Batting stances- aesthetic or substance?

[JoseJoseph9119]

Do batting stances/effects(and pitching motions) actually have an effect on results in-game or are they solely for looks?

I updated my RTTS 2B’s batting stance in spring training going into the new season. I raised his hands a bit and switched to a two-handed followthrough and I’ve been launching everything a mile in the air. I don’t think I’ve hit a groundball yet over about 30 at-bats, with only a couple line drives. I hit more fly balls/popups than groundballs in general, but it was more like a 60/40 split with my one handed swing before. I’m not that good at hitting on a technical level as far as knowing how to get on top/underneath the ball, directional hitting, etc, but I haven’t changed my approach at all so I don’t know if this is just some random statistical abberation or if the 2 hand uppercut launch angle swing actually has an effect in game.

I also have a problem picking up the ball from sidearmers/submariners. Even when I guess the pitch it seems to take a split second longer to flash than one from an overhand pitcher, especially in lefty-on-lefty matchups. So are sidearmers/submariners/samehanded pitchers inherently harder to hit, like a hidden stat/effect on the game? Or do I just suck and need to get better at hitting?

[doubledeuceR6]

Re: Batting stances- aesthetic or substance?

There are certain batting stances that I don't care for. I don't like Nomar Mazzara's stance, his bat wiggle and stance just don't suit my eye. I can't help but see the bat flailing around while I'm trying to concentrate on the pitchers release and it upsets my timing a bit. Love Shin Soo Choo's stance though!

[Caulfield]

Re: Batting stances- aesthetic or substance?

I hated Alphonso Sorianos stance from years ago. Couldn't hit a lick with that closed and crowded stance. I hated going against Darren O'Day. Glad I have him on my Orioles team now

It might be a mental block with guys like that but I opened Nolan Arenados stance and maybe it's a placebo but I can hit like he should now

[Drty_Windshield]

Re: Batting stances- aesthetic or substance?

I don't think that batting stances have any effect on ratings or anything, but certain pitching styles do make the ball harder to locate. That's my opinion anyway.

[Bochte23]

Re: Batting stances- aesthetic or substance?

I seem to hit better with closed stances, bat not flailing away say Dante Bichette, Robin Yount or Ozzie Smith. Submariners are especially tough for me to pick up the ball, but that's as it should be. Faced one in real life and it was tough.

[ktd1976]

Re: Batting stances- aesthetic or substance?

I don't think that batting stances have any effect on ratings or anything, but certain pitching styles do make the ball harder to locate. That's my opinion anyway.

Ratings wise, I think you are very correct. Where certain batting stances seem to have an effect, though, is timing. More so the actual swing, rather than the batting stance.

Example from my Detroit Tiger's franchise.

Victor Martinez. I LOVE his swing. Part of it is, because in years past, I have used his batting stance for my RTTS player. But anyways.

Now, as we all know, Victor Martinez is on the tail end of his career. He cannot run a lick (0 speed) so he doesn't get any cheap hits. He is still pretty good, at 74 overall, but ratings are declining.

In my Tigers franchise, I play every pitch of every single game.

In 251 plate appearances (so no small sample size) 224 at bats, .290 average, 18 HR, 60 RBI, 16 doubles, 19 walks.

I see these numbers as WAY over performing based on his ratings, and lack of speed. Especially the power numbers. There is just something about that swing, that I can seem to time it perfectly almost every single time. Very rarely do I not square up a ball with him.

This is on All Star hitting difficulty for the first month of the season, then Hall Of Fame the rest of the way. Though, the numbers are pretty consistent before and after the switch.

That swing though......

[Unlucky 13]

Re: Batting stances- aesthetic or substance?

I totally agree that batting stances likely have no effect on how the game is simmed, or the outcome when the CPU handles things. However, with the human player, it very much does effect timing and how well you may be able to hit certain pitches, and where those hits go. Moreso, its the player's height + stance.

[bcruise]

Re: Batting stances- aesthetic or substance?

I totally agree that batting stances likely have no effect on how the game is simmed, or the outcome when the CPU handles things. However, with the human player, it very much does effect timing and how well you may be able to hit certain pitches, and where those hits go. Moreso, its the player's height + stance.

Well said. Guys with awkward leg movements in their stance can definitely distract me. Brad Miller has a huge knee lift in his stride and it definitely throws me (as the one operating the controller) off quite a bit.

