I can't figure out zone hitting and it's driving me insane

[KeeganJacobs]

Re: I can't figure out zone hitting and it's driving me insane

What is the big difference between Analog vs directional hitting ? It looks like Analog is better because the PCI automatically moves to the ball and all we have to do is decide normal, contact, or power swing with the right stick vs directional, we pick which direction to hit the ball?

As for camera, i just can't decide between zoom, strikezone, or fish eye.

I just would like one that gives me enough time to read the pitch and can read if its breaking too low cause sometimes the break seems to be in the strike zone but then when i see the results, its way down.

[TheWarmWind]

Re: I can't figure out zone hitting and it's driving me insane

What is the big difference between Analog vs directional hitting ? It looks like Analog is better because the PCI automatically moves to the ball and all we have to do is decide normal, contact, or power swing with the right stick vs directional, we pick which direction to hit the ball?

Check out the Directional Hitting Guide for a full breakdown of directional and what it does: http://forums.operationsports.com/fo...ing-guide.html

Getting a bit off topic though.

[jwilphl]

Re: I can't figure out zone hitting and it's driving me insane

The biggest issue for me is sinking pitches that are low in the zone. I think part of the problem is using the default camera angle while hitting, but curves and changeups (among others) always look so fat to me at first before sinking down and out of the strike zone. They appear to me to be right down the middle of the plate. I think it's just a matter of practice.

[Bunselpower32]

Re: I can't figure out zone hitting and it's driving me insane

The biggest issue for me is sinking pitches that are low in the zone. I think part of the problem is using the default camera angle while hitting, but curves and changeups (among others) always look so fat to me at first before sinking down and out of the strike zone. They appear to me to be right down the middle of the plate. I think it's just a matter of practice.

But I mean, that's the point of those pitches. It's a small ball on the screen and you can't see the spin on the ball (not that everyone can even pick it up in real life), at some point, you just have to look at the pitch likelihood and commit. Being indecisive and not committing to a pitch will sink you more than reading it wrong.

[olig23]

Re: I can't figure out zone hitting and it's driving me insane

I am by no means an expert on this game. Nor do I play online at all. I do, however, use zone hitting, on All-Star with the default camera - and with what I consider realistic results (I play as the Brewers, so I don't expect all of my guys to be hitting well all of the time, especially since I traded Braun :P).

Anyhow, I'll post a few of my own observations in the event that something is useful.

My first observation, is that I have the same issue that one guy on Page 2 describes where I can't seem to help pulling down on the stick. I hit a lot of fly balls as a result. It's a hard habit to break once you have it. But recently I have found, I get better results starting the PCI in the higher portion of the zone. I struggle hitting high fastballs though. On top of my PCI issues, I just don't see the high FB as well for whatever reason.

One thing I have done in the past, especially in RTTS is place my PCI in one area - pre-pitch. Bu that is context dependent. So on the first pitch I will sit in the low portion of the zone looking for a FB down or sinker or something. If I end up ahead in the count I might look for a more specified location, such as down and in. If I end up with two strikes I will go to the start in the middle and use contact swing.

That method works fine in RTTS since I can tell myself that my guy is just a good low ball hitter, and "it works". Which it does, not least because my guy has amazing stats...

In Franchise I feel like that's not really "sim play". So I try to play each guy differently, and they all have far less impressive stats too of course. And this is where I find trouble with Zone (personally). So with Domingo Santana, for example, I want to be looking for high FBs early in the count, and in the main I don't do very well with them. But it does work at least to an extend to do the inverse of what i do normally and sit high.

My biggest frustration with Zone, and myself, is that I can't hit balls right down the middle. I always seem to have to move the damned stick (usually down) so I'm constantly hitting fly balls. If a pitch is simply right or left I tend to find that no problem. It's pitches not on the corners in some respects that I find hardest since I move the zone to the extremes.

I do sometimes wonder about changing the camera or trying directional. But I feel like I can have more realistic ABs with Zone (working the count, fouling it off easier with zone??). Granted, I could be wrong there. I've just always played zone.

As far as pitch recognition goes... I think the Plate Discipline mini-game is really useful. It is amazing how it trains the eye. But I find I slowly forget the habits I pickup through that so need to revisit it regularly. (I do it once per month in my franchise to sim "training"). I find it really depends on the pitcher, and stadium too. Which is realistic. But for guys with actions I see poorly I try to work the count and not swing until I have had a chance to get a sense of their pitches. I like how I do better in some stadiums than others. I see the ball really well in Busch Stadium, but not in PNC, for example. I do better at home since I play in Miller Park so much, which is nice.

Anyhow, I don't know how helpful any of this is really. It's more a series of vaguely connected observations on Zone Hitting. But having just taken a look at the "Directional Hitting Guide" posted in this thread I may have to finally give it up and give that a go!

[Syce]

Re: I can't figure out zone hitting and it's driving me insane

i recommend using Zone with PCI off. because when you first start out with Zone hitting, you get too focused on the PCI that you start to tunnel vision and start swinging at everything because you think you can move the PCI to where the ball is going.

Then after that, just try and track the ball using ur left thumb stick.

[Geolink]

Re: I can't figure out zone hitting and it's driving me insane

In my brief time of using zone I just left the PCI in the middle and when the pitch came I either moved it up or down depending on where it would land.

The PCI tends to follow the ball if you have it in the correct place.

[Pwrslide2]

Re: I can't figure out zone hitting and it's driving me insane

Best tip I can give is learn to be patient. 2nd best is move the LS less. 3rd, don't allways use the power swing as normal swing can still hit the ball out if you have good contact and timing.

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[Other Guy]

Re: I can't figure out zone hitting and it's driving me insane

Here's what works for me. Since most pitches break downward or just travel downward in general, I go ahead and start with the PCI low. In fact, I hold the PCI all the way down at the bottom of the strike zone. This helps me because it eliminates half of the stick movements I need to make while batting (basically the bottom 180 degrees of movement). For low pitches, I'm already down there, and just may need to move inside or outside. For middle and high pitches its just a matter of moving the stick upwards to the right place. I know it's a quirky way to play, but it works wonders for me. I don't think I'd hit anything trying move in all directions, and I've been able to produce realistic numbers with the Stros.

[kenp86]

Re: I can't figure out zone hitting and it's driving me insane

Im new to zone as well. Watched a few youtube vids. Tried it again and couldnt get it. Took a few days away from game then came back. NEVER USE POWER SWING UNLESS YOURE UP IN THE COUNT. At least thats what i do lol

I also learned, that if the ball starts above the waist, itll be in the upler half of the zone, lower than the waist, lower half. Allows me to get a jump on moving the pci. In regards to that, i keep my thumb gently on the L stick. Allows me to mkve it quicker than it being off and then trying to move it when pitch is coming in. Never swing at first pitch either.

By no means is this full proof. I still get fooled. Pci doesnt always end up in right spot, might be under or over where ball lands, but ive seen my hitting jump in most games and power as well.