Hitting in 09 is a tad too difficult

[ehh]

Re: Hitting in 09 is a tad too difficult

I just think the game is more fun with Guess Pitch on, but hey, that's just me. I still consider myself a "real" baseball gamer though. That's part of what makes it fun. It is still just a video game.

Yeah it's def a nice option to have, everyone is different and I can see why people would like the guess pitch option.

[jim416]

Re: Hitting in 09 is a tad too difficult

Okay, I just played my first full game, believe it or not as I've been jumping all around and looking at different stadiums, etc.

I played on VETERAN and experimented with the sliders. This is for SWING ONLY GUYS.

I ran my three hitting sliders all the way to the right. Now remember that doesn't mean that you are going to be getting a hit with every batter, or a homerun with every batter.

My results were

Rangers 2 10 0
WS(me) 4 13 0

I had 3 doubles and 3 homeruns. Sliders DO work.

[countryboy]

Re: Hitting in 09 is a tad too difficult

The guess pitch feature gives you way too much information. If you guess correctly you know before the pitch is even released what it's going to be and if you guess incorrectly then you can eliminate 20% (or 25%) of a pitcher's arsenal. If you guess fastball every time:

A) You know you're getting a fastball (correct guess)
B) You know it's a breaking pitch (incorrect guess)

Knowing for sure that you are getting a fastball or a breaking ball before the pitch is even thrown = cheap and unrealistic. It's not like IRL a hitter will yell out "FASTBALL!" and the pitcher says, "Yup, you guessed right, here it comes so be ready for it."

while thats true, the game does penalize you for guessing wrong. If you guess 4 seam fastball and get a change up, the chances of you making solid contact are extremely, extremely slim. And vice versa.

I use guess pitch all the time and am not knocking the cover off the ball. The timing and aiming are so crucial this year, that guessing incorrect is almost worse than not guessing at all. Also, just because you guess right, doesn't mean that its an automatic bone crushing hit or whatnot. You still have to time the pitch correctly and move the L-stick into the proper position.

[Chai2112]

Re: Hitting in 09 is a tad too difficult

I just played my first 2 games on Legend. I was Red Sox, CPU was Rays. First game I won 6-1. I did walk 3 times, so that was a good sign. But I wasn't too happy with the strikeout total in both games... Still too few outs coming by way of strikeout. I also had an opposite field homerun with Varitek, and actually a number of opposite field hits and outs, so not sure how realistic that is. But, was good overall. My second game, I got rocked and lost 8-0. I only had 4 hits. But again I wasn't happy with the strikeout total, as all my pitchers only struck out 3... I'll probably have to adjust sliders, but I'll need to play a bunch more games before I can start doing that.
I also noticed some glitches... like what's up with the flashbacks to previous homeruns in the game? It just shows the batter for a second and then ends. Anyone else notice this? Also, Navarro caught a pop up behind the plate and ran through the wall and beneath the crowd. I also noticed during a cut scene of Francona huffing and puffing in the dugout, he was stuck in and out of the pole. I understand not doing collision detection for players with each other, but couldnt they at least have done it for players and objects?? Anyways, I sound like a complainer... This game is freakin amazing!! Thanks SCEA!

[ITSFAVRENOTFARVE]

Re: Hitting in 09 is a tad too difficult

I just did my first game of MLB 09. Athletics vs Mets. I won 4-3 on Veteran Difficulty (A's closer almost gave up the win). I had three HR's in the game all without using the guess pitch feature. I just went looking for a pitch high in the strike zone and everytime I saw it, i murdered it. Didn't even press Square to power swing. This is a great game straight out the box.

[dorismary]

Re: Hitting in 09 is a tad too difficult

I just did my first game of MLB 09. Athletics vs Mets. I won 4-3 on Veteran Difficulty (A's closer almost gave up the win). I had three HR's in the game all without using the guess pitch feature. I just went looking for a pitch high in the strike zone and everytime I saw it, i murdered it. Didn't even press Square to power swing. This is a great game straight out the box.

