MLB 13 The Show implements Beginner Mode for noobs

If there was one thing wrong with last year's installment of Sony's yearly MLB The Show, I think we'd all agree it was the hitting mechanic. With MLB 12 The Show, Sony implemented Zone Analog Batting. This allowed you to control the swing with the right stick and choose the location of your swing with the left. In theory, it was a pretty good idea to combine the two, but in actualization me, along with many others, struggling to even hit the ball out of the infield.

Eventually I got the hang of it, but it was a painful first couple of days featuring many, many strikeouts. To help alleviate some of the frustration, Sony is taking new steps in welcoming newcomers to MLB 13 The Show. This year, they've implemented a Beginner Mode.

As IGN detailed, Beginner Mode walks you through the basic of pitching, hitting, and timing in a nine-inning game. The mode will begins by throwing nothing but fastballs down the middle of the plate until you are making good, consistent contact. From there, it mixes in balls and strikes until your eye is keen enough to lay off the balls. The process continues to evolve, introducing new elements, until you get a nice grasp of the game mechanics.

It's too early to say if Beginner Mode will really help all players, but it's definitely a nice step in making the game more accessible to those who many not be experienced in baseball games. Sony's The Show series is the best-selling baseball game on the market and with a lack of competition this year, there's a good chance many more will be picking it up.