Without a doubt, this is the worst playing baseball game ever. It is an utter tragedy that such a good-looking game should have to suffer such horrendous gameplay.
World Series Baseball 2K1 should have been called 'Batting Practice 2K1.' Unless you play with the Braves, then the game should be called 'Home Run Derby 2K1.'
There are many modes of play in World Series Baseball. You can play an Exhibition game with any of the Major League teams, including the All-Star teams, in any of the Major League stadiums, at day or night. If you just want to play the game, there is a Quick Start mode that randomly pits teams together. Of course, there is a Customizable Season mode. Also included is a Playoff mode. And lastly, there is a Create Your Own Player, Team, and League mode. Sorry folks, no Dynasty mode.
It is obvious that this game was created with hitting in mind. How can you tell? Well, pitching is horrible, fielding is nonexistent, and the base running is lacking. For pitch control, you choose the pitch you want to throw, play with the pitch meter, and try to aim your pitch. Well, let me tell you what happens. You either pitch a strike right down the pipe, or it is a ball. It is impossible to pitch a strike unless it is right down the middle. The fielding sucks. Why? You cannot field. It has automatic fielding. Of course, you can turn that off, but the game is impossibly user enemy when it comes to manual fielding. And even with the auto field, the AI sucks! The base runners seem to be pre-little league. On a pop fly to the pitcher, the runner is 3/4th to the next base when the ball is caught. That brings up another point - there is no infield fly rule.
The AI in this game is extremely horrible! The worst. The only thing you can do with this game is hit. And hit you will- just aim up the bat and swing away.