MLB.com Home Run Derby (iOS) Part 2 of the FAQ, Walkthrough and Beginner’s Guide

Welcome to part 2 of the MLB.com Home Run Derby beginner’s guide! Click here to go back to part 1 of the guide.

In each of the two single player modes, the timing and the location of the pitch is a bit different. Generally, it’s very close to the center of the plate. You’ll want to try to stay around that area when you are swinging. However, during the derby mode, the more home runs you hit, the more the location tends to change, so be ready to move your aim around in order to hit more homers.

In both modes, you have a number of upgrades and power ups that you can purchase with either coins or MLBucks. Coins can buy you the power boost and the contact boost, which are good for one round, and which boost the respective stats by 2 points each. Tab over to bats, gloves and balls and you can upgrade your stats permanently by buying one. One of each costs coins, but the good stuff costs MLBucks.

Tickets are the “energy” in this game. One ticket is needed to play one derby match, while no tickets are needed for an arcade match. Tickets take around 4 hours apiece to regenerate, so be sure to practice a LOT in arcade mode before you switch over to derby mode. And figure out which control scheme works best for you, too.

The two control schemes go like this: One of them has you drag to aim, and then release your finger off of the screen to swing the bat. The other one has you drag to aim, and then tap on the screen to swing the bat. You are prompted to pick one or the other at the very beginning of the game, but you can change them in the options menu at any point in time.

Finally, there is also a multiplayer mode in the game, which pits you against your Facebook friends, or people on the MLB.com network, in a competition. If you do not already have an MLB.com account, you can get one by pushing the “create account” button; otherwise, you can puch the MLB.com button and sign in using your email and password. The Facebook connection should be fairly self explanatory.

That’s about all there is to MLB.com Home Run Derby! Enjoy the game!