Bad News Baseball
NES-3B-USATecmo(r)Bad News Baseball(tm)Instructions---Beginning the gameSelecting the play mode.Choose the mode for your game with the select button, and then press the startbuttonOne Player Game: Play a tournament against the computer.Two Player Game: Play a three game series against another player.One Player All-Star Game: Choose either the ultra or the super league, picktwenty all-star players for your team, and then play a three game seriesagainst the computer.Two Player All-Star Game: Both players can choose their own all-star teams, and then play a three game series.Spectator mode: You can also watch a game played between two computer controlled teams.Password: With this password you can stop after you have completed one gameand then pick up the series where you left off the last time.* You cannot change players when you are in the "Spectator mode".Zoom-up displayThis zoom-up screen enlarges your view of critical close plays and home runswings. Enlarging the action on the screen makes this game even more excitingto play.* You can skip the zoom-up screen by pressing the start button of Controller  I (Controller II can not be used for this function).---Selecting your teamMove the Control Cross up and down to select your team. In the "One PlayerGame" you can choose the computer's team, too. By moving the Control Cross tothe right and left, you can look at the data for the pitchers and fieldersalternately. It's a good idea to do this to find out as much as you can aboutthe players before choosing your team. When you have finished with yourselections press the start button.* In the "Two Player Game" the second players can select his team by using  Controller II.A look at the pitcher's dataPitcher: The pitchers names.ERA: Earned run average. Players with a lower earned run average will give up     fewer hits than those with a higher ERA.T (throw): The player's pitching form.  (R = right, L = left, O = overhand pitch, S = side arm pitch)ST (stamina): On the left side is the current value, and on the right side is  the maximum value. As this value goes down, this player's pitches begin to  get slower and his breaking balls don't curve like they used to. When the  game is all over he recovers some of his stamina.RLF (break right, break left, forkball): The sharpness of a pitcher's breaking  balls is ranked from 1-8. The larger the number is, the more the ball   curves.  The sharpness of a pitcher's forkball is ranked from A-C. Pitchers with a  bar mark across from their name can't throw forkballs.Looking at the fielder's dataFielder: The fielder's name.AV (batting average): The higher this number is the greater is the chance that  he will get a hit.HR (home runs): The player's number of home runs. The more home runs a player  has the greater is his long-ball hitting power.B (batting): This shows whether he is a right- or left-handed batter.Ca: The catcher's fielding ability.1: The first baseman's fielding ability.2: The second baseman's fielding ability.3: The third baseman's fielding ability.S: The shortstop's fielding ability.o: The outfielder's fielding ability.* Fielding ability is ranked from A-C.* The pitcher's fielding ability is always B.A (arm strength): The strength of the fielder's throwing arm is ranked from  1-8. Players with a larger number can throw the ball faster than those with  a lower number.R (running strength): The speed of each fielder is ranked from 1-8. Fielders  with a larger number are faster on the base paths than those with a lower  number. They will also be faster going after balls in the field.* Players who have a bar mark displayed under their fielding strength are able  to play in the field, but they are not good at defense and so you should   avoid using them in the field as much as possible.---Selecting your starting line-upYou can choose your starting line-up as you please in this game. When you'repicking your line-up be sure to keep in mind the opposing team's roster. Forinstance, if you're going to be playing against a team that has a lot of fastbase runners, you'll probably want to use a cacher and outfielders with strong throwing arms. Or if you're playing a team with a good pitching staff,then you might want to put all of your best hitters in the starting line-up.By the way, fast base runners are also quick when it comes to chasing down theballs in the field, so they are very easy to operate. Putting your fastestplayers in the outfield will make your fielding better.* If you are not going to make any changes to the batting order or fielding  positions, press the start button and go on to the next screen.Changing your batting order.First, choose the player you want to replace by pushing the Control Cross upor down. Then, press the A button, and a star mark will appear next to theplayers name. Choose the player whom you want to put in the game to replacethe player with the star mark, and press the A button to change the line-up.You can get rid of the star mark by pressing the B button.Changing fielding positions.When you want to change the players' fielding positions, start by pushing theControl Cross to the left to change the cursor's direction. You can then goahead and change your line-up of fielders the same way as you did your battingorder. You can change your batting order when the cursor is pointed to theright, and your fielding positions when the cursor is pointed to the left.* When you have changed your batting order the new player's name and data will  replace the old player's, but the fielding positions will remain the same.  