Is Directional hitting working properly?

[COMMISSIONERHBK9]

Re: Is Directional hitting working properly?

thank you for all your help. what would you suggest for a good hitting camera? and I'm sorry to ask so much questions but when would you know when to influence a hit?

VL = Very Late
L = Late
JL = Just Late
G = Good, P = Perfect (it might display, I can't remember), N = Normal = Good
JE = Just Early
E = Early
VE = Very Early

As The Chef said, these are all batter analysis labels/shorthand for what you see in-game in swing analysis (except you never see Perfect or Normal - just "Good" in game. Pitchers can see "Perfect" for their deliveries in-game). That's one of the best features of the game, those analysis screens (pitcher, too).

You can do stop using the L-stick entirely, but, imo, it's better to stop using the left stick unless you want to try for a specific direction/batted ball.

That said, baseball is a game driven heavily by two things: mental approach and results, so if that ends up working, then by all means run with it! If it clears your head, let's you just focus on the ball and keeps you less frustrated at the plate, then it's a positive approach. There's no right or wrong way to do things if you're producing results.

[KBLover]

Re: Is Directional hitting working properly?

thank you for all your help. what would you suggest for a good hitting camera? and I'm sorry to ask so much questions but when would you know when to influence a hit?

I use a custom camera oriented from the Pitcher Center view (I hit and pitch from behind the pitcher, using the same camera for consistency of view). A lot seem to like the new Fisheye camera.

One thing hitting from behind the pitcher can do is, in some deliveries, see the grip as he's winding up. If you learn to look for it can recognize it while he's whipping his arm around in his delivery, it can "tip off" the speed portion of the pitch at least, which helps timing. I also think that's at least somewhat realistic considering we get none of the irl visual cues that can tip off pitch-type to hitters.

Don't rely on looking into the glove, some guys hide the ball well. Some animations make everyone look like they are about to throw a knuckleball in the glove. But they all have to "show" their hands during their windups.

But whatever view you use, I think it best to keep it consistent. That way your eye gets to see a lot of pitches from that view every game. Even when pitching, watch the ball and the delivery like you were hitting. Especially if you play Classic since you don't have to worry about any other inputs or watching meters.

Also when pitching, you KNOW what you picked so you might can associate grip = pitch type = general velocity. The specific velocities come from using the pause menu "scouting report" (his stuff and pace shows in the pitcher box) or if they show it during presentation.

For when to influence - I have a methodology based on irl data, but in general, you can go by situation and the hitter's spray chart in game (also on the pause menu - down where it shows his fields and things like "extreme pull")

What those spray labels seem to do is indicate where in the window he gets his best results. A pull guy like to be on the earlier side of things. A push guy, the opposite, and a "hit 'em where they pitch 'em" guy (i.e. "Balanced") pretty much just wants to be "on" the ball.

The way influencing can (remember, it's a calculated risk) help is by sort of shifting things. Influencing pull with "Good" timing tends to result in more pull hits. It's like "Good" became "Just Early" or even "Early". This is why timing is still paramount. Early + Pull = Foul unless away and then you're risking rolling over. Good + Pull + Away can still be a hard hit pulled ball, maybe towards the gap instead of over the LF/RF head or down a line.

If you don't like to do that, that's fine. You can use your timing to swing a little early (again why timing control is paramount - and not just always aiming for "perfect" timing - it can be the difference between a HR [Just Early or even Early] and a 394 ft out to CF [Good]).

For up/down influence, that's when you want a certain batted ball type. Infield in, man on 3rd, 1 out, you probably want to influence up with anyone. Just have to hope for no pop-up (I'd use contact swing, expands the PCI and that situation doesn't need power, per se, just a decent ball in the air). If the infield is NOT in, you might even influence down, even with a more powerful guy, and aim for up the middle (no push/pull influence).

