HardBall 5.11 patch November 26,1995 =================== This patch consists of several new files which should be copied into your existing \HB5 directory on your hard disk. These new files are HB5.EXE, HB5SER.EXE, EMPTY.HB5, and DRVRLIST.BIN. They should overwrite the files which are already in your \HB5 directory. Doing this does not modify the HardBall 5 distribution media, therefore if you re-install HardBall 5 you'll need to re-copy this patch into the directory after the re-install is complete. What's new ---------- As we promised, we've read every HardBall 5 related message posted to comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.sports, America Online, and Compuserve, then combined that with every tech support call and every piece of email we've received. We came up with a list of things that you want fixed or enhanced in a patch and that's what we've done. Here is the complete list of items which version 5.11 (this patch) fixes (compared to version 5.00): - Fix pitcher rotation problems in played out league games (this was causing the game to crash after 4 or 5 league games were played out in a row). - Fix missed catches in outfield. - Reduce the number of foul balls to 1/3 what it is in version 5.00. - Fix scrambled photos (photo does not match name). - Importing a team sets manager profiles correctly. - Fix problems related to importing teams into certain positions. - Reset stamina meter and pitch speed when a new pitcher is brought in. - Fix display problems in Trade&Sign area after following a very specific sequence of tasks. - Fix position designation when you sub a P in for a DH. - Maddux isn't performing as expected. - Fix problems which prevent some leagues from continuing because the game thinks some games must be completed first. - Kansas City planted real grass this year. - Fix missed throws to 1st during pickoffs. - Fix rare crash in the trade players area. - Investigate reports from a few users reporting too many hit batsmen. - Fix computer lineup problems when simulating seasons with injuries enabled. - Fix bugs related to handling wild pitches during game play. - If a player takes 2nd on a throw home it should only be a single. - Fix errant "carrier lost" message on direct connection modem play. - Fix occasional sluggishness with announcer enabled. - Fix spelling of "Dont't Steal". There are also many enhancements to the game: - Autofielding infielders should grab more balls that travel near to them. - Computer runners are more cautious if a fly ball looks like it might be caught. - Add an empty team (EMPTY.HB5) which can be imported to create new teams. - Improve computer fielding positions in some very deep old-time stadiums. - Add more sound card entries for Compaq Presario and Reveal sound cards. - Address user confusion between Al calling the season average and the current game At Bat results in the same sentence. - Address confusion about the cross-hairs and whether it should be a ball or strike. - Navy Blue uniform color is not dark enough for Cleveland and New York fans. - Make bunting more realistic. - Computer does not seem to swing at balls outside the strike zone or take strikes often enough. - There are very few infield pop-ups. - Some users find the computer gets too many hits and too many runs. - It's sometimes difficult to move a fielder over a small amount to catch a drifting fly ball. - Users would like to customize all teams then sim seasons without having to buy each team. - It's too difficult to catch stealing computer runners. - Make one-pitch mode available in human managed games. - Add ability to override computer control when auto-fielding active (press button A anytime you want to jump into the action). - Add ability to trade players and change lineups without having to buy a team. - Improve ability to make plays and move in foul territory. - Add ability to display opponent's baseball card on playfield. - Make crowd react as a home only crowd, not a mixed home and away crowd. - Retry initial CDROM access several times to avoid problem with DOS recognizing newly inserted discs. - Display baserunner name and speed in baserunner windows (pressing F3 toggles this feature on and off). - Add button on player editor to disable digitized photo and name. - Speed up Changeup pitches slightly. There are some other changes which will be made to the players and lineups when we release the 1995 league files. We still have several weeks worth of work before the 1995 league files can be released. More information will be posted in comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.sports and on the web site as it becomes available. Special note to Gravis Ultrasound owners: Despite our repeated attempts to get Gravis and HMI to fix the problems which cause the GUS to work only in mono mode, Gravis has yet to address this problem. The GUS Max does not suffer from the same problems as the GUS. Technical Support ----------------- Email help is available from 76004.2132@compuserve.com or accolade@aol.com Telephone help is available Monday through Friday, 8AM to 5PM Pacific Standard Time. Call (408) 296-8400 or FAX (408) 246-0231. You may also write us at this address: Accolade c/o Customer Service 5300 Stevens Creek Blvd. Suite 500 San Jose, CA 95129 HB5 Web Page ------------ The latest information about patches, demos, sound and music drivers, etc. can be found at http://www.MindSpan.com/MindSpan/hb5.html This patch, the demo, sound and music drivers, etc. can be found on Accolade's BBS as well as these two ftp sites: ftp://brawl.mindlink.net/pub/MindSpan/HardBall5/ ftp://ftp.netcom.com/pub/ac/accolade/hb5/ Copyright (c) 1995 Accolade, Inc.