Review by Kyle Anderson

Spring training games are underway, and that means that baseball video games are also back in our gaming systems. I absolutely love America's pastime, and yet throughout my video game playing life I have never enjoyed a baseball video game. The balance just never seems to be right: Either it's too realistic (and thus sort of boring) or has too much of an arcade feel (and then doesn't authentic). "Major League Baseball 2K10" has some high points, but it won't convert anybody who hasn't played a bat-and-ball game since "RBI Baseball."

The Basics
As they said in "Bull Durham," "This is a very simple game. You throw the ball, you catch the ball, you hit the ball." "2K10" is basically that, plus some augmented pitching controls, a stylish presentation and a home run derby.

The Highs

Showdown Science
"Major League Baseball 2K10" centers its action around the head-to-head battle between the pitcher and the batter. It's a smart move, as the game of baseball is sometimes so sprawling that it's hard to do everything at once. For players who really want to get nerdy with numbers and probability (like me), there are any number of statistics available to you while you're either pitching or batting. Pitching is the most fun, as you have (perhaps slightly unrealistic) control over the ball's placement, spin, curve and speed. The learning curve on the controls is sort of steep (expect to throw a ton of wild pitches in the beginning), but once you get the hang of it the feel is nice and smooth.

Everybody Loves Home Runs
Steroid culture is still alive and well in "Major League Baseball 2K10" — or at least in the "Home Run Derby" portion of the game. WIth so many stadiums, players and statistics to keep track of, there isn't a whole lot of room for bonus games or alternate modes, but "Home Run Derby" is pretty sweet. It's a more arcade-esque atmosphere, but the thrill of the Derby doesn't diminish. Plus, the ball absolutely flies out of the stadium — I played as David Wright (of my beloved New York Mets) and hit 32 dingers in one Derby. Wright's total for all of last year? 10.

Shiny Things
For some reason, I can never get over how great modern sports games look and how well they replicate the feel of watching actual game broadcasts. They've been steadily evolving for years and yet I'm always pleasantly surprised. "Major League Baseball 2K10" does the job extremely well, giving the games a big-time feel with killer play-by-play, replays and transitions. Plus, you don't have to listen to stupid Tim McCarver prattle on about nothing.

The Lows

Playing The Field
WIth all the focus on pitching and catching, the fielding controls sometimes feel like an afterthought. The game is pretty forgiving of catching and throwing miscues, but the controls sometimes feel sluggish and there sometimes seems to be no difference between the skills of an excellent fielder and those of a middling leather man.

Getting The Runaround
See the complaint above, except insert "base running" instead of "fielding." It sometimes feels impossible, the controls are inexact and speedier players are thrown out by miles.

Itchy Trigger Fingers
This is basically a problem with all baseball games, but the pace of baseball is deliberate, and there's no real way to speed it up the way you can in football or hoops games. My video game-playing mind doesn't want Sunday afternoon leisure in its digital entertainment, so the joys of the back and forth between pitcher and batter are often eaten by the need to keep the action going. Baseball is a wonderful, poetic game; video games should be a little more intense.

All told, "Major League Baseball 2K10" is very well-made and designed, but honestly, I'd rather just watch the Mets lose on cable.