Directional hitting

[Seancefc]

I’ve always been a pure analog player- batting and pitching. I’ve mentioned this on another thread but the contact swing format on pure analog (flick) simply doesn't work IMO. You have to flick hard left/right to get an increased PCI size, the problem with that is it leaves the centre of the strike zone with more gaps than what you’d have with a button interface.

So, I’ve moved onto directional hitting as I’m not great in recognising a pitch early enough to move a PCI around to where the ball will cross the plate, to use zone.

I’m struggling to grasp how directional works. It says you point the left stick at where you want to hit the ball…so if you wanted a fly ball to the opposite field you’d press in that direction when you hit, right?

Well the reality doesn’t appear to reflect the theory. It seems which direction the ball will go depends mostly on timing and pitch location.

I suppose my question is if I wanted to pull the ball and press the left stick in the correct direction to do that, will my batter do everything he can to pull the ball? Resulting in more miss-hits if the circumstances don’t allow for the pull or is the left stick of little consequence? What if I disregard the left stick completely, will most hits go down the middle if I time them right?

Would love to hear your opinions from those who use directional.

[GridironGreat]

Re: Directional hitting

I’ve always been a pure analog player- batting and pitching. I’ve mentioned this on another thread but the contact swing format on pure analog (flick) simply doesn't work IMO. You have to flick hard left/right to get an increased PCI size, the problem with that is it leaves the centre of the strike zone with more gaps than what you’d have with a button interface.

So, I’ve moved onto directional hitting as I’m not great in recognising a pitch early enough to move a PCI around to where the ball will cross the plate, to use zone.

I’m struggling to grasp how directional works. It says you point the left stick at where you want to hit the ball…so if you wanted a fly ball to the opposite field you’d press in that direction when you hit, right?

Well the reality doesn’t appear to reflect the theory. It seems which direction the ball will go depends mostly on timing and pitch location.

I suppose my question is if I wanted to pull the ball and press the left stick in the correct direction to do that, will my batter do everything he can to pull the ball? Resulting in more miss-hits if the circumstances don’t allow for the pull or is the left stick of little consequence? What if I disregard the left stick completely, will most hits go down the middle if I time them right?

Would love to hear your opinions from those who use directional.

That’s because SDS got tired of people who play the more competitive modes, anything online h2h really, complaining about the “timing only” setting. They renamed it Directional, added arrows with the left analog stick to make it seem different, but yes, it’s timing only. You are correct in saying Timing of the swing and pitch location matters most, hence it’s a renamed timing only setting. For solo franchise players or simple play now games, that’s fine. They need to remove it for online play. There needs to be some method of using a strategical input rather than just press a button.

[DarthRambo]

Re: Directional hitting

The game does a great job on its on using player ratings, timing of your swing, pitch location, and type of contact made to determine where the ball is hit.

I never use the left stick and just press X for normal swing 100% of the time and the hit variety is fantastic. Of course if he's a pull hitter naturally I assume somehow the game tends to have contact go that way. But if the pitch is outside and you wait back and swing it will definitely go the other way every time.

If you turn on the swing/pitch info you'll see your timing of swings. And for the cpu you'll see where their PCI was on each swing. The PCI placement for you using timing swing Idk how it is determined tbh. Unfortunately the game doesn't show where your PCI was on each swing using timing interface. I believe it used to though.

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[TheWarmWind]

Re: Directional hitting

It adds small changes to your swing, resulting in specific tendencies. The keyword is tendencies. You'll get a few more pulled balls have have slightly more success with earlier timing if you pull constantly, but there is no guarantee, and it's still very possible to go oppo, or whiff on a pitch that should have been ideal to do a pull swing on.

Those details and more can be found in the OP of this thread: https://forums.operationsports.com/f...ing-guide.html

[Seancefc]

Re: Directional hitting

Thanks for the replies, guys.

What I’m really looking for is a realistic variety of hit types. I love a blooper for a single or a weak grounder that just finds the gap. There’s nothing worse to me than every hit being a laser. I’m hitting on HOF with solid contact turned down 1 and pitch speed up to 8 for realism but wasn’t seeing enough verity with analog- on top of the contact swing issue.

Would you say it’s more realistic in terms of hit types and contact?

[Jr.]

Re: Directional hitting

Thanks for the replies, guys.

What I’m really looking for is a realistic variety of hit types. I love a blooper for a single or a weak grounder that just finds the gap. There’s nothing worse to me than every hit being a laser. I’m hitting on HOF with solid contact turned down 1 and pitch speed up to 8 for realism but wasn’t seeing enough verity with analog- on top of the contact swing issue.

Would you say it’s more realistic in terms of hit types and contact?

