First Baseman not covering bag issue

**thaSLAB** · 06-21-2015, 05:26 PM

Re: First Baseman not covering bag issue

I saw it for the first time yesterday, on a ball fielded deep in the hole at short. Although, I think the runner would have been easily safe anyway. It definitely seems like the first baseman had conceded the hit.

I'll post a video later.

Edit: here is the 1 time I've seen this in hundreds of games... also, I think the play was going to be a hit all the way, easily. You can see I switched to the SS very late, after I figured the 3B couldn't get there. I also thought I had went into replay and viewed/recorded it, but I guess not...

https://youtu.be/-E5cUJBI1S4

htcONE [M8] 5.0 | Tapatalk

**bcruise** · 06-21-2015, 05:33 PM

Re: First Baseman not covering bag issue

Anyone have a consensus on what is causing this yet? It can't just randomly be happening, can it?

I think I've seen it twice out of all the games I've played, so I know it's there.

It's tough to patch - fix for next year if the cause can't be nailed down.

**kehlis** · 06-21-2015, 05:36 PM

Re: First Baseman not covering bag issue

I actually saw it for the first time today.

In my instance it was a short pop up that the pitcher could have caught in the air if he had gotten off the mound quick enough. Not sure if that has anything to do with it.

**nomo17k** · 06-21-2015, 10:31 PM

Re: First Baseman not covering bag issue

My personal guess is that this issue is not specific to the first baseman, but it is somehow caused by the new fielding paradigm which has removed some of the needless haste and urgency that we've observed before in non-urgent situations. That in general is a vast improvement (than seeing fielders always making plays as if they need to get to the nearest bathroom).

What I have been observing at times is that fielders in certain situations assume that a play that needs more urgency would not be made, so they don't make necessary plays to complete some plays. (some of which are archived at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/baseball17k/videos ... sorry that most videos are related to the excessive bunting/squeeze issue.)

One of more prominent examples is the first baseman not covering the bag when a fielder gives (this also happens with other basemen, like 2B/SS).

Another example I often see is that the pitcher not covering the home base on a wild pitch that goes to the backstop.

Also, on bunting, pitcher or catcher sometimes doesn't attempt to get to the ball quickly, as if he was yielding to the other guy who would make the play for him (we don't need the puma-like catcher urgency, but the excessive "pause" by the catcher actually contributes to a higher bunt success rate this year).

I think there are some loose ends in the new fielding AI in certain situations.

**HolyStroke3** · 06-22-2015, 01:37 AM

Re: First Baseman not covering bag issue

The first time I saw this was on a hard shot to third that one hopped just in front of Sandoval but he never threw the ball, just stood there. I watched replay to see why and the first basemen was just standing there, off the bag. It happened again on a similar play, this time I was in the field. Lowrie fielded a one hop liner, I hit circle, and threw across to Ike Davis who nevered moved on the play. I've seen it maybe 2-3 other time since

**Geolink** · 06-22-2015, 09:03 AM

Re: First Baseman not covering bag issue

Happened to me as well as I've been playing the game a lot often now.

It's REALLY annoying. Had a runner on first and second and a hard ground ball was hit to my third basemen. I was close to third base to tag the runner there, but at the heat of the moment I threw to first and the first baseman was NOWHERE near the bag.

UGH

**PPerfect_CJ** · 06-22-2015, 09:20 AM

Re: First Baseman not covering bag issue

I'm seeing it a lot, too. It's really annoying. Probably cost me a few outs.

**Armor and Sword** · 06-22-2015, 09:45 AM

Re: First Baseman not covering bag issue

I had it happen to me last night, on a grounder to third with a man on second.

I fielded a sharply hit chopper....paused to look back the runner on 2nd....then threw to first...except he was 4 feet off the bag on a sure out. Now I also canceled my initial throw...so it was a pump fake...then a throw

It has happened to me about half a dozen times in hundreds of games played thus far on MLB 15.

I am sure it will be addressed for 16.

**duc748s** · 06-22-2015, 04:27 PM

Re: First Baseman not covering bag issue

Originally posted by nomo17k

.......

Also, on bunting, pitcher or catcher sometimes doesn't attempt to get to the ball quickly, as if he was yielding to the other guy who would make the play for him (we don't need the puma-like catcher urgency, but the excessive "pause" by the catcher actually contributes to a higher bunt success rate this year).

I think there are some loose ends in the new fielding AI in certain situations.

I don't know if this is related in any way....

I had a bunt play to 3rd base side (me=pitcher) I had third base run up to grab bunt, along with me, Runner going 1st to 2nd. Bag at 3rd was abandoned, so since 3rd baseman was closer to bunt I ran to cover third, SS did not cover bag. Catcher never moved from HP

3rd Baseman missed fielding the bunt, abandoned play and ran back to 3rd to cover as I was on it. Left ball between HP and 3rd (not moving). I had to run off third to field the ball. As I fielded the ball, original runner went 2nd to 3rd - the bunt runner went 1st to 2nd (that was cool and realistic that the runners were taking the added bases). I threw to 3rd but it was pointless as runner was already there. Result was Bunt sacrifice safe on first, moved runner over to 2nd, E1 with runners on 2nd and 3rd???

With the abundant amount of bunting that happens, I have seen this from the 3rd base side a few times already where they abandon the play if they don't pick up the ball...and the catcher stays home. ...........It's really weird

**Woodweaver** · 06-22-2015, 05:01 PM

Re: First Baseman not covering bag issue

Originally posted by countryboy

https://www.facebook.com/matthew.gan...5535194824943/

This issue is really starting to bug me. On this play Holt had a decent shot at throwing out the runner, at least it would've been close, but the 1B isn't covering the bag. I've had this happen a couple times over the last few days. Latest was a shot in the hole that Simmons snagged, threw to Wong at second for one and we had a shot at a double play but Adams was off the bag.

EDIT: Can someone change this from link to the actual video? I can't access facebook from my PC right now for whatever reason and I don't know how to do it via phone. Thank you in advance.

We are aware of this issue and trying to find a reliable, reproducible case. Stay tuned...

**duc748s** · 06-22-2015, 05:12 PM

Re: First Baseman not covering bag issue

Thank You Woodweaver for your reply

**countryboy** · 06-22-2015, 05:20 PM

Re: First Baseman not covering bag issue

Originally posted by Woodweaver

We are aware of this issue and trying to find a reliable, reproducible case. Stay tuned...

Thanks Woodweaver.

I know I brought it up twice, but I'm getting better defensively and its starting to show a bit more.

I appreciate the response and hope you're able to find a cure for '16.

**HustlinOwl** · 06-22-2015, 05:33 PM

Re: First Baseman not covering bag issue

Originally posted by Woodweaver

We are aware of this issue and trying to find a reliable, reproducible case. Stay tuned...

keep jamming hitter for a weak pop-up to pitcher/infielder unable to make a play on ball allowing to drop and 1B will not cover

**countryboy** · 06-22-2015, 06:19 PM

Re: First Baseman not covering bag issue

And just to add, every time that I have seen it either the 3B or SS make a diving stop "robbing the batter of a hit" and he doesn't cover.

First Baseman not covering bag issue

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