RBI Baseball is the greatest video game of all time. It combines strategy and skill with the greatness of mid 80's baseball and the hilarity of short, fat men with short, fat bats.
RBI Baseball should be played competitively but friendly competition is the key. Controller throwing and smashing of beer cans is all fun and games until someone loses an eye. At the conclusion of each game, each opponent should be able to look the other in the eye and say "good game, my friend."
RBI Baseball teams should be chosen at random. Opponents should play through every team before actually choosing a team on their own free will.
These random matchups are one of the best features of RBI Baseball, as a player can get fucked one round with a Houston vs Detroit draw but turn the tables the next series with a NL vs Minnesota draw. Common sense would point to a victory by the more powerful teams in these instances, but the beauty of a random team pick is the victory by the little guy, for example the St Louis Cardinals over the mighty Boston Red Sox, with Johnny Tudor silencing the powerful rightie lineup of Boston and the speed demons for the Cardinals offense slapping the ball to all fields.
One starting pitcher and one starting pitcher only should be used in a game of RBI Baseball for the simple reason that if you use two, you're fucked for your next game in the series.
Said starting pitcher should work the corners, mixing an occassional fastball or changeup with a steady reliance on location, location, location. A batter that has been taken out of his comfort zone is an easy out.
Having said that, all pitches thrown must be hittable, must be called a strike if not put into play or fouled off. This encourages higher-scoring games and solid fielding, as those on defense must always be on their toes.
A batter should go with whatever works. Some prefer a tettleton. Some start at the bottom of the box. My batters let the pitcher know they're ready by standing up in the box and just a step off the plate, enabling them to go get the outside fastball but leaving just enough room to fight off a nasty inside pitch.
An RBI fielder should be able to make hard, bouncing throws every time. Only nancy boys (http://www.dee-nee.com/rbi/glossary.shtml) lob the ball across the infield and are penalized with the dreaded "SAFE" call from the always on top of things RBI Umpires. The more moves (run in (http://www.dee-nee.com/rbi/glossary.shtml), spongebob (http://www.dee-nee.com/rbi/glossary.shtml), statue of liberty (http://www.dee-nee.com/rbi/glossary.shtml), and stike a pose (http://www.dee-nee.com/rbi/glossary.shtml) comes to mind) a fielder can make, the more crowd-pleasing he is. The more BOPS a fielder makes, the greater the chances of the player ripping out his hair and putting his foot through the television.
Drinking while playing RBI Baseball is not frowned upon. In fact, in many cases, it is encouraged. Beer and RBI complement one another extremely well, much like taking a shit and reading the sports page. There is also the state of consciousness one can reach while drinking and playing RBI, something close to being in "the zone." Not drunk, not sober, just seeing every pitch perfectly and being three pitches ahead of your opponent. It's a special feeling.
RBI Baseball will never die, unless of course every NES system one day suddenly self-destructs. The patron saint of RBI Baseball, Gantry Zettler, has done more for the game than most anyone, except perhaps the original programmers. Through the concept of dee nee, an RBI state of mind, Saint Gantry has promoted RBI and all its goodness and for this he is to be forever thanked.
RBI Baseball: the world's greatest video game.
Well fknmcplayed
I'm hoping every dee neeer does their own RBI Manifesto. Trying to encourage some RBI talk.
Excellent writeup.
Fantastic idear.
The only problem is that the goons of the site (like me) have a hard time reading posts that contain more than 2 lines.
However, RBI will persevere. . . . . the deeneecreem will rise to the tip.
I'll be thinking of my manifesto. . . . . .am i allowed to include examples of play from my youth? Granted it was mostly StL v Hou but it was some fun shizzle.
A wonderful and touching tribune mclane, well done!
who wants to write the next one?
You're going to have fits in the tourney!
Quote from: Gantry on 03/23/05, 11:56:22 AM
A wonderful and touching tribune mclane, well done!
who wants to write the next one?
Thanks Gantry. I hope it touched you in all the right places.
I was hoping everyone would write one.