[doubledeuceR6]

Re: Batting stances- aesthetic or substance?

I've always picked the ball up well on sidearm and sub marine guys.

I struggle the most with guys who have an above average fastball and a good changeup. I always try and look fastball first and react to anything offspeed and that changeup is sooo inviting at times but you just have to let it go most of the time.

[KCowse]

Re: Batting stances- aesthetic or substance?

I think that pitching motions may have a larger real effect than batting stances. It seems that depending on a pitcher's arm slot you will see different motions on certain pitches, especially sliders and curveballs. Someone who comes way over the top like Dellin Betances seems to have more 12-6 motion while a lower slot like Chris Sale has huge arm-glove movement on his slider. I'm sure ratings have a larger impact than the motion, but it definitely seems that the arm slot has some effect.


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[BegBy]

Re: Batting stances- aesthetic or substance?

I wish they would change the pitching animations for next year. The last few iterations of motions have been pretty awful. There are a few ok looking motions for sure, but they are mostly kinda gross. They could also give us a delivery editor. I find pitching motions can have a profound effect on pitch movement/type of movement and overall esthetics/realism of the game.

Pitching motions are often pretty quick and can be violent. I just don't see that in the game. Most of last year's newer motions and this year's give everyone a very awkward...well everything, making everyone pitch almost straight down with pretty pronounced over the top arm slots.

I doubt we'll see changes. There's motions that are 8 years old in the game, and it isn't DD/money making related, so changing them or spending time on that area is most likely back burner at best.

Also if anyone from SDS is reading - take the dumb pirouette after you get a K with guys like Stroman (any pitcher that has the motion where they end up on one foot post release...many guys have it) out of the game, please. Guys in the MLB don't do that. Let alone do it many times a game. It's absolutely gross.

[BegBy]

Re: Batting stances- aesthetic or substance?

I hated Alphonso Sorianos stance from years ago. Couldn't hit a lick with that closed and crowded stance. I hated going against Darren O'Day. Glad I have him on my Orioles team now

It might be a mental block with guys like that but I opened Nolan Arenados stance and maybe it's a placebo but I can hit like he should now

I'm the same way. Some stances I feel like I can just plain hit better. Some pitching deliveries are a pain in the arse to hit also.

[Robo COP]

Re: Batting stances- aesthetic or substance?

I wish they would change the pitching animations for next year. The last few iterations of motions have been pretty awful. There are a few ok looking motions for sure, but they are mostly kinda gross. They could also give us a delivery editor. I find pitching motions can have a profound effect on pitch movement/type of movement and overall esthetics/realism of the game.

Pitching motions are often pretty quick and can be violent. I just don't see that in the game. Most of last year's newer motions and this year's give everyone a very awkward...well everything, making everyone pitch almost straight down with pretty pronounced over the top arm slots.

I doubt we'll see changes. There's motions that are 8 years old in the game, and it isn't DD/money making related, so changing them or spending time on that area is most likely back burner at best.

Also if anyone from SDS is reading - take the dumb pirouette after you get a K with guys like Stroman (any pitcher that has the motion where they end up on one foot post release...many guys have it) out of the game, please. Guys in the MLB don't do that. Let alone do it many times a game. It's absolutely gross.

100% agree. 2 years ago I don’t remember the pitcher but I faved a guy in the division all the time that his throwing motion looked like he was putting zero effort into it. Looked like he was pitching little league coach pitch the way he pitched yet he would throw 99 mph. It frustrated me so much that I looked the guy up because I couldn’t believe a guy with such a lazy motion could throw 99. Turns out his actual throwing motion was very violent and it was clear he was putting everything he had behind the ball

[taterskin]

Re: Batting stances- aesthetic or substance?

I think that pitching motions may have a larger real effect than batting stances. It seems that depending on a pitcher's arm slot you will see different motions on certain pitches, especially sliders and curveballs. Someone who comes way over the top like Dellin Betances seems to have more 12-6 motion while a lower slot like Chris Sale has huge arm-glove movement on his slider. I'm sure ratings have a larger impact than the motion, but it definitely seems that the arm slot has some effect.


Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

You just nailed two of the pitchers I hate to face the most. Betances slurve is filthy. Especially after a 98 - 99 mph fastball. Starts out coming straight like fastball and then dives from 12 to 4. And Sale.... ugh. Slider is unbelievable. Especially when he back doors it. Looks like it's a mile outside and then BAM. Rung up.