Video Evidence of Fielding Issues in MLB The Show '14

[Bobhead]

I figured it would be cool to get everything in one place. I went and bought a flash drive just so I can do this. Share your videos of various fielding quirks, for comparison and discussion.


<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/M3sfxH8JOyE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


First, I had the luxury of seeing the same issue twice in one inning. I thought I'd combine the two incidents for better viewing. The fielder lackadaisically reaches to the side and attempts to field the ball, and makes no effort to get in front of the ball whatsoever. He succeeds once, and gets burned once, but in both cases, he's basically doing the same thing.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/9k8q-AHk4S8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

This second one is maybe a little harder to notice, but even more egregious when you think about it. The second baseman fields the ball lazily and to the side again, but that's not the main issue here. After fielding, he plants his feet, turns to the side, and reaches back, in preparation for a strong throw. But then he inexplicably changes his mind AFTER doing all that, and instead opts to lob the ball underhand.

I won't argue whether the player should be attempting an underhand throw. Obviously an overhand throw is better, but we all know underhand throws are all the rage in real life baseball too. The issue here is the complete waste of time animation. Why would a player need to plant and turn if they were just gonna lob the ball anyway? And he even takes the ball and reaches back as if he's just about to throw the ball, and then derp... underhand.

[strangeinternet]

Re: Video Evidence of Fielding Issues in MLB The Show '14

Dan Uggla Simulator 2014

[Woodweaver]

Re: Video Evidence of Fielding Issues in MLB The Show '14

I figured it would be cool to get everything in one place. I went and bought a flash drive just so I can do this. Share your videos of various fielding quirks, for comparison and discussion.


<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/M3sfxH8JOyE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>


First, I had the luxury of seeing the same issue twice in one inning. I thought I'd combine the two incidents for better viewing. The fielder lackadaisically reaches to the side and attempts to field the ball, and makes no effort to get in front of the ball whatsoever. He succeeds once, and gets burned once, but in both cases, he's basically doing the same thing.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/9k8q-AHk4S8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>

This second one is maybe a little harder to notice, but even more egregious when you think about it. The second baseman fields the ball lazily and to the side again, but that's not the main issue here. After fielding, he plants his feet, turns to the side, and reaches back, in preparation for a strong throw. But then he inexplicably changes his mind AFTER doing all that, and instead opts to lob the ball underhand.

I won't argue whether the player should be attempting an underhand throw. Obviously an overhand throw is better, but we all know underhand throws are all the rage in real life baseball too. The issue here is the complete waste of time animation. Why would a player need to plant and turn if they were just gonna lob the ball anyway? And he even takes the ball and reaches back as if he's just about to throw the ball, and then derp... underhand.

You did not mention whether you or the CPU was controlling the DEF, and what were your settings...soooo, there could be multiple scenarios...


In the first example, you have to understand that there are a finite number of animations we have in our palette to react to a, practically, infinite number of situations on the field. There is a large amount of analysis that must be made to choose and play an appropriate catch animation at the appropriate time. We are talking ball and fielder speeds, angle of attack, distance to the ball and attach points of catch animation, play back time multiples, etc., etc...all in an attempt to align ball and glove without warping the ball and/or fielder while looking like a major league fielder doing it. If you add in the fielder's attributes (or a HUM player's reflexes) affecting his jump/reaction time and route to the ball, you might get the picture of how it may not look like real life 100% of the time. That being said, I still think that "wonky" plays are not seen very often, and when they do pop up, it can be subjective. For example, in the second play, the 2Bman sprinted a few steps to attempt to make a back hand catch at a hard hit ball up the middle. Given his attributes, the jump and angle of attack, the situation may have only allowed that type of catch, and I think it is safe to say you see plays like these two in the MLB. I am not saying there is no room for improvement. We are constantly tweak and capturing new animations to do just that...


In the second example, there are two possible scenarios that would cause this issue. One is user error. If a HUM controlled fielder does not give throw input before (i.e. pre-load and not still be holding down the button/analog stick) the branch point for a throw in the catch animation, the fielder will have to wait until a later throw ready branch point is reached in the catch animation to make a throw. The second way this could happen is related again to a finite palette of animations. If the branching throw will get the ball to 2B too quickly for any catch animations we have available for this situation, meaning the covering fielder will have to warp to the base or the ball will have to be "looped up" for the coverer to run to it, the lesser of two evils is to wait until the coverer can get to the bag or the starting point of an "on-the-run" catch animation. Again, we are trying to use a finite palette to solve a very large problem set, and although we may not achieve real-life results 100% of the time, plays like this are not seen often. And once again, we are constantly striving to improve.