And yes, I'm gonna have fits in the tourney...but I am practicing. Old habits die hard.
I just want to play a 2 player game again, it's been so long.
Quote from: ultimate7 on 03/23/05, 02:26:08 PM
I just want to play a 2 player game again, it's been so long.
That's what you get for farting me the last time I was in town...
Just had too much going on that week, besides that was still End of October, 5 months ago, it'd still be a long time, they sending you back anymore?
not anytime soon....tourney in June, dude...
How about a Haiku maifesto
RBI is cool
Whitaker sucks my white ass
I like Kirk Gibson
Yup, that about sums it up.
RBI is a game, actually scratch that, a godsend, that while easy to play is difficult to master.
Is RBI perfect? Not at all. It seems like they will never get around to integrating with the Negro leagues. However the inherent flaws of the game (wallsies, mini pitchers, computer glitches, bad AI, controlling 5 guys at once) are what make the game so great. Not only do you have to battle your opponent, you have to master "the game".
I guess the reason why RBI is so ingrained in the lives of those lucky enough to have played it is that much like 80's baseball itself, it invokes the joys of our childhood. And while most of us (Bonny and Darkside excluded) have probably got too old to compete in real life baseball, RBI allows those dreams to live on. However, unlike MLB, RBI never lets us down by evolving with the times...players never spit on umpires, have to suffer through Tommy John surgery, or inject themselves with steroids. Best of all, your team stays your team...players never get traded or retire due to old age. To this day, I still watch the Cardinals on TV and yell at the screen in a vain attempt to bring Jim Lindeman to the plate. Davey Lopes is still the fastest player on the Astros and Al Pedrique is a perennial All Star.
Best of all, RBI, through the power of Dee-nee, has brought together a group of people who otherwise would have never met. And while I am a relative newbie, I have a deep appreciation for the bonds that have developed between people who up until joining this forum had shared nothing in their lives except the love of RBI.
Amen.
P.S. pitchers can't hit homers.
Nice post Shooty
Yes! That's exactly what I was hoping for. Well done, Shooty! Exclamation point.
When in the course of human events it becomes necessary to dissolve the bands of television from the manifold of useless crap, the insertion of RBI into the life-giving box of NES propels the consciousness into unfathomable heights of glory and greatness. Whereas the laws of man are fallible and maleable, the laws of RBI transcend the constrictions of time and space, and enter the realm of the Gods. Forever shall we be empowered by them, and we must sit at the altar of thine RBI laws of governance.
RBI demands that the laws of straight-pitch must be broken. For too long have mortals subscribed to the temptation that more runs equates to more fun. On the contrary, a pitchers duel is a most precious site to behold;
RBI asks that the use of NL, AL, and Detroit be used only at bare minimum, and when both players agree that a match in which the use of one or more of these teams is in order. In all other instances, these teams must be barred;
RBI restricts the use of TWO starting pitchers to games that have gone into extra innings. Baseball was meant to be played this way, as was thy master, RBI;
RBI is sacrosanct, and the RBI Drinking Game is doubly so. All rules must be followed, and portions must be officially rationed so that no mortals cheat the rules of the RBI Drinking Gods;
RBI regards no matchup to be of greater metaphysical quality as the pairing of Houston and St. Louis. This matchup produces the closest of matchups, sometimes lasting in excess of 20 innings;
RBI demands that no player take advantage of AI glitches. In other words, you must inforce the infield fly rule. Do not intentionally drop fly balls in the infield in order to get extra outs. Additionally, with runners on first and third, you cannot steal second base in order to bring your man on third to home. This is far too easy, and you are taking advantage of RBI's human-drafted intelligence data.
Whereas the RBI Gods cannot enforce the above rules by themselves (for they have given Man free will!), players are asked not to break RBI's most coveted of laws.
Most of all, RBI demands attention, love, and frequent use. RBIers unite! You have nothing to lose but your chains!
Way to take the "Manifesto" and run with it. Papa Karl would be proud.
This is great stuff.
