Mattel Electronics
WORLD SERIES MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
Cartridge Instructions

OBJECT OF THE GAME

The object of the game is exactly the same as in MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL. Each
team tries to score more runs than the opposing team over nine innings. If they
tie at the end of nine, they play another complete inning until the tie is
broken. The team with the most runs at the end of the game is the winner.

Hear play-by-play announcing when used with your Intellivoice® Voice Synthesis
Module (sold separately).

NAMES USED ARE FICTITIOUS AND NOT ASSOCIATED OR INTENDED TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH
ANY PROFESSIONAL PLAYERS LIVING OR DEAD.


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YOUR KEYBOARD
"A" - You play American League
"N" - You play National League
"C" - Computer Demo

YOUR HAND CONTROLLERS

Slide WORLD SERIES MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL* overlays into the Hand Controller
frames, so they cover the keypads. Insert cartridge in Computer Module cartridge
slot. (See Computer Module Owner's Guide for equipment connection details.)


The LEFT Hand Controller controls the AMERICAN LEAGUE* (red).
The RIGHT Hand Controller controls the NATIONAL LEAGUE* (blue).

NOTE: The upper side action buttons are connected. The right and left buttons
may be used interchangeably for the same actions. The same is true of the lower
side action buttons. Steal, Switch Fielder, and Pitch are controlled by either
upper side action button. Bunt, Slide, and Off Mound are controlled by either
lower side action button.


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GETTING STARTED

A SHORT EXHIBITION GAME

WORLD SERIES MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL is such a visually exciting game that you may
just want to see how the screen looks in various game play situations before you
play it yourself. You'll notice that the angles on the game are similar to those
television networks use in their baseball broadcasts.

Press [RESET] (on your Master Component) to call up the title screen. Press [C]
on your keyboard to tell the computer to play both teams - Computer Demo. Press
the [SPACE BAR] and see the SCOREBOARD MENU screen. Press the [SPACE BAR] again
to get right into the first inning. Just as quickly as that you're ready.

The NATIONAL LEAGUE (blue) takes the field and the AMERICAN LEAGUE (red) is up
to bat. The pitcher starts throwing fast balls. Sometimes the batter swings and
misses, sometimes he connects. You can watch a full nine innings if you want to.
As soon as you're ready, try starting a real game - with you at the controls.

WORK ON YOUR DEFENSE

Press [RESET]. You're back to the title screen. Press [N] on your keyboard and
you play the NATIONAL LEAGUE - "Computer is AL." Press the [SPACE BAR] once to
get the SCOREBOARD MENU and press the [SPACE BAR] again to start the game.

THROWING AND CATCHING

The NATIONAL LEAGUE takes the field while the AMERICAN LEAGUE is up to bat. You
control the NATIONAL LEAGUE (blue) so let's start with some throwing and
catching practice. The pitcher has the ball. Try throwing to the first baseman
by pressing the FIRST BASE button on your hand controller. The first baseman
automatically covers first base and catches the ball. Throw to THIRD BASE by
pressing the THIRD BASE button. The third baseman automatically covers third
base and catches the ball.

Throw it to every player to warm him up. Notice that once you choose a player to
catch the ball, he turns white. Once he catches it, his hat turns red or blue
depending on which league he's in. This lets you know which player you control
and when he has the ball. Once he throws the ball, he turns back into his usual
color.

Throw the ball to the right fielder. Once he catches it, you can move him around
using the direction disc. Every player can be moved by using the disc when he
has the ball. After throwing the ball, the player will return to his regular
position only after you return to the pitching screen. If no one has the ball,
the white player is the one you control. This feature is nice for run downs and
tag outs. When you're finished warming up, throw the ball back to the pitcher.

