Research Poll

[rudyjuly2]

Re: Research Poll

1) Overall Difficulty - Rate the overall difficulty of hitting/pitching/fielding/running. Is even Legend too easy for you, or Rookie too hard? Are there specific modes that too easy or hard, such as zone hitting or analog throwing, etc..? Or is one area overall okay but a specific action (hitting a slider, getting a double play, etc..) at an extreme for you?

I play on All-Star. Hitting is too hard for me. I need boosts. Pitching is pretty good, maybe too easy at default. Fielding is fine although I've witnessed too many outfield blunders myself (dropping fly balls) but the controls are fine. I've always disliked the base running controls and that I have to make all the decisions so I use auto-baserunning. I like the change to allow me to control all base stealing decisions in this mode. I know some others weren't happy with this change but I prefer it this way. Nothing annoyed me more than a guy thrown out stealing when I never would have sent him.


2) Game Log - Do you use the game log? Would you like a game option that displays it in chronological order, rather than most recent innings first? At the end of the game log are some miscellaneous data about that day's game. Are there other fields of data you would like to see?

I haven't even checked this out, I'll look. It would be nice to export box score stats or season stats to a text or excel file somehow. I would like a better way to see season stats though where you can choose the stats and see far more information on one screen. Right now you only see 5-6 players and a few stats.

3) Strategy Guide - Have you used the in-game Strategy Guide? Would you like to see certain topics covered? Would you like to see more topics in general covered?

N/A

4) Pitcher Batter Analysis - Do you use the Pitcher-Batter Analysis tools? What kind of new data, charts, or filters would you like? Would you like more than the last 25 pitches drawn?

Once in awhile I use it. I have used it to check pitches chased and some of the outcomes on HRs.


5) Pitching Interfaces - Of the four pitching interfaces (Classic, Meter, Analog, Pulse), which do you use the most overall? Which would you never use? Are there specific improvements you would like to see to any of the existing pitching interfaces?

I've used Pulse exclusively this year and I really enjoy it. Perfect marriage of Classic with user input. I don't care that I can't control the effort of the pitch. The only negative I see is there are no bean balls or wild pitches with this mode. I've used Classic and Meter in the past. I've barely used analog which I don't like due to the lack of randomly missed locations.

6) Classic Pitching - Do you like using classic pitching, even occasionally or in the past? When using classic pitching, would you like it if the power setting phase was tied to the pitcher's animation?

For example, instead of holding down X before the pitcher starts winding up, the pitcher starts winding up as you press X. And instead of 1 second being the Max effort, it's whatever the duration of the windup is (with the stretch animation being shorter). A rumble would confirm max effort, as always. Of course, there's no timing skill involved here (i.e. no penalty for holding X down forever). It would mainly have two effects: merging the power and windup phase, and adding a certain feel of interaction with that pitcher. On the other hand, I can see this as being slightly annoying (or at least some getting used to) for people who don't want it.

I've used classic in the past and I don't know if I like this new proposal but I'm sticking with Pulse so this won't matter to me. I personally don't like having to time the button with the pitching motion because I like watching the pitch unfold but you can't really do that if you are focusing on the motion. It's one reason I don't like meter.

7) Hitting Modes - Which hitting mode do you prefer? Which hitting mode would you never use? Have you tried timing-only hitting yet?

Timing only. Hitting is very hard for me. I have no chance at zone or even just analog. I would never do zone-analog, just way too hard for me. You would have to slow down pitch speed a LOT more if you wanted me to ever try anything other than timing. I wanted to try the Move controller with it but I find the lag/delay too tough. I can adjust in the HR contest which is fun (slow strikes all the time) but I would be WAY too late in a real game situation.

8) Stealing Balance - Do you play 2P offline/online? How often do you steal in 2P? Do you manual (i.e. early) steal or auto (on windup) steal? Is it too easy or hard to steal overall? In two player, do you get stolen against too easily when it does happen? Is it too easy or hard to defend against steals overall? Or are there specific situations that need balance? Are bad basestealers able to steal too effectively? How often do you pitchout? Quick pickoff? Slow pickoff? Deceptive pickoff?