Quote from: Nacho on 03/28/05, 08:31:22 PM
When in the course of human events it becomes necessary to dissolve the bands of television from the manifold of useless crap, the insertion of RBI into the life-giving box of NES propels the consciousness into unfathomable heights of glory and greatness. Whereas the laws of man are fallible and maleable, the laws of RBI transcend the constrictions of time and space, and enter the realm of the Gods. Forever shall we be empowered by them, and we must sit at the altar of thine RBI laws of governance.
RBI demands that the laws of straight-pitch must be broken. For too long have mortals subscribed to the temptation that more runs equates to more fun. On the contrary, a pitchers duel is a most precious site to behold;
RBI asks that the use of NL, AL, and Detroit be used only at bare minimum, and when both players agree that a match in which the use of one or more of these teams is in order. In all other instances, these teams must be barred;
RBI restricts the use of TWO starting pitchers to games that have gone into extra innings. Baseball was meant to be played this way, as was thy master, RBI;
RBI is sacrosanct, and the RBI Drinking Game is doubly so. All rules must be followed, and portions must be officially rationed so that no mortals cheat the rules of the RBI Drinking Gods;
RBI regards no matchup to be of greater metaphysical quality as the pairing of Houston and St. Louis. This matchup produces the closest of matchups, sometimes lasting in excess of 20 innings;
RBI demands that no player take advantage of AI glitches. In other words, you must inforce the infield fly rule. Do not intentionally drop fly balls in the infield in order to get extra outs. Additionally, with runners on first and third, you cannot steal second base in order to bring your man on third to home. This is far too easy, and you are taking advantage of RBI's human-drafted intelligence data.
Whereas the RBI Gods cannot enforce the above rules by themselves (for they have given Man free will!), players are asked not to break RBI's most coveted of laws.
Most of all, RBI demands attention, love, and frequent use. RBIers unite! You have nothing to lose but your chains!
I would also like to attach my signature to this Declaration of Independent RBI Thought. Nacho's post perfectly summarizes that "RBI Purist" school of philosophy that we developed sometime early in the year of 2001.
My RBI Manifesto is rather simple
Anything goes.
your lack of morality is highly disturbing
This RBI libertarianism is leading to moral depravity and selfish hedonism amoungst our RBI nation. We must expel them from our midst.
BUMP
RBI rules...the end.
I'd petitioned Dirt and I believe Beales as well to hold a 1 starting pitcher tourney. I was countered with the reasoning of there being too many tired arms late in the game and whoever could hit beach balls the best would win. I disagree completely.
1 SP games require great craftiness to preserve pitch counts and to "win the arms race" as i call it. You have to throw strikes in 1 SP games, but still do so rather judiciously.
Inexplicably, its not out of the question to witness a reliever well past his endurance count, roll thru a couple innings without surrendering a hit. Probation becomes key in that situation to test your luck and managing skills.
And Tim Raines...there's no escaping his wrath when facing off vs NL. Ive lost countless games where the vaunted NL 2-6 hitter were held in check all game only to have Raines account for all their runs and prove to be the difference.
Hate that fucking asshole.
Quote from: Tornado Bird: Terminated on 10/15/09, 02:36:17 PM
And Tim Raines...there's no escaping his wrath when facing off vs NL. Ive lost countless games where the vaunted NL 2-6 hitter were held in check all game only to have Raines account for all their runs and prove to be the difference.
Hate that fucking asshole.
Easily my favorite player in RBI. A buddy and I use to play all-star games frequently - he was always AL and I was always NL, and Raines' combination of power and speed was simply awesome.
Fuck Gary Pettis
Quote from: BDawk on 03/24/05, 12:39:22 PM
How about a Haiku maifesto
RBI is cool
Whitaker sucks my white ass
I like Kirk Gibson
Yup, that about sums it up.
Quote from: Tornado Bird: Terminated on 10/15/09, 02:36:17 PM
I'd petitioned Dirt and I believe Beales as well to hold a 1 starting pitcher tourney. I was countered with the reasoning of there being too many tired arms late in the game and whoever could hit beach balls the best would win. I disagree completely.
