -----------------|---|---|----|----| CLE Indians |91 |71 |.562| 0 | -----------------|---|---|----|----| MIN Twins |85 |77 |.525|6.0 | -----------------|---|---|----|----| CHI White Sox |83 |79 |.512|8.0 | -----------------|---|---|----|----| Detroit Tigers |66 |96 |.407|25.0| -----------------|---|---|----|----| KC Royals |65 |97 |.401|26.0| ------------------------------------ AL West: W L PCT GB -----------------|---|---|----|----| SEA Mariners |116|46 |.716| 0 | -----------------|---|---|----|----| OAK Athletics |102|60 |.630|14.0| -----------------|---|---|----|----| ANA Angels |75 |87 |.463|41.0| -----------------|---|---|----|----| TEX Rangers |73 |89 |.451|43.0| ------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- National League ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NL East: W L PCT GB -----------------|---|---|----|----| Atlanta Braves |88 |74 |.543| 0 | -----------------|---|---|----|----| PHL Phillies |86 |76 |.531|2.0 | -----------------|---|---|----|----| New York Mets |82 |80 |.506|6.0 | -----------------|---|---|----|----| Florida Marlins |76 |86 |.469|12.0| -----------------|---|---|----|----| Montreal Expos |68 |94 |.420|20.0| ------------------------------------ NL Central: W L PCT GB -----------------|---|---|----|----| Houston Astros |93 |69 |.574| 0 | -----------------|---|---|----|----| STL Cardinals |93 |69 |.574| 0 | -----------------|---|---|----|----| Chicago Cubs |88 |74 |.543|5.0 | -----------------|---|---|----|----| MIL Brewers |68 |94 |.420|25.0| -----------------|---|---|----|----| CIN Reds |66 |96 |.407|27.0| -----------------|---|---|----|----| PIT Pirates |62 |100|.383|31.0| ------------------------------------ NL West: W L PCT GB -----------------|---|---|----|----| ARZ Diamondbacks |92 |70 |.568| 0 | -----------------|---|---|----|----| SF Giants |90 |72 |.556|2.0 | -----------------|---|---|----|----| LA Dodgers |86 |76 |.531|6.0 | -----------------|---|---|----|----| SD Padres |79 |83 |.488|13.0| -----------------|---|---|----|----| Colorado Rockies |73 |89 |.451|19.0| ------------------------------------ AL Wild Card: W L PCT GB -----------------|---|---|----|----| OAK Athletics |102|60 |.630| 0 | -----------------|---|---|----|----| MIN Twins |85 |77 |.525|14.0| -----------------|---|---|----|----| CHI White Sox |83 |79 |.512|19.0| -----------------|---|---|----|----| Boston Red Sox |82 |79 |.509|19.5| -----------------|---|---|----|----| Toronto Blue Jays|80 |82 |.494|22.0| ------------------------------------ NL Wild Card: W L PCT GB -----------------|---|---|----|----| SF Giants |90 |72 |.556| 0 | -----------------|---|---|----|----| Chicago Cubs |88 |74 |.543|2.0 | -----------------|---|---|----|----| LA Dodgers |86 |76 |.531|4.0 | -----------------|---|---|----|----| PHL Phillies |86 |76 |.531|4.0 | -----------------|---|---|----|----| New York Mets |82 |80 |.506|8.0 | ------------------------------------ =========== 6. Credits =========== EA Sports: For making this game Microsoft: For making Xbox CJayC: For posting this FAQ Myself: I wrote the guide You: You read the guide My mom: For getting me this game MLB.com: They still had the 2001 standings, but I had to figure out both wild cards by myself. One of my friends: He took his Triple Play game and brought it to my house, and I got interested in this game, thanks to him.