BTW, thank you for the videos. I will try to reproduce these plays to determine exactly what is happening.

[Bobhead]

Re: Video Evidence of Fielding Issues in MLB The Show '14

Apologies for the lack of information, It was I controlling the DEF in all 3 situations (since the 1st video was 2-in-1). All the throws were preloaded well before the ball was fielded.

In the first video, I will concede that (on the error play) the fielder probably had no other option if he wanted to make a play. But it still could have been done better. There was no need for the fielder to stop running so early, and intentionally leave so much distance between his self and the ball's trajectory. He could have slid, or just continued running and fielded the ball in passing. Actually fielding the ball is always the first priority of a fielder. Hoping/trying to make a play comes secondary.

And in the first portion (the successful play), the grounder was very routine, and there's no rational reason for a minimum effort reach to the side when he could have easily gotten in front of the ball. You can see the very slow walk he takes when he first breaks. This wasn't my doing, I had the analog stick fully pressed, but I was locked into the trotting animation and couldn't do anything else.



In the video with the wonky underhand throw, I did not touch the controller again after making my initial throw command, which was well before the ball was fielded.

MLB players, especially on double plays (and on plays where pitchers cover 1st) are instructed and expected to throw to the bag, not to the fielder. You throw where the fielder is supposed to be, and his butt needs to just get there. This is done to avoid this very problem, and is practiced by every team in baseball. The throw should have been made immediately, and then the fielder would just have to adjust and catch as he approached the bag. If you aren't good enough to catch and run, you shouldn't be a 2nd baseman in the first place. The only exception to this "rule" is on an overshift.

There was no shift in effect, and the fielder (who'd receive the throw) wasn't particularly far away) so there was no need to "wait" for the fielder to get comfortable. If you watch the video again, you will see the noticeable delay between when the fielder gets to the bag, and when the throw is made. So that isn't a valid or acceptable defense of the - err... defense in that play. Even if we ignore the aforementioned "just throw the ball" rule, the player is still slow to throw, and there's a palpable gap where the 2nd baseman is just standing there waiting for the throw.

[Woodweaver]

Re: Video Evidence of Fielding Issues in MLB The Show '14

Apologies for the lack of information, It was I controlling the DEF in all 3 situations (since the 1st video was 2-in-1). All the throws were preloaded well before the ball was fielded.

In the first video, I will concede that (on the error play) the fielder probably had no other option if he wanted to make a play. But it still could have been done better. There was no need for the fielder to stop running so early, and intentionally leave so much distance between his self and the ball's trajectory. He could have slid, or just continued running and fielded the ball in passing. Actually fielding the ball is always the first priority of a fielder. Hoping/trying to make a play comes secondary.

And in the first portion (the successful play), the grounder was very routine, and there's no rational reason for a minimum effort reach to the side when he could have easily gotten in front of the ball. You can see the very slow walk he takes when he first breaks. This wasn't my doing, I had the analog stick fully pressed, but I was locked into the trotting animation and couldn't do anything else.



In the video with the wonky underhand throw, I did not touch the controller again after making my initial throw command, which was well before the ball was fielded.

MLB players, especially on double plays (and on plays where pitchers cover 1st) are instructed and expected to throw to the bag, not to the fielder. You throw where the fielder is supposed to be, and his butt needs to just get there. This is done to avoid this very problem, and is practiced by every team in baseball. The throw should have been made immediately, and then the fielder would just have to adjust and catch as he approached the bag. If you aren't good enough to catch and run, you shouldn't be a 2nd baseman in the first place. The only exception to this "rule" is on an overshift.

There was no shift in effect, and the fielder (who'd receive the throw) wasn't particularly far away) so there was no need to "wait" for the fielder to get comfortable. If you watch the video again, you will see the noticeable delay between when the fielder gets to the bag, and when the throw is made. So that isn't a valid or acceptable defense of the - err... defense in that play. Even if we ignore the aforementioned "just throw the ball" rule, the player is still slow to throw, and there's a palpable gap where the 2nd baseman is just standing there waiting for the throw.

