Getting the computer hitters to swing and miss

[AUTiger1]

Re: Getting the computer hitters to swing and miss

I'm only averaging about 3-4 strikeouts per game. The most I've gotten in a game is 9. I'd like to see a starter record 10 or more every once in a while.

It's not even really about strikeouts for me. It's just about being able to have at-bats where not every single player looks like Tony Gwynn up there. When every single player is able to foul off pitch after pitch after pitch and take every close pitch for a ball while waiting on you to make a mistake.

[Pared]

Re: Getting the computer hitters to swing and miss

I'm only averaging about 3-4 strikeouts per game. The most I've gotten in a game is 9. I'd like to see a starter record 10 or more every once in a while.

So get better.

[Gagnon39]

Re: Getting the computer hitters to swing and miss

So get better.

Ha. Its funny you say that, and I don't know if your'e being serious or not, but I will say this. I am much better at pitching than hitting.

My team (the Cubs) do not have great pitchers yet I think I'm third or fourth in ERA. But I'm 28th in total strikeouts. While some of that may be realistic, being as how not many of the Cubs are strikeout pitchers, Garza is.

I've currently been playing on Hall of Fame for pitching and All-Star for hitting. And I'm consistently holding the CPU to 2 or fewer runs. I've shut them out twice in 10 games. I am thinking about bumping the pitching down to All-Star to get more swings and misses but I don't want to win every single game.

For those people who are playing on All-Star (pitching), do you ever get drubbed? It may sound funny but I want to lose games 10-2, 12-8, 8-0, etc. from time to time. The last thing I want is for every game to be 3-1, 3-2, 1-0.

[Pared]

Re: Getting the computer hitters to swing and miss

I'm actually not joking. People have posted high K game highlights in the highlight threads. You can see them making the computer whiff at all types of pitches and locations.

These are great reference items if you want to learn ideal placement on a strike out pitch.

I was drubbed the other night using Dickey. His messed up Knuckler is frustrating to have to use as he isn't anywhere close as effective.

[balooko31]

Re: Getting the computer hitters to swing and miss

Agreed on not touching the sliders. I think that cheapens the experience. If you're having problems, just get better, don't make it easier. Think about what pitchers think... if a guy swings early (pulls it foul), he's looking for a faster pitch, so send something slower. For location, set him up by hitting a spot a couple times with a fastball, then hit a changeup or curve that drops waaay below that spot.

[Bobhead]

Re: Getting the computer hitters to swing and miss

To the OP, what pitching control scheme are you using? Are you maxing the effort on your would-be strikeout pitches? Because I also am guilty of throwing minimum effort pitches constantly, especially in years before this one, but the reality is that the maximum effort goes a long way towards inducing a strikeout.

[Chef Matt]

Re: Getting the computer hitters to swing and miss

I was drubbed the other night using Dickey. His messed up Knuckler is frustrating to have to use as he isn't anywhere close as effective.

It's ridiculously hard trying to pitch with him. I get shelled everytime.

[Gagnon39]

Re: Getting the computer hitters to swing and miss

I'm actually not joking. People have posted high K game highlights in the highlight threads. You can see them making the computer whiff at all types of pitches and locations.

These are great reference items if you want to learn ideal placement on a strike out pitch.

I was drubbed the other night using Dickey. His messed up Knuckler is frustrating to have to use as he isn't anywhere close as effective.

I'll have to check those out then. I really do not want to bump down to All-Star. Simply knowing that it can be done is often good enough for me. And as far as setting up batters and pitch selection, that's something I'm very good with.

Often times I think that its just the pitchers that I'm using. I don't know how many batters I can really expect to strike out using Randy Wells or Chris Volstad. But with Garza, as I said previously, I'd like to see him be a little more effective. I had an irritating experience last night when the Diamondbacks pitcher, Kennedy I think was up. He swung and missed a fastball for strike one, swung and missed a change up low and away for strike two, then fouled a curve ball off, took a change low out of the zone and then another. I then threw a 94 mph fastball up and in which he proceeded to drive into right field. Ugh.

I guess that's possible but I don't know how else to set up hitters if that's not right. Get them out in front on the outside part of the plate and then bust them in with a fast ball. I change speeds and locations often and like I said, I do well. The Diamondbacks got three hits on the game, but I only recorded three strikeouts.

[Pared]

Re: Getting the computer hitters to swing and miss

HAHA... glad it's not just me. I really wish I could get better with him but when the CPU sits back on the knuckler I can't place it for the life of me...

[Gagnon39]

Re: Getting the computer hitters to swing and miss

One other thing, and some of you guys may know better either way.

