What I Learned About Batting

[SaundCo87]

Re: What I Learned About Batting

In addition to most of the help given so far, which is all very good, I'd add something that I like to do to help me navigate good pitching.

Play the 15 pitch/inning game. Try and make the opposing pitcher throw 15 pitches per inning (this is usually better on higher difficulty because the cpu is more real-life on how they attack a batter). The obvious disclaimer being: don't just take pitches to increase the pitch count, if it's a meatball, hit it!

I've found that this keeps me engaged in each at bat a little better too, a game within a game. Getting into a bullpen early can go a long ways in scoring runs. No one wants to face Verlander/Kershaw for 8 innings while they throw 70 pitches!

[Tonesta78]

Re: What I Learned About Batting

Is it my imagination, or are relief pitchers much more likely to greet you first a first pitch fastball straight down the middle? I've had a fair amount of luck teeing off first pitch with a power swing against them (although that can make me look a little stupid on the rare occasions it is a breaking ball in the dirt)….whereas I tend to take most of the time vs. a starter.


My other tactic has been - and please correct me if this sounds like a bad approach - if I end up behind in the count, with two strikes (i.e. 0-2 or 1-2, maybe even 2-2) to exclusively look breaking ball. Then if it's:
a) A breaking ball off the plate, I can usually take it
b) A hanging breaking ball, I can usually do some damage
c) A fastball at the edge of the zone, or just outside, I can usually swing late and foul it off
d) A fastball down the middle, I can maybe get a late swing on it and slice it the other way


Every now and again, I still get fooled. But that's baseball, an it wouldn't be a good simulation if I didn't!

[coach422001]

Re: What I Learned About Batting

Is it my imagination, or are relief pitchers much more likely to greet you first a first pitch fastball straight down the middle? I've had a fair amount of luck teeing off first pitch with a power swing against them (although that can make me look a little stupid on the rare occasions it is a breaking ball in the dirt)….whereas I tend to take most of the time vs. a starter.


My other tactic has been - and please correct me if this sounds like a bad approach - if I end up behind in the count, with two strikes (i.e. 0-2 or 1-2, maybe even 2-2) to exclusively look breaking ball. Then if it's:
a) A breaking ball off the plate, I can usually take it
b) A hanging breaking ball, I can usually do some damage
c) A fastball at the edge of the zone, or just outside, I can usually swing late and foul it off
d) A fastball down the middle, I can maybe get a late swing on it and slice it the other way


Every now and again, I still get fooled. But that's baseball, an it wouldn't be a good simulation if I didn't!

I think the 2 strike approach looks reasonable if you plan generally to take the ball the other way if it isn't a hanger in your wheelhouse. Fastball off the plate by planning to put the ball in play to the right side (if you're right handed) you can get that piece or maybe keep it fair. With your swing sped up on an off speed pitch you can still have a good shot of hitting it up the middle or turning on that mistake pitch.

Ahh...relievers throwing first pitch fastballs when they come in. I still remember a game in high school where I had to do pushups afterwards because I crushed a double with the bases loaded on the first pitch from the reliever because I just knew he was going to try to get ahead with no where to put me...but I was under orders to take one. 2 RBI for 20 pushups...was that a good deal?

[ty5oke]

Re: What I Learned About Batting

Really good tips. Keeping my fingers loose is probably the best thing for me, I like to just lightly tap my thumbs on the stick while waiting for the pitch to be delivered.

I would add to sit dead red on hitter advantageous counts such as 3-1 as well. I jump on a lot of fastballs that way and pull them for HR's.

[tv25man]

Re: What I Learned About Batting

Also, know your hitter tendencies, I'm of the belief they truly play into the game.

If your guy has "first pitch hitter" - if it's in the zone, swing.

The opposite - if he has "walker", I find the opposing pitcher misses more.

And this might just be me, but I'd say I use Contact swing 95% of the time, Power 4%, and Regular swing 1%.

In fact, I think the only reason I use regular swing is for a sac fly.

I've hit numerous HR with just the contact swing, and honestly, those are my favourite. A well-timed contact swing on a bad pitch, and the ball just drops over the right field fence. For whatever reason those make me happier than a 465 foot bomb.

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[COMMISSIONERHBK9]

Re: What I Learned About Batting

Great tips what about if you use directional is ok to pull everything ?