MLB 11 The Show Walkthrough

MLB 11: The Show is a sports game developed by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PS3, that was released on March 8, 2011. Players will compete in baseball games, following the standard rules and regulations applied in the actual professional leagues. All of the MLB teams from the National League and American League are available, including the: New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox and the Chicago Cubs. Corresponding stadiums are also available, mimicking the specific crowd capacity and field dimensions. During each game, players are given the opportunity to take control of the fielder, the batter and the pitcher. 

This version of "The Show" features several upgraded options not available in its predecessors. One new addition to the game is that each fielder has their own reaction time based upon their stats. MLB 11: The Show also features an analog pitching system for the first time in the series' history. This results in more sensitivity in terms of throwing the ball accurately and with strength, depending on how much pressure is put on the control stick. The following walkthrough was written using the PS3 as a reference point, which should be taken into consideration when viewing the controls section.

Game Modes

Franchise Mode

Choose one of the available teams and play through an entire season of baseball. Starting at Spring Training, you must continue to keep your win-record up all the way through October to make the play-offs and after that: The World Series. 

Road to "The Show"

Create your own unique player in any position of your choice. The primary objective of this mode is to take your created-character and guide him from AA to the Pros. In order to do this, you must keep his rate of success consistent in completing the goals provided and strengthen his abilities by hitting the weight room or completing sprint drills.

Homerun Derby

Choose your favorite slugger and try to hit as many balls over the fence as possible during your turn. A player's turn lasts until they have 10 outs. Outs are received when a player hits the ball in any area that does not constitute a homerun. The Playstation Move Controller is available for use during this game mode.

Pitching

HUD - Analog

1. When you begin, the different pitches will be available on the right side of the screen with their corresponding button. Different pitches, as well the quantity, will be available depending on the player.
   
2. After you select a pitch, the pitching meter will appear as a yellow line within a blue bar with a white cursor positioned at the top.
3. Set the pitch location by moving the white cursor back and forth across the top of the meter icon. The two smaller white lines on either side of the cursor represent the edges of the strike zone.
4. After you set the pitch location, move the baseball icon down to determine the height at which the pitch is thrown. The yellow line represents the ideal pitching height for that particular player.
5. Move the baseball icon back up the meter to pitch the ball. A dotted line will follow the icon to represent its trajectory. Push the icon in the desired direction to assure its accuracy.
6. Releasing the ball too early above the yellow line will result in an underthrow, whereas releasing it too late will result in an overthrow.

Pure Analog Pitching

Pure Analog pitching requires the player to use the stick in order to choose the strength of each throw and its accuracy. The sensitivity of the analog control is precise in how far it is moved in a certain direction and at what rate it pushed forward to release the ball. This function gives players almost total control over their pitches down to mere inches or a single mile per hour and must be done with exactness to avoid poor throws.

Pitches

4-Seam- This pitch portrays little movement and possesses the maximum amount of speed possible.

2-Seam- This pitch moves from inside the strike zone to just outside of it and possesses the second highest velocity possible.

Forkball- Identical to a splitter, but with a much later break.

Cutter- Nearly identical to the 4-seam and is extremely difficult to make contact with when thrown hard.

Splitter- This pitch moves fast and breaks into a motion that drops it straight down.

Running Fastball- Identical to a 2-seam pitch without the downward break.

Palmball- This pitch is similar to a change-up, but possesses a later break.

Curveball- This pitch moves slowly and possesses a sharp break to throw off a batter's timing.

Slider- This pitch moves laterally and breaks harder the faster that it is thrown.

Circle-Change- This pitch has a downward break and moves in the opposite direction of its release point. 

Sinker- This pitch drops downward sharply as it approaches the plate and is effective in producing ground-outs.

Slurve- This pitch is a cross between a slider and a curveball and possesses a very late break.

Knuckle Curve- This pitch is identical to a curveball except that it moves slower and breaks more erratically. It is the hardest pitch in the game to control. 

Screwball- This pitch moves towards the batter's position, before quickly breaking in the opposite direction.

12-6 Curveball- This pitch has no lateral move and drops downward with a very sharp break.

Knuckleball- This pitch moves in an inconsistent pattern and is difficult for both the batter and pitcher to predict its path.

