Stealing bases

[Armor and Sword]

Re: Stealing bases

Pre load the steal when the pitcher comes set (pressing L2) and then hold L1. The moment the pitcher commits home release.

If you are in a 1st and 3rd situation make sure you are pointing the LS at the runner on 1st (point it at the 3 o’clock position) when you pre-load and hold down L1 so only the runner on first steals.

Also very important, I steal in only certain counts.

Never first steal on the first pitch unless you are thinking hit and run. Typically the CPU is very aware with a good to great speed/steal guy. Also they typically love to throw pitch outs on 1-0 counts. It is simply a product of weak programming and a predictable CPU pattern.

Counts I favor are 2-0, 3-1, 2-2, 3-0 These are ideal steal counts for the most part. So be patient and work the counts when you are trying to get a runner to 2B via the steal.

I rarely go on 0-1, 0-2 (in fact never on these counts). They love to waste pitches or pitch out here.

Very very rarely on 1-0 or 0-0. I rather work the count to 2-0, 2-1 or 3-1 when trying to steal.

Also swinging at the first pitch with a runner on first.....bad idea. Unless it is truly a cookie waste high...lay off it. Double play waiting to happen.

[Fuimus Troes]

Re: Stealing bases

All you have to do is hit L2+the analog stick direction for the base they are on before the pitcher starts his delivery. Pre-load it.

There is no need to hold L1 or hit L1 or anything like that. There is also no need to increase your lead.

Player ratings matter a lot here.

What matters most is running in the right counts. That's where success comes in. Never run on 0-0, 0-1, 0-2, or 1-2 as these are good counts for the pitcher to pitch out.

I have never used anything other than the above and honestly, my SB totals have been first in the entire league in my last 3 seasons in 20, 19, and 18. So far this season, I am tops again just over a month in.

I should note that my stealing and baserunning sliders are at default. If these are adjusted, it is also a common cause.

Yep, this. Don't try to steal until there are 2 balls so the pitcher won't pitch out. Then just preload and let the attributes decide.

[LowerWolf]

Re: Stealing bases

I preload with L2 and hold L1.

And I disagree with some of the thoughts here. I think 0-1 is a great count to run on, if that first-pitch strike was a fastball. I almost never run on 2-0 or 3-1 counts because I'm expecting fastball there. I'm trying to run on off-speed pitches.

[NYJin2011tm]

Re: Stealing bases

I preload with L2 and hold L1.

And I disagree with some of the thoughts here. I think 0-1 is a great count to run on, if that first-pitch strike was a fastball. I almost never run on 2-0 or 3-1 counts because I'm expecting fastball there. I'm trying to run on off-speed pitches.

Yea I have success on 0-2 counts because it’s usually a breaking ball in the dirt. Never on first pitch tho, cpu pitches out a lot on first pitch.

The Mets are a challenge this year. They pretty much have no speed at all.

[Armor and Sword]

Re: Stealing bases

I preload with L2 and hold L1.

And I disagree with some of the thoughts here. I think 0-1 is a great count to run on, if that first-pitch strike was a fastball. I almost never run on 2-0 or 3-1 counts because I'm expecting fastball there. I'm trying to run on off-speed pitches.

You would be shocked how many non fastballs or lousy pitches I get on 2-0 counts with my number 2 hitter or number 3 hitter up.....and I swipe 2nd with ease on 2-0 counts.

I think we should preface what level we play on too. Because that makes a difference as well. But pitchers are constantly slide stepping and pitching out on 0-0, 0-1 counts on this game. It is simply a huge AI tell with this series.

I can’t tell you how many times I have not gotten a good pitch to hit on 2-0. And sometimes....I am willing to take one fastball to get a runner in scoring position. It has paid a lot of dividends for me personally.

I have found....and this is coming from 1000’s of hours of gameplay in franchise, that pitchers do not throw meatballs on 2-0 quite the contrary on HOF level. They will still nibble or throw down and away...up. And not even give my #2 or #3 hitter a fastball down broadway on 2-0......and if they do? And I am stealing? I will swing and take that chance on a well executed hit and run.

But 0-1 and 0-2 are garbage counts on the game (forget real baseball) to try and steal on HOF or higher.....they will pitch out, slide step or both and your steal % will suck.

But everyone can do whatever they want. I am just sharing from a ton of game time what works.....consistently to swipe bags with legit base stealers which are typically hitting in front of your 2 best hitters.

Stealing on 1-1 or 2-1 is good too. 3-0? With a great hitter up? They don’t automatically give you a meatball. Great chance to swipe a bag and have a guy in scoring position with a 3-1 count.....which is the best hitters count on The Show based on the AI behavior.

[RainOnTim]

Re: Stealing bases

I preload with L2 and hold L1.

And I disagree with some of the thoughts here. I think 0-1 is a great count to run on, if that first-pitch strike was a fastball. I almost never run on 2-0 or 3-1 counts because I'm expecting fastball there. I'm trying to run on off-speed pitches.