PITCHING
FAST BALLS

Now it's time for some pitching practice. Make sure the pitcher has the ball and
then press the [ON MOUND] button on your hand controller. Press the [SPACE BAR]
to get past the AT BAT screen. You must see the pitching screen before you pitch
the ball. Pitch the ball using either upper side (PITCH) button on your hand
controller. All your pitches for now are fast balls. Your pitcher's statistics
controls whether it's in the strike zone or not. Also the batter's statistics
and whether he swings or not determine the number of balls and strikes. It's
best to just throw fast balls using the [PITCH] button, until your opponent gets
good enough to hit curves and controlled pitches.

CURVES

You can also throw curve balls. Press [CURVE BALL] on your hand controller
BEFORE YOU PRESS THE [PITCH] BUTTON and your pitcher throws a curve. Press [FAST
BALL] on your hand controller and he delivers a fast ball. As you learned
before, you don't need to press the [FAST BALL] button to get a fast ball. The
[FAST BALL] button is there to disguise your pitch to the batter. Otherwise, he
would know that every time you pressed a keypad button, the pitch would have to
be a curve. Every time you didn't it would have to be a fast ball.

CONTROL

You can try to position the ball over the plate by using the Direction Disc.
AFTER YOU PRESS THE [PITCH] BUTTON, press the part of the disc corresponding to
the area in which you want the pitch to go. (See diagram.) Depending on the
control and strength your pitcher has at that time, the pitch may be delivered
in that area. If the disc in NOT PRESSED, the pitcher attempts to throw it right
down the middle.

WORK ON YOUR OFFENSE

Press [RESET]. You're back to the title screen. Press [A] on your keyboard and
you control the AMERICAN LEAGUE - "Computer is NL." Press the [SPACE BAR] once
to get the SCOREBOARD MENU and press the [SPACE BAR] again to start the game.
The AMERICAN LEAGUE is up to bat and the NATIONAL LEAGUE takes the field. This
time you control the AMERICAN LEAGUE (red) and the computer controls the
NATIONAL LEAGUE (blue).

BATTING

Automatically, the AT BAT screen appears with the pitcher's statistics and the
batter's statistics. You should carefully consider both. Then you know what kind
of pitcher you'll be facing and the type of batter you're controlling. When
you're ready, press the [SPACE BAR] once more and the pitcher goes into his
windup. Swing your bat by pressing the disc. The level at which you swing the
bat is determined by which point on the disc you press.

You must press the outside edge of the disc to control the swing level. You must
time it just right to get a hit. You can't possibly hit pitches that are outside
the strike zone, so wait until the pitch is right where you want it. You can't
swing the bat until the ball gets halfway to you. The bat will shift slightly to
indicate when you can swing. If you try to swing by holding down the disc early,
then the batter won't swing at all. Keep practicing until you hit the ball well
enough to get on base. If you don't make it on your first three batters, restart
the game and try it again. Once you get on base, you can practice baserunning.

BASERUNNING

Now you're on base, so learn to make it count. Press the right side of the disc
to run to the next base. Press the left side of the disc to run back to the
previous base. Forced runners automatically run to the next base whenever you
hit the ball. But if you press the disc, it will override the computer to
control the leading runner. Once you decide to use the DISC, you're in control
until the runner reaches the base. Once you stop pressing the disc, the runner
stops. You can't rely on the computer to help out.

PLAY BALL!

You're now ready to start a game. Press [RESET]. Choose your game:

[C] - Watch the computer paly ("Computer Demo")
[A] - You play AMERICAN LEAGUE ("Computer is NL")
[N] - You play NATIONAL LEAGUE ("Computer is AL")
[SPACE BAR] - Play against a friend ("Two Players")
Press the [SPACE BAR] and the players take the field. PLAY BALL!


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THE FINER POINTS OF THE GAME

OFFENSE STEAL

While a runner is on base, press either upper side (STEAL) button on the hand
controller and the runner tries to steal the next base. The STEAL button is
included so you can control more than one runner at the same time. The DISC only
controls the lead runner. So, for a double steal, press the [STEAL] button
twice. STEAL can also be used to extend a base, once you reach it.

SLIDE

Slide into a base by pressing either lower side (SLIDE) button just before you
reach the base. If you use the SLIDE button before reaching first base, you can
overrun first base just like real baseball. This allows you to reach first base
sooner, because you don't have to slow up on the last few strides.

