The fielding in this game is garbage

[XxGamerXx]

I have had many errors when the outfielder gets stuck in some SCEA locked animation since they want to remove the ability of me doing anything on defense and the ball falls in front of the outfielder and bounces behind him. This happens every game or the locked animation of my outfielder running to the wall on the foul line side and in slow motion.

Why can't the devs allow the user to control the defender the whole time.

[jada855]

Re: The fielding in this game is garbage

XxGamerXx,

You can try Player Lock but you will quickly realize that fielding will result in the same issues you are describing. Can only hope that MLB The Show 19 will improve on playing defense from a Player Lock perspective.

The only improvement received since MLB The Show 14 has been the introduction of the fielding cone while this was helpful to track a fly ball. It was the only noticeable user controlled defensive improvement in 5 years of playing the game on the Playstation 4 platform so don't get those hopes up.

If you play above 162 (Plus) games using the above method you can clearly see the game become insanely repetitive unfortunately. After playing 5 years of PS4 releases of the game. You will slowly start to realize that its the way the game is programmed that does not allow logic for your fielder to be involved in the play once it's passed what feels like a counter or timed sequence.

Examples of this when you are player locked on defense in my case as a SS.

• Incoming throw from outfielder you run to the second base bag and no tag will be applied to the runner sliding in. But a animation will kick in most noticeably the slow jog into second base. Result no programming logic so timed play ends!

• Trying to cover the bag when (If) a pitcher throws too second base to throw out lead runner. Result controls don't work, Pitcher will throw the ball to the spot where you are standing even if you are not covering second base! No programming logic so timed play ends.


• Ball is hit into the outfield as a short stop in the correct fielding position. Outfielder will throw passed (user locked SS) as the cut off man as if you were never involved in the play. Result no programming logic so timed play ends and possible out crosses home plate or runner jogs into second or third. Not at all depended on outfielder or infielder ratings to throw the ball to the (user controlled) cut off man.


• Defensive shifts! Timed action if you do not move with in the given time limit your controlled player in this case a SS will not be involved in the play. Other infielders will stand next too or on top of your player! Result No programming logic or awareness so timed play ends.

4 points listed above all basic fundamental elements of a baseball game missing for 5 years. So don't get those hopes to high for MLB The Show 19!

5 years of defensive frustration as a SS! One defensive improvement (Tracking Cone) within that time frame. Maybe it has something to do with balancing online play or not enough percentage of users play defense so its discarded.

Well it is the only Baseball game on the Market!

[countryboy]

Re: The fielding in this game is garbage

Do you by chance have a video or videos of the outfielder getting locked into an animation that allows the ball to fall in front of him and then bounce over his head? I'm not sure that I've seen what you're describing.


As for the animation of getting pulled into the wall, one thing that helps (it doesn't eliminate but it helps) is letting up on the L-stick as you get to the ball. Reason being is that your player carries a momentum so even after you re-center the L-stick to "stop" the fielder, he will still take another 1-2 full steps and then "shuffle" as he's slowing down to stop/turn direction. It is difficult to get used to and remember to do this, but when I've done it, it helps prevent my fielder from "suctioning" into the wall.

[XxGamerXx]

Re: The fielding in this game is garbage

Do you by chance have a video or videos of the outfielder getting locked into an animation that allows the ball to fall in front of him and then bounce over his head? I'm not sure that I've seen what you're describing.


As for the animation of getting pulled into the wall, one thing that helps (it doesn't eliminate but it helps) is letting up on the L-stick as you get to the ball. Reason being is that your player carries a momentum so even after you re-center the L-stick to "stop" the fielder, he will still take another 1-2 full steps and then "shuffle" as he's slowing down to stop/turn direction. It is difficult to get used to and remember to do this, but when I've done it, it helps prevent my fielder from "suctioning" into the wall.

I do not unfortunately but its can of corn pop ups and I am gliding in with my outfielder and all of a sudden when am near the landing spot of the ball which I do not use any fielding icons or assist it starts to move my fielder in quick sand in the rings around where the ball is suppose to land and I lose control of getting to the spot and catching it. It is very frustrating because this was not the case in previous versions.