Man on second, light-hitting guy at the plate, maybe influence down and opposite field. Try to hit a grounder to the right side. Or if you have a high OBP guy at the top/bottom of the lineup, maybe find a opposite field contact hitter to put behind him, and shoot for that hole on the right side.

Bunts, you can use influence to try to guide the ball towards 1B/3B accordingly. Same for drag bunts.

Those are the kinds of situations influencing can generally help get something specific done. Otherwise, you could just swing away.

[loso_34]

Re: Is Directional hitting working properly?

I use a custom camera oriented from the Pitcher Center view (I hit and pitch from behind the pitcher, using the same camera for consistency of view). A lot seem to like the new Fisheye camera.

One thing hitting from behind the pitcher can do is, in some deliveries, see the grip as he's winding up. If you learn to look for it can recognize it while he's whipping his arm around in his delivery, it can "tip off" the speed portion of the pitch at least, which helps timing. I also think that's at least somewhat realistic considering we get none of the irl visual cues that can tip off pitch-type to hitters.

Don't rely on looking into the glove, some guys hide the ball well. Some animations make everyone look like they are about to throw a knuckleball in the glove. But they all have to "show" their hands during their windups.

But whatever view you use, I think it best to keep it consistent. That way your eye gets to see a lot of pitches from that view every game. Even when pitching, watch the ball and the delivery like you were hitting. Especially if you play Classic since you don't have to worry about any other inputs or watching meters.

Also when pitching, you KNOW what you picked so you might can associate grip = pitch type = general velocity. The specific velocities come from using the pause menu "scouting report" (his stuff and pace shows in the pitcher box) or if they show it during presentation.

For when to influence - I have a methodology based on irl data, but in general, you can go by situation and the hitter's spray chart in game (also on the pause menu - down where it shows his fields and things like "extreme pull")

What those spray labels seem to do is indicate where in the window he gets his best results. A pull guy like to be on the earlier side of things. A push guy, the opposite, and a "hit 'em where they pitch 'em" guy (i.e. "Balanced") pretty much just wants to be "on" the ball.

The way influencing can (remember, it's a calculated risk) help is by sort of shifting things. Influencing pull with "Good" timing tends to result in more pull hits. It's like "Good" became "Just Early" or even "Early". This is why timing is still paramount. Early + Pull = Foul unless away and then you're risking rolling over. Good + Pull + Away can still be a hard hit pulled ball, maybe towards the gap instead of over the LF/RF head or down a line.

If you don't like to do that, that's fine. You can use your timing to swing a little early (again why timing control is paramount - and not just always aiming for "perfect" timing - it can be the difference between a HR [Just Early or even Early] and a 394 ft out to CF [Good]).

For up/down influence, that's when you want a certain batted ball type. Infield in, man on 3rd, 1 out, you probably want to influence up with anyone. Just have to hope for no pop-up (I'd use contact swing, expands the PCI and that situation doesn't need power, per se, just a decent ball in the air). If the infield is NOT in, you might even influence down, even with a more powerful guy, and aim for up the middle (no push/pull influence).

Man on second, light-hitting guy at the plate, maybe influence down and opposite field. Try to hit a grounder to the right side. Or if you have a high OBP guy at the top/bottom of the lineup, maybe find a opposite field contact hitter to put behind him, and shoot for that hole on the right side.

Bunts, you can use influence to try to guide the ball towards 1B/3B accordingly. Same for drag bunts.

Those are the kinds of situations influencing can generally help get something specific done. Otherwise, you could just swing away.

few more questions boss. Is it possible to overachieve with a bad hitting team? I use the reds and I feel like I can only play to their level.


and to make it clear do we influence the ball to our players strong side when ahead in the count all the time? for example if im using marcel ozuna I should always look to pull.


lastly offspeed pitches low in the zone are tough to hit man. You really have to sit back and the timing window is small. Am I better laying off those all together?

[KBLover]

Re: Is Directional hitting working properly?

few more questions boss. Is it possible to overachieve with a bad hitting team? I use the reds and I feel like I can only play to their level.