Hi on Vet too and just love this game , I kinda agree about guess pitch but I may eventually turn it off when I change sliders but what do I know .
It worked good for me off last year .
What I like is I couldnt hit the UNIT for 5 innings then I broke him down just like real ball and I think this is whats so great and realistic . Its SF at LAD and Kuroda was rough all game teetering on being yanked in the 5th losing 3-0 now 3-3 the Unit may get yanked , Johnson I mean.
Gotta have patience take some pitches even if they are strikes.
How I got my 3 Hudson Hr earlier in the game my only hit yill the 5th on a guess pitch ,5th Pierre bunt ,Then steal , Kuroda sac bunt , Furcal check swing roll past 3b for a double and then a Hudson walk . Either solid single right up the middle now 3-3 .
I saying alot of everything going on depends on the quality chances of hitting whos the pitcher whos the batter base stealer on first ect, batter situation and streaks hot and cold and IMO its done PERFECT its just feels so natural win or lose.
PS playing out of the box on Vet no sliders adjustment yet.
Best video game ever !
Ps Crash you still Suc !!!!! lol

[Stoud]

Re: Hitting in 09 is a tad too difficult

I feel like I've just gotta work on timing. The pitch speed seems a tad more daunting at first, but after giving it a few games I'm getting close to having more success. I think the most important thing to remember is the fact that for a lot of people, this problem is in RTTS, and you're talking about a minor leaguer struggling against big league talent -- that's realism.

There's probably a very good reason they added a practice mode -- you'll need it with the difficulty added, but once you get comfortable and make some sliders that will give you the best realism for your specific skillset, I'm sure you'll be glad you invested the time.

[teampunjabi]

Re: Hitting in 09 is a tad too difficult

What options do you guys play with...like Batter eye on or off...strike zone on or off? Pitch Guess?

[ITSFAVRENOTFARVE]

Re: Hitting in 09 is a tad too difficult

Hi on Vet too and just love this game , I kinda agree about guess pitch but I may eventually turn it off when I change sliders but what do I know .
It worked good for me off last year .
What I like is I couldnt hit the UNIT for 5 innings then I broke him down just like real ball and I think this is whats so great and realistic . Its SF at LAD and Kuroda was rough all game teetering on being yanked in the 5th losing 3-0 now 3-3 the Unit may get yanked , Johnson I mean.
Gotta have patience take some pitches even if they are strikes.
How I got my 3 Hudson Hr earlier in the game my only hit yill the 5th on a guess pitch ,5th Pierre bunt ,Then steal , Kuroda sac bunt , Furcal check swing roll past 3b for a double and then a Hudson walk . Either solid single right up the middle now 3-3 .
I saying alot of everything going on depends on the quality chances of hitting whos the pitcher whos the batter base stealer on first ect, batter situation and streaks hot and cold and IMO its done PERFECT its just feels so natural win or lose.
PS playing out of the box on Vet no sliders adjustment yet.
Best video game ever !
Ps Crash you still Suc !!!!! lol

Johan Santana was dominating me lol. He had 9 strikeouts on 7 2/3 innings. He gave up only one run and that was a 1st inning blast i got with Matt Holliday. Then like real life, a Mets relief pitcher comes in and ruins Santana's hard work.

[stewaat]

Re: Hitting in 09 is a tad too difficult

Just taking 40 cuts in BP felt like a completely different hit engine. Everything just felt smooth. I like what I see so far.

[Marino]

Re: Hitting in 09 is a tad too difficult

Just taking 40 cuts in BP felt like a completely different hit engine. Everything just felt smooth. I like what I see so far.

I did that in the cages earlier, I put probably 15 in play. But it was so smooth and I was able to pick up and read the ball a little better. My timing is just way off.

[cinders]

Re: Hitting in 09 is a tad too difficult

I actually just logged on to see if anyone else was having trouble hitting. Kinda depressing to see everyone just say...GOOD! I only get to play a game or two a week so I can't put a hojillion (it's a real number I swear!) hours into the game to get my swing perfect. Gonna take some of the advice here and turn down pitch speed and maybe just spend a little bit working on my timing. I think the game is amazing...I'm just a bit upset I haven't scored a single run in 2 games in the full version and 5 in the demo.

[ComfortablyLomb]

Re: Hitting in 09 is a tad too difficult

I can't hit at all. I hate to mess with the contact sliders because I'm making a lot of contact, it's all just weak and terrible. I even bounced down to veteran/rookie in practice mode and still horrible with the pitcher only throwing fastballs.

[cinders]

Re: Hitting in 09 is a tad too difficult

I can't hit at all. I hate to mess with the contact sliders because I'm making a lot of contact, it's all just weak and terrible. I even bounced down to veteran/rookie in practice mode and still horrible with the pitcher only throwing fastballs.

Same thing here, went to the cage on rook and only fastballs, but still nothing. I'm not the most knowledgable ball player so I have a hard time guessing pitches and and even harder time holding off, but even when I've guessed both location and type and get perfect contact, I've still hit into double plays! and I'm playing the Pirates to boot!!!

[Chodite24]

Re: Hitting in 09 is a tad too difficult

My advice?:

Keep your left thumb away from the stick until the pitch is near the plate.