How often do you power up?

[Gagnon39]

I completely understand that using the power swing should be reserved for the right situation. Primarily a hitter's count, 2-0 or 3-1. But it seems that every time I decide to use it I hit a weak pop-up and I want to launch my face through my TV screen.

But the last game I played I said, "what the heck, let's see." I power swung with Rizzo on a 2-0 count and I hit a ball that nearly went straight through the bricks behind the ivy. So I guess it does work, sometimes.

[Spokker]

Re: How often do you power up?

When the game is already lost and I'm just screwing around.

[Mrmagoo]

Re: How often do you power up?

I almost never do it. The PCI is to damn small with power swing. I either use normal or contact.

[bukktown]

Re: How often do you power up?

I only do it with a legit power threat in the 2-0, 3-1 counts that you mentioned. If the ball isn't completely in the middle 1/9th zone it's rare to square it up.

I do like how you can swing and miss more with the power swing when your timing is good. I have entertained the idea of a power swing exclusive slider set.
I get annoyed when I aim high, the pitch is low and I hit a weak 3 hopper to the pitcher. I don't even want to make contact if my PCI is opposite of the pitch location, regardless of timing.

[nomo17k]

Re: How often do you power up?

It depends on the game mode and difficulty level.

When I play sim-oriented modes (RTTS, franchise, etc.), I rarely use it because I don't usually try to hit for power and the teams or players I use tend not to be power threats. Only time I ever use power swing is when I look for a pitch down the middle and want to go for the fence. That's usually when the count is heavily in favor of hitter and I just need a HR.

But in a mode like Diamond Dynasty where the difficulty level is set relatively low and hitters have humongous PCI, it makes sense to use power swing all the time.

In this game, I think power hitters still have a tendency to fare better in producing safe hits (by letting grounders go in between infielders, hitting over the outfielders, etc.), so having additional pop is a good thing, if you can make a relatively solid contact.

[bukktown]

Re: How often do you power up?

It depends on the game mode and difficulty level.

When I play sim-oriented modes (RTTS, franchise, etc.), I rarely use it because I don't usually try to hit for power and the teams or players I use tend not to be power threats. Only time I ever use power swing is when I look for a pitch down the middle and want to go for the fence. That's usually when the count is heavily in favor of hitter and I just need a HR.

But in a mode like Diamond Dynasty where the difficulty level is set relatively low and hitters have humongous PCI, it makes sense to use power swing all the time.

In this game, I think power hitters still have a tendency to fare better in producing safe hits (by letting grounders go in between infielders, hitting over the outfielders, etc.), so having additional pop is a good thing, if you can make a relatively solid contact.

That's a good point!

I remember a couple years ago I was big into diamond dynasty and i used power swing all the time.

[Mrmagoo]

Re: How often do you power up?

Never played anything but franchise or rtts and maybe a dozen or so exhibition games. Been playing since 08.

[KBLover]

Re: How often do you power up?

Lately, only when I have a below average contact/vision guy up since those types don't often square up much anyway, and frequently outright miss so might as well gamble.

I'll also try it here and there with power guys with average or better contact, but only until I have one strike. Then it's the "normal" swing.

[Brian3113]

Re: How often do you power up?

I don't think I have ever used it. I don't ever use the Contact swing either. I pretty much just use the Normal swing. I get a reasonable amount of HR. Justin Smoak just hit 3 HR in 3 games, just using the Normal swing.

[decga]

Re: How often do you power up?

I am playing as the Braves. So I use the power swing for Uggla, J. Upton, Gattis, Freeman & Heyward. Unless they are down to two strikes during the at bat.

[Gagnon39]

Re: How often do you power up?

Overall I'm pretty consistent with my approach. I use normal a normal swing until I get two strikes, then I'm straight contact. But I think I might start working in a power swing with certain hitters on 2-0 and 3-1 counts.

The problem is I love the ability to check swings and it's easiest to do with the contact swing, which I guess is realistic.

[BSUFAN]

Re: How often do you power up?

I never use the power swing at all when I did all I seem to get was pop-ups so normal swing is the swing of choice for me and I get plenty of HR's with the normal swing.

[canes21]

Re: How often do you power up?

I use it in a number of different situations. If I have two outs and a runner in scoring position, I will never use it unless I am up big just because I am more focused on contact and moving the runner over. I don't need a HR, just a well placed ball. However, if I have 2 outs and nobody on, if it's Gattis or Heyward, J Upton, Freeman, and sometimes Johnson, I may power swing the entire at bat.

It also depends on the pitcher. If I am playing a guy who has been fastball crazy all game, I will power swing a lot more often as that is the pitch to do it on. If the guy has stayed low all game though, that will change things up as the power swing will just result in a lot more high fly balls in my experience. So I tend to look for the fastball and high pitches and decide to swing for the fences if the situation calls for it.

Like I said before, having runners on can change my approach. If I have a guy on 2nd, no outs, I may power swing then if I also have a hitters count. But if I even have one out, my focus is more on the gap and a solid hit that can score the guy and to me the risk with the power swing is not worth it and in some cases I may stick with the contact in that situation.

In my experience the power swing is a useful tool that I use every game. Don't let yourself get down because you finally wanted to use it with a power threat on a 3-0 count and popped up and then you never use it again. That is baseball. I was like that at first and stopped using it for awhile. I have now played a season and a half and have stuck with using all 3 swing types all of the time and the power swing is worth getting familiar with and knowing when to use it with who.

Also for fun, I use it with my pitchers the entire at bat at times if they are up with no one on. I've had a few balls I've hit off the wall with them and just can't wait to finally hit the big blast with one. Still hasn't happened yet in 240+ games, but hopefully I get it soon.

[COMMISSIONERHBK9]

Re: How often do you power up?

i think im going to start using it when i correctly guess the pitch and location.

[CBoller1331]

Re: How often do you power up?

I find that some guys hit well w/ power swing and some guys don't. And sometimes guys never hit homers with the power swing, but they absolutely drop bombs with the regular swing. I use it for all power hitters in hitters counts unless I find they hit more homers w/ the regular swing