ESPN Videogames revealed today two major gameplay features in ESPN Major League Baseball 2K5. All of the new details inside.

An entirely new game from the ground up, ESPN Major League Baseball 2K5 introduces K Zone Pitching™, a new pitching system which promises to deliver the most exciting and realistic pitching approach in a baseball video game.

To compliment the new pitching system, ESPN Major League Baseball 2K5 also debuts Maximum Fielding™, a groundbreaking new gameplay mechanic that allows players to execute breath-taking dives and home run robbing plays adding a new level of drama to the defensive game.

Combining simple design, intuitive functionality, and the trademark ESPN presentation style, K Zone Pitching™ provides a new level of pitching control.

Inspired by the exclusive K Zone™ technology used on ESPN’s Baseball Tonight and in ESPN’s baseball game telecasts, K Zone Pitching™ allows the gamer to target their pitches using a simple interactive crosshair interface. With this new pitching mechanic, players select a pitch and a target zone and then must line-up a horizontal and vertical point to successfully execute the throw. Players can increase the speed and movement of pitches, but at a higher risk to precision and control. Different pitching situations will increase or decrease the pitcher’s pressure, challenging the gamer to concentrate on making all the right pitches. Getting out of pressure situations will dramatically increase a pitcher’s confidence, resulting in increased control and precision of pitches, while failure will add more pressure and decrease accuracy. With K Zone Pitching™, making every pitch is an important and exciting challenge.

Maximum Fielding™ gives the player a new level of control, allowing for show-stopping catches that are worthy of a SportsCenter highlight reel. With the Right Analog Stick, players simply press towards the direction of where the ball will land to make leaping and diving plays. In addition, players can get to the ball quicker and make faster throws to the infield by holding down the Turbo button. Through the dynamic and intuitive Maximum Fielding™, players can perform gold glove caliber and momentum shifting defensive plays.

Available for both Xbox videogame system from Microsoft and PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, ESPN Major League Baseball 2K5 is set to release in early spring 2005.