Live fastballs, suicide squeezes, grass-staining dives, seventh-inning stretches, walk-off homeruns, peanuts and hotdogs… these are just some of the things that make the sport of baseball America’s favorite pastime. The victory of a baseball game can depend on the walk-off homerun in the ninth inning or a simple second base steal. Anything can make an impact in a baseball game because- as a wise man once said - "it ain’t over ‘til it’s over.

While baseball is America's favorite pastime, we're not sure that can be said for gamers. Baseball isn't nearly the juggernaut of the sports gaming world as one would believe. Eagle eye gamers will take note that while ESPNs football and basketball games were budget priced, this years MLB 2005 won't be as easy on your wallet. The game will retail for $50 US, which will be a kick in the teeth of gamers who were hoping every ESPN sports title would be a drop in the bucket. Why the hefty price tag? Not nearly as much competition. Maybe things will change just before the game is released in March. You can cross your fingers.

Online play which appeared in last years installment will once again have armchair pitchers firing up the cable modem for some fastball. Currently Sega is playing coy as to the new features going into this years game, quite possibly to keep the competition at bay. We'll have more info when Sega unlocks the vault.