Getting the computer hitters to swing and miss

[Bobhead]

Re: Getting the computer hitters to swing and miss

I use Analog as well, and I definitely do agree there are problems getting the CPU to miss/chase consistently. I wonder if there is something more to that. I know there are many who have no problems inducing strikeouts, but I'd like to see how many Analog players are in that group.

In any case, if strikeouts mean that much to you, you can always lower CPU Contact in the Gameplay Sliders... I know you said you tried that already but I meant lower it more.

[mmorg]

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.

It really depends on the pitcher but I just had a 12K game in 7 innings with Ubaldo on Hall of Fame with Pulse Pitching against the Angels. My first time through the line-up I concentrate on getting my confidence up on my three "staple" pitches is what I call them. (4S, 2S, CH) I use these to pound the strike zone the first time through the line up and get ahead of batters. Second time through the line-up I will start adding in the Curve and Slider. If I notice the CPU not swinging at them I will start using them exclusively until I get 2 strikes and then try to catch them off guard with one of the staple pitches out of the zone.

It really is just all about keeping things varied and establishing that you can, and will, throw any pitch at anytime for a strike and staying ahead of batters in the count. If you are able to control the strike zone as the pitcher you will always, ALWAYS, be a step ahead of the batter. I notice I give up a lot of hits and runs to the CPU when I start batters off 1-0 or 2-0, when you get them in pitchers counts the CPU does get a little desperate and will start chasing a little more often.

[AUTiger1]

Re: Getting the computer hitters to swing and miss

I use Analog as well, and I definitely do agree there are problems getting the CPU to miss/chase consistently. I wonder if there is something more to that. I know there are many who have no problems inducing strikeouts, but I'd like to see how many Analog players are in that group.

In any case, if strikeouts mean that much to you, you can always lower CPU Contact in the Gameplay Sliders... I know you said you tried that already but I meant lower it more.

It has nothing to do with strikeouts. Strikeouts are cool but not that important. I just saying there should be a swing and a miss every now and then.

What kind of pitch counts do other people get out there? Very rarely am I able to keep a reasonable pitch count in the 5th or 6th inning because of all the foul balls and balls. I walk quite a few batters.

[AUTiger1]

Re: Getting the computer hitters to swing and miss

It really depends on the pitcher but I just had a 12K game in 7 innings with Ubaldo on Hall of Fame with Pulse Pitching against the Angels. My first time through the line-up I concentrate on getting my confidence up on my three "staple" pitches is what I call them. (4S, 2S, CH) I use these to pound the strike zone the first time through the line up and get ahead of batters. Second time through the line-up I will start adding in the Curve and Slider. If I notice the CPU not swinging at them I will start using them exclusively until I get 2 strikes and then try to catch them off guard with one of the staple pitches out of the zone.

It really is just all about keeping things varied and establishing that you can, and will, throw any pitch at anytime for a strike and staying ahead of batters in the count. If you are able to control the strike zone as the pitcher you will always, ALWAYS, be a step ahead of the batter. I notice I give up a lot of hits and runs to the CPU when I start batters off 1-0 or 2-0, when you get them in pitchers counts the CPU does get a little desperate and will start chasing a little more often.

Well I'm not good enough to throw sliders and curveballs for strikes because they end up either being called balls (even though they show up as a strikes) or they end up getting hit for doubles and homeruns.

[mmorg]

Re: Getting the computer hitters to swing and miss

Well I'm not good enough to throw sliders and curveballs for strikes because they end up either being called balls (even though they show up as a strikes) or they end up getting hit for doubles and homeruns.

Get better then? Doesn't that first sentence kind of tell you what the problem is?

[AUTiger1]

Re: Getting the computer hitters to swing and miss

Get better then? Doesn't that first sentence kind of tell you what the problem is?

I just went back to meter pitching and now I can get guys to swing and miss at breaking pitches. Game is much more fun now. I'm still giving up hits but now I don't have every batter pulling a Tony Gwynn on me.

[butcher82man]

Re: Getting the computer hitters to swing and miss

i lowered CPU timing by 1
and like someone else posted if you can establish being able to throw a breaking ball for ks they will chase it

also if you always throw it 0-2 ,1-2 the CPU will pick up on that and not swing, mix it up

but i do agree with the painted corner on 0-2 and the CPU doesnt swing and its called a ball....at least fowl it off

i think mostly because i swing at some god awful stuff, id like to see the CPU do it once and awhile

[butcher82man]

Re: Getting the computer hitters to swing and miss

posted by Brian SCEA


@allthoseships: I look often at CPU discipline, and it seems to depend a lot on how you pitch to the CPU. The CPU is often guessing or doing the right thing for the wrong reason (it takes a borderline ball on strike 2 because it thought it was way out of the strike zone). This is the same reason the CPU will sometimes stare at a deep strike occasionally. Against baseline play (both CPU and Human opponents playing a default way), the CPU chases and walks as close to real life as we can get them. And yet we do hear the same thing from some people (but not others).. it seems the most critical factor is challenging the CPU at the border more (i.e. throwing more pitches on the border without knowing yourself which way it'll end up). I generally don't run into this issue myself, but I'm using what I know against the AI. =)