[countryboy]

Re: The fielding in this game is garbage

I do not unfortunately but its can of corn pop ups and I am gliding in with my outfielder and all of a sudden when am near the landing spot of the ball which I do not use any fielding icons or assist it starts to move my fielder in quick sand in the rings around where the ball is suppose to land and I lose control of getting to the spot and catching it. It is very frustrating because this was not the case in previous versions.

I use the fielding aid marker (baseball icon that shrinks as the ball gets closer to the ground) and I haven't had any issues with my fielders stopping from catching the ball.

Sorry man, I'm not sure how to help.

[XxGamerXx]

Re: The fielding in this game is garbage

I use the fielding aid marker (baseball icon that shrinks as the ball gets closer to the ground) and I haven't had any issues with my fielders stopping from catching the ball.

Sorry man, I'm not sure how to help.

Its cool, I know using icons to help find the spot would make it easier but I like to not have things like that for immersion purposes but it is frustrating as the issue is not that i do not know where it will land but the quicksand movement in the area where the ball will land makes it hard to get to the spot I want and the ball lands and it just upsetting. I have given up 3 inside the park homers due to the quicksand animation around the landing spot of the ball.

Besides that I am enjoying the game

[BeatArmy]

Re: The fielding in this game is garbage

I've gotta agree with the OP. Fielding is by far the worst part of this game. Fielders jogging after balls, the "circle around the ball, glove on ground" animation that is always worth at least one extra base, pre-loaded throws that laze towards the intended target, etc.

[Caulfield]

Re: The fielding in this game is garbage

Hitting and pitching is definitely the meat and potatoes of the Show. Fielding and baserunning arent what brings me back each March. If all 4 facets of the game were equally great, I bet I'd lose my job. And my house. And the little woman would r-u-n-n-o-f-t . The dog probably too.

[Baseball Purist]

Re: The fielding in this game is garbage

The fielding is bad, and has been bad for some time. First and third baseman constantly get killed with balls peppered right by them. They go into animations before the ball has even reached them that let's you know they aren't going to make a successful play on the ball.

Passed balls...passed balls...passed balls. Throwing off speed pitches low in the zone is an absolute mystery. Hit the meter or dont hit the meter, no telling if your catcher is going to catch it, protect it, or let it bounce 5 feet away from him.

The introduction of outfielders not making plays on balls or running right past balls without an animation even triggering was a complete head scratcher this year.

Simply put, the fielding has got to get better. More defensive animations need to be added to the game or allow for more user based physics. I shouldn't feel handicapped when using manual fielding.

[jada855]

Re: The fielding in this game is garbage

Hitting and pitching is definitely the meat and potatoes of the Show. Fielding and baserunning arent what brings me back each March. If all 4 facets of the game were equally great, I bet I'd lose my job. And my house. And the little woman would r-u-n-n-o-f-t . The dog probably too.

@Caulfield,

LOL!

[EPatetta]

Re: The fielding in this game is garbage

The fielding is bad, and has been bad for some time. First and third baseman constantly get killed with balls peppered right by them. They go into animations before the ball has even reached them that let's you know they aren't going to make a successful play on the ball.

Passed balls...passed balls...passed balls. Throwing off speed pitches low in the zone is an absolute mystery. Hit the meter or dont hit the meter, no telling if your catcher is going to catch it, protect it, or let it bounce 5 feet away from him.

The introduction of outfielders not making plays on balls or running right past balls without an animation even triggering was a complete head scratcher this year.

Simply put, the fielding has got to get better. More defensive animations need to be added to the game or allow for more user based physics. I shouldn't feel handicapped when using manual fielding.

Agree 100%. For me I've had countless times where my 1b was locked in place on a slow grounder down the line and I had no control. That, and if you have your infield shifted with a runner on 1st and get a double play ball, well, good luck turning it because nobody thinks to cover second.

Oh, and throw canceling. There needs to be urgency if you cancel a throw to one base and decide to throw to a different one.

Sent from my LGLS992 using Operation Sports mobile app

[citybythebay85]

Re: The fielding in this game is garbage

My favorite part is on line drives where you go exactly where the ball marker is but the ball flies straight past their head with no attempt to catch it and rolls to the wall.

[Subway_sub]

Re: The fielding in this game is garbage

Oh, and throw canceling. There needs to be urgency if you cancel a throw to one base and decide to throw to a different one.