Depends on how you get into the count and who's on first. If you've got a guy who's fast enough and good enough at stealing that they can make it on a fastball, stealing on 2-0 is pretty reliable. Especially if the CPU pitches out the first two pitches. Also, I don't find that the CPU throws fastballs in traditional fastball counts all that often.

[LowerWolf]

Re: Stealing bases

I do play on AS, so maybe there's a difference there. But I too have thousands of hours on this series and definitely have more success running on pitchers counts than hitters counts.

I don't run a ton, but I've only been caught once in my current franchise - and that was when I stupidly took off on a first-pitch pitchout.

[Armor and Sword]

Re: Stealing bases

I do play on AS, so maybe there's a difference there. But I too have thousands of hours on this series and definitely have more success running on pitchers counts than hitters counts.



I don't run a ton, but I've only been caught once in my current franchise - and that was when I stupidly took off on a first-pitch pitchout.

Results may vary as they always say!! If you have success then that is all that matters.


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[CujoMatty]

Re: Stealing bases

I know how to steal and this thread has me confused with all the different takes lol.

Here's my thoughts:

Its true you don't have to do the hold L1 method to steal but in my experience you will be much more successful if you do and can figure out the timing. I also don't have time for the inevitable 20 pick off attempts when you take an extra step and by holding L1 I can steal bases fairly well without the step.

I'll put it this way. R2 method leaves the "jump" effectiveness up to the cpu. L1 leaves it to you. So again, yes you can steal bases with just R2 but watching my 90 speed guy get thrown out by 4 feet cause he stood in his lead like a deer in headlights for too long drives me bonkers. L1 method, its on me.

Also like everyone else said you gotta figure out the counts. What I like about the last few years is that stealing in real life is brutally hard and I think they did a good job of representing that.

[Funkycorm]

Re: Stealing bases

The pattern of the AI seems consistent when you have a stealing threat on first.

You usually get a first pitch that is a pitch out. Next is usually a slide step that is usually a ball more than a strike. It's predictable, which is nice but also an area for improvement in the game.

As Armor said, meatballs aren't there too often on 2-0 counts. Not for me on all star at least and I have a ton of success running in 2-0. If it is a strike, I am now 2-1 in a hitters count still now with a runner on second.

I don't like running in 0-1 as a pitch out is likely is more likely in that instance. I only run on 0-2 in very specific situations and even then it is very uncommon. Like all of baseball, so much is situational.

But stick with what works is the common theme here.

[LowerWolf]

Re: Stealing bases

One strange thing - and I haven't really paid enough attention to see if it's really true or not - but it seems like every time I get the cut scene of my manager giving me the steal sign, I'm dead if I run. But if I get the cut scene of the CPU manager giving the pitcher the heads up, I'm gold if I run.

I need to start paying attention if that's really true. But I never run now if I get the cut scene of my manager ... lol.

[lemarflacco]

Re: Stealing bases

Preface by saying im just a framchise player. i take an extra step in my lead and preload it. If they pick me off, i just go back to the base and switch my team control to the cpu and let my runner get back and do iit all over again lol

[Armor and Sword]

Stealing bases

I know how to steal and this thread has me confused with all the different takes lol.

Here's my thoughts:

Its true you don't have to do the hold L1 method to steal but in my experience you will be much more successful if you do and can figure out the timing. I also don't have time for the inevitable 20 pick off attempts when you take an extra step and by holding L1 I can steal bases fairly well without the step.

I'll put it this way. R2 method leaves the "jump" effectiveness up to the cpu. L1 leaves it to you. So again, yes you can steal bases with just R2 but watching my 90 speed guy get thrown out by 4 feet cause he stood in his lead like a deer in headlights for too long drives me bonkers. L1 method, its on me.

Also like everyone else said you gotta figure out the counts. What I like about the last few years is that stealing in real life is brutally hard and I think they did a good job of representing that.

Right on Cujo. I use the pre load then L1 method and have great success with my true swipers. And stealing in the right counts are critical.

And yes it is harder to steal in todays game and that is also why finding a slider balance is important. Also you know I play a crap ton of 1980’s and 1990’s baseball with studs like Rickey, Vince (Coleman for you young bucks), Willie Wilson, Lofton, Grissom etc and having the right slider balance for classic rosters to replicate how great these guys were is also important.

I think it is a lost art in todays game but also catchers today of evolved and have become incredible at hosing runners.


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[LastActionHero]

Re: Stealing bases

So this thread got me questioning my own method. I always press L2 beforehand and then tap L1 when the pitcher starts his motion. This also gives you control of the jump right?!

[Fuimus Troes]

Re: Stealing bases

Good stuff in this thread. I suppose I should clarify that I only steal with guys who should, no matter the situation, and usually in counts when it's certain there won't be a slide step, which for this game means 2-ball counts. Always preloaded, never timed.

If the catcher's arm sucks, I might take off any time.

If I'm up by a lot, I Tatis it and run anyway.

If I violate these common sense rules and get nailed, I'm ok with it.

This is all vs. the cpu.