I can only comment vs. cpu but I find it's a bit too easy to steal at default. At -1 it's better. I use a few pickoff moves occassionally. I never pitch out, just throw fastballs more often (I probably should pitch out I guess).

9) Guess Pitch Modes - Which guess pitch mode do you prefer, if any? Do you use it always, or just in certain counts/situations? Do you think that mode is balanced for single-player games against the AI? For two-player games? Can you hit effectively without using guess pitch at all? What difficulty do you hit on? Lastly, in two-player games how do you feel when your opponent uses guess pitch against you?

I hate the guess pitch mechanic due to my strong belief it is incredibly unrealistic and non sim. N/A

10) Pitch Speed and Ball/Strike – On Allstar difficulty, are fastballs too fast or slow? Is it Is it too hard or easy to call a ball or strike? Or instead, can you usually tell if it's a ball or strike but you just want to swing anyways? What do you think about batting while in strike 2 situations? 2-0 and 3-1 situations?

On All-Star I play with pitch speed all the way down (reducing pitch speed all the way is normal for me and sometimes it's still not enough and can provide great frustration). This is a pretty good speed for me in the Show 12 unlike last year. I might slow it down one more notch if I had the option. I'm averaging about 1 walk per game which is a big improvement from the past but still not close to the MLB average. I'm a hacker so I would never walk a lot in any system.

My biggest problem is pitch recognition. Even at the slowest pitch speed it can be hard for me to judge both the pitch type and location and swing early enough on the fastballs. You want to be able to pull those mistake fastballs but that usually leaves me incredibly early on changeups. One of the problems with that is I find the Show has too big a spread on the fastball-changeup combo which destroys me. Whenever I try to be patient to avoid swinging at balls or being too early on off-speed stuff I always end up being too late on fastballs.

Thanks Brian

[nomo17k]

Re: Research Poll

2) Game Log - Do you use the game log? Would you like a game option that displays it in chronological order, rather than most recent innings first? At the end of the game log are some miscellaneous data about that day's game. Are there other fields of data you would like to see?


Those may not be what this thread is for, but in case...


I think the event is not recorded when it involves pickoff play. For example, if the pitcher throws away and a runner(s) advance, I don't think the log shows the play properly.

Also, the plays often are recorded in weird way... like there are often records like "single to second" or "single to third" when the first fielders who made those plays are outfielders.

[cgalligan]

Re: Research Poll

1) Overall Difficulty - Very hard game, but in a realistic way. Which is a good thing. I hardly feel cheated, and I can usually find a logical explanation when things don't go my way.

2) Game Log - Never really use it

3) Strategy Guide - Never really use it, since I've been playing The Show for awhile.

4) Pitcher Batter Analysis - I don't use this very much... I like how 10' and 11' had it where you could see how the pitcher pitched to you in the previous at bat, without having to pause the game... Not sure if you can do that this year, but I haven't noticed.

5) Pitching Interfaces - I love the Meter Pitching... I think it needs tweaked though... Maybe combine Meter with Pulse...
---example--- pitchers with bad control should have meters that move quicker, regardless of how slow their wide up is... I think this would make it harder to "hit your spots" with inaccurate pitchers, which I think is the biggest gripe with Meter Pitching.

6) Classic Pitching - Classic is one button pitching? I've never used it.

7) Hitting Modes - I always use Zone hitting... I feel like "timing" is cheap and far too easy... Also, whats up with the new PCI??? It looks like a giant paint splat on my screen and is just downright annoying to look at... I would much rather have the clean cut Yellow Circle from years past.

8) Stealing Balance - Seems fine to me.

9) Guess Pitch Modes - I hate guess pitch in 2 player games, because it negates the Pitchers command / control if the batter guesses correctly... I use it vs the CPU, but every pitch... Mainly just when I'm "sitting" on a certain pitch when I'm up in the count.

10) Pitch Speed and Ball/Strike – Obviously, the speed doesn't replicate real life exactly, but, I don't think that's a bad thing... I think if users only had 4 tenths of a second to react, most people would struggle mightily with the game lol.

