They need to change the name of the "Curveball" in this game.

[Agathos]

Re: They need to change the name of the "Curveball" in this game.

Back when I first bought a PS3 and MLB 09, I gave my first RTTS guy a 12-6 curve AND a sweeping curve. I later added a screwball for good measure. He gave up a few bombs in his day.

[sink4ever]

Re: They need to change the name of the "Curveball" in this game.

Yeah, I've learned not to throw curveballs with anything less than 100% concentration (just like real life, mistakes will be punished). Also, be aware that it will behave differently depending on which side of the plate you're throwing it to. Experiment with location and effort, I've noticed that I get more swinging strikes with the curve than I did in '11. I use analog, and I've had some luck aiming very low and throwing it with high effort. Also, realize that each pitcher will have a different break, so become acquainted with the behavior of each curve.

As some have mentioned, splitters are also difficult, but they seem to work much better in '11 that previous years. Again, the key is to make sure you aim quite low and put some effort into it.

[FunkeyMonkey]

Re: They need to change the name of the "Curveball" in this game.

I don't care for the 12-6 curve much at all, but I have had success with the sweeping curve and the slurve pitches. As others have said, you definately need to make sure of the location. When using a lefty pitcher i love the sweeping curve, when thrown to a left handed hitter it can be untouchable when thrown correctly.

[cardsleadtheway]

Re: They need to change the name of the "Curveball" in this game.

The 12-6 is my favorite. I can bust it in on righties with Gio and they swing over top of it all the time. I have so much more confidence than I do with other curves.

In real life, the effectiveness of a curve is highly dependent upon wind conditions. Pitchers will tell you that they just can't break off the curve as well in a dome. I wonder if this is in the game. I keep meaning to get data on this, but I end up getting too wrapped up in the game to remember. Anyone notice anything like this?

[maddguuns]

Re: They need to change the name of the "Curveball" in this game.

Maybe I am a jerk for doing this, but for fun I just played a game and threw only splitters and curveballs. My starter went 8 innings, threw 113 pitches, had 9 k's, and gave up 3 hits, 2 walks, and no runs.

My assessment is that the curveball and splitters work just fine. Then again, maybe my experience as a pitcher growing up and into low minor league ball helped me attack hitters better than the average gamer? Who knows.

[torpidbeaver]

Re: They need to change the name of the "Curveball" in this game.

Yeah, I've learned not to throw curveballs with anything less than 100% concentration (just like real life, mistakes will be punished). Also, be aware that it will behave differently depending on which side of the plate you're throwing it to. Experiment with location and effort, I've noticed that I get more swinging strikes with the curve than I did in '11. I use analog, and I've had some luck aiming very low and throwing it with high effort. Also, realize that each pitcher will have a different break, so become acquainted with the behavior of each curve.

As some have mentioned, splitters are also difficult, but they seem to work much better in '11 that previous years. Again, the key is to make sure you aim quite low and put some effort into it.

What does "high effort" mean? Can you actually tell your pitcher to throw harder or softer (or with more or less break)? How do you do this? Do you hold the button down longer or something when you're selecting the pitch?

Totally confused, here.

[sink4ever]

Re: They need to change the name of the "Curveball" in this game.

What does "high effort" mean? Can you actually tell your pitcher to throw harder or softer (or with more or less break)? How do you do this? Do you hold the button down longer or something when you're selecting the pitch?

Totally confused, here.

Yeah, it depends on what mechanism you use for pitching. I use analog, so pushing up faster on the right stick adds more "effort". If you use classic, it depends on how long you hold down on "X", there will be a slight vibration I believe when you reach "max effort". I've never used meter, but I'm pretty positive you can also increase effort based on where you press the buttons.

[Wrecktum]

Re: They need to change the name of the "Curveball" in this game.

Curveball that stays in the strike zone means the batter gets to do a lap.

[Ghostciv]

Re: They need to change the name of the "Curveball" in this game.

the curveball is fine for me. usally i set it up before hand throwing a few fastballs up in the zone either as balls or strikes. then i'll throw either a CB or change low in the zone. its not the best pitch as i love my sliders running away more then the curveball but if used right it will get alot of groundballs, swing 3rd strikes.

[The Amaizen Blue]

Re: They need to change the name of the "Curveball" in this game.

I love the the splitter, and I only use the curveball on the outer side of the plate. Inside and anywhere in the middle are a recipe for disaster unless you use someone like Verlander, and even then I can get lit up with it.

[queman11]

Re: They need to change the name of the "Curveball" in this game.

U gotta use some backdoor offspeed pitches to fool hitters