I got mlb10 and it feels a bit stale to me as well. The main thing they can start changing is the commentating. Get rid of Matt, Campbell and Rex. They are extremely boring. Also try to release a game with less bugs, and try to give people analog pitching and hitting as an option.

I also forgot to add that they should also include real manual fielding without any CPU assist. People have been asking for this for years.

I don't believe that SCEA has to reinvent the wheel here. Nothing bothers me more than a company adding some crazy control scheme to make the game play feel different. Using analog sticks isn't innovation -- it is stupid.

I have never understood why gamers would want a change in controls. Madden hasn't changed it's scheme (outside of the much-maligned QB vision cone, which was brutal). A game doesn't need to uproot its core to create the feel of freshness.

I like The Show because it is familiar. And I agree with the OP that the game has taken its stand atop the console baseball world through incremental additions, not one huge leap of change.

I think what The Show needs is a fresh start regarding presentation. Many people complain about the commentary but I think it is some of the best in any sports game. I will say, though, that many of the lines are recycled.

A good start would be to add dynamic weather with wind effects on flags, uniforms (subtlely done, not the over-dramatic wind effects of MLB 2K8). Although it is nothing new to sports games, adding a "Baseball Tonight"-like weekly broadcast with highlights and standings fron around the league would be good. Better yet, license "This Week in Baseball" including the top 10 best and bloopers of the week. Something to make gamers say, "Damn!"

I also think SCEA would do itself huge favors by including classic teams (i.e. World Series champs, more classic uniforms and stadiums on the disk).

In regards to controls, I would like to see an improved throw meter for fielders and give more throwing control to the user.

The game is still beyond outstanding. Yes, it isn't huge leap over last year but does it really need to be?

With so much time spent in the minors in Road to the Show, I think incorporating more minor league stadiums would be a nice touch. Right now, there are only a handful, and they all seem pretty generic.

For instance, my local team, the Reading Phillies, play in First Energy Stadium. It is the first ballpark to ever receive the annual Digital Ballparks.com Ballpark Of The Year Award. It also ranks No. 2 in the MLN Top Ten Ballparks. I would love to see that stadium in the game.

Also, as others have mentioned, the announcers need an overhaul. There were hardly any updates from '08 to '10, which is somewhat disappointing. The color commentary is downright awful at times.