[AUTiger1]

Re: Getting the computer hitters to swing and miss

posted by Brian SCEA


@allthoseships: I look often at CPU discipline, and it seems to depend a lot on how you pitch to the CPU. The CPU is often guessing or doing the right thing for the wrong reason (it takes a borderline ball on strike 2 because it thought it was way out of the strike zone). This is the same reason the CPU will sometimes stare at a deep strike occasionally. Against baseline play (both CPU and Human opponents playing a default way), the CPU chases and walks as close to real life as we can get them. And yet we do hear the same thing from some people (but not others).. it seems the most critical factor is challenging the CPU at the border more (i.e. throwing more pitches on the border without knowing yourself which way it'll end up). I generally don't run into this issue myself, but I'm using what I know against the AI. =)

Good info from Brian. Thanks!

[AUTiger1]

Re: Getting the computer hitters to swing and miss

I just pitched a complete game 3-hit shutout against the Royals using meter pitching on veteran. I'm gonna have to bump up to All-Star since I find it much too easy pitching with meter on veteran difficulty.

My pitch breakdown was 49 4SF, 17 12-6 curveballs, 24 sliders, 10 2SF and 13 changeups. Hitters went 0-8 against my 4SF, 1-4 against the curve, 1-11 against the slider, 0-1 against the 2SF and 1-5 against the changeup. My strike percentage was 69% with 4SF, 53% with curve, 67% with slider, 60% with 2SF and 85% with change.

So what do you guys think of my pitching numbers? Good? Bad?

[PsychoBulk]

Re: Getting the computer hitters to swing and miss

Played a game last night and immediately thought of this thread.

Heres Rick Porcello striking out 4 in only 3 innings of work in a Spring Training outing versus the Reds, two on heaters, two on sliders, one away one in.

3 of these 4 involve the CPU swinging and missing.

On BOTH the Slider k's i had already established that pitch for a strike earlier in the at bat, so went back to it for the out pitch...job done. Now obviously it wont always work (nor should it) but it only goes to back up the point we are making about setting guys up.

I also saw lots of swinging and missing on normal count pitches too, not just the strikeout ones.

This was only 3 innings too, who knows how many i would have got had i played a full game as Rick was locked in, as it was i cut it short, i had gotten the hitting practice i wanted.

<iframe width="640" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/MttdBWpEK7Q" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Heroesandvillains]

Re: Getting the computer hitters to swing and miss

I'm not having this problem at all either this year. Actually, I believe the CPU plate discipline to be the most refined currently compared to any of the three previous versions I've played.

Since launch, I've been on Default AS for pitching (minus a single clicked drop in Human Consistency with Pulse; all Defaults with Classic) and have had my starter strikeout 10 once, and 9 at least 3 times. My team average is slightly over 7 per game.

Psychobulk's post about showing the slider for a strike, and promptly going back to it just off of the plate, is a perfect example of how to occasionally fool the CPU for a swing and miss. The same can also be said for missing on purpose, only to bring that same pitch into the strikezone later on for a caught third strike.

I'll post some miss, foul, and chase numbers later on to support my point. The sample size will be small, but will reflect that these issues aren't commonplace for some of us this year.

[nemesis04]

Re: Getting the computer hitters to swing and miss

I'm not having this problem at all either this year. Actually, I believe the CPU plate discipline to be the most refined currently compared to any of the three previous versions I've played.

Since launch, I've been on Default AS for pitching (minus a single clicked drop in Human Consistency with Pulse; all Defaults with Classic) and have had my starter strikeout 10 once, and 9 at least 3 times. My team average is slightly over 7 per game.

Psychobulk's post about showing the slider for a strike, and promptly going back to it just off of the plate, is a perfect example of how to occasionally fool the CPU for a swing and miss. The same can also be said for missing on purpose, only to bring that same pitch into the strikezone later on for a caught third strike.

I'll post some miss, foul, and chase numbers later on to support my point. The sample size will be small, but will reflect that these issues aren't commonplace for some of us this year.

I have really enjoyed this part of the game this year. I have seen just about every strikeout scenario I can think of by the CPU. I know I have posted a few strike out vids showing it as well. Best for the series by far imo.

[Bobhead]

Re: Getting the computer hitters to swing and miss

nemesis what pitching system do you use? The other guys in this thread who say they don't have this issue use classic as far as I know, and I'd imagine that there is a direct correlation between the pitching control one uses, and whether or not that person has trouble inducing missed swings.

[AUTiger1]

Re: Getting the computer hitters to swing and miss

I have seen the swings and misses now that I have gone to meter pitching away from analog.