Does The Show PREDETERMINE HRs or DISTANCE on ball contact?

[Chef Matt]

Re: Does The Show PREDETERMINE HRs or DISTANCE on ball contact?

I
With regard to giving up walks when pitching, my situation is slightly different. I still don't give up many, but I have belatedly realised that this comes at the expense of giving up more hits and runs than most other teams. My stats in those departments were pretty awful in 09 and prevented me from ever challenging in my division. This year I am going to have to force myself to pitch more out of the zone in order to keep the opposing offence a bit more subdued. I love the fact that there is a real point to pitching like this and not just to artificially boost walks while pitching.

Keep up the good work, SCEA!

As I look back on my shortend 09 season I realize this probably was the case for me. I didn't give up many walks AT ALL but I payed the price in the later innings and blamed it on other things. What a revelation.

It looks like a complete revamping of play style is in order. Man, I can't wait for this game...

[Jdurg]

Re: Does The Show PREDETERMINE HRs or DISTANCE on ball contact?

Yeah, the CPU plays a pretty patient game at the plate and 20% is a good rule of thumb for chasing pitches. The only way you can achieve that (taking 80% of balls) is to also take the borderline strikes. That's how the guys in the majors do it.

Borderline strikes don't tend to make good hits anyways, unless they're right where you were looking.

Okay Brian. That's enough out of you. Turn off the internets and get back to your coding work.

In all seriousness, that was a fun read.

[Knight165]

Re: Does The Show PREDETERMINE HRs or DISTANCE on ball contact?

Another thing...as crazy as it sounds....after speaking with Brian about the topic of walks...is that some guys try taking too much and if you are regularly letting strikes go by...the CPU will continue to throw them until you start pounding them....causing it too want to nibble more and in turn throw balls.

M.K.
Knight165

[stealyerface]

Re: Does The Show PREDETERMINE HRs or DISTANCE on ball contact?

As I look back on my shortend 09 season I realize this probably was the case for me. I didn't give up many walks AT ALL but I payed the price in the later innings and blamed it on other things. What a revelation.

It looks like a complete revamping of play style is in order. Man, I can't wait for this game...

DING DING DING!!!! You sir, have hit the nail on the head of the "issue" of a certain supposed logic that shall remain un-named, but begins with a C and ends with a K.

I have mentioned a few times that when I play this game, I get a great sense that although there is a good possibility that the programmers/designers etc.. never played College+ organized baseball, I can see that they certainly know how the game works. That speaks volumes towards a game that can keep the attention of the "muggles", so to speak, and accurately frustrate those who have played the actual game forever, and love it the way we do.

I love the fact that the same care must be taken on the virtual mound as it is in real life. Some of the fellas on here that have shouted the c-k conspiracy from day one ought to take a good hard look at their balls/strikes ratio from their starting pitcher who was "rolling" through the first 6 innings, and then had the wheels on the truck not only come off, but get de-axled, flipped, and the next thing you know, the other team has dropped a 6 spot on you before you record an out.

I know for a fact that I threw balls on purpose in college. I know for sure that when you got a guy 0-2 or 1-2 the next pitch better not be a hittable pitch, or my catcher would walk half way to the mound and scream at me. If the game actually has a tendency program that realizes you have thrown first pitch fastballs to the outside black on 80% of your batters, then you deserve to get shellacked the third time through the lineup.

I also love the fact that it appears that you are rewarded for set up pitches that are performed properly, and at proper times. Let's say you get the Virtual A-Rod down 0-2 and you throw him a slider down and away and he chases it, nubbing it off for a foul ball. In real life, if I threw a power-hitter a slider on an 0-2 count and he flinched, but took the ball, or fouled it off, the next pitch thrown would be a fastball up and in. Now, if you can't get him on that pitch, or he's late on that one and fouls it off, you have him sitting pretty to drop an inside black deuce on him, as he is thinking about getting that bat head sped up. You learn this pattern as a little kid, and what is amazing to me is how real to life the catchers in The Show will ask for the next pitch, and typically, I can predict what and where they look for it. I cannot tell you guys how many times I have told my TV, out loud, where the pitch needs to be, and Virtual Tek asks for the same exact pitch and location. Kudos to somebody being the brains behind this programming, and understanding the basics of pitch patterning.

Now certainly there are times where the game wants me to throw a 2-seamer dead middle on a 2-1 count, and honestly, that certainly is not where I would choose to make that next selection, but more often than not, the game accurately follows the pattern of successful pitches as well as being based on the confines of the situation. That, to me, shows the savvy that makes the game so deep, and so enjoyable.

I hope that '10 continues to really make the pitcher/batter cat and mouse game the star of the show. And for guys that are struggling on the higher difficulties, and get frustrated into thinking that the game is somehow cheating, taking a good look at the balls that are thrown for Constructive Balls, will be an eye opening experience as to why your pitchers fail as the game and the pitch counts get deeper.

