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MVP 06 NCAA Baseball FAQ
Author: MetsRule
Contact: [email protected]
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- Table of Contents -

I. Introduction
II. Controls
III. Load and Fire Batting System
IV. Precision Throw Control
V. NCAA Dynasty
VI. Creation Zone
      A. Create-A-Team
      B. Create-A-Player
      C. Create-A-Ballpark
VII. Frequently Asked Questions
VIII. Copyright

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I. - Introduction

Hello, and welcome to my MVP 06 NCAA Baseball FAQ.  This guide is here
to help you improve your game in the world's first college baseball
game, brought to you by EA Sports.  EA Sports decided to create a
college baseball game after losing the MLB license, which allows
companies to use real major league player names and stadiums.  However,
EA Sports now hold the exclusive NCAA baseball license, so you won't
see another college baseball game by another company for a long time.
If you need help, feel free to email me.  Please check the Frequently
Asked Questions section of my guide before you ask me a question,
though.

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II. - Controls

Here are the controls that are used in MVP 06 NCAA Baseball.  I've
listed the controls for hitting, fielding, pitching, and baserunning.
As you can see, the batting section is separate by the type of hitting
system you're using.

====================
Batting
====================

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|       |Classic Swing Controls | Load and Fire System | Zone Hitting  |
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| Swing | X Button              |Right analog stick    |   X Button    |
|       |                       |down, then up         |               |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
| Check | X (release quickly)   | Right analog down, up |  X (release  |
| Swing |                       | down                 | quickly)      |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
| Power | N/A                   | L1 + Right analog     | L1 + X       |
| Swing |                       |                       | down, then up|
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Contact | N/A                 | R1 + Right analog     | R1 + X       |
| Swing   |                     | down, then up         |              |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Bunt    | R3                  | R3                    | R3           |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

====================
Pitching
====================

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|Choose pitch location |Left analog stick                            |

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| Throw a pitch         l X, O, Triangle, Square, or R1              |
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| Pickoff attempt      l L1, Hold button for corresponding base      |
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| Pitchout             l L1 + R3                                     |
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| Intentional walk     l L1 + R3                                     |
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| Manager menus        l R2                                          |
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====================
Fielding
====================

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|Move fielder        |Left analog stick                              |
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|Change fielder      |L1 Button                                      |
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|Dive                |Right analog stick (move towards ball)         |
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|Climb wall/jump     |Right analog stick (up)                        |
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|Sliding catch       |Right analog stick down as ball falls          |
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|Throw (classic)     |Press corresponding button for base            |
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|Throw (precision)   |Right analog stick towards base                |
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|Fake Throw          |R1 Button (before the ball is released)        |
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|Hustle              |R1 Button                                      |
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====================
Baserunning
====================


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|Select runner                      | O, Triangle, Square             |
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|Adjust leadoff                     | Right analog stick              |
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|Steal base                         | Select runner, press D-pad      |
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|Advance runners                    | L1 Button                       |
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|Retreat runners                    | R1 Button                       |
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|Quickly return to base             | Right analog down (zone and    |
|                                   | classic). Left analog down     |
|                                   |(load and fire)                 |
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|Head first slide/Railroad catcher  | Right analog stick up          |
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|Pop-Up slide                       | Right analog stick down        |
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|Hook Slide                         | Right analog down/left or      |
|                                   | down/right                     |
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III. - Load and Fire Batting System

This year EA Sports has revolutionized the hitting game by introducing
a brand-new hitting system.  This new hitting system is called the
"Load and Fire Batting System."  This will be the default hitting
system that the game comes with, but you can change that under the
option menu.

The Load and Fire Batting system works by pulling back the right analog
stick and then bringing it back forward to follow through with your
swing.  In order for the Load and Fire Batting System to work
correctly, you will need to make a smooth transition when you move the
right analog stick down and then up.

While you bring the analog stick down, you're basically loading up all
of your player's power that he can put into the pitch.  However,
holding the analog stick down too long will result in a poorly hit
pitch and you'll probably get out.

You should begin loading your swing when the ball is almost about
halfway to the play and then quickly move your analog stick upwards.
You will need to do this very quickly, or the ball will usually be
blown past you.

This new hitting system makes it harder to control where you want to
hit the ball, but it can still be done if you take the time to perfect
the new system.  If you get an inside pitch that you want to pull the
ball you should fire your swing earlier than you normally do.

If you want to hit the ball to the opposite side of the field you will
usually need to wait for a pitch that is outside.  You will need to
load your swing a little bit later than you usually do and then you
should be able to hit the ball to the opposite side of the field.