You'll definitely get a variety of hit types since you don't control the PCI with directional. Much more weak contact than if you're really good at any of the other methods

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[DarthRambo]

Re: Directional hitting

Thanks for the replies, guys.

What I’m really looking for is a realistic variety of hit types. I love a blooper for a single or a weak grounder that just finds the gap. There’s nothing worse to me than every hit being a laser. I’m hitting on HOF with solid contact turned down 1 and pitch speed up to 8 for realism but wasn’t seeing enough verity with analog- on top of the contact swing issue.

Would you say it’s more realistic in terms of hit types and contact?

One suggestion is to turn Foul frequency slider to 0 for hit variety. This doesn't mean less fouled off pitches. Just hits that will land fair more often. This is give you hits down the line that are fair, along with bloop singles that land just fair. And you still have plenty of contact that will go just foul so it doesn't complain eliminate any of that.

Sent from my SM-G996U using Operation Sports mobile app

[Mackrel829]

Re: Directional hitting

It adds small changes to your swing, resulting in specific tendencies. The keyword is tendencies. You'll get a few more pulled balls have have slightly more success with earlier timing if you pull constantly, but there is no guarantee, and it's still very possible to go oppo, or whiff on a pitch that should have been ideal to do a pull swing on.

Those details and more can be found in the OP of this thread: https://forums.operationsports.com/f...ing-guide.html

The graphic in the OP of the linked thread is excellent, and so useful for understanding directional hitting. I feel like it shouldn't be called directional hitting at all because it's not so much about hitting to a specific area of the field, but instead maximising your chances of getting the the type of hit that you're looking for on each pitch.

When I'm hitting with Eugenio Suarez, I basically always pull left on almost every pitch. When I'm hitting with Nick Senzel, I'm usually pushing down, right, or a combination. When I'm hitting with a great, versatile hitter, I can pull on good counts or look more for contact when I'm down.

Getting to know your hitters strengths and weaknesses, and then utilising directional hitting to take advantage of them is the best way to play The Show imo. I think it's the most realistic, the most rewarding, and the most fun.

[Riddick_J]

Re: Directional hitting

What’s everyone using for offline modes for realistic hitting totals? I’ve switched to directional recently and found it a lot better than zone this year.

[bjthomas121]

Re: Directional hitting

What’s everyone using for offline modes for realistic hitting totals? I’ve switched to directional recently and found it a lot better than zone this year.

Really you have? I’m using Zone but that’s only because I feel like I can pull or get the really low pitches for a good hit. If directional is better totals and the elite players hit like there self then directional here I come!

[JayhawkerStL]

Re: Directional hitting

Thanks for the replies, guys.

What I’m really looking for is a realistic variety of hit types. I love a blooper for a single or a weak grounder that just finds the gap. There’s nothing worse to me than every hit being a laser. I’m hitting on HOF with solid contact turned down 1 and pitch speed up to 8 for realism but wasn’t seeing enough verity with analog- on top of the contact swing issue.

Would you say it’s more realistic in terms of hit types and contact?

I personally believe it does. I use directional about as much as I "used directional" when I hit in real life, which is rarely. Opposite field to move a runner. Try to hit a fly ball to score a guy from third. In hitter's counts I might focus on one pitch in one location, so I aim to that zone and only swing if I get it.

Directional hitting allows all of that strategic decision-making, while feeling more like how it feels to hit. Nothing about moving a cursor makes me feel like it felt to hit. I was just watching my bat hit the ball, not aiming.

[Seancefc]

Re: Directional hitting

I’m about 7 games in on my new hitting journey! Really enjoying it, seems balanced in terms of results- I’m homering and getting more hits, which I needed to but still striking out a lot…which isn’t a criticism.

I’m drawing more walks which I’m delighted with. Great variety in hit types, which wasn’t the case with analog.

Nothing to do with directional but I’m struggling to get players out of hitting slumps…especially righties v righties. Alonso is hitting below .200 30 games in, can’t seem to pick anything up with him!

[JoshC1977]

Re: Directional hitting

I’m about 7 games in on my new hitting journey! Really enjoying it, seems balanced in terms of results- I’m homering and getting more hits, which I needed to but still striking out a lot…which isn’t a criticism.

I’m drawing more walks which I’m delighted with. Great variety in hit types, which wasn’t the case with analog.

Nothing to do with directional but I’m struggling to get players out of hitting slumps…especially righties v righties. Alonso is hitting below .200 30 games in, can’t seem to pick anything up with him!

Alonso is an extreme pull hitter so your swings really need to come fast to hit a perfect swing timing. Combine that with his low vision, and he's a tricky one. But I will say this, especially with directional, sample size is critical. I've had guys struggle for half a season to catch fire....