The bottom line is that you need to not only throw balls out of the strike zone, but have a purpose and a plan for doing so. Follow this plan, and watch your success rate increase dramatically.

syf

[Ozmosis]

Re: Does The Show PREDETERMINE HRs or DISTANCE on ball contact?

DING DING DING!!!! You sir, have hit the nail on the head of the "issue" of a certain supposed logic that shall remain un-named, but begins with a C and ends with a K.

I know for a fact that I threw balls on purpose in college. I know for sure that when you got a guy 0-2 or 1-2 the next pitch better not be a hittable pitch, or my catcher would walk half way to the mound and scream at me. If the game actually has a tendency program that realizes you have thrown first pitch fastballs to the outside black on 80% of your batters, then you deserve to get shellacked the third time through the lineup.

I also love the fact that it appears that you are rewarded for set up pitches that are performed properly, and at proper times. Let's say you get the Virtual A-Rod down 0-2 and you throw him a slider down and away and he chases it, nubbing it off for a foul ball. In real life, if I threw a power-hitter a slider on an 0-2 count and he flinched, but took the ball, or fouled it off, the next pitch thrown would be a fastball up and in. Now, if you can't get him on that pitch, or he's late on that one and fouls it off, you have him sitting pretty to drop an inside black deuce on him, as he is thinking about getting that bat head sped up. You learn this pattern as a little kid, and what is amazing to me is how real to life the catchers in The Show will ask for the next pitch, and typically, I can predict what and where they look for it. I cannot tell you guys how many times I have told my TV, out loud, where the pitch needs to be, and Virtual Tek asks for the same exact pitch and location. Kudos to somebody being the brains behind this programming, and understanding the basics of pitch patterning.

Now certainly there are times where the game wants me to throw a 2-seamer dead middle on a 2-1 count, and honestly, that certainly is not where I would choose to make that next selection, but more often than not, the game accurately follows the pattern of successful pitches as well as being based on the confines of the situation. That, to me, shows the savvy that makes the game so deep, and so enjoyable.

I hope that '10 continues to really make the pitcher/batter cat and mouse game the star of the show. And for guys that are struggling on the higher difficulties, and get frustrated into thinking that the game is somehow cheating, taking a good look at the balls that are thrown for Constructive Balls, will be an eye opening experience as to why your pitchers fail as the game and the pitch counts get deeper.

The bottom line is that you need to not only throw balls out of the strike zone, but have a purpose and a plan for doing so. Follow this plan, and watch your success rate increase dramatically.

syf

Great post man, completely agree..I love that you said your catcher would come out and yell at you...so true..

If scea really focuses on the pitcher/cather and pitcher/batter relationships, this game would soar to new heights and it seems they are moving in that direction in a good manner..

The catcher is the manager on the field and the pitcher is the specialist and then you have leaders elsewhere..but the relationship between the catcher/pitcher is unique in sports and goes into the batter/pitcher match up.

[Lisa_Bonami]

Re: Does The Show PREDETERMINE HRs or DISTANCE on ball contact?

Brian and all the Sony guys, thanks for coming into this post to provide all this input! It really makes me appreciate the efforts that went into this game even moreso...So much under the hood stuff that most of us either take for granted or don't even know is going on.

It truly is impressive.

Of all the team sports out their, baseball is the most stat oriented and I feel that to accurately capture the essence of the sport, you really have to nail those statistical algorithms and calculations throughout the game, at bat, on the mound...in the field, etc. And I think you guys really have done a tremendous job at it!


In regards to statistics, has MLB 2010 made any additions this year to how it stores historical stats over the years of your franchise? Many of us baseball fans are stat junkies that enjoy looking at our past accomplishments as much as actually playing. It's nice to have an area of the game in which you can look at previous league leaders, championship winners, boxscores of previous playoffs, Standings and stuff like that. It just makes the franchise feel so alive with History that you the player have created.

I was just wondering if the designers thought about this area of the game?

[cardsleadtheway]

Re: Does The Show PREDETERMINE HRs or DISTANCE on ball contact?

Brian,

You just stated everything in that explanation post that I have tried to say to others in bits and pieces all year. The strike zone piece is very true. I took a ton of pitches that were high, and more often than not they hit the zone but were called balls; usually accompanied by Hudler or someone complaining about the strike zone being all over the place. With Jack Cust, I never swung at anything that wasn't a fastball down the middle with less than two strikes, and even then I usually didn't swing at a curve or changeup unless it was obvious. As a result, he led the league in walks and K's. Very true to life. He did have a much higher batting average than in real life, something I certainly won't complain about. All in all, I thought the pitching matchups were just purely amazing in 09.

[CubFan23]

Re: Does The Show PREDETERMINE HRs or DISTANCE on ball contact?

Just a little FYI


I am SO glad that Brian works on "our" game.

M.K.
Knight165

We must protect him at all costs!

[Sportsforever]

Re: Does The Show PREDETERMINE HRs or DISTANCE on ball contact?

