1. Move stick up in the zone - Before the pitch, move the left stick directly up in the zone. If the pitch is up, you only need to make slight modifications. If the pitch is out of your zone, bring the left stick down quickly into the zone.

When the left stick is in the neutral position there’s a tendency to chase pitches. But, when you keep the stick up in the zone (before the pitch) you should be able to adjust to all areas.

Try this in batting practice. Look for pitches up in the zone and move the left stick down when the pitches are below your zone. Keep practicing until you master it!

2. Ahead in the count - When ahead in the count, never swing if you are required to move the left stick. Look for middle-in pitches when you are ahead in the count. If you don’t get your pitch, don’t swing.

3. Scheduled starting pitchers – Look at the scheduled starting pitchers that you will be facing in the next game and take some batting practice against that pitcher. This may help you get a better read on the starting pitcher before heading into the real game. In batting practice mode, MLB 09 allows you to face pitchers from all levels including AAA and AA .

4. Have a plan at the plate - Focus in on one part of the zone and recognize the pitch. Learning which pitches NOT to swing at is just as important.

If the pitch is low and away, don’t swing at it. Wait for a better pitch. Read and react to pitches.

5. Don’t be predictable – The CPU seems to learn your tendencies. If you guess low all of the time, you’ll likely end up seeing more stuff high in the zone. The pitcher may start aiming at the sides of the strike zone. If you see a pattern with this, start guessing the sides as well.

6. Wiggle the stick - One suggestion is wiggling the left stick around before the pitch. Move the stick in a clockwise motion or just randomly move the cursor around the screen. This can act as sort of a trigger to help with timing and location.

Most players may agree that it’s difficult to use the left stick if you just leave it in the neutral position and then try to yank it, at the last moment, in the right zone.

7. Be patient – Remember, the pitcher needs three strikes to get you out. Don’t panic when there’s two strikes in the count. In legend mode, you need to be discipline, otherwise the CPU will take advantage of you.

8. Strike to pitch ratio – Take a look at the pitcher’s strike to pitch ratio. If you find that you are facing a pitcher that hardly gives up walks, be a little more aggressive and look for strikes.

9. Know your hot zone - Take note of your hot zones and the pitchers best pitches. Look for pitches in your cold zone and avoid chasing pitches near your hot zone because the pitcher might be nibbling hoping that you chase out of the strike zone. Make the pitcher throw strikes to you.

10. Read strategy guide – Be sure to read the in-game strategy guide. This guide states that the CPU will usually throws a mistake pitch at least once every at bat. There are about 3 to 4 pitches during an average at bat so you might get lucky if you are looking in the right place looking for the right pitch.