Re: Direction hitting help

[TheWarmWind]

Re: Direction hitting help

It seems weird to talk about actual physics in video game terms, but yes, swinging early is definitely a "buff" to power. Bat travels farther through the zone before impact = higher bat speed before impact = higher hit velocity on impact. That's why I can hit HR's with my 25 PWR - rated RTTS player without a power swing - because I'm swinging early. And I can afford to swing early and pull if I get in hitter's counts.

This is all true, but I get higher average bat exit velocities on balls that I pushed with a pull influence selected then with a push influence as well. That's the information I'm trying to convey.

[TheWarmWind]

Re: Direction hitting help

Usually I use Zone with TNK Sliders but I’ll give directional a shot. What’s the advantage of using directional Vs Zone and did advantage as well?

I actually talk about this in detail in my guide, but basic breakdown is that zone gives you more control over actually making contact, while Directional gives you more precise steps then the usual power, normal, and contact swings, and therefore lets you fine tune your swing to the player and situation.

[MoneyMan17]

Re: Direction hitting help

I actually talk about this in detail in my guide, but basic breakdown is that zone gives you more control over actually making contact, while Directional gives you more precise steps then the usual power, normal, and contact swings, and therefore lets you fine tune your swing to the player and situation.

It really is a great guide. Very detailed and thorough. Highly recommend.
Link is on first page of this thread I believe.

[JayhawkerStL]

Re: Direction hitting help

As a 2K baseball fans that is now really starting to get into The Show (bought last year, but ended up playing more Madden), Directional hitting feels the most like what I am used to. I like the you can use the LS to read inside and outside, which simulates keeping your shoulder in on an outside pitch and swinging it out on an inside pitch. In addition, you can use it to force balls a certain direction ion the situation calls for it.

It's also a great way to focus on a pitch in a location and crank it if you are in a hitters count, or let it go if it's not where you are focusing. I think the mode just feels like how I used to bat.

I would like to get better, but man I hate seeing, "use sliders" to learn to hit better. First, I play DD, so I need to get better without being able to set sliders to make it easier. But moreover, I like it when games are tough and I need to learn how to improves.

I used to be a slider fanatic, but I've learned to enjoy sports games so much more since I decided to just skip them, and learn to get better.

Of course, if the game is too easy, I can see needing to make it harder. But I'm a long ways from having that issue. It would be nice if there were more actual suggestions than just making the game easier with sliders.

That said, WarmWind's Guide is great resource for understanding the mode and how to really get the most out of it, even if he also pushes sliders as a fix.

[TheWarmWind]

Re: Direction hitting help

That said, WarmWind's Guide is great resource for understanding the mode and how to really get the most out of it, even if he also pushes sliders as a fix.

Thanks! I mostly tell people to use sliders just because they help with any frustrations they may have, but I actually played DD in 16 in conquest mode all the way up to legend difficulty using the methodology and theories that I laid out in the guide.

I wrote the guide after 17 launched, but started theorizing and play-testing back in 15 (prior to that I used to just center swing on zone).

The "use sliders" was more to cover my bases, but the guide is still applicable on default settings.

[gigemaggs99]

Re: Direction hitting help

I'm no professional by any means but here is my 2 cents. I've used Zone hitting since MLB the Show 15 and started using Directional last night when I bought 18.

To me the big difference is I feel I'm in more control, with Zone I'm hoping to follow the pitch and "get close" to good contact, then the ball seems to go where it goes.

With Directional I can press down when I'm in a double-play situation to hit the low thrown pitches that are trying to get me into a double play grounder. I've done this several times and am able to hit a smooth line drive just over the infielders head and they drop in for a base hit. I'm using X to swing and have only used square on a very rare occasion, i.e. up by a few runs late in the game and looking for the knock-out hit, haven't had it yet, but have had some nice doubles hit into the corner. I've had a few homeruns and they all come off of using X so far. If I'm down in the count I'll use circle and it will get me a hit or atleast contact for a foul ball.

Personally if I want to hit the ball to the right with a right-handed batter I hold right on the L-stick the entire time. If I have good timing and square it up, I smash it to right-field. If I'm slightly late they hit it into the corners down the line.

I never felt like I had this kind of feel/control with Zone hitting. Compared to Directional, Zone would feel like hope/guess where the pitch was going, hope to follow it, pray for good timing and then go with what I got, more often times I'd strike out.

So far I'm having a blast with directional hitting.