Major League Baseball 2K7 continues 2K Sports' annual series with an emphasis on a more lifelike presentation, from the player models and animations to the commentary and crowds. Individual faces and body types have been refined, with in-game stars sporting the same accessories, batting stances, and home run celebrations as their real-life counterparts. The prior season's "Inside Edge" scouting data is now linked to user control, resulting in a temporary stat boost for players who successfully follow an athlete's particular strengths at the plate or on the mound.
On the diamond, the defensive AI has been tweaked to allow for more accurate positioning, relays, and cutoff throws based on scoring situations and the batter's tendencies. A number of new animations have been incorporated into the defensive game, allowing for fluid throws, slick dives, and show-stopping grabs. The popular franchise mode from previous iterations returns with a team's success now tied to ticket prices, attendance numbers, news, and fan hype. Veteran broadcasters Jon Miller and Joe Morgan reprise their commentary duties, and online support is once again included for head-to-head competition in custom leagues and tournaments.
Controls
BATTING PRE-PITCH (CLASSIC CONTROL)
Left Trigger = increase all leadoffs
Right Trigger = decrease all leadoffs
Left Thumbstick = move batter's eye
Left Thumbstick Button = view batter's eye
D-Pad Left = change pitcher stat display
D-Pad Right = change batter stat display
Left Thumbstick + X Button = cue steal towards base
B Button = baseburner
Y Button = bunt
Left Bumper = lineup card
Start Button = pause
BATTING (CLASSIC CONTROL)
Left Thumbstick = influence hit type
A Button = swing
Y Button (before pitch) = sacrifice bunt
Y Button (after pitch) = drag bunt
Left Trigger (when bunting) = aim bunt left
Right Trigger (when bunting) = aim bunt right
Left Thumbstick (when bunting) = aim bat up or down
BATTING (SWING STICK)
Right Thumbstick (pull back & release) = contact drive swing
Right Thumbstick (pull back & push forward) = power swing
Right Thumbstick (push forward) = defensive swing
Right Thumbstick (pull back immediately after swing has started) = check swing
Right Thumbstick Button (before pitch) = sacrifice bunt
Right Thumbstick Button (2nd time before pitch) = pull back bunt
Right Thumbstick Button (after pitch) = drag bunt
Left Trigger (when bunting) = aim bunt left
Right Trigger (when bunting) = aim bunt right
Left Thumbstick (when bunting) = aim bat up or down
PITCHING
Left Thumbstick = aim pitch breakpoint cursor
A, B, X or Y Button = throw pitch
Right Bumper = throw pitch
Left Trigger (hold) = pickoffs
Right Trigger = view pitch breaks
Right Trigger + Left Thumbstick Up = view pitch selection frequency
Right Trigger + Left Thumbstick Down = view pitch ratings
Right Thumbstick = move catcher
Right Thumbstick Button = reset catcher
Left Thumbstick Button = deactivate payoff pitch opportunities
D-Pad Left = change pitcher stat display
D-Pad Right = change batter stat display
D-Pad Up = outfield defensive shift
D-Pad Down = infield defensive shift
Left Bumper = lineup card
Start Button = pause
SPECIAL PITCHING COMMANDS
Right Trigger + Left Thumbstick Button = pitch out
Right Trigger + Right Thumbstick Button = intentional walk
PICKOFFS
Left Trigger (hold) = pickoffs
B Button = pickoff first
Y Button = pickoff second
X Button = pickoff third
STEALING
Left Trigger = increase all leadoffs
Right Trigger = decrease all leadoffs
Left Thumbstick + X Button = cue steal towards base
BASERUNNING
Left Trigger = advance selected runner
Right Trigger = retreat selected runner
Left Bumper = advance all runners
Right Bumper = retreat all runners
A, B, X or Y Button = select runner
Right Thumbstick Up Left = cue head first slide to inside of base
Right Thumbstick Up = cue head first slide straight at base
Right Thumbstick Up Right = cue head first slide to outside of base
Right Thumbstick Down Left = cue feet first slide to inside of base
Right Thumbstick Down = cue feet first slide straight at base
Right Thumbstick Down Right = cue feet first slide to outside of base
BASEBURNER MODE
D-Pad = batter commands
Left Thumbstick = increase or decrease lead-off
Left Trigger = retreat to base
Right Trigger = advance to base
B Button = toggle players
Right Thumbstick Up Left = cue head first slide to inside of base
Right Thumbstick Up = cue head first slide striaght at base
Right Thumbstick Up Right = cue head first slide to outside of base
Right Thumbstick Down Left = cue feet first slide to inside of base
Right Thumbstick Down = cue feet first slide straight at base
Right Thumbstick Down Right = cue feet first slide outside of base
FIELDING WITHOUT THE BALL
Left Thumbstick = move fielder
Left Trigger = change fielder
Right Bumper (after throw) = cutoff throw
Right Trigger = sprint
X Button = call off fielders to avoid pop-fly collisions
Right Thumbstick = athletic catches
FIELDING WITH THE BALL
Left Thumbstick = move fielder
Right Trigger = sprint
A Button = throw home
B Button = throw to first
Y Button = throw to second
X Button = throw to third
Right Bumper (after throw) = cut off the throw
Right Thumbstick Button = smart throw ~ Keith Adams, All Game Guide