So, when you have made changes to the batting order don't forget to change  the players' positions in the field, too. When you are through making   changes press the start button.Deciding on your starting pitcher.Push the Control Cross to move the cursor to the name of the player whom youwant to make the starting pitcher, and press the A button. The pitcher whomyou have presently chosen will have a "pitcher mark" (Pi) next to his name.When you are finished with the selection of your starting pitcher press thestart button.---The ultimate all-star modeSelecting your league.Use the Control Cross to select your league, and then press the start button.Changing your players.You can replace the players who are presently shown on the screen by thefollowing method.First, use the Control Cross to select the player whom you want to replace.Press the A button and the player selection screen will come on. Here you canchoose the players that you want to put in the game. Push the Control Crosssideways to change teams, and up and down to choose your players. A star markwill appear next to the names of the players who have been chosen. After youhave chosen a player press the A button to put him in your line-up. Press theB button to return to the screen showing your present team line-up. When youare playing the two player game, the second player uses controller II to choose his team. When you are finished making changes to your line-up pressthe start button.---Looking at the messages on the screenPlay screenBall and strike countScoreBatter's name, position in the batting order, batting average, and home run  recordPitcher's name and ERA (earned run average)Fielding screenRunners' positionChart of the games' results.When a game ends, a chart with the results of the game will appear on thescreen. It's a good idea to record your score after each game.* The names of players who have hit inside the park home runs will not be   displayed. Also, if there are more than ten home runs hit in one game, all  the home runs after the tenth will just be displayed as "etc".  Press the start button to go to the password display screen.---BattingBatting with the Control Cross and the A button to swingUse the Control cross to line up the batter's position and then press theA button to swing. You can bunt by releasing the A button in the middle of your swing. Change your batting strategy according to the conditions of the game. On each team, by the way, there is one "hero" who is especially good at taking advantage of good opportunities. The fans roar when this guy steps into the batter's box. He's a good bet to hit a long one, maybe out of the park.Running the basesRunning with the Control Cross and the B button.When you want a runner who is one base to advance to the next base, use theControl Cross to select the next base and press the B button. By pushing theControl Cross downward and pressing the A button you can make a runner stop between bases for as long as you hold the button down. You can't, however,stop a runner when he is stealing a base.Returning to a base with the Control Cross and the A button.When you want a runner to return to the last base, use the Control Cross toselect the base and press the A button. He can't return, though, once he hasstepped on the next base.  2B3B  1B  HP---PitchingYou have control of the pitching throughout the three steps of the pitch.STEP 1 Choose placement of the pitcher.Push the Control Cross sideways to choose the spot from which you will pitchthe ball.STEP 2 Choose speed of the pitch, and start the pitch.Slow Pitch: Hold the Control Cross upward and press the A button.Normal    : Press the A button only.Fast Pitch: Hold the Control Cross downward and press the A button.STEP 3 Decode on curve ball, screwball, forkball or change-up.After you've released the ball, you can use the Control Cross to make the ballbreak right or left. In addition, you can throw a change-up when you arethrowing a fast pitch, and a forkball when you are throwing a slow pitch.        Change-upCurve ball     Screball        ForkballMake up your own original breaking pitches and use them to keep the other team's batters off balance. It's a good idea for you to make up names for yourown breaking pitches.Picking a runner off base.Press the B button and go to the fielding screen. Then, use the Control Crossto select the base that you want to throw to, and press the A button to makeyour pick-off move.  2B3B  1B  HP---FieldingFielding with the Control Cross.Use the Control Cross to move your fielders into the position to catch theballs that come their way. There are four players, however, who automaticallygo to cover a base when the ball is hit, so you have to remember which playersyou can move and which you can't.Throwing with the Control Cross and the A button.Use the Control Cross to select the base that you want tothrow to, and thenpress the A button to make your throw. If you don't push the Control Cross, the ball will automatically be thrown to first base.Tagging a runner out with the Control Cross and the B button.After your fielder catches the ball, use the Control Cross to select the baseand press the B button and the player with the ball will run toward the basethat you have chosen. You can make him throw the ball while he is running,too.  2B3B  1B  HPLeaping play with the Control Cross and the B button.You have the ability to make brilliant fielding plays - jumping and divingcatches. Push the Control Cross in the direction that you want to leap andthen press the B button. But, be careful. If you get too confident and try tomake an impossible play you could wind up making an error.Push the Control Cross to the right and press the B button to dive to the  right.Push the Control Cross to the left and press the B button to dive to the left.Push the Control Cross upward and press the B button to jump straight up.Push the Control Cross downward and press the B button to make a sliding catch  in front of you.