With the new Load and Fire Batting System you can also control whether
or not you want to use a powerful swing.  If you want to hit a pitch
powerfully, or a fly ball, press L1 when you are swinging.  I would
recommend using this when you want to go for a sacrifice fly, because
it increases the chance of your runner scoring greatly.

You can also swing for contact with the Load and Fire Batting system.
To swing for contact you need to press R1 as you swing.  This will
almost always put the ball in play, so this style of hitting is ideal
for the hit and run.  By using the contact and power button features in
the Load and Fire System you will be able to take full control of your
hitting game.

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IV. - Precision Throw Control

This year EA Sports has also made a major change to the fielding by
changing the way players throw the ball.  Now, you need to throw the
ball by using the right analog stick to control the speed of your throw
and the base you're throwing to.  You need to move the right analog
stick to the direction of where you want to throw when your fielder has
the ball.

Many people have problems using this system to throw the ball, but it's
much more realistic for a college baseball game.  Think about it.
There are a lot more errors in a college baseball game than a Major
League Baseball game, so it only makes sense that it would be harder to
throw in this game.

You will need to have good timing on your throws in order to be
accurate.  You should release the right analog stick when the meter
fills to the green zone.  If you don't get the meter to fill to the
green zone, you will usually force an error.

If you release too late, the ball will likely go low, since you didn't
get enough power into your throw.

If you release the ball too early the ball will likely sail high of the
intended baseman, which will allow the runner(s) to advance.  This can
be avoided, though.  You just need to take your time as you make your
throws.

By using the Precision Throw Control you can also hit the cutoff and
relay man with a throw from your outfielder.  You need to press R3 and
then move your analog stick down to do this.

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V. - NCAA Dynasty

NCAA Dynasty Mode is a game mode that allows you to take control of a
college baseball team and try to build a dynasty.  This can be done by
recruiting high school and Junior College players well.  In this
section I'll give you a breakdown on every part of Dynasty Mode and
help you improve your team.

====================
Schedule
====================

The schedule screen is where you will go to see your teams schedule and
play your games.  If you don't feel like playing a certain game, you
can simulate the game by pressing the circle button.  This will let the
CPU play the game for you.  By pressing the X button on a game you will
be given the option of playing the game or calling the plays by using
coach mode.

====================
Recruiting
====================

Well, this is where things begin to become difficult in Dynasty Mode.
The recruiting stage allows you to keep an eye on potential recruits
throughout your entire college baseball season.

Normally, you should always take a look at the 100 high school
prospects list to see if there are any players your interested in.  You
should always take a look at your team's depth chart to see your
weaknesses and the class your players are in.  You always need to take
that into consideration because of when the players graduate.

You will be given recruiting points each week on players, but make sure
you spend these points wisely.  If you're looking to build a successful
team you should land at least on of the top 100 prospects.  This is the
player that you should put any amount of points in to get.

Here are the options that you will have to offer a possible recruit:

Send Coach to Scout 50 Points

This option should be used during the first week of recruiting.  This
will show the player that you're very interested in him.  You should
only use this if you REALLY want the player on your team.

Recruit Visits School 150 Points

This option should be used in the second or third week of recruiting.
This usually gives a large boost to the player's interest meter.  It'll
help if your team is playing well when he visits the school, but it
won't usually make a big difference.

Send Head Coach 450 Points

This option will basically solidify your chances of getting the recruit
you want.  This will almost always boost the interest meter so that

it's filled all the way.  You'll usually have enough points to use this
option only once or twice, so make sure you know what players you want
to use this on, so you can give them extra attention.

Email 10 Points

Sending an email to a player won't really do much.  The only time you
should use this if it's like the last week of recruitment and you only
have ten points left to spend.  This will barely make any chance to the
interest meter.

Phone Call 20 Points

A phone call to a player is very similar to an email.  It's not going
to make a big difference and shouldn't really be used much.

Request Tape 30 Points

A request tape is a little better than sending an email or giving the
player a call, but it still doesn't make a big change.

Recruiting Package 40 Points

The recruiting package is a good option to choose if you have a minimal
amount of points late in the season when you already have a few players
that are already very interested.

====================
Baseball America Stats
====================

The Baseball America Stats section is a place to see what's going on
around the rest of the league.  In this section of Dynasty Mode you can
view the standings of each conference and the ranking of the top 25

college teams in America.  You can also view an extensive list of
statistics.  There will be options to view the leaders around all of
college baseball, the leaders on your team, or your player's career
stats.  Another option you'll have is to view the current first, second
and third All-American teams.

====================
Team Management
====================

The team management screen is where you'll take your managerial duties
in the game.  This is where you'll set your batting order, pitching
rotation, and view your depth chart.  The depth chart is a very useful
feature that you should look at to see the depth you have at each
position, overall wise and college eligibility wise.  If you have a
junior and senior at third base, you're going to need to start
recruiting for that position.