Sent from my LGLS992 using Operation Sports mobile app

I turned on auto-fielding because I'd get so mad at the cpu getting sick animations to turn wild double plays meanwhile my guys were just useless. The throw canceling is big, nothing worse than trying to get a head start on a dp, realizing ur not going to turn it so you cancel for the easy out. Then ur player just doesn't throw. Go from thinking you can turn two to turning 0 for no reason. Infuriating

[TheWarmWind]

Re: The fielding in this game is garbage

There is a subtle nuance to fielding in this game that most people don't seem to get. It's always had some issues, and people are always going to take issue with it because sometimes errors will just happen no matter what you do and that will always tick certain people off, but I've found fielding in 18 far superior to previous versions, and I feel almost completely in control out in the field.

A lot of people don't understand or haven't learned those subtle nuances that are required to field successfully, and the game does a terrible job at teaching the player, but after some minor slider changes to fix some issues (setting arm strength to 6 will get rid of those lazy rainbows for example) it is possible to feel in control.

I remember watching one of the dev streams and seeing a CF take an approach to a liner. As soon as I saw the what the player was doing to attempt the catch, I said "he isn't going to make the catch". Sure enough, the CF misses the catch and the ball whizzes to the wall. The chat exploded with people saying "fielding is still terrible" "lol no control" "predetermined" but I guarantee if I had been on the sticks I would have caught that ball.

Also people underestimate the importance of the reaction attribute (which is why balls are scooting past your corner IF) or how to properly pre-load a throw (another poorly explained system), so they just blame the game when things go wrong.

This year's version still isn't perfect. There are minor issues, like the unnecessary crow hop and a few other legacy bad animations being in, but I'm turning amazing double plays, making tough catches, and matching the cpu in nearly every regard when it comes to fielding.

I'm thinking when I have the time I should write a fielding guide. It is a tough system to learn, and the game does such a poor job teaching you.

Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Operation Sports mobile app

[Padgoi]

Re: The fielding in this game is garbage

There is a subtle nuance to fielding in this game that most people don't seem to get. It's always had some issues, and people are always going to take issue with it because sometimes errors will just happen no matter what you do and that will always tick certain people off, but I've found fielding in 18 far superior to previous versions, and I feel almost completely in control out in the field.

A lot of people don't understand or haven't learned those subtle nuances that are required to field successfully, and the game does a terrible job at teaching the player, but after some minor slider changes to fix some issues (setting arm strength to 6 will get rid of those lazy rainbows for example) it is possible to feel in control.

I remember watching one of the dev streams and seeing a CF take an approach to a liner. As soon as I saw the what the player was doing to attempt the catch, I said "he isn't going to make the catch". Sure enough, the CF misses the catch and the ball whizzes to the wall. The chat exploded with people saying "fielding is still terrible" "lol no control" "predetermined" but I guarantee if I had been on the sticks I would have caught that ball.

Also people underestimate the importance of the reaction attribute (which is why balls are scooting past your corner IF) or how to properly pre-load a throw (another poorly explained system), so they just blame the game when things go wrong.

This year's version still isn't perfect. There are minor issues, like the unnecessary crow hop and a few other legacy bad animations being in, but I'm turning amazing double plays, making tough catches, and matching the cpu in nearly every regard when it comes to fielding.

I'm thinking when I have the time I should write a fielding guide. It is a tough system to learn, and the game does such a poor job teaching you.

Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Operation Sports mobile app

Sorry man, but this is nonsense. I've been playing the game for years and while I agree that fielding requires a certain skill level and understanding, there are still WAY too many instances where balls fly through fielders because an animation didn't trigger. I RARELY see the fly ball whizzing past my fielders because the animation didn't kick in because, again, as you, I have practiced and practiced to the point that I kinda just know when to get somewhere and the route to take in order to trigger the animation. The point these people are making is, IT SHOULDN'T HAVE TO BE ROCKET SCIENCE TO GET AN OUTFIELDER TO LIFT HIS DAMN GLOVE TO CATCH A FLY BALL!!!!! I shouldn't have to know to flick the control stick a certain way or to run a PERFECT route to get the damn outfielder to lift his glove to catch a routine fly ball that EVERY SINGLE OUTFIELDER IN THE HISTORY OF BASEBALL WOULD CATCH!!! So yes, while fielding may require a certain nuanced approach, the fact is, IT SHOULDN'T HAVE TO!