Directional Hitting (This Year) vs Timing Hitting (Last Year)

[HokieB]

I'm a timing hitting guy, and just use the X button (no power or contact swing).

Can I still use that approach this year, or do you need to use directional hitting and/or the power and contact buttons to be successful?

I played two games last night. No HRs. Nothing to be concerned about, but I don't want to get 10 games into my franchise without a HR only to learn that my approach at the plate has been off.

To me, directional hitting feels a lot like the guess pitch mechanic. If I'm looking in and get a fastball away, it would seem that my power and contact would be penalized.

[sink4ever]

Re: Directional Hitting (This Year) vs Timing Hitting (Last Year)

I'm a timing hitting guy, and just use the X button (no power or contact swing).

Can I still use that approach this year, or do you need to use directional hitting and/or the power and contact buttons to be successful?

I played two games last night. No HRs. Nothing to be concerned about, but I don't want to get 10 games into my franchise without a HR only to learn that my approach at the plate has been off.

To me, directional hitting feels a lot like the guess pitch mechanic. If I'm looking in and get a fastball away, it would seem that my power and contact would be penalized.

My understanding is that if you use directional hitting but don't actual use any of the functions in game, it's pretty much the exact same thing as Timing from last year.

[CanOfCornCobb]

Re: Directional Hitting (This Year) vs Timing Hitting (Last Year)

I'm a timing hitting guy, and just use the X button (no power or contact swing).

Can I still use that approach this year, or do you need to use directional hitting and/or the power and contact buttons to be successful?

I played two games last night. No HRs. Nothing to be concerned about, but I don't want to get 10 games into my franchise without a HR only to learn that my approach at the plate has been off.

To me, directional hitting feels a lot like the guess pitch mechanic. If I'm looking in and get a fastball away, it would seem that my power and contact would be penalized.

I played 2gms before work this morning on HOF. I hit 2 HR's. The first HR i used directional hitting on a 3-1 count looking for something to pull. The second HR went oppo on a normal swing without directional hitting. I always use normal swing no matter what. I think this year im going to use directional hitting when im in hitters counts or find myself in a situation where i want to move runners over. I def recommend using it, but not abusing it.

[Dolenz]

Re: Directional Hitting (This Year) vs Timing Hitting (Last Year)

I used directional hitting last night on my one game and I hit 2 HR (back to back) by hitting the X button. I almost did not use the actual direction controls at all. I tried it on a few batters is all. As mentioned directional hitting without pushing a directions is the same as timing. Oh, and I use the O button for when I get down 0-2. It is easier to foul off borderline pitches and increases your contact area (at least it did last year with zone hitting)

[HokieB]

Re: Directional Hitting (This Year) vs Timing Hitting (Last Year)

Thanks guys. Sounds like I can keep my approach as is, though gearing up for a 3-1 fastball on the inner half sounds like fun. I'll probably work that in.

It's also great for moving a runner from 2nd to 3rd. I love small ball

[MetsFan16]

Re: Directional Hitting (This Year) vs Timing Hitting (Last Year)

I really like Directional Hitting. I was a Pure Analog guy in 14. In 15 I like how I can use Analog Controls but also use Directional Hitting. I don't use it every pitch, but if I'm in a hitters count and have a big power hitter up, I'll use it. Or if I have a slap hitter/Push Hitting I use it. Never with 2 strikes unless I need to move a guy over/get a fly ball. But I really like this

[El_MaYiMbE]

Re: Directional Hitting (This Year) vs Timing Hitting (Last Year)

I had another post about directional hitting before the game came out.
I have been waiting for this feature in an MLB The Show game since I started playing the series back in '09.

I have had the game for a few days now, and definitely like how its been implemented.
As someone mentioned, it is good to use this more for situational hitting rather than always.

When you have a runner on 2nd with no outs, and you need to get the ball to the right side, its good to push stick to the right. Or pull up if you have a runner on 3rd with less than 2 outs.

However, if you are at the plate just looking to get on, and using a "see the ball, hit the ball approach", not moving the stick might be your approach. You still need to time the pitch regardless of if you use direction or not.