At the beginning of the season you should always head over to the team
management screen to view your roster.  Here you can set which players
will be active for the season.  You can also redshirt players here.
Redshirting a player will make him inactive for the entire season, but
he won't use up a year of eligibility.  This means that if you redshirt
a freshman your first season he'll still be a freshman during his
second season.  Players are usually redshirted if there is a cluster of
talent at one postion.

Another interesting part of the team management screen is your team's
goals.  Your team's goals will determine which level of coaches you're
allowed to hire at the end of the season, so you should try your
hardest to reach those goals.  Completing team goals will also help you
out recruiting wise, since completing them earns you more points.

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VI. - Creation Zone

In the Creation Mode of MVP 06 NCAA Baseball you will be able to
customize your game so it includes any player, team, or stadium you
want.

====================
A. Create-A-Team
====================

The Create-A-Team section does exactly what it says.  It allows you to
create a team for your use in exhibition mode, Dynasty Mode and more.
First, you'll have to choose what conference you want to play in and
what team you want to replace.  You'll have the schedule of the team
you take over if you decide to use the team you created Dynasty Mode.
Next, you'll be able to choose your school's nickname, name and more.
You'll be able to use your team in any mode - except for online mode.

====================
B. Create-A-Player
====================

The Create-A-Player feature allows you to create a player and then
place him on any team that you want.  This is a great way to add any
player that may be missing from the game, or you can even create
yourself.  This years Create-A-Player feature is much different than
any other game.  You can customize almost any feature on the human body
to get your player to look exactly like you want.

====================
C. Create-A-Ballpark
====================

The Create-A-Ballpark feature allows you to make your own stadium and
customize to your liking.  You can set the distance that the fence is
from the wall.  However, if you want to make a Major League Baseball
Stadium, you're in luck.  EA Sports subtly put in the pre-set
dimensions for each Major League park.  Then you can name your stadium,
choose its location, choose the stadium style and even choose the style
of grass on your field.

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VII. - Frequently Asked Questions

These are some of the more common questions that are asked about MVP 06
NCAA Baseball.  Please check this section first before you send me an
email asking me a question.

How much does MVP 06 NCAA Baseball cost?
MVP 06 NCAA Baseball was released at the retail price of $29.99.

How long is a season in Dynasty Mode?
About 60.

Is it true that these are the 2005 college rosters, not the 2006
rosters?
Yes, MVP 06 NCAA Baseball uses the 2005 college season rosters.  Not
every team had there roster out, so EA decided to use older rosters.

Where can I find rosters that have all of the player's correct names?
Please check the game save section.

Are there rain-outs?
Yes.

How can my pitcher get more strikeouts?
Try throwing low and inside breaking balls.  This usually works if you
set it up with a fastball.

I'm not a big college baseball fan.  Do you think I'll like this game?
Personally, I'm not a big college baseball fan myself and I love this
game.  I aso know plenty of people that couldn't even name a college
baseball player before they bought this game, so I'd definitely give
this game a look if I were you.

Will EA Sports be making a Major League Baseball video game this year?
No.  EA Sports can't make a Major League Baseball video game for seven
years.

Will you be offered new coaching jobs during Dynasty Mode?
Yes, if your team performs well.

Can you modify existing ballparks?
No.

Why are only a few players showing up under the top 100 players to
recruit in Dynasty Mode?

The other players are filtered from the list because they demand that
teams meet a certain requirement.

What stadiums are in the game?

NCAA Men's College World Series - Rosenblatt Stadium
University of Texas at Austin - Disch Falk Field
Arizona State - Packard Stadium
Baylor University - Baylor Ballpark
Cal State Fullerton - Goodwin Field
Clemson - Doug Kingsmore Field
Florida State - Dick Howser Stadium
Georgia Tech - Russ Chandler Stadium
LSU - Alex Box Stadium
University of Miami (FL) - Alex Rodriguez Stadium
University of Mississippi - Swayze Field
University of Notre Dame - Frank Eck Stadium
Rice - Reckling Park
Stanford - Sunken Diamond Field
Tennessee - Lindsey Nelson Stadium
USC - Dedeaux Field
St. John's - The Ballpark at St. John's University
University of Nebraska - Hawks Field
Arizona - Frank Sancet Field

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VIII. - Copyright

Copyright 2006 Thomas Barnett

This may be not be reproduced under any circumstances except for
personal, private use. It may not be placed on any web site or
otherwise distributed publicly without advance written permission. Use
of this guide on any other web site or as a part of any public display
is strictly prohibited, and a violation of copyright.