While I agree that you can both draw and issue walks, I feel the rare game in which a staff walks 10 guys isn't going to happen. I usually will walk 2-3 per game and draw 3-4 a game, but that happens EVERY game. I don't really see games where the CPU walks 7-8 or I walk that many. So overall the numbers might look fine, but you don't see those crazy games with lots of walks...if that makes sense?

[NAFBUC]

Re: Does The Show PREDETERMINE HRs or DISTANCE on ball contact?

Brian and all the Sony guys, thanks for coming into this post to provide all this input! It really makes me appreciate the efforts that went into this game even moreso...So much under the hood stuff that most of us either take for granted or don't even know is going on.

It truly is impressive.

Of all the team sports out their, baseball is the most stat oriented and I feel that to accurately capture the essence of the sport, you really have to nail those statistical algorithms and calculations throughout the game, at bat, on the mound...in the field, etc. And I think you guys really have done a tremendous job at it!


In regards to statistics, has MLB 2010 made any additions this year to how it stores historical stats over the years of your franchise? Many of us baseball fans are stat junkies that enjoy looking at our past accomplishments as much as actually playing. It's nice to have an area of the game in which you can look at previous league leaders, championship winners, boxscores of previous playoffs, Standings and stuff like that. It just makes the franchise feel so alive with History that you the player have created.

I was just wondering if the designers thought about this area of the game?

Yes, good posts Lisa. Stats go with baseball like peanutbutter and jelly. Hopefully SCEA will improve the historical stats that are available.

Also if a boxscore is detailed, you can relive the game by reading the boxscore stats. The Show's layout for the boxscore is very vanilla and generic. Hopefully the stat area is something SCEA can look at in the future.

[Clarityman]

Re: Does The Show PREDETERMINE HRs or DISTANCE on ball contact?

While I agree that you can both draw and issue walks, I feel the rare game in which a staff walks 10 guys isn't going to happen. I usually will walk 2-3 per game and draw 3-4 a game, but that happens EVERY game. I don't really see games where the CPU walks 7-8 or I walk that many. So overall the numbers might look fine, but you don't see those crazy games with lots of walks...if that makes sense?

I agree with this.

I like to think I am very (perhaps too) disciplined at the plate, and I usually draw about 3 walks per game, but it's rare to really see unusual games where the pitches lose their control hardcore... unless you mess around with sliders and whatever. But I'd like to see the default settings play with this a bit more.

[cardsleadtheway]

Re: Does The Show PREDETERMINE HRs or DISTANCE on ball contact?

It is also rare to see in real life a game where one team is giving up 10 walks a game.

[EnigmaNemesis]

Re: Does The Show PREDETERMINE HRs or DISTANCE on ball contact?

Another thing...as crazy as it sounds....after speaking with Brian about the topic of walks...is that some guys try taking too much and if you are regularly letting strikes go by...the CPU will continue to throw them until you start pounding them....causing it too want to nibble more and in turn throw balls.

M.K.
Knight165

I noticed this right away. This is definitely the most intelligent hitter/pitcher match-up system we have ever had in gaming.

If you adjust with a baseball mind set, you will net realistic results.

[stealyerface]

Re: Does The Show PREDETERMINE HRs or DISTANCE on ball contact?

Something to pay close attention to is the CPU pitcher's confidence as well. If you swing at everything early, and the CPU puts up a couple <10 pitch innings against you, the CPU pitcher's confidence soars, and you are going to be digging out of a huge hole for the rest of the game.

His curveball has more snap, the slider breaks 2 feet, the changeups are vicious, and you end up chasing his nastiness all the way through the game, and your prognosis is not going to be a good one.

Conversely, if you can take some pitches, get ahead, make some solid contact and have him struggle early, you'll see better pitches to hit, as the confidence lowers, and he has trouble making those sick pitches to the corners, and working you inside and out.

I am amazed at just how nasty the high-confidence pitchers are, and I am not talking just the mechanic of the pitch either. I am talking about the execution of those pitches, and how the pitcher who is rolling doesn't care about what pitch he ought to be sending up there on what count.

There are times where I am pretty certain I am better off setting the controller down and praying I get walked, than I am actually trying to hit the ball.

I no longer play with Guess Pitch, but I do sometimes sit on a pitch and location, but do it manually. Getting geared up for a 2-1 fastball, and daring that pitcher to throw it middle-in on you is far more comfortable that standing up there flailing away at whatever he throws because you know you aren't going to hit it anyway.

So, while pitching with confidence and executing your pitches in, around, and out of the strike zone will give you great results, trying to steal that confidence from the opposing pitcher is just as important..

syf

[Sportsforever]

Re: Does The Show PREDETERMINE HRs or DISTANCE on ball contact?

It is also rare to see in real life a game where one team is giving up 10 walks a game.

There 38 such occurrences last year. If you just look for a team walking 7 times or more, the number jumps to 425. I have NEVER seen a team walk more than 5 times in MLB 09....I'm just saying that there should be those games where the pitchers can't find the strike zone.