Sweeping Curveball- Similar to a 12-6 curveball, but moves in a vertical direction. 

Changeup- This pitch has a slight break as it approaches the plate.

Batting

To achieve proper batting form, the players stride and swing must be timed perfectly with the pitch. Completing the process too late or too early will result in a loss of power or an inaccurate hit.

Pure Analog Batting

Pure Analog batting requires the player to use the stick in order to choose the strength of each swing and its accuracy. The sensitivity of the analog control is precise in how far it is moved in a certain direction and at what rate it pushed forward to hit the ball. This function gives players almost total control over their swings and must be done with exactness to avoid foul balls, pop-ups and ground-outs.

Strategic positioning of the analog stick between the stride and swing can also achieve such batting strategies as bunting, taking a pitch and checking the swing.

Fielding

Which base you throw to, after fielding the ball, depends on the direction you point the stick or button you press. The control directions and corresponding bases should make players treat their analog sticks path or buttons like a baseball diamond.

Aside from base throws, on option is to throw the ball to the cut-off man, when the opponent has the opportunity to reach the next available base and achieve a tag-out. Another option is to fake the throw to certain bases to disrupt a runner's confidence or trick him into taking an easily accessible base for you to get an out.

HUD - Analog

1. When a fielder picks up the ball, the circle surrounding them will light up with color as they begin to throw.
   
2. The colors represent that players arm strength ranging from green to yellow to red, with green being the softest throw and red being the hardest.
3. Just as the ball is released from the fielder's hand, a thinner set of colored rings will surround him.
4. The colored rings represent the throw's accuracy to the place you have chosen, with green being the most accurate and red being the least accurate. The better the player's stats, the easier it will be for him to hit smaller targets.

Pure Analog Throwing

Pure Analog throwing requires the player to use the stick in order to choose the strength of each throw and its accuracy. The sensitivity of the analog control is precise in how far it is moved in a certain direction and at what rate it pushed forward to release the ball. This function gives players almost total control over their fielding down to mere inches  and must be done with exactness to avoid poor throws.

Pitching Basics

1. The speed at which the baseball icon is pushed upward determines the speed of the pitch. The faster the pitch, the more likely the batter will receive a strike. However, the more fast pitches that are thrown, the quicker a player's arm will wear out and he will need to be replaced. The most efficient way to pitch is to vary the speeds to confuse the batter and keep your top pitchers in play as long as possible.
2. If you choose to use the pure analog option, it's best to utilize the practice pitching mode before actual gameplay to master the overly-sensitive controls.
3. For proper batter stride timing, pull down on the stick about the time the pitch is released.
4. To achieve full power when batting, push the stick forward just as the player plants his foot.
5. The harder you throw the ball, when fielding, the faster it will reach its destination, but it will also increase the chances of an error.
6. When fielding, use strong throws only when necessary as their arm will wear out faster and the chance for errors will increase.
7. To avoid balking during a pitch, your control movements must be fluid without hesitation or stuttering.
8. Before you sub players based on a certain advantageous ability, check their other all around stats. A strong batter with weak fielding stats may prove to be costly when it comes to defense by setting him in a position that is consistently hit to.
9. Before the game, check the stats (or learn beforehand) of the other team's fielding ability. That way you can direct more of your hits to the opposing players with weaker fielding skills to increase the chances of them succumbing to errors.
   
10. Learn the layout of the stadium you are playing at before each game so that you can direct your hits towards the shorter ends of the field or the areas of the fences with lower heights.
11. The highest rated pitcher, stat-wise, is Ubaldo Jimenez. 
12. The highest rated batter, stat-wise, is Albert Pujols.
13. The highest rated fielder, state-wise, is Ichiro Suzuki.
14. The highest rated teams, stat-wise, are the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees.
15. Take the weather into account during gameplay. Adjust your batting direction to balance the ball's trajectory against especially high winds. If it should rain, position your fielders in such a way that they are prepared for slower rolls and lower bounces.
16. In the Road to the Show game mode, A.I. pitchers will throw the 4-seam fastball most consistently.
17. Observe the pitcher's pattern after one or two innings, then use the "Guess Pitch" feature to your advantage.
18. When leading off, keep the player leaned towards the base he is currently on so that he will immediately return to it in the event of a pick-off attempt.