[DetroitStyle]

Re: Research Poll

1) Overall Difficulty - I think this is one of the most balanced sports games ever released. There's just so many ways to customize your experience from actual difficulty levels (veteran, all-star, etc.) to different forms of pitching and hitting. Find zone hitting too hard? Switch to timing. Of course this all before you start adjusting sliders which really helps you shape your experience.

2) Game Log - Never use it.

3) Strategy Guide - Never use it since I'm a vet of the series. However, I think it would be cool to improve the franchise FAQ to help better explain the different MLB contract rules and roster rules. The FAQ is nice how it is but a detailed strategy guide or even mock franchise videos on how arbitration or something works would be really cool.

4) Pitcher Batter Analysis - Never us it in the show. However I do use it all the time in 2K's game. What gives it the edge is the inside edge (I couldn't help the pun). I think licensing out for it is a huge a plus and with the 2K license in jeopardy it might be a good idea grab the Inside Edge. More on the point, when I do use it I like to see career vs. game and more franchise incorporation.

5) Pitching Interfaces - Pulse gives me an awful headache. I've used classic a lot in the past because it seems to be the most player ratings dominant. However, I really enjoyed analog pitching last year and I continue to use it now.

6) Classic Pitching - See above. With classic pitching I really like the idea of a small rumble once you've reached max power. I do NOT like the example you gave, unless I misunderstood it. A pitcher will ALWAYS be consistent with their timing in the windup and stretch. It should never be longer or shorter to determine max power and such. If a pitcher becomes inconsistent with his timing it's time to yank him!

It's important to remember that a lot of people use classic pitching to get the most out of player ratings (no user skill determines effectiveness, etc.). Think of it as NBA 2K's "Real FG%". Well, based on game factors and such, classic pitching should be a pitchers "real pitch success percentage". I should probably patent that just in case

7) Hitting Modes - I hate using two thumbsticks to control hitting, but I know a lot of people like it. Simplicity when hitting is best for me so I do just straight up timing. I don't even bother with guessing zones and such. Once again, I like ratings to dominate. If I swing at the right time let ratings take over! Kind of like pitching I think of this as "Real hit percentage".

8) Stealing Balance - Rarely play 2P and I don't have any issues with stealing. If I do, sliders can adjust it (BR speed, catcher throwing strength, etc.)

9) Guess Pitch Modes - Never use it. Too much of a "cheat" for my tastes.

10) Pitch Speed and Ball/Strike – On this difficulty I've found pitchers to always be a little too accurate. Strike percentages are around 60-65% for MLB pitchers. The game, without slider tweaks, is at around 70-75%. Also, pitch speed seems fair, but it's all relative to your own tastes. That's why I like having a pitch speed slider.

[h2oPr00f]

Re: Research Poll

I have been playing this series for years, hopefully I can be of help!

1) Overall Difficulty - My only issue is with hitting. This is the first time I have gotten frustrated. I usually hit on All-Star, this year I am on Rookie with timing.

2) Game Log - I enjoy this aspect.

3) Strategy Guide - I have not used it.

4) Pitcher Batter Analysis - This is excellent, should probably utilize it more.

5) Pitching Interfaces - I use the classic and/or meter I attempted to use the pulse pitching but could not get comfortable with it. The meter is my preferred method to pitch.

6) Classic Pitching - I enjoy the classic pitching as it is.

7) Hitting Modes - I won't lie, I am old school and only play the classic hitting. I attemped the analog a little bit, but prefer the other method.

8) Stealing Balance - I think this part is well done, another section I do not utilize enough. Especially the pickoff moves.

9) Guess Pitch Modes - I use the 1/4 guess pitch. My next step is try hitting without it. I feel it hampers my hittings, even when I guess correctly my results are mixed. Even when it pulsates and is in my wheelhouse I am unable to hit a HR.

10) Pitch Speed and Ball/Strike – This is where i have the most difficulty. Even with the pitch speed down to zero, I can not get my timing down. Not enough differentiation between off speed pitches and fastballs. As previously stated, this is the first time i've had any issues with hitting.

