MLB 2K9

Major League Baseball 2K9
Tim Lincecum, cover athlete
Developer(s)	Visual Concepts Wii: Kush Games
Publisher(s)	2K Sports
Series	2K Sports Major League Baseball series
Platform(s)	Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Wii
Release	NA: March 3, 2009 JP: July 7, 2009
Genre(s)	Sports
Mode(s)	Single-player, multiplayer

Major League Baseball 2K9 or, in short, MLB 2K9, is an MLB-licensed baseball simulation video game published by 2K Sports. The game was developed for Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable and Wii. The game was released on March 3, 2009 to mixed-to-positive reviews.

New features were implemented for Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions. Pitching had been simplified from 2K8 to "2-step pitching", with "hold and gesture", eliminating the third "Release Timing" step of 2K8, simplifying the motion while retaining the style. "Meatballs" (mistake pitches) have been removed - instead, badly released pitches will be less effective (fastballs will be straighter, curveballs will hang, and so forth.) The AI's pitch selection was also improved. (Players may elect to use the third step as an option, and users may also still use the older Precision Pitching from 2K7.) "Influence hitting" allowed users to control fly and ground balls, and bunt with improved precision. The developers added a zone hitting feature, improved hit distribution, and improved fielding realism and AI. Also added is the ability to cancel a throw and hold the ball, or pump fake during a rundown. A player can also attempt a "Quick Throw" which gets the ball to a base faster but also increases the chance of an error. Baserunning control has been simplified; a player only needs to hold down the trigger until it vibrates, for instance, then release it when ready to attempt a steal. There are also separate "Steal" and "Speed" ratings for runners.

The ballpark realism has been changed as well. Players graphically move from the dugout to the batter’s box, from the bullpen to the mound, warm up by throwing around the horn, swing the bat in the on deck circle, run out to their positions, and so forth. Umpires, ball boys and coaches will perform their actions, while fans react realistically. For example, foul balls will cause people in the crowd to jump out of their seats and try to catch the ball, however some fans that have no real chance to get the ball will make a foolish jump in the air. Stadiums will have their unique fan signatures; for example, Turner Field will have the Tomahawk Chop while Tropicana Field will have the Cow Bell. Players will react properly to such events as a walk-off home run, a no-hitter or a World Series celebration. There are also 300 new Signature Style animations. Rain delays have also been mentioned. Arguing with the umpires is not featured in the Xbox 360 version of the game or the PS3 version