Possible, sure - just as in real baseball sometimes players and teams have years where things click and it shows up in the standings and box scores. Just as in real life, it can be difficult to maintain that all year long or over multiple seasons.

There's a good bit of randomness - which makes over/underachievement possible, especially if it culminates into ratings/development changes.

We can control our approach. Once bat hits ball - anything can happen.

and to make it clear do we influence the ball to our players strong side when ahead in the count all the time? for example if im using marcel ozuna I should always look to pull.

That's up to you - just as in the real game, there's no "one right way". You might need to experiment with hitters (maybe Ozuna shouldn't try to pull with timing, but with influence and good timing while someone like Stanton can get away with E/JE timing and still crush the ball. You wouldn't need influence oppo/pull.

I prefer to look to the hitter's strong field either with influence or timing (or both) until two strikes or a "cripple" count (3-0, 3-1). I usually take 3-0 (just in case they try a borderline strike) but 3-1 I'll usually look for pull/up the middle with power (Pull hits tend to be more powerful).

The way I decided between timing only, influence only, or both depends on how I'm swinging that day. If my boys are on the ball and ripping it, I'll do both. I'm probably getting good timing (so influence helps "guide" the ball to the strong side) and if I do get JE/JL (as appropriate), that can mean the difference in at the OF or towards/down the line and higher chance of a hit, for example.

If I'm E/L a lot, then I'm going timing only. My timing will do the job of influence in this case. Influencing on top of it probably will lead to fouls more than anything else.

If I'm hitting G constantly (not even JE/JL) then I'm influencing and trying to keep hitting G timing.

lastly offspeed pitches low in the zone are tough to hit man. You really have to sit back and the timing window is small. Am I better laying off those all together?

I (try to) do so as much as possible. It is tough and some of them, especially the ones that end up 2 inches below the knees are incredibly tempting.

But I try my best to make the pitcher establish the pitch for strikes. I.e. prove he can/will throw it low for strikes on a consistent basis. Until that happens, I'll take even with 2 strikes. Chances are I'm just going to bounce it (or miss anyway). Only time I'll swing is if it's "low middle" i.e. it's clearly going to be in the zone, not right on the knees/shins.

About the only time I deviate from this is if I want a ground ball or contact in general. Say I put the hit-and-run on. I'll swing at it with a contact + down and whatever field (say down and oppo for Piscotty).

Likewise man on third, one out, infield back. I'll try down influence, contact and a low curve/change I'll wait and try to shoot it to 2B/SS. That will get the run in and minimize the chance of a stupid pop up.

Granted, I try to hit like Adam Dunn/Joey Votto - take until one of three things happens:

-I get a mistake, then it's my job to try to crush it

-The pitcher throws three great pitches on the edges/fools me. I tip my cap and try to get 'em with the next guy/next inning.

-I take a walk.

[loso_34]

Re: Is Directional hitting working properly?

last few games ive been in situations where i try to go the other way with a pitch yet i end up pulling the ball.

In each of those situations i had "good" timing with a green circle. I thought good timing with influence generally goes that way.

[KBLover]

Re: Is Directional hitting working properly?

last few games ive been in situations where i try to go the other way with a pitch yet i end up pulling the ball.

In each of those situations i had "good" timing with a green circle. I thought good timing with influence generally goes that way.

Generally <> always.

PCI placement is always random and can influence hit direction. Since we don't get to see where the PCI was this year, it's hard to say exactly what happened on those swings.

I've seen that - Good timing leads to pull-direction hits. Sometimes straight up the middle instead of opposite field, sometimes just outright pulled balls. I'm thinking that's PCI location at work.

Swing at a bunch of pitches down the middle with good timing, you might get a variety of hit directions, all with good timing. I have to assume that's PCI location (and maybe player spray chart influence, i.e. extreme pull hitter might pull more) doing its thing.