AI pickoff attempts

[swenk16]

I have the pickoffs slider turned all the way down but it doesn't seem to matter. ANYONE I take a lead off 1st, the computer is making a pickoff throw. With no lead, I can't steal and it just seems like an unrealistic representation. And they actually succeed with the pickoff way too often.

Has anyone found a fix? Or a slider adjustment that has worked for them? Maybe bringing stealing ability up 1 or 2? Just curious if there is a solution I have yet to find. Thanks in advance all.

Swenk.

[Joey]

Re: AI pickoff attempts

When do you take your lead and how many steps are you taking? I take 1 step, and take it as late as I can, AND I always slide head first to the outside of the bag. I've always done it this way and gotten favorable results.

[jkra0512]

Re: AI pickoff attempts

I play with Armor's slider set and I don't need to take an extra step in order to get realistic SB numbers. I believe I remember reading in another pickoff thread Russell saying good baserunners don't need the extra step, if they're good, they'll get their SBs.

[swenk16]

Re: AI pickoff attempts

I usually take a step off after the pitcher settles in after looking at 1st one time. I'm a 1 step kinda guy too. Maybe I'll try to work on my leadoff timing.

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[Gagnon39]

Re: AI pickoff attempts

I rarely, and I mean rarely take an extra step and Bonifacio leads the league in stolen bases with 34 right now. He's yet to be thrown out and I have steal effectiveness turned down one click.

[allhailben7]

Re: AI pickoff attempts

This is killing me in RTTS. I don't lead off whatsoever and I have like 30+ steals between AA and AAA myself, but 5 guys have been picked off while I was batting. I'm the leadoff hitter, so that usually means catchers (until a 2B prospect came up in the last week). 3 of those times, I got the count to 3-0 or 3-1 with a great chance of drawing a walk, then they pick off the guy at first. Next inning--3 straight balls right down the middle and I ground out on weak contact.

[jmcole33]

Re: AI pickoff attempts

I get picked off at least once a game it's very frustrating.

[Bobhead]

Re: AI pickoff attempts

I get picked off at least once a game it's very frustrating.

likewise. Baserunning needs a huge look next year. I shouldn't have to abstain from taking leads just to avoid constant pickoffs.

[Shakes]

Re: AI pickoff attempts

likewise. Baserunning needs a huge look next year. I shouldn't have to abstain from taking leads just to avoid constant pickoffs.

What I don't understand is the pickoff logic sometimes. It makes no sense. For example. Every now and then I take a 1 or 2 step lead with a man also on 2nd and the pitcher throws to 1st. So how exactly am I going to steal 2nd with a man on 2nd already?!?! This happens even when the bases are loaded too.

Also, sometimes when I am on 2nd and I take NO lead at all, they try a pickoff. I personally almost never take 3rd unless a knuckleball pitcher is on the mound.

Btw, this is all with the pickoff slider at the lowest setting.

[aukevin]

Re: AI pickoff attempts

This is killing me in RTTS. I don't lead off whatsoever and I have like 30+ steals between AA and AAA myself, but 5 guys have been picked off while I was batting. I'm the leadoff hitter, so that usually means catchers (until a 2B prospect came up in the last week). 3 of those times, I got the count to 3-0 or 3-1 with a great chance of drawing a walk, then they pick off the guy at first. Next inning--3 straight balls right down the middle and I ground out on weak contact.

Drives me crazy too. Anytime I see one of my teammates taking an extra step, I usually step out of the box to reset the base runner, especially if it is a low skilled base runner.

As for base stealing in RTTS for my controlled player. I never take an extra step and I get really good results. You just have to lean.

[kehlis]

Re: AI pickoff attempts

What I don't understand is the pickoff logic sometimes. It makes no sense. For example. Every now and then I take a 1 or 2 step lead with a man also on 2nd and the pitcher throws to 1st. So how exactly am I going to steal 2nd with a man on 2nd already?!?! This happens even when the bases are loaded too.

Also, sometimes when I am on 2nd and I take NO lead at all, they try a pickoff. I personally almost never take 3rd unless a knuckleball pitcher is on the mound.

Btw, this is all with the pickoff slider at the lowest setting.

Pickoffs are not done based on your potential to steal a base, they are done with the intent of keeping you close to the base to possibly prevent you from advancing an extra base on a hit.

Holding runners on second is a huge aspect of the game of baseball which is why there is a need to attempt to pick you off. It has nothing to do with if you're going to steal or not.

The ultimate problem of too many attempts IS a problem but the logic is not.

[rjackson]

Re: AI pickoff attempts

Here are the easy fixes for most of you that I have learned:

You do not need to get a lead to steal in this game. Think of it as a quality stealing lead already and taking the extra step is a HUGE lead.

In RTTS to keep from getting picked off, hold the L stick back towards the bag. If the pitcher throws it there, you'll get back. If they don't, flick it and try to steal.

[RandyBass]

Re: AI pickoff attempts

...And they actually succeed with the pickoff way too often...

I use auto baserunning and my guys will get picked of once every few games. Should be once every 8 games at most. Team league leaders past 3 years average roughly 20 picks per season. Mildly annoying.

[Heroesandvillains]

Re: AI pickoff attempts

Pickoffs are not done based on your potential to steal a base, they are done with the intent of keeping you close to the base to possibly prevent you from advancing an extra base on a hit.

Holding runners on second is a huge aspect of the game of baseball which is why there is a need to attempt to pick you off. It has nothing to do with if you're going to steal or not.

The ultimate problem of too many attempts IS a problem but the logic is not.

This is an excellent post.

Except for the part about the amount of attempts being a problem. For me that's not the issue. I think it's the success rate.

Unless you mean attempts to second only. Then in which case, I tend to agree with you (again), for the most part.

Then again, I have no idea how many attempts happen in real life. My best guess is an ultra-mega ton.

[Bobhead]

Re: AI pickoff attempts

The entire pickoff/baserunner system is seriously flawed. Everything from the fact that the CPU thinks it's appropriate to attempt 12 consecutive pickoffs without throwing a single pitch... to the fact that a runner can be picked off of a base even though he watched the baseman run in front of him back to the bag to receive the pickoff... To the fact that a "default lead" is sufficient to steal a base, when it shouldn't be.

None of it really makes any sense, and the fact that things can be done to "make it work" doesn't change that.