Has anyone noticed, Or is it my imagination

[CleveCluby]

I have just played a game of MLB 14 on ps4. The reason, I wanted to check something out that I thought seemed different. with Auto fielding on, I noticed that when a fly ball was hit to the OF, lets say CF, both the RF and LF started moving in that direction. Of course the CF made the play, but the other OF's were with in a few yards away backing up the play. I also noticed, when a ground ball was hit to the infield, the catcher would run down the line towards 1b backing up the play. On Pop ups, to the IF, players would pretty much all move towards the ball. the closest making the play and calling off the pitcher. Which seems very logical. On GB to the Infield, The RF would start running towards 1b and RF line..

In MLB 15.. None of this logic seems to happen, it seems that with auto fielding, only the closest player locks on to the play. The catcher never runs towards 1b on grounders to the IF. On Pop fly's to the IF, One player goes for the ball the others just stand there. On Fly balls to the outfield, only the closest player to the ball goes for it. the other OF players never back up the play.

Also, I have seen very very few bloop fly balls for base hits. All the Fly balls are either high, high fly balls or hard hit line drives. Very few bloopers drop for hits. Hits are always up the middle or in the gap on hard line drives for doubles. Most hits for singles are ground balls that get through the IF

Way to many throws from the OF hit target, they always pull the fielder off base or make them reach out running to catch it.

And finally, do you think the catcher reacts way to fast on all those little grounders in front of the plate. I have seen a few plays that the ball hit the down the 1B line and the catcher fields it and tags out the batter before he leaves the box.

I just didn't notice this so much in MLB 14.. OH and after patch MLB15, bunts are still way to easy..

[My993C2]

Re: Has anyone noticed, Or is it my imagination

The catcher never runs towards 1b on grounders to the IF.

Actually the catchers do cover 1st base on ground balls. If you're not seeing this, it might not be the game, it might be the camera view you are using. I am a MoM player and I have access in MoM games to the Dugout camera view which is kind of a unique camera view for the entire game. The Dugout camera view is the only camera in the entire game that does not change to some other camera once the ball is hit. The Dugout camera view stays active for the entire duration of the play and I see the catcher covering 1st base all the time on infield hits. If you don't believe me, I could post a video during my next game. But I bet you'd also be able to see the catchers covering 1st base during a normal replay.

Edited to add: I have a CPU vs CPU game going on right now as I surf the forms and also am watching the Wings/Lightning NHL playoff hockey game. Using the Broadcast camera, it is clear that the catcher is covering 1st base. He sort of disappears out of view for a split second but then you can see him reappear in view once the ball is thrown to the bag. Plus if you go view the replay, you can clearly see that he does cover 1st base.

[CleveCluby]

Re: Has anyone noticed, Or is it my imagination

Thanks, I am using a different camera view.. Maybe that is the problem, appreciate your response.

[erod550]

Re: Has anyone noticed, Or is it my imagination

I have also noticed the CPU having laser accuracy from the outfield while even my short relay throws have the guy on the bag lunging and stumbling a high percentage of the time.

And the superhuman catchers tagging somebody before they even get out of the box has been in the game since 13 so I guess they've decided that's how they want catchers to be from now on. Very frustrating though.

The lack of bloop hits is a problem every year and usually only sliders can fix it so you actually get a variety of hits. The problem I always have though is once I make it so every hit isn't a line drive, then I pretty much can't score any runs at all. Very hard to get that balance.

[nomo17k]

Re: Has anyone noticed, Or is it my imagination

I have also noticed the CPU having laser accuracy from the outfield while even my short relay throws have the guy on the bag lunging and stumbling a high percentage of the time.

And the superhuman catchers tagging somebody before they even get out of the box has been in the game since 13 so I guess they've decided that's how they want catchers to be from now on. Very frustrating though.

The lack of bloop hits is a problem every year and usually only sliders can fix it so you actually get a variety of hits. The problem I always have though is once I make it so every hit isn't a line drive, then I pretty much can't score any runs at all. Very hard to get that balance.

I think inaccuracy for long throws from outfield may be exaggerated, but that might actually because of the specific animation that tends to be triggered. I don't really have as much issues with inaccuracy itself (long throws are often inaccurate), but the fielder expecting such a throw shouldn't lunge like that all the time. I feel it's more a "limited-animation" issue.

I actually see a decent number of bloop hits/flares in the current game. It was noticeably better last year but this year is much better... the hit type generated upon bat contact has vastly improved this year I think.

[TheRealC7R]

Re: Has anyone noticed, Or is it my imagination

I still see players making the movements you've described so it is definitely there. For example, when the catcher is throwing to 1B on a dropped third strike, I've seen players move to a cover position in case there is a poor throw. I do agree though on the throws from the outfield being way too off this year, which robs you of the chance of making a play at a base/home plate. I'm not sure if the throws are just poor or if it's just an animation that needs to be toned down since the players all go into the same animation whenever there is a throw that pulls them off of the base/plate. This was not the case in 14; the animation was still present but there were generally more accurate throws, giving you a chance to tag the runner out.

[bspring3]

Re: Has anyone noticed, Or is it my imagination

While I have still seen catchers making plays way too quickly in some instances, I have also seen poor defensive catchers react very slowly to balls hit in front of them. This has resulted in some plays being much closer then they would normally be and have even beat out a play here or there.

Also, I have seen my fair share of bloop hits into the outfield. IMO hit variety has improved every year.

I am playing on All-star for both hitting and pitching using Armor&Swords sliders.

[CleveCluby]

Re: Has anyone noticed, Or is it my imagination

Thanks, I stand corrected, Tried a different camera view, was using broadcast, Tried high and i see the player movements, catchers included. MLB 14 must have had a slightly different view. IN MLB 14 the outfielders would get much closer to each other than they do in 15 when backing up fly balls. They were only a few feet away, In 15, they seem to stop about 15 or 2o yds away from each other, so they really aren't there in case of an era. BUT they do move in the direction. Thanks to all that responded, I always use my own sliders, but if you are seeing lots of Bloop singles and not just grounders past the infield. I will try Armor and Swords sliders. The one thing that really bothers me this year is the auto fielding, I have always used it.. In MLB 14, Once you caught the ball, you could throw it to whom ever, once he caught the ball, you had control over him, you could run with him, or do what ever until you got rid of the ball, example, throw to home, catcher off the plate, as soon as he caught the ball you could run him towards the plate and try to make the tag. In 15, throw to home and as soon as catcher catches the bag, auto take over. you can't move him. He does what he wants. All you can do is throw the ball. I'm sure you could if you were playing on assist, but i have always used auto fielding.

[cusefan74]

Re: Has anyone noticed, Or is it my imagination

Throws from the outfield pulling guys off bags you can stop from happening, just don't hold the button for more then a second. That's what I do and my guys hardly ever get pulled off the bag anymore. It happens when you hold the button down and try to rifle one in there that it pulls the guy off the bag.

[CleveCluby]

Re: Has anyone noticed, Or is it my imagination

Tks Cusefan74... But I don't have that turned on. Mine is set just to touch the button. the throw and velocity is selected by the player.. I can hold button or tap it.. Makes no difference..

[Orion2012]

Re: Has anyone noticed, Or is it my imagination

Tks Cusefan74... But I don't have that turned on. Mine is set just to touch the button. the throw and velocity is selected by the player.. I can hold button or tap it.. Makes no difference..

Is there any correlation between fielder arm accuracy and arm strength to what you're seeing?


I have both my infield and outfield arm strength slider at 4 and I dont have the lunge issue, but I also use analog throwing and I rarely throw the ball hard unless needed.