There was so much going for this game, but one major flaw makes Jr's Slugfest a tragedy on the N64
Let's start with the positives. This game has a lot of charm to it. Ken Griffey Jr is one of the most likable sports stars ever, not to mention one of the best baseball players (if not the best) at the time of the release, making him the ideal guy for the cover. The broadcaster is the late Dave Niehaus (great choice) and Ken Griffey Jr provides occasional commentary (usually on a double play, strikeout or a home-run.) The batting and pitching system are both pretty good, very arcade like. They take a little bit of getting used to, but it can be mastered and is fun. The home-run derby is a great addition, especially for multiplayer play. Another great addition is you never feel like you're out of a game (unless you're down by 7 or more) because of the hitting system, which I guess I should try to describe. Basically you have a bat outline in the strike zone box that you, as a hitter, control. If you can get the middle of the barrel (the sweet spot) on the ball, you got a good shot at a home-run. You can catch a lucky break and get back in the game is basically what I'm trying to say.
Now for the negatives, or to be more precise, negative. Fielding a ground ball is about as broken as in any baseball game I've ever played. The camera just takes way too long to show you the ball rolling on the ground. For whatever unimaginable reason, the camera decides to show us the hitter's pose instead of what really matters. By the time we, as the defense, see the ball, it's usually either past our infield defense or we don't have enough time to react to field it. If it's a sharp ground ball, just forget about it. Now if it's a bunt, the problem switches from being a camera issue to being a control issue. Almost always on a bunt, the game automatically assigns you to be the pitcher to field the ball, no matter how close the ball is to the catcher. I simply cannot get used to this or even try to understand the logic here. Give us control of who is closest to the ball! Worse still, if you try to switch players, it usually gives us control of the 2nd baseman, who of course is farther away from the ball. At this time, you're just frantically trying to switch back to the pitcher, which is easier said then done. By the time you get to the ball, the runner has been safe at first base long enough to sing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" backwards. Thankfully, the computer isn't smart enough to even try to get to 2nd base, or bunt with every single hitter. When playing this game with a friend, a rule of "no bunting" is absolutely necessary, unless of course you just like to laugh at a broken game.
In conclusion, it's really disappointing that the major flaw with the infield defense exists, because this had a chance to be one of the most fun and memorable games for the N64. As it turns out, this game is certainly memorable for me, but for all the wrong reasons.