BUNT

Press either lower side (BUNT) button instead of the DISC when swinging your bat
and the batter tries a bunt.

RBI's

Batting with a runner on base is a little different than with the bases empty.
Since the DISC controls your lead runner AND your batting swing, you must be
careful when you use it. The DISC does not control your swing until your bat
appears. Your bat appears once the pitch is about halfway to you. Before your
bat appears, the DISC moves your lead runner. Be careful not to steal if you
don't want to.

INSET

The INSET only shows the leading runner. It does not show fielders or other
runners. This feature lets you keep track of your runner.

DEFENSE SWITCH

The computer selects the fielder closest to the ball to pick it up. Push either
upper side (SWITCH) button to switch to the next closest defensive player. Use
the DISC to move the fielder to pick up the ball.

OFF MOUND

Press either lower side (OFF MOUND) button while you're in the pitch screen and
you back off the mound and out of the pitch screen. You must back off the mound
to throw anything but a pitch.

RELOCATE

Use the [DISC] to move a fielder (with the ball) to the position you want and
press [RELOCATE] on your overlay. He will remain there for the rest of the
inning, unless you relocate again. There are limits to where you can move some
players, but a rejection beep tells you when it's not possible.

SECOND BASEMAN VS. 2nd

The SECOND BASEMAN button is used to throw the ball to the second baseman's
normal defensive position. The 2nd button throws the ball to the palyer covering
second base, whenther that's the second baseman or not. Let's say there's a man
on first and the second baseman stops a grounder. He can throw it to 2nd base
which will be covered by the shortstop.

SHADOW

The ball's shadow can help you locate the ball and determine its height.

THROWING HOME

You can throw to the catcher while a batter is there and not have it count as a
pitch, as long as you step off the mound first.

COVERAGE

If a baseman fields the ball, his base will always be covered. For instance, if
the first baseman fields the ball, he can throw it to first base and the pitcher
will run there to make the play.

There is one instance in which this can cause a mixup. If the pitcher has the
ball and you press MOUND, then the shortstop moves to cover the mound. You won't
be able to get into the pitch screen. So throw the ball back to the shortstop to
make him return to his position and then throw it back to the pitcher. Once the
pitcher has the ball again, you can't get into the pitching screen.

ON MOUND

If you can't get into the pitching screen (ON MOUND), there are two possible
reasons. The first is covered in the previous paragraph. The second is that a
baserunner is running, either to a base or to the dugout.

TIME YOUR THROW

In certain situations, you may have to time your throw to a base. If you move
your first baseman in to cover the possibility of a bunt and the batter hits a
chopping grounder to your third baseman, you may not be able to throw to first
base the first time you press the first base button. Ths reason is that if you
did, your first baseman couldn't get to first base in time to make the play.
Wait a moment and try pressing the button again, because your first baseman IS
running to cover his base and make the play.

GENERAL SCORE

The score automatically appears after each team bats.

THE COUNT

The exact count is contained in the black scoreboard behind the batter.

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SCOREBOARD MENU

Every time you start the game, you see the SCOREBOARD MENU. Usually you skip it
and start the game by pressing the [SPACE BAR]. During a game, you can see it by
pressing the [SPACE BAR] while the pitching screen is on. The SCOREBOARD MENU is
shown on the top of the next page.

SCOREBOARD MENU

B Batter Stats
P Pitcher Stats
L Lineups
T Toggle NL/AL
A At Bat
V Visit Mound
S Scoreboard
C Cassette Menu
SPACE To Gameplay

This menu allows you to keep track of or change the game in a variety of ways.
The definition of each function follows.

BATTER STATS

Press [B] on your keyboard.

This screen shows three batters at a time and their statistics for the best year
of their careers. There are 16 batters in each league. You can move up or down
the list by pressing the arrows on the left side of your keyboard. The meanings
of the abbreviations follow:

BA Displays the BATTING AVERAGE.