[nonnel]

Re: Research Poll

1) Overall Difficulty - All-Star is the perfect difficulty for me. Over the length of a franchise, I'll generally have a pretty good team and I'll win somewhere between 90-100 games. Only use timing hitting because I find the other modes are way too difficult and just don't "feel" right.

2) Game Log - I use it, and it works fine as is to me.

3) Strategy Guide - Never used it, didn't even know there was one.

4) Pitcher Batter Analysis - I use it occasionally, but only when I'm struggling for a game and want to see what's going on. Also fine as is to me.

5) Pitching Interfaces - Meter is the way to go for me. I tried pulse pitching but I just wasn't into it. Classic is too dumbed down, so I wouldn't ever use that.

6) Classic Pitching -Still wouldn't use it.

7) Hitting Modes - Timing only, all the way. I tried the others on various occasions and they're either too difficult, or just plain not fun. Timing, while simple, gives the best experience and should be the default in my opinion. It also allows for the actual players in the game to use their skills to a greater degree.

8) Stealing Balance - I don't use the different pick off moves. I just rocket it over there. I think basestealing as a whole this year feels a little too difficult. But, that's better than it being too easy.

9) Guess Pitch Modes - I use whatever the default guess pitch mode is. I use it occasionally when I'm planning on taking a pitch anyways like a 3-0 or 3-1 pitch. Or a lot of times with the first pitch of the AB if I was planning on just taking one. I generally only use the location, and never guess the actual type of pitch.

10) Pitch Speed and Ball/Strike – Fastballs are definitely too fast on all-star in my opinion. Had to lower the pitch speed again this year for that very reason. Reading balls/strikes is fine. I get fooled, but not to the point of frustration.

[Jolly Roger]

Re: Research Poll

1) Overall Difficulty - I play on HOF for all settings. I'd like to have a setting where I can use analog hitting but have the PCI move completely automatically for me based on my timing and my hitter's vision rating. Although the PCI currently moves up and down automatically based on timing, I have a hard time moving the stick left and right, so I just swing down the middle every time. This generally works out alright, but I'd like my hitters to be able to square up balls on the inside or outside corner just based on my timing and their vision, without me needing to move the stick left or right. I know I could just use button timing mode, but I really love the "stride and swing" mechanic of analog hitting.

2) Game Log - I don't use it.

3) Strategy Guide - Not really, but I'm sure it's useful.

4) Pitcher Batter Analysis - Yes, I use it a lot in order to compare the swing/pitch stats and frequences to real-life stats and frequencies.

5) Pitching Interfaces - I will only use pulse pitching now. I love it. You guys finally nailed it with this one. Meter and Analog make it too easy to spot every pitch perfectly, and Classic doesn't allow for any user input. Pulse is probably the most similar to real-life pitching: You have to time your release just right, but even a perfect release isn't going to spot the ball on a dime every time.

7) Hitting Modes - See my comments under difficulty. I'd like an option of analog hitting with PCI movement based completely on timing and vision rating.

9) Guess Pitch Modes - I don't use Guess Pitch because it messes with my head. My mind focuses so much on the pitch I've guessed on that I can't react to either a different pitch or a pitch in a different location. I'm fine when I don't use it.

10) Pitch Speed and Ball/Strike – I don't know what you guys did, but I can judge pitches a LOT better this year. I'm only really striking out on borderline pitches now and getting K'd 5-9 (which is realistic) times per game when I used to get K'd 9+ per game. I always move to Contact Swing on 0-2 and 1-2, and often on 2-2. Perhaps Contact Swings lead to a bit TOO many fouls? I know the idea is to "foul 'em off," but perhaps a little more Contact Swing hits could land fair?

[tackleb0x]

Re: Research Poll

1) Overall Difficulty - I think the difficulty levels well with the selections available. Only gameplay difficulty is the wonkyness of individual running controls (selecting the runner not the base to advance to sucks.) Also, playing the ball off the walls is impossible to play as well a the computer.