1 SP games require great craftiness to preserve pitch counts and to "win the arms race" as i call it. You have to throw strikes in 1 SP games, but still do so rather judiciously.
Inexplicably, its not out of the question to witness a reliever well past his endurance count, roll thru a couple innings without surrendering a hit. Probation becomes key in that situation to test your luck and managing skills.
And Tim Raines...there's no escaping his wrath when facing off vs NL. Ive lost countless games where the vaunted NL 2-6 hitter were held in check all game only to have Raines account for all their runs and prove to be the difference.
Hate that fucking asshole.
WTF are you talking about? When did you do petition me, son?
Ive inquired more than once. You fear the 1 SP game!
Most of my RBI life has been with the 1 SP rule...
Lets make it happen then! I've got formulas and brackets and and all sorts of shit...we could make it a grand weekend of RBI for lots of money and only 1 SP at each players disposal.
Hell, we just need 10 participants and 2 days.
I'm down for any tourney in curve, always fun. Despite playing less than 50 curve games in my life, I seem to do quite well at it....
I prefer the 2 SP rule, however. I also do think that more hitting skill is required with 2 SP.
Quote from: Gantry on 10/15/09, 05:17:00 PM
I'm down for any tourney in curve, always fun. Despite playing less than 50 curve games in my life, I seem to do quite well at it....
Yes, you're probably the world leader in mixed RBI skills (AG, straight, drinking, naked...).
I definitely prefer 2 SPs though, since I can't hit for shit in curve.
Quote from: JoeDirt on 10/15/09, 05:18:07 PM
Quote from: Gantry on 10/15/09, 05:17:00 PM
I'm down for any tourney in curve, always fun. Despite playing less than 50 curve games in my life, I seem to do quite well at it....
Yes, you're probably the world leader in mixed RBI skills (AG, straight, drinking, naked...).
I've never been a world leader at anything, thanks!
1 SP would be way easier for you, then. Just take take take and then hitting gets way easier.
But at the same time I can't rely on pitching to keep me in it, so I guess it goes both ways...
Like rdub, right?
HIYO!
Haven't played 2SP in ages, but I tend to rely on relievers taking the hill to start the game quite a bit in 1 SP.
Guys like Tudor or the SF wrecking crew are the exceptions obviously and always start, but there's at least a handful of guys who make great options to start and sometimes roll thru 3 innings with great ease.
In 1 SP, a team like SF is shit. in 2 SP, it really solidifies SF. Same for Ca.
Quote from: JoeDirt on 10/15/09, 05:28:42 PM
In 1 SP, a team like SF is shit. in 2 SP, it really solidifies SF. Same for Ca.
In best of 3 series(how the games meant to be played) SF has a nice game 2 advantage over most. The game changes completely when you factor in some game 2 starters.
You're insane. 1 game series or 3, SF's sp cannot go more than 4 innings most of the time. That leaves 5 innings for Robinson and Garrelts...not a good idea.
BULL MESS! Throw strikes and dont give up bombs.
strikes = tired pitcher.
4-5 innings does not always equate to the pitcher being done. Most every lineup has some bums in it a tiring arm can still tackle.
I love 1 SP
remember when I beat you 20 out 20 times?
Stupid 2 SP, plus I didn't know about using Keith Hernandez against you
Quote from: BeefMaster on 10/15/09, 02:57:37 PM
Quote from: Tornado Bird: Terminated on 10/15/09, 02:36:17 PM
And Tim Raines...there's no escaping his wrath when facing off vs NL. Ive lost countless games where the vaunted NL 2-6 hitter were held in check all game only to have Raines account for all their runs and prove to be the difference.
Hate that fucking asshole.
Easily my favorite player in RBI. A buddy and I use to play all-star games frequently - he was always AL and I was always NL, and Raines' combination of power and speed was simply awesome.
Rock is the fkn man. Easily as scary as Dawson. Well, maybe not, but he's a fucking badass.
