Select the "Extras" option at the main menu, then choose "Player Management". On that screen is a category called "Player Editor". It allows you to improve players. In season mode, go to "GM", then choose "Player Management", then "Player Editor". Note: Making a player all A+ may result in the game freezing in later innings.
Change jerseys in franchise mode
Before playing in a franchise mode game, go to quick play, and on the team's options highlight "Change Uniform". Go back, exit quick play, load the franchise, and when you get to the play game screen on options, your pointer will be on the blacked out uniform part. Press X and you can change uniforms. Once you change lineups or pitchers, this option is no longer available; it only works for that one game.
Demote player without other teams claiming him off waivers
Go to the player editor and make all his stats to D- so that no teams would want to claim him off waivers. When you want to promote a player back to the Major Leagues, change his ratings back to his default settings.
Easy homeruns
When controlling Barry Bonds at bat, press the Square so that you are on "Power" and not "Contact". When you are on "Power", only the yellow box will appear, and when you are on "Contact", there will be a shaded area covering the yellow box. If the pitch is up and in, move the box there and swing. It will almost always be an automatic homerun.
Easy homeruns
When controlling Barry Bonds at bat, press the Square so that you are on "Power" and not "Contact". When you are on "Power", only the yellow box will appear, and when you are on "Contact", there will be a shaded area covering the yellow box. If the pitch is up and in, move the box there and swing. It will almost always be an automatic homerun.
Easy scoring at Pac Bell Park
Try to hit the ball to the right-center field corner. If your man has speed and you are on third before the ball gets to the cutoff man, run home. The cutoff man should throw it to the catcher, and most of the time he gets down in a stance to
block the plate. When he does this, press L2 and you will stop. When he gets out of his stance, continue going home and you will be safe.
Easy win
Start a game with and set the skill level on anything except "Manage Only". Pause gameplay go to "Controller Select". Switch the controller to the team that you want to lose. Then, go into "Team Management" at the pause screen. Change the pitcher and the fielders to the wrong positions. You can also put pitchers in as pinch hitters. Then, return to "Controller Select" and change back to your original team. The CPU may switch the players around, but you can put the wrong ones in again. You will not get any card points if you play the entire game with the losing team. Note: there is a slight chance of your game freezing if player positions are swapped too often.
Free balls
If you are down in the count or need a quick ball, pretend to lay down a bunt. Pull back while the pitcher is in his motion. This should result in a ball being thrown. Note: This only works up to two times in an at bat.
Homerun celebration
Press R1 when you are running the bases after hitting a homerun. Your player will blow kisses to the crowd. If you continue pressing R1, your player will jump on home plate.
Late swing
When you are at bat, for some reason when you press Swing, the player will actually swing a moment after it is pressed resulting in a swing and a miss. You should press Swing in advance, preferably after the pitcher releases the ball.
Pick off from the catcher
When the ball is released, hold L and the base that you would like to throw the ball to. The catcher will then snap up and throw the ball to the selected base. Note: This only works when you are pitching.
Receive many points
Start a two-player game and proceed to strike out every batter on each side until the bottom of the ninth inning. When you've got two outs at the bottom of the ninth, walk the next four hitters to earn enough points to buy 100 card packs, which should get you almost every card. If not, repeat and get yourself more card packs. Note: This doesn't include special cards earned in Scenario Mode.
Restore pitcher's energy
Wait until your pitcher has low energy then pause game play. If your pitcher is still on the mound, go to "Save Game and Quit", then save the game. Restart the system, and when you go to the main menu, load the game. When you finish loading, it should automatically take you back to the game, and it should show your pitcher on the mound with the full green energy bar.
Slide step
Use this trick to do a slide step. When your pitcher is in the stretch, select a pitch, and before you press Pitch, hold the Left Analog-stick.
Taunt crowd
When playing an away game, hit a homerun and press L3 when running the bases to taunt the crowd.
Throw hard 4 seam fastball correctly
If you have a pitcher or created player that throws a hard 4 seam fastball, always place the pitching cursor below where you want the pitch to go. The pitch will automatically rise after the pitcher releases it. However, with other pitches (curveball, slider, changeup, etc.) the ball will end up where you put the pitching cursor.
View player's energy in franchise mode
When at the main menu in franchise mode, go to "GM Office", then "Roster Management", then "Disabled List". Press X and look through your players to see which ones are tired (except pitchers). If a starting player is tired, you should bench and rest him for one game.