2) Game Log - I don't use or pay attention to this feature as much. Box score kinda guy.

3) Strategy Guide - The few things I've looked up have been accurate. Super 2 % changed with the new CBA, but you already know that.

4) Pitcher Batter Analysis - I'd like to use this more. Just not all that useful. Pitchers don't seem to have tendancies. Don't see Gallardo throwing that big 12-6 on 2 strikes like you would on tv.

5) Pitching Interfaces - They're all pretty lousy. Borrow this from your competor. Pulse seems like a poor attempt to copy but be different, 2k's is the standard, just like analog hitting, borrow it. Basically pulse tied to the annimation.

6) Classic Pitching - Should be tied to the annimation. I wouldn't use over a working 2k style interface.

7) Hitting Modes - I use analog. The zone plus analog was way too ugly to look at and too wonky. ASB99 did the best job with the zone hitting type interface. Grab a N64 and take a look. Don't plan on using timing only.

8) Stealing Balance - I only play offline. Franchise and against friends local. I think its okay balanced. I've seen better, but I've seen much much worse. Sliding around or under the tag is a huge part of stealing bases, this game seems to leave out that aspect. Ricky Henderson was a better slider than runner. Getting that left hand in when they tag for the right is one of the small things great players do.

9) Guess Pitch Modes - I turned it off. I didn't like any of the modes. Seemed gimicky. The game usually does a pretty good job rewarding you with solid contact when you guess correct in your head.

10) Pitch Speed and Ball/Strike – Something is slightly off with this. I can't quite put my finger on it. Its not bad, just off. Like a little too fast or a little too hard to see the release. I thought it was a TV input lag thing. I will add, check swings need to be less random, I do like how its tied to stats.

[pb4201]

Re: Research Poll

6) Classic Pitching - Do you like using classic pitching, even occasionally or in the past? When using classic pitching, would you like it if the power setting phase was tied to the pitcher's animation?

For example, instead of holding down X before the pitcher starts winding up, the pitcher starts winding up as you press X. And instead of 1 second being the Max effort, it's whatever the duration of the windup is (with the stretch animation being shorter). A rumble would confirm max effort, as always. Of course, there's no timing skill involved here (i.e. no penalty for holding X down forever). It would mainly have two effects: merging the power and windup phase, and adding a certain feel of interaction with that pitcher. On the other hand, I can see this as being slightly annoying (or at least some getting used to) for people who don't want it.

Yes I would like to see it tied to the windup, without any penalty for holding "x" too long. I think it would add a nice feel of interaction, as well as providing an unobtrusive on screen visual indicator as to how much effort was put into each pitch. Sort of like using the pitcher's windup as a meter. I definitely like this idea.

+1 on this idea. The less on screen the better. I want the game to look an MLB game not a video game. Also, love the idea of tying classic pitching to the pitcher's windup. You would need no on screen directions. You would just use the pitcher's windup as your clue when to let go of "X"

[frago]

Re: Research Poll

1) Overall Difficulty - Feels very good so far. I enjoy mainly the seperate pitching and hitting difficulties. I find All Star extremely challenging and Veteran a tad easy. currently use All Star Pitching and Veteran Hitting default sliders and have hovered above and below 500 , as high as 3 games above and 5 games below .

2) Game Log - Never use it.

3) Strategy Guide - Never use it

4) Pitcher Batter Analysis - Never use it

5) Pitching Interfaces - I find Pulse a nice addition but have abandoned it. I find it near impossible to catch a small circle. Ball always goes to center of zone and gets crushed . I have bounced between Classic and Meter. I find Analog very bad and has no feel or realistic parts to it. Never use it in a million years.

6) Classic Pitching - Usually gravitate toward this and only change to meter in fits of sheer frustration and wanting more control.

7) Hitting Modes - I want more than anything to use and be able to use Analog I think it is the greatest mode of hitting to come along in many years just feels so right, unfortunately I cannot use it because of its lack of precision in a game that demands so much precision. Imput lag or whatever it is I will strike out up to 20 times a game using it no matter who i face and that is just dumb.

