Considering Going Back to Traditional DH Rules in '24

[countryboy]

I am strongly considering returning to traditional DH rules for my franchise in '24. I've played traditional DH rules up thru '22, before using the modern day rules for '23. And while I don't mind the modern day rules, I really miss the managerial situations that not having a DH brought up in any given game (double switch, sacrifice bunting, pinch hitting for pitcher, pitching around hitter to get to pitcher spot in lineup, etc...)

The games just seem to lack "important" decisions during the game.

Did anyone play using modern rules in '23? How did the AI do in regards to those situations and roster building? Any thoughts to share?

[JWDixon120]

Re: Considering Going Back to Traditional DH Rules in '24

I’ve played using both this year and honestly didn’t notice much difference in game or with roster building.

In game, AI makes the same decisions they normally would with their pitcher, but also make the additional pinch hitting sub. Bullpen management seems to be a little better with old rules though. You won’t see LRP guys throwing 4 innings in a close game.

With the roster building aspect, I’m not sure if there is a difference either. Teams usually lack an identity in roster building so maybe that’s why? I usually run 30 team control to help these things however, so I may just not have seen it.

I do miss the old rules. NL management was really tough but rewarding in those situations.


In terms of roster building, I’m hoping this year we may get something similar to Madden with the “player tags”. So a player with a good bat and bad fielding could receive some sort of “DH” likeliness tag and teams could target them in the offseason for that purchase.

So at the end of the day, I’d just go with what you like most, which sounds like the old rules. The game doesn’t fundamentally play at a different enough level roster building wise to have that impact your decision IMO.


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[The Gamer]

Re: Considering Going Back to Traditional DH Rules in '24

I am strongly considering returning to traditional DH rules for my franchise in '24. I've played traditional DH rules up thru '22, before using the modern day rules for '23. And while I don't mind the modern day rules, I really miss the managerial situations that not having a DH brought up in any given game (double switch, sacrifice bunting, pinch hitting for pitcher, pitching around hitter to get to pitcher spot in lineup, etc...)



The games just seem to lack "important" decisions during the game.



Did anyone play using modern rules in '23? How did the AI do in regards to those situations and roster building? Any thoughts to share?

23 was the first time I used universal DH. I agree with you, but the way rosters are constructed now, you almost have to use DH.

I also play a lot with classic rosters as well so I get my "real" baseball fix there.

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[IndianSummer]

Re: Considering Going Back to Traditional DH Rules in '24

I play with the Cards most of the time as a NL team and it is hard for me to use the DH when doing so.

I am currently trying to make chicken salad out of chicken $#*€ with the A’s and am using the DH rule.

[phenom1990]

Re: Considering Going Back to Traditional DH Rules in '24

I am strongly considering returning to traditional DH rules for my franchise in '24. I've played traditional DH rules up thru '22, before using the modern day rules for '23. And while I don't mind the modern day rules, I really miss the managerial situations that not having a DH brought up in any given game (double switch, sacrifice bunting, pinch hitting for pitcher, pitching around hitter to get to pitcher spot in lineup, etc...)

The games just seem to lack "important" decisions during the game.

Did anyone play using modern rules in '23? How did the AI do in regards to those situations and roster building? Any thoughts to share?

Was 22 the one where you tried traditional DH rules and the CPU screwed up roster decisions with no DH in the NL?

[countryboy]

Re: Considering Going Back to Traditional DH Rules in '24

Was 22 the one where you tried traditional DH rules and the CPU screwed up roster decisions with no DH in the NL?

'22 is where I used the traditional DH rules and it felt as though the CPU was trying to fill the DH role. But after discussion with SDS and looking back thru '21 and '20, it really wasn't trying to fill a DH position, as the position doesn't exist in the roster screen, therefore there is no logic for the AI to try to fill that spot.

So...yeah that was all my hangup versus a "flaw" in the game.

[0blong00]

Re: Considering Going Back to Traditional DH Rules in '24

This is purely anecdotal but I feel like the game is still programmed for traditional DH rules. In the various franchises I had in 22 it seemed to me that NL pitchers usually had more complete games than the AL pitchers. Like the ai was waiting to pitch hit for them but then obviously never could. I also seemed to draw an inordinate number of walks with my #8 hitter. Like the ai was pitching around to get to the pitcher.

I haven’t played 23 much so maybe it’s different now. Also it’s very likely that all of that was in my head to begin with.

[Houston]

Re: Considering Going Back to Traditional DH Rules in '24

What you could consider doing is using universal DH until say 7th inning and convert lineup for both teams to a NL lineup by moving the DH to a position. Then each team would manage like the old NL would. Pinch hit, double switch etc or even pitch with the positional player if you chose to.