---Changing players during the gameSending in a pinch runner.Press the start button to call time-out and then the player whose team is atbat should press the B button. Use the Control Cross to choose the runner whomyou want to replace and press the A button. Then, choose your pinch runner andsend him into the game by pressing the A button. If you decide that you don'twant to put in a pinch runner, press the B button to return to the play screen.Sending in a pinch hitter.Press the start button to call time-out and then the player whose team is atbat should press the A button. Use the Control Cross to choose your pinchhitter and then send him into the game by pressing the A button. If you decidethat you don't want to put in a pinch hitter, press the B button to return tothe play screen.Changing pitchers during the game.Press the start button to call time-out and then the player whose team is inthe field should press the A button. The player's name that has a "pitchermark" (Pi) next to it is the current pitcher. Use the Control Cross to selectthe player you want to put in the game and then press the A button to make thechange. If you decide you don't want to switch players, press the B button toreturn to the play screen.Changing fielders during the game.Press the start button to call time-out and then the player whose team is inthe field should press the B button. First, use the Control Cross to selectthe position of the player whom you want to replace and press the A button.Then, use the Control Cross to choose the player you want to put in the gameand press the A button to make the change. If you decide you don't want to switch players, press the B button to return to the play screen.---Operating the playersBatting and running.Batting: Use the Control Cross to pick your spot and then press the A button  to swing.Running bases: Use the control Cross to choose the base you want to go to and  then press the B button. Stopping runners: Push the Control Cross downward and press the A button. The  runner will not advance as long as you keep both buttons pressed down. (The  function cannot be used when the runner is advancing but now when   retreating.)Returning to a base: Use a Control Cross to choose the base you want to return  to and then press the A button.FieldingCatching: Use the Control Cross to move your fielders into position.Throwing: Use the Control Cross to choose the base you want to throw to, and  then press the A button.Tagging a runner out: After you have caught the ball, use the Control Cross to  choose the base you will make your play and then press the B button.Leaping play: Use the Control Cross to choose the direction you're going to   leap in, and then press the B button.PitchingPitching spot: Choose your position on the mound by pushing the Control Cross  sideways.The pitch: Adjust the speed of the pitch by pushing the Control Cross and A  button.Pitch's course: Change the pitch's course by pushing the Control Cross to the  right or left as the pitch is being thrown.Breaking balls: Throw breaking balls by pushing the Control Cross after a fast  pitch has been released.                     Change-up                    (Fast pitch)          Curve ball            Screwball(breaks to the left)            (breaks to the right)                     Forkball                    (Slow pitch)Picking-off runners: Try to pick a runner off by pressing the B button and  going to the fielding screen, then picking the base you want to throw to by  pushing the Control Cross, and throwing by pressing A button.---The girls' modeTo use this mode, start the game by pressing the reset button while you pushController I to the lower left and Controller II upward. If a heart mark appears on the title screen, then you know that you are in the girls' mode. Goahead and enjoy the game.* Unfortunately, in this mode, the zoom-up display shows only boy players.   Sorry for letting you down.---PasswordEvery time a game ends a password will be displayed on the screen. Be sure tomake a note of this password.* Press the start button to go on to the next screenStarting over where you left off last time.Select "Password" and press the start button to go to the password inputscreen. Use the Control Cross to choose the letters that you want to input, and then press the A button to enter them. If you make a mistake when choosingyour letters, press the B button to bring back the cursor so that you can reenter your letters. Once you have finished entering your letters, press thestart button to begin the game. If you have made a mistake when entering yourpassword, however, the screen will look like the photo below ("WrongPassword"). Be careful that you don't make mistakes when entering your password.---"Bad News Baseball" rulesIf one of the teams gets a lead of ten runs or more, the game will be called.If the game goes into extra innings and neither team wins by the end of the  twelfth inning, then the game ends as a tie.The rules of this game are designed to make it as close to real baseball as  possible, but there are certain points that differ due to the nature of the  game.All of the teams and athletes who appear in this game are fictional and have  no relation to existing teams or athletes.