It seems to me that the CPU learns very quickly what your tendencies are. I usually get a strikeout or two in the first couple innings but then find it far more difficult to get them as the game progresses. While that's realistic to some degree, I am still changing my strategies throughout the game and should see similar results throughout.

[Pared]

Re: Getting the computer hitters to swing and miss

I'll have to check those out then. I really do not want to bump down to All-Star. Simply knowing that it can be done is often good enough for me. And as far as setting up batters and pitch selection, that's something I'm very good with.

Often times I think that its just the pitchers that I'm using. I don't know how many batters I can really expect to strike out using Randy Wells or Chris Volstad. But with Garza, as I said previously, I'd like to see him be a little more effective. I had an irritating experience last night when the Diamondbacks pitcher, Kennedy I think was up. He swung and missed a fastball for strike one, swung and missed a change up low and away for strike two, then fouled a curve ball off, took a change low out of the zone and then another. I then threw a 94 mph fastball up and in which he proceeded to drive into right field. Ugh.

I guess that's possible but I don't know how else to set up hitters if that's not right. Get them out in front on the outside part of the plate and then bust them in with a fast ball. I change speeds and locations often and like I said, I do well. The Diamondbacks got three hits on the game, but I only recorded three strikeouts.

So Kennedy was just one of 3 hits? I wouldn't call that a problem. Still, sounds like a good setup but maybe you caught more of the plate than you should have. And again, you're on HOF - the CPU is going to catch pitches like this once in a while.

So the pitcher got a hit off you and were frustrated over one at bat? Welcome to the majors.

[Gagnon39]

Re: Getting the computer hitters to swing and miss

So Kennedy was just one of 3 hits? I wouldn't call that a problem. Still, sounds like a good setup but maybe you caught more of the plate than you should have. And again, you're on HOF - the CPU is going to catch pitches like this once in a while.

So the pitcher got a hit off you and were frustrated over one at bat? Welcome to the majors.

Oh, I know. That's kind of what I'm saying though. I pitch very well, have a very low team ERA but have very few strikeouts. It just seems like the CPU is putting the ball in play too often. I completely understand that things like that are going to happen every once in a while. I'd just like to get a few more K's.

I know for sure that I could record far more strikeouts on All-Star, last year I did a Road to the Show with a pitcher and regularly recorded close to 10 strikeouts per game (once he was practically maxed out).

The problem for me is that if I put the game on All-Star I don't think I'll lose often enough to make it realistic. I definitely lose on Hall of Fame. I gave up 16 hits in another game so I like the variations of scores on Hall of Fame. I'm just wondering if that happens on All-Star.

The bottom line is, while I'm good at pitching, I'm sure I can improve. I'll have to look at those videos.

[Bobhead]

Re: Getting the computer hitters to swing and miss

Like I said are you maxing the effort on your strikeout pitches? Maximum effort is relevant on more than just fastballs.

Also the pitch-confidence meter (the small ones under each pitch, NOT the pitcher's overall confidence) is something you need to keep an eye on. A curveball with a low confidence won't induce as many whiffs as one with a full meter.

[Gagnon39]

Re: Getting the computer hitters to swing and miss

Like I said are you maxing the effort on your strikeout pitches? Maximum effort is relevant on more than just fastballs.

Also the pitch-confidence meter (the small ones under each pitch, NOT the pitcher's overall confidence) is something you need to keep an eye on. A curveball with a low confidence won't induce as many whiffs as one with a full meter.

I am aware and make the most of both of these. The fastball I threw to Kennedy was with maximum effort. And I do the same with my other pitches. I honestly think it might be the fact that I'm the Cubs and I don't have a lot of high strikeout pitchers. However, when I do bring Marmol in I run into the same thing. I think I've recorded two strikeouts with him over about seven innings.

[AUTiger1]

Re: Getting the computer hitters to swing and miss

To the OP, what pitching control scheme are you using? Are you maxing the effort on your would-be strikeout pitches? Because I also am guilty of throwing minimum effort pitches constantly, especially in years before this one, but the reality is that the maximum effort goes a long way towards inducing a strikeout.

I use analog pitching and I am full max on every pitch. I can't throw a min effort pitch with analog because I focus so much on trying to hit the target exactly that I always slam the stick upwards as fast and hard as I can.

And yes I do pay attention to the pitch confidence meters. I didn't know that you could improve those during warm up pitches. So the last game I did that and it helped.

I don't claim to be an outstanding or even great player and never have. I feel like I'm having to learn how to play a totally new game. That's how different it feels this year. It's why I have to play on veteran especially on hitting.