Analog pitching: does left-stick aiming do anything?

[HarrySTruman]

In analog pitching, you can set a target with the left stick before you start the pitch. Does this influence the direction of the pitch? Or does the left-stick target just give you a "target" to aim at with your right stick? Does "hitting" that target augment the effectiveness of your pitch?

I experimented in practice mode, and sometimes the left-stick-target seemed to influence the pitch, and sometimes not. E.g., I aimed the left stick far outside, then used the right stick to aim in the exact opposite direction, and the pitch went more outside than inside. And the left stick sometimes seems to influence up/down too. But other times the left-stick-target seems to have little or no effect on the direction of the pitch.

So, am I wasting my time aiming with the left stick? What does it do, exactly? Thanks in advance.

[LastActionHero]

Analog pitching: does left-stick aiming do anything?

I believe the mechanic is built so that when you hit the target you placed with the left stick you will more likely have succes. Meaning a swing and a miss/a pop up/weak grounder etc. And hitting your spot probably also helps keeping his confidence.

[HarrySTruman]

Re: Analog pitching: does left-stick aiming do anything?

Thanks. That is my subjective impression: I hit that inside target with a two-seamer, slightly out of the strike zone, and the batter chases it. If you're right, then it certainly is worth setting (and hitting) the target.

I suppose another question is: does it help my odds to choose the target the catcher wants?

[CujoMatty]

Re: Analog pitching: does left-stick aiming do anything?

If you notice when you aim with the left stick the dot on the meter when you pitch moves left and right of center. In essence thats showing you where to aim when you push up with the right stick. It also determines where the line on the bottom of the meter for up or down in the strike zone should be so you can time the moment to press up on the right stick. I read some guy last year was saying he could pitch without aiming first and hit his spots so I think you could probably pitch without the left stick but i find it hard enough to hit my spots with the left stick i cant imagine how hard it would be without it.

as far as any inconsistencies you are seeing in terms of location im assuming it is related to ratings and confidence but I dont know this for sure.

[HarrySTruman]

Re: Analog pitching: does left-stick aiming do anything?

Thanks. Yes, when I move the left stick, I see the target move left or right. And it "freezes" left or right of the center-line once I start moving the right stick forward.

But the target-dot doesn't move "up" or "down" -- only left or right. Or does it? Sometimes I imagine that the diagonal line from the bottom of the meter to the target-dot does change; e.g., if I aim for a low target, the diagonal line seems to extend from the dot (on top) to a point slightly below the small horizontal line on the bottom of the meter. That means there are two targets to hit: the slightly lower target below the horizontal line, and then the target-dot at the top of the meter. Am I imagining this?

[CujoMatty]

Re: Analog pitching: does left-stick aiming do anything?

Correct. You will notice that if you press up on the right stick too early (before the line) the ball will go higher than you aimed. If you press up too late (below the line) the ball will go lower. If you really blow your aim and timing the ball goes all over the place.

[HarrySTruman]

Re: Analog pitching: does left-stick aiming do anything?

Thanks. So if I use the left-stick to aim at the knees, and I nail my timing -- that is, I start my right stick upward exactly as it hits the little horizontal line at the bottom of the meter, and I nail the left/right target -- the pitch will end up at the knees?

[CujoMatty]

Re: Analog pitching: does left-stick aiming do anything?

Yes ...mostly. Dont forget that ratings and confidence are also a factor in the equation.Even if you have perfect timing and aim with the right stick, location will vary somewhat depending on the pitcher sometimes. But more often than not the pitch will go really close to where you aim if your good with the right stick.

[HarrySTruman]

Re: Analog pitching: does left-stick aiming do anything?

Yep, it seems to be working. And my pitching has improved a LOT. I started a new Season just yesterday, played three games on Dynamic Difficulty, and now I'm at Veteran++ and rising in pitching. (And in batting, to my surprise.) I used to get shelled once I got to Veteran, but I just pitched a shutout against the Orioles using Jake Peavy for 8 innings and one inning of Tazawa, so that was pretty encouraging.

Also, using the "pitcher" view helps me spot pitches better. There's more margin for error in the meter, or so it seems, because an outside pitch has to be pushed a bit further "out" to get outside. I think.

[RangersCruz]

Re: Analog pitching: does left-stick aiming do anything?

What sliders do you use with analog?

[HarrySTruman]

Re: Analog pitching: does left-stick aiming do anything?

I mostly play in Diamond Dynasty mode, which has no sliders, as far as I know; just the default settings, I guess.

I did recently start a Season, and for that, I've used default sliders, together with Dynamic Difficulty. Up to veteran-plus on pitching and hitting in that mode, and I'm now 4-0.