We all know how real major league fielder would react and what ball players are taught. I think what you're missing here is that my points are not meant as a "defense" of how these plays panned out, but rather an explanation as to why certain limitations of a computer simulations sometimes cause less that perfect/real life outcomes. As I stated, we are always trying to improve. In fact, your video has already born fruit! Knowing the settings does help. In the DP example, I was able to find the catch animation the SS used and adjust a branch point to allow for a more realistic outcome. One problem solved!

[Bobhead]

Re: Video Evidence of Fielding Issues in MLB The Show '14

We all know how real major league fielder would react and what ball players are taught. I think what you're missing here is that my points are not meant as a "defense" of how these plays panned out, but rather an explanation as to why certain limitations of a computer simulations sometimes cause less that perfect/real life outcomes.

Apologies if you thought I interpreted your post that way, but I didn't. Of course I know you have the best intentions, and you guys are always committed to improvement. Part of the reason I posted this (or spent 30 on a flash drive!) is because I already know that the developers, including and especially yourself, are deeply invested in improving and perfecting the game as much as possible.

I just wanted to make sure my own opinion was communicated fully and effectively, and that you at least understood my views on the various fielding videos I posted.

As I stated, we are always trying to improve. In fact, your video has already born fruit! Knowing the settings does help. In the DP example, I was able to find the catch animation the SS used and adjust a branch point to allow for a more realistic outcome. One problem solved!

Glad to hear! Thank you for your time and effort as always. But really, it's like 9 PM... why are you guys even still at work?

[Knight165]

Re: Video Evidence of Fielding Issues in MLB The Show '14

Glad to hear! Thank you for your time and effort as always. But really, it's like 9 PM... why are you guys even still at work?

The truth may be out.
Ramone really runs SCEA.....the rest....well automatons
Here is photographic proof



Woodweaver is the third from the left.

M.K.
Knight165

[Bobhead]

Re: Video Evidence of Fielding Issues in MLB The Show '14

The truth may be out.
Ramone really runs SCEA.....the rest....well automatons
Here is photographic proof



Woodweaver is the third from the left.

M.K.
Knight165

hahaha that explains it

Coincidentally that is one of my favorite movies of all time. So underrated.

[Bobhead]

Re: Video Evidence of Fielding Issues in MLB The Show '14

I'm a little disappointed that no one else has shared any videos.

Here's another from me.

This is two issues in one play. The first is a "fielding issue" as in, it belongs in this thread. The second one probably is not, and does not, it's more of a bug. But since the two were in the same play and are connected to each other, I just figured I'll post the whole video here and maybe I'll go post a bug report at the TheShowNation later.

Anyway... the first issue in this video is the real one that compelled me to post here. The CPU drops what is very much an unexpected bunt, and my fielder is still able to immediately break, the instant the batter pulls the bunt around. You'll see the two events unfold in practically the same frame: he reaches and begins the bunt, the fielder breaks towards him. No time gap is present to produce a realistic reaction time.

The second issue is just the teleporting baseball, on the first baseman side. A weird animation triggers (presumably an error-related one), the ball rolls away towards the pitcher's mound. Then the fielder runs towards 2nd base, and magically fields the ball that is nowhere near him. It didn't affect anything, it was just weird.

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/U7bdqSFkANc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[strawberryshortcake]

Re: Video Evidence of Fielding Issues in MLB The Show '14

I'm a little disappointed that no one else has shared any videos.

Just noticed this thread. I actually have a whole bunch "saved" footage by pressing the "options" button on my controller, and saving it as a video file somewhere on my PS4. Just not sure how to retrieve it, and either recording it with my ipad or uploading it to my youtube account.

All of the video footage captured is strictly on fielding animation awareness and situation reaction, lack of urgency by fielders, includes both CPU and human controlled elements.

I made sure most of the captured footage were of the CPU because human input error could simply mess up animations. Plays being closer than they should be, not turning double plays, etc. Sometimes even preloading throws for a double play, and or quick strike to first doesn't work.

My main complaint about this game with regards to fielding animation is the lack of urgency and situational awareness, many nonchalant plays.