HR Displays the number of HOME RUNS.

RBI Displays the numbers of RUNS BATTED IN.

BR,BL,BB Is for Bats Right, Bats Left, or Bats Both.

F This number represents the player's FIELDING ability. The number is between 1
  and 4. A 4 is given to the best fielders.

R This number represents the player's RUNNING ability. The number is between 1
  and 4. A 4 is given to the best runners.

PITCHING STATS

Press [P] on your keyboard.

This screen shows three pitchers at a time and their statistics for the best
year of their careers. There are 9 pitchers in each league. You can move up or
down the list by pressing the arrows on the left side of your keyboard. The
meanings of the abbreviations follow:

ERA Displays the EARNED RUN AVERAGE for the pitcher's best year. ERA is the
    average number of earned runs scored against a pitcher per game.

W/L Displays the number of WINS vs. LOSSES he pitched that year.

SO Displays the number of batters he STRUCK OUT that year.

TR Pitches right-handed.

TL Pitches left-handed.

D The number displayed indicates the pitcher's DURABILITY. A starting pitcher
  might get a 4 and last 7-9 innings depending on the number of pitches he has to
  throw.

C A number between 1 and 4 indicates the amount of CONTROL a pitcher has. The
  higher the number, the more control.

S A number between 1 and 4 indicates the amount of SPEED a pitcher has. The
  higher the number, the more speed.

LINEUPS

Push [L] to see the starting lineup.

It shows you the batting order, each player's defensive position, each player's
batting average, and whether the defensive play is EASY or DIFFICULT. The first
column shows each player's position:

C Catcher LF Left Fielder
1b First Baseman CF Center Fielder
2b Second Baseman RF Right Fielder
3b Third Baseman DH Designated Hitter
SS Shortstop P Pitcher

The second column displays their names. The third column shows their batting
averages.

The upper right corner tells you whether the defensive play (DEF:) is set for
EASY (E) or DIFFICULT (D). E (EASY) means that the computer helps your players
field the ball. D (DIFFICULT) means that you're on your own. It's recommended
that you leave it on "E" until you're really good at playing the game.

To change from "E" to "D" or back, simply hold down the Shift key and then press
[F].

TOGGLE NL/AL

Once you're looking at a lineup, press [T] to TOGGLE back and forth between the
AMERICAN LEAGUE lineup and the NATIONAL LEAGUE lineup. It also works for the
PITCHING STATS and the BATTING STATS.

AT BAT

Push [A] on your keyboard to see who's AT BAT and what his statistics are. The
current pitcher will also have his statistics listed.

VISIT MOUND

Press [V] when you want to visit the mound and see whether your pitcher is still
strong. The colored asterisk indicates whether he is STRONG, OK, TIRING, or
BUSHED.

SCOREBOARD

Press [S] on your keyboard when you want to see the exact scoreboard
information.

CASSETTE MENU

Push [C] on your keyboard if you have a cassette (not included) and want to use
that option. For more information, see page 28.

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CHANGING THE LINEUP

You're the manager. The team lineup is under your control. If you're playing the
computer, its lineups are also controlled by you. The same rules apply as in
Major League Baseball. You can't take a player out and later put him back in
once the game has begun.

NEW BATTER

First, check your LINEUP by pressing [L] on the keyboard. (Press TOGGLE, [T], to
the other league if the wrong lineup shows.) Look over your lineup. If Player A
is just not a fast enough runner for this game, select his name using the arrows
on the left side of the keyboard.

Next press [B] on your keyboard for BATTER STATS and find a player who is not in
your lineup, but can run better than Player A. Let's say you decide on Player B.
Select him using the arrow keys on the left side of your keyboard until his name
lights up. Then hold down the [SHIFT] key and then press [X].

You automatically return to the lineup. Player A's name should already be
selected. Press [SHIFT]-[X] again and Player B replaces Player A in the lineup.
Now you're ready to start the game or are you?

NEW PITCHER

To replace the Pitcher, follow the same steps used to replace a batter only take
the replacement from the PITCHING STATS category ("P").