I'm down for a no reset tournament, I'm gonna go ahead and speak for Octo that he is as well.
Let's schedule this for December (some of us don't have kids of loved ones that we need to spend time with).
Easily my favorite player in RBI. A buddy and I use to play all-star games frequently - he was always AL and I was always NL, and Raines' combination of power and speed was simply awesome.
[/quote]
My manifesto is the same, growing up playing as NL and my friend playing AL, we played many games of this and RBI was enhanced by keeping stats for the game. Hitting stats and pitching. It was glorious.
I would be up for a tourney sometime. Was thinking about entering the $100 tournament in Chicago, but I would be up for a cheaper tuneup tourney so I can see how I do in competitive play.
New to the forum.
I live in Lexington, KY, but am originally from Chicago and went to NIU, where I think a bunch of guys on here went ?!
I prefer 1SP games, but 2SP is fine too. Really changes the game.
-Pete-
(So why can't I get my picture of Lance Briggs to load as my avatar?)
Look at this fucking guy...
According to google results, this guy may be legit...
What is the benefit of using relievers to start a game?
If you're playing back to back games (with no reset), you can't use a starter two games in a row but you do get a reliever back for the next game. I typically start with a reliever and hope to jump out to a lead, if I do I tend to go as long as possible without using a starter, so that I can save them for the next game (because there's a pretty big advantage to having two SPs and two RPs available for one game).
Hope that helps!
Quote from: danehill917 on 10/21/09, 09:17:02 PM
I would be up for a tourney sometime. Was thinking about entering the $100 tournament in Chicago, but I would be up for a cheaper tuneup tourney so I can see how I do in competitive play.
New to the forum.
I live in Lexington, KY, but am originally from Chicago and went to NIU, where I think a bunch of guys on here went ?!
I prefer 1SP games, but 2SP is fine too. Really changes the game.
-Pete-
(So why can't I get my picture of Lance Briggs to load as my avatar?)
Welcome Pete! This forum has 4 very handsome NIU grads, class of 99ish....
I'm class of '97.
Just got my nintendo and RBI off of ebay, and I am ready for some action.
Love your site, particularly the glossary of RBI terms and the team scouting reports. Great stuff.
Please acknowledge my post prior to that, it's the most I've written on the RBI forum in like a year.
Plus...it may actually get more rbi discussion going?
lol
"I just 10-runned you and now I have both my starters available for Game 2."
I am fresh and will do my best to get some RBI discussion going.
Quote from: danehill917 on 10/22/09, 11:35:28 AM
What is the benefit of using relievers to start a game?
Starting a reliever gives you a better chance to get 3 innings out of him. As his arm starts to tire 6-7 batters in he gets to face the bottom 3 of the order and possibly a weak leadoff hitter. You can take a chance and still get out some weak hitters without his good stuff.
Say you bring a reliever in mid-game to face the 5-6-7 batters...that pitcher will face the big bats in his 3rd inning(if all goes well) as his stamina is going in the tank. That scenario leads to him maybe tossing 2 innings before getting pulled.
Risk/reward:
If your starting pitcher doesnt have to come into the game until the 4th, thats bound to favor you winning the game. If the reliever starts the game and gets lit up then you are screwed. You most likely trail, and you need your starter to go 5+ innings.
I dont reccomend all teams using RP to start the game. Guys like Tudor are a must start. He's as good as anyone and can set the tempo for the game.
Alexander and Morris arent that great of starters, but I like to have a guy like Hernandez in the pen for the middle of the game for some tough outs.
Some people rationalize using the worst relievers such as King(Det) or Moore(Cal) as a starter because they suck and they fear having to bring him in late in a close game. I find that as a pretty faulty strategy. Its better to fight it out for 8 innings and take your chances late if need be with a scrub than to risk him getting hammered early and getting the tone of the game set in your opponents favor right from the get go.
Good points. I guess it depends on the makeup of the team's pitching staff.
I favor teams with strong SPs, and I like to set the tone with them.