HardBall! provides two teams, All-Stars and Champs, made up of generic players to play one game matches with. Options allow players to set which team is the home team, if a team will be computer controlled, and whether the DH (designated hitter) position will be used. Before each game players can change the starting line-ups and choose the batting order. During a game a team's defense can be changed for both the infield and outfield. Substitutions and position exchanges can also be made at any time. For pitching/batting sequences HardBall! provides a view from behind the pitcher. Pitchers have a four pitch selection which varies between each pitcher. Pitches include: Fastball! (faster than the standard fastball), Fastball, Offspeed, Change-up, Curveball, Screwball, Sinker, and Slider.