STAYING CONNECTED A DOUBLE PLAY WORTH CHEERING.

Byline: Redmond Carolipio Staff Writer

LIKE OTHER sports fans, I felt the electricity of Opening Day in Major League Baseball. It's a feeling that no video game in existence can replace.

But I'll say this about the world of virtual baseball: Everyone is healthy, and no one is juiced.

Two recently released titles offer the chance for scandal-weary baseball fans to escape into a world of Jose Canseco-free bliss. No cream, no clear - just the games.

The franchise from EA Sports used to be known as ``Triple Play Baseball'' back in the pre-PlayStation 2 days before it was completely renovated into the ``MVP Baseball'' format everyone sees now.

This game has the stuff to appeal more to die-hard fans. Players now have the chance to build their own ballpark, or assume full command of a franchise in the new Owner mode. It's also got an expanded Minor League system, where the teams even include the Quakes and 66ers.

In terms of game play, there's no major overhaul from the past ``MVP'' games. Most of the new in-play devices are subtle, focusing more on the details of the game and the quirks of individual players.

By quirks, I mean things like Baltimore's Sammy Sosa doing his post-homer hop (finally) and the way Boston's Manny Ramirez fidgets with his batting helmet and fluffs his sleeves from pitch to pitch (not to mention the split-second hug he gives to teammates who go yard).

Perhaps the most visible feature is the ``hitter's eye,'' which is supposed to simulate a ballplayer's ability to read a pitch the second it leaves the pitcher's hand.

The game does this by having the ball flash a certain color depending on what kind of pitch it is - white means fastball, green means breaking ball, purple is a change-up, etc.

Another useful tool is the chance to analyze each swing, using a ``line of balls'' illustration to help players fine-tune their technique.

One complaint I've heard about baseball games is similar to one I've heard about the real thing: There's not enough action.

Enter ``MLB 2K5,'' a title that makes a concerted effort to draw both the casual fans and the action gamers who are looking to make the dive into the sports genre.

The first thing that will jump out about this title is the ESPN-licensed presentation, which gives the game an authentic studio feel that no other game can really match. The in-game voice work is about as good as it gets, with Jon Miller and Joe Morgan calling the action as always.

What sets this game apart is its ability to turn a matchup seemingly devoid of offensive fireworks into a test of arcade-like reflexes.

The most dynamic example occurs when the pitcher serves up a gift to the hitter. The game immediately switches to slow motion, with the ball slowly rotating toward you. A power meter accompanied by a button icon appears at the bottom of the screen, and it's up to the player to mash the button as much as possible before it's time to swing.

If you fill up the meter (and if the batter has power), consider the ball gone.

This is especially fun in two-player mode, when pitchers can counter the hitter with quick button presses of their own to make sure they don't get shelled.

MVP BASEBALL 2005 - Three and one half stars

Platform: All systems from EA Sports.

Price: $39.99.

Rated: E for everyone

In a nutshell: The only thing juiced here is the game.

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL 2K5 - Three and one half stars

Platform: PlaySytation 2, Xbox.

Price: $19.99.

Rated: E for everyone

In a nutshell: Commentary from Jon Miller and Joe Morgan gives the action a real feel.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, box

Photo:

(1) no caption (MVP BASEBALL 2005)

(2) no caption (MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL 2K5)

Box:

TOP 10: The best-selling video games on Amazon.com