I like how pulling or pushing, or aiming up does not guarantee that type of hit. If you try and pull an outside pitch, or pull a ball really low in the zone up, you will get weak hits or swings and misses. So it really is part of the strategy of the game, and feels more natural than zone hitting.

[Baseball Purist]

Re: Directional Hitting (This Year) vs Timing Hitting (Last Year)

I'm deciding between directional and zone myself. I have always been a zone player, but I'm not sure, or haven't found if we can still use swing influence for zone. In the past you could hold R2 and press in the direction on the stick, and the controller would vibrate, but this year doesn't seem to be the case.

If swing influence is missing for zone, I'll probably end up using directional so I can at least have some influence for sac fly's and bunts.

[Dolenz]

Re: Directional Hitting (This Year) vs Timing Hitting (Last Year)

I'm deciding between directional and zone myself. I have always been a zone player, but I'm not sure, or haven't found if we can still use swing influence for zone. In the past you could hold R2 and press in the direction on the stick, and the controller would vibrate, but this year doesn't seem to be the case.

If swing influence is missing for zone, I'll probably end up using directional so I can at least have some influence for sac fly's and bunts.

I think I am switching from Zone to Directional this year for no other reason than I mostly treated zone like timing hitting anyway and rarely moved the PCI.

[Armor and Sword]

Re: Directional Hitting (This Year) vs Timing Hitting (Last Year)

For guys playing the game (I will be in 2 hours yeah baby!!) are you able to use driectional in real time instead of having it pushed before the pitch.

Can you push the stick in the direction you want while simultaneously pressing the "X" button? Or must you pre load the direction before the pitch. On MVP 2005 you could use directional hitting in real time.

[ParisB]

Re: Directional Hitting (This Year) vs Timing Hitting (Last Year)

I woukd think you can still use Directional the same way as Zone. I wonder how the reward and penalty system works now.

You typically want to go with the pitch anyway..like pull an inside pitch or push an outside pitch.

It will be a little tricky if you want to hit a low inside pitch in the air. My zone habit will want to aim down and in even though I should aim up and in...

[Dolenz]

Re: Directional Hitting (This Year) vs Timing Hitting (Last Year)

For guys playing the game (I will be in 2 hours yeah baby!!) are you able to use driectional in real time instead of having it pushed before the pitch.

Can you push the stick in the direction you want while simultaneously pressing the "X" button? Or must you pre load the direction before the pitch. On MVP 2005 you could use directional hitting in real time.

I did not test it that close but I think during one of the stream it was said you could still press it as the pitch was coming in right up until you swung. I am not sure if simultaneously would work though.

[IgotSyphillis]

Re: Directional Hitting (This Year) vs Timing Hitting (Last Year)

So is directional hitting basically like the hitting system used in the old MVP Baseball games? If the count is in you're favor, you can hold up and in on the analog stick and look for something to smash? And what if you don't move the stick at all? Does that result and weak shots of the pitch isn't right down the middle?

[bcruise]

Re: Directional Hitting (This Year) vs Timing Hitting (Last Year)

So is directional hitting basically like the hitting system used in the old MVP Baseball games?

More or less, but the effect of holding a direction is not nearly as powerful as it was in MVP (and this is a good thing IMO

If the count is in you're favor, you can hold up and in on the analog stick and look for something to smash?

Again yes (and it's a great feeling to do that), but it's not like MVP's "hold up to homer" - you'll only have a greater chance of hitting the ball in the air - NOT farther.[/quote]

And what if you don't move the stick at all? Does that result and weak shots of the pitch isn't right down the middle?

Then you're basically playing The Show's timing hitting from past years. You can still get hits from pitches even off the plate if you're fortunate and the hitter has good enough ratings to do so.

Check out my first game from the Photo/Video thread if you want to see old-school timing hitting in action - I only used the left analog to influence one at-bat when I was trying to advance a runner. The rest was normal swings without a direction.

[Dolenz]

Re: Directional Hitting (This Year) vs Timing Hitting (Last Year)

And what if you don't move the stick at all? Does that result and weak shots of the pitch isn't right down the middle?

Not necessarily. Directional hitting is not the same as guessing the zone the pitch will be in. If you do not move the stick then it is essentially just timing. You have no control over the Plate Coverage Indicator. What your talking about sounds more like Zone hitting.