REDMOND, Wash. -- April 5, 2000 -- Microsoft^® "Baseball 2001" hit store shelves today in time for fans to play on baseball's opening day. With the off-season acquisition of the "Baseball Mogul" code, "Baseball 2001" provides gamers with complete control over a Major League™ ball club, giving fans what they've always wanted.

"Baseball 2001' is an improvement on an already impressive game, adding the depth of 'Baseball Mogul' to crisp graphics and solid gameplay," said Ed Fries, general manager of Microsoft's Games Group. "We think this game will appeal to both the casual gamer, with on-field arcade-style action, and the baseball aficionado, with realistic front-office simulation."

With "Baseball 2001," gamers are immersed in the financial and managerial duties of a genuine Major League Baseball (MLB) general manager as they control the destiny of a multimillion-dollar ball club. Financial savvy and a keen eye toward talent will determine whether a team will be in the heat of a pennant race or cleaning out its lockers until next year's spring training. "Baseball 2001" also combines the eye-popping graphics of Microsoft's sports line with the award-winning managerial technology of the "Baseball Mogul" code to give fans the ultimate experience in authentic baseball simulation.

This year, Microsoft has teamed up with one of the hottest young players in professional baseball - Boston Red Sox All-Star shortstop Nomar Garciaparra. Garciaparra, selected to the Major League Baseball All-Star game twice in his four-year career and named 1997 American League Rookie of the Year, is featured on the box and in the game.

"Baseball 2001" also features an enhanced home-run hitting contest with improved distance indicators, home-run tracking and the tally of home runs vs. outs that mirrors the MLB Home Run Derby^®. Arizona Diamondbacks announcer Thom Brennaman returns to give his trademark play-by-play commentary, and new baseball stadiums for four cities make their debut: Milwaukee, Houston, San Francisco and Detroit.

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