[WillieB1214]

Re: Considering Going Back to Traditional DH Rules in '24

I think it would be interesting to back and play with the traditional roles. Completely agree with you on how there seem to be less real decisions to be made without it. Outside of even the in-game, the roster construction for your own team knowing that you have one less lineup spot to fill and having to be more picky and have more clear "starter" types for the offense and how willing you may be to take a big bat with a bad glove.

I'll think on it for 24, but think I will end up with the universal still just to stick with the modern rules.

[KnightTemplar]

Re: Considering Going Back to Traditional DH Rules in '24

I think it would be interesting to back and play with the traditional roles. Completely agree with you on how there seem to be less real decisions to be made without it. Outside of even the in-game, the roster construction for your own team knowing that you have one less lineup spot to fill and having to be more picky and have more clear "starter" types for the offense and how willing you may be to take a big bat with a bad glove.

I'll think on it for 24, but think I will end up with the universal still just to stick with the modern rules.

This year I’m going to have a fantasy Twins franchise (love their uniform selections and their stadium looks really great in the game). I’ve never used an AL team in all my years playing the game. I’m going to take it one step further and play without the DL in either league.

I played with the DH this year and missed the strategy of pinch hitting, double switch, etc.

It’ll be fun. Thursday March 14, 9PM PST.

[MannybeingManny]

Re: Considering Going Back to Traditional DH Rules in '24

It’s your game so ultimately it’s up to you and the experience you are looking for. Nothing is set in stone.My next franchise will be in the national league which will most likely be on 24 version of the game and after playing with the cardinals for so long on previous franchises it would be hard for me to use a DH. I just prefer the more traditional national league style of baseball. Double switches, pinch runners, bunting, stolen bases, pinch hitters etc.

[Ghost Of The Year]

Re: Considering Going Back to Traditional DH Rules in '24

Initially I was against turning DH on for the NL but with last year's schedule where everyone plays everyone, I finally relented and I didn't miss traditional NL style ball like I thought I would. Now in real life I do wish the NL would go back to the old status quo, but that's mainly because I like it better when each league has something to make it unique to distinguish from each other. Otherwise you don't need two leagues, just one Major League. The only way I would now go back to letting pitchers hit is if MLB changes back to the old way.

[MiracleMet718]

Re: Considering Going Back to Traditional DH Rules in '24

From a non-game related aspect, I agree it makes the decision making boring to a certain degree.

In regards to the game itself, they manage it fine and will PH in certain situations depending on the score/matchup. Only issue I have with franchise is how the DH is selected. It seems at random and the DH awards are all screwed up as the user players will never get selected for it.

Ideally they’d improve the DH selection going forward. I’ve been asking for years for a way to be able to move players to new positions during their career and in some cases lose eligibility (i.e. moving from OF to 1B or DH when players get older, moving SS to CF). But I’ll take them tweaking DH selection this year as a franchise improvement.

[reyes the roof]

Re: Considering Going Back to Traditional DH Rules in '24

I’m considering it mainly as a work around for the CPU’s over reliance on long relievers. At least if the pitchers spot comes up a few times it may force them to use a greater variety of relievers. This would also force me to have guys that can actually hit on my bench instead of a bunch of designated pinch runners

[DonkeyJote]

Re: Considering Going Back to Traditional DH Rules in '24

I am strongly considering returning to traditional DH rules for my franchise in '24. I've played traditional DH rules up thru '22, before using the modern day rules for '23. And while I don't mind the modern day rules, I really miss the managerial situations that not having a DH brought up in any given game (double switch, sacrifice bunting, pinch hitting for pitcher, pitching around hitter to get to pitcher spot in lineup, etc...)



The games just seem to lack "important" decisions during the game.



Did anyone play using modern rules in '23? How did the AI do in regards to those situations and roster building? Any thoughts to share?

There are still as many managerial decisions, they're just different. Pinch Hitting for a weak hitting position player or to get a platoon advantage is a much more interesting managerial choice imo than pinch hitting for a pitcher, which is a no brainer most of the time. Plus, opens up the ability to use more pinch runners and defensive replacements because you don't have to save your bench to pinch hit for the pitcher late.

Also adds another element to team building, as you have to decide how to use your DH, whether as a dedicated player, or as a revolving "offday".

Plus, going traditional rules kinda screws up Ohtani being in the NL now. Dodgers aren't going to put him in the lineup of there's no DH.

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