Check your lineup and select the pitcher using the arrow keys on the left side
of your keyboard.

Check your PITCHING STATS by pressing [P] on your keyboard.

Select a new pitcher by using the arrow keys on the left side of your keyboard.

Press [SHIFT] key and then [X] to start the exchange.

You automatically move back to your lineup. Press the [SHIFT] key and then [X]
to complete the exchange.

Remember: If you're replacing a pitcher who's "BUSHED," you can't use another
pitcher whom you've already used in that game.

DOUBLE COVERAGE

Double coverage is not allowed. If you replace a right fielder with a second
baseman, you will have two second basemen. You MUST reassign positions to one of
them or you will not be able to play on defense. Instead you get a message:
"INCOMPLETE DEFENSE."

To reassign a position, get into the lineup ("L"). Select the player whose
position you want to change using the arrow keys on your keyboard. Next press
the [SHIFT] key and the numbered key that chooses the position you want:

KEY NUMBER POSITION

1 CATCHER
2 FIRST BASE
3 SECOND BASE
4 THIRD BASE
5 SHORT STOP
6 LEFT FIELD
7 CENTER FIELD
8 RIGHT FIELD
9 DESIGNATED HITTER*
 * May play anywhere

EXAMPLE: You have two second basemen. Select one of them using the arrow keys on
your keyboard. If you don't have a third baseman, refer to the chart for the
number key for a third baseman - key number 4. Hold down the [SHIFT] key on your
keyboard and press key [4] on your keyboard. Instantly, the player you selected
will play third base.


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CASSETTE MENU
Press [C] on your keyboard to see the CASSETTE MENU which looks like this:

CASSETTE MENU

M Scoreboard Menu
Or use SHIFT with:
K Keep Game
S Save Lineups
O Old Game
T Get Team Lineups
R Get New Rosters

The CASSETTE MENU is for use with your cassette tape and a cssette tape recorder
(not included). Check your Computer Module Owner's guide for cassette recorder
hookup. The CASSETTE MENU is used for keeping a game that you want to finish
later or keeping starting lineups that you may want to use later. A definition
of each function follows:

SCOREBOARD MENU

Pressing [M] on your keyboard takes you back to the SCOREBOARD MENU.

KEEP GAME

In order to save a game before it's complete, hold down the [SHIFT] key and then
press [K] on your keyboard. Rewind your tape. Push [PLAY] and [RECORD] on your
recorder at teh same time. Press [RETURN] on your keyboard. Wait for a message
to appear on your screen. While you wait, a clicking sound tells you that the
game is being taped. If "Error" appears, start the process over. If "Done"
appears, the game has been recorded. Select OLD GAME to get it later.

SAVE LINEUPS

In order to save the lineups that you are using, hold down the [SHIFT] key and
then press [S] on your keyboard. Rewind your tape. Push [PLAY] and [RECORD] on
your recorder at the same time. Press [RETURN] on your keyboard. Wait for a
message to appear on your screen. While you wait, a clicking sound tells you
that the lineups are being taped. If "Error" appears, start the process over. If
"Done" appears, the game has been recorded. Select GET NEW TEAM LINEUPS to get
them later.

OLD GAME

In order to finish an old game that you've saved, hold down the [SHIFT] key and
then press [O] on your keyboard. Next follow the instructions on your screen.

GET NEW TEAM LINEUPS

In order to get a team lineup that you may have saved from a previous game, hold
down the [SHIFT] key and then press [T] on your keyboard. Next follow the
instructions on your screen.

USE THE [ESCAPE] KEY TO RETURN TO THE SCOREBOARD MENU. USE [C] TO GET BACK TO
THE CASSETTE MENU.

GET NEW ROSTERS

In order to get completely new rosters of players to choose from, hold down the
[SHIFT] key and then press [R] on your keyboard. Next follow the instructions on
your screen.

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©1983 Mattel, Inc.
No. 4537-0920
All Rights Reserved.