Classic pitching question.

[JasonIsGod]

When is the best time to release the button to pitch?

Am I wrong in thinking it's right when I feel the vibration or is that too late?

Can someone also explain when it vibrates sometimes it's more intense than other times?

[Bunselpower32]

Re: Classic pitching question.

I think the vibration is max effort? So you'll be tired real quick if you use it every time?

Also, not to hijack, but a branching question for the Classic users:

What effort do you use? I have to use very low effort pitches or my guys are gassed at 65 pitches.

[KnightTemplar]

Re: Classic pitching question.

I release the X button when the leg comes up. I don’t use a ball marker, nor do I have the pitch selection on the screen. I will take a look at what pitches the pitcher throws, memorize the correspondig button,
and then just feel what is working. Been playing long enough now that I can tell when a pitch is becoming ineffective. Works for me.

[kodiak]

Re: Classic pitching question.

It’s probably al in my head but I tap the button on all pitches until the following scenarios. 2-0, 3-0, 3-1 and 3-2 counts or if cpu has a runner on 2nd or 3rd. Then I use max effort every time. I do this to “replicate” stressful pitches or on 2-0 and 3-1 strikes to help make sure I have more effort since I’m more likely to put it over more of the plate.

[KBLover]

Re: Classic pitching question.

When is the best time to release the button to pitch?

Am I wrong in thinking it's right when I feel the vibration or is that too late?

Can someone also explain when it vibrates sometimes it's more intense than other times?

There is no right or wrong answer.

Until vibration is max effort. Fastballs will get more velocity. Change-ups tend to lose velocity, and pitches of all types will attempt to move more (yes, even fastballs). The pitch will have a better chance to fool the hitter and cause a swing and miss or poor contact.

The disadvantage is that your pitcher is more likely to fail to execute the pitch correctly, causing you to lose command and/or leave it in a dangerous spot.

A tap basically reverses all of the above. Fastball might lose velocity, change-ups might gain velocity, and movement of all pitches may decrease. The hitters have more chance to make contact and may be fooled less often.

The advantage is you'll gain command and be more likely to hit your spot.

Anything in between those two options will have a mix effects. There's some debate about the "in-between", but if it's there, it will blend the two "pure" options.

Depending on your needs and goals as a pitcher, all approaches are viable and probably should be in your comfort zone so you can add-subtract as your stuff (pitch confidence) and count varies and hitters adjust to what you have.

"Best" is whatever works for the situation you are in.

[Hammerhunker]

Re: Classic pitching question.

This is great question Jason! I have been playing this game with classic pitching forever and I don't think I have ever realized the elements of which all of you are explaining. Hmm!!!

[nemesis04]

Re: Classic pitching question.

When I used to play the game I would to pick certain points in the pitcher’s motion as reference for a button press to get varying degrees of effort behind the pitch established. First I would see where max effort (vibration) in the motion and break it down from there.

Also, I felt it was necessary to throw the warm up pitches with this mechanic so you could get a feel for how much effort was needed to finess their pitch types.

At face value people think it’s just press the button and pitch but there is more to it if you pay attention to the details.

[agentlaw13]

Re: Classic pitching question.

When I used to play the game I would to pick certain points in the pitcher’s motion as reference for a button press to get varying degrees of effort behind the pitch established. First I would see where max effort (vibration) in the motion and break it down from there.



Also, I felt it was necessary to throw the warm up pitches with this mechanic so you could get a feel for how much effort was needed to finess their pitch types.



At face value people think it’s just press the button and pitch but there is more to it if you pay attention to the details.

I switched from meter to classic this year and this is what I do to get a feel for each individual pitcher. The majority of time I try to time the release right before the vibration. On legend, I sometimes catch myself tapping the button instead of concentrating on the release...those pitches usually end up as meatballs and deposited over the fence by the batter!

Classic definitely isn’t just tapping the button to throw the ball. Gotta learn where to spot pitches and when to hold down longer or release early. I’ve enjoyed learning and playing this interface again...Legend classic pitching this year is definitely rewarding and challenging. Loving it.

[tonyfire2001]

Re: Classic pitching question.

https://forums.operationsports.com/forums/mlb-show-sliders/841133-classic-pitching-questions-discussion-thread-2015-a.html

Here is everything you need to know about classic pitching...it is a art more than button mashing like meter and stats play a huge role compared to meter...enjoy

[saucerset]

Re: Classic pitching question.

I'm wondering if anyone else does this - When pitching I rarely aim the pitch with the left stick. I have had games where I went 5 or 6 scoreless innings without ever touching it when pitching. Maybe it's the pitchers ratings and pitch confidence that controls the pitch. I'm not sure.

My settings:
Dynamic - was all the way up to all-star+ at one point.
View - offset outfield.
Classic pitching (but I have also done it with meter)

[JoshC1977]

Re: Classic pitching question.

When is the best time to release the button to pitch?

Am I wrong in thinking it's right when I feel the vibration or is that too late?

Can someone also explain when it vibrates sometimes it's more intense than other times?

The timing of the button release is the mechanic behind classic. As such, there is no ideal timing to be used all the time. Maybe I want a tight slider on the outside corner, so I max my effort (i.e. vibration triggered) with the risk of worse control. Maybe I want a bigger breaking slider, so I use less effort. Maybe I want a really loopy slider, so I tap on the button.



The really fun thing is that the "feel" will change game-to-game for each pitcher....once you gain experience, you will even be able to tell during pitcher warm-ups if your guys "has it" that day.

[KBLover]

Re: Classic pitching question.

I'm wondering if anyone else does this - When pitching I rarely aim the pitch with the left stick.

If I have an "effectively wild" pitcher - either by ratings, low BB/9, low Control, high K/9, high Movement or by him not having stuff that day - I'll do this.

What's controlling the pitch is the same thing - the displacement area where the pitch can land (if you turn on Pulse, you can see what I mean).

In some ways Classic is like Pulse that you don't control the timing of (the ratings Control the timing of the release and how wide the circle is).

So high displacement can take a pitch meant dead center and push it to a corner or off the plate entirely.

[LowerWolf]

Re: Classic pitching question.

I’ve always just tapped the button unless I’m trying to blow a fastball past a hitter.

[My993C2]

Re: Classic pitching question.

When I am looking for max accuracy, I just tap the button. Likewise when I am looking for max velocity on a fastball or max break on a breaking ball where it's not a big deal if my pitcher misses the pitch (preferably out of the strike zone), then I hold the button until it vibrates. However if I am looking for something in between, I hold the button a little longer than a tap but before the vibration.

PS: I have also noticed that when my pitcher has low confidence, the game won't allow max velocity or max breaks because holding the button when the pitcher has low confidence does not do anything.

[KBLover]

Re: Classic pitching question.

PS: I have also noticed that when my pitcher has low confidence, the game won't allow max velocity or max breaks because holding the button when the pitcher has low confidence does not do anything.

I've noticed that, too. I've also noticed different "levels" of vibration. Sometimes the controller vibrates strongly. Sometimes, I can barely feel it.

Since my controller is basically new (got PS4 for Xmas), I'm thinking it's related to what you mentioned.

Could be more nuance to even the max effort mechanic, which is interesting.

I know that if I don't feel vibration, then I just start tapping.