8) Stealing Balance - Usually use AI baserunning , and my Steals I find this year I cant get the runners to go on their own I have to call it.

9) Guess Pitch Modes - I turn this off. Feels very much like a poor arcade gimmick , out of place in this great game.

10) Pitch Speed and Ball/Strike – Pitch speed is still very very fast. This is literally the very first thing I change year after year is dropping this to zero. It is just near impossible to read and react with a controller as fast as the pitch speed is on default. Oddly zero pitch speed is always perfect speed. The AI throws way too many strikes. And way too many first second third and fourth pitch strikes in a row sometimes never throwing a ball.

I play Default sliders btw. except those mentioned as being changed.

[gausec]

Re: Research Poll

1. I play on All Star pitching and find realistic results. But I can not hit for the life of me (and I have had played last year version and was pretty good played on all star) but this year I must put it on rookie and still struggle to get a hit I maybe get 2 hits a game. I switch between timing and zone.

5. I love anlong pitching I find pulse too hard to locate the pitches.

6.Its too simple and did not offer a challenge I the only balls I would throw are intended ones.

7. I usually use zone because it reminds of previous hitting modes, I feel cheap using timing.

9. I use it all the time i usually keep it on 1/4 or switch to 1/6 if looking for a real challenge.

[scott1231]

Re: Research Poll

Brian: Very cool that you're on here, looking for feedback.

First, KUDOS to someone for speeding up the game. I'm old. I used to be able to pop the disk in and take a little power nap for the game to load ... then another little nap going from the menu into a game ... and another one to save. MLB The Show '12 is BLAZING fast. Love it!!!

I've played MLB The Show since '08. The fact that I'm here tonight, surfing through online chatter, looking for ways to improve my skills on '12 really speaks to how much I think this game has changed, even since '11. I'm seriously scuffling with '12 - especially with the areas you control. I'm glad I found this thread. I've picked up several comments/suggestions from you and other members. Here goes ...

1) Overall Difficulty -

Overall difficulty of '12 is high, I'd say. Higher than previous versions. I NEVER have had to mess with sliders in previous versions. Now, after reading about how many players do ... I will too. I'll bump the Pitch speed down and see if it helps with the hitting problems I'm having ...

Random Question I Can't Find a Place For: When I'm in a team mode (Franchise, Season, DD, etc ...) and my team is AT BAT ... How do I see what my current Pitcher's ENG is at? It's especially important in a traditional (non-DH) mode, when my 9 spot is coming up - whether to pinch-hit or not. I can't find this info anywhere. Maybe you or someone else can help direct me to it (or add it in for next year).

2) Game Log -

I use this feature a lot. If the Pitcher's ENG isn't in here, it should be. If it is, I've missed it and apologize.

3) Strategy Guide -

I used it when I first started playing, but haven't gone into it in years. Maybe I should each year, as a form of Spring Training.

4) Pitcher Batter Analysis - Do you use the Pitcher-Batter Analysis tools? Not as often as I probably should.

5) Pitching Interfaces -

I use Pulse now. Love it. Can't get the hang of using Analog, and found Meter very easy. I'll give Classic a shot, but don't think it will be my thing.

6) Classic Pitching - See previous. I like what you've proposed here, though.

7) Hitting Modes -

Tried Timing-Only when I first got '12. Sucked at it. Switched to Zone. I've sucked less at it. Use it all the time now. Never have used Analog. I'd suck worse than I do right now.

8) Stealing Balance - I don't play a lot of 2P online. Have played games with my son, sharing a screen. I do have a problem with base-stealing in any mode I've tried.

Keeping runners close is not a problem.

My problem is with Catchers. I want to be able to pre-load them to throw before even receiving the pitch. This usually results in my Catcher running 5-6 steps toward the pitching mound and then making a running throw to 2B.

9) Guess Pitch Modes -

As of today, I vow to turn Guess Pitch off and leave it off. I mean, I was a guess hitter all the way through college, and see where it got me? Not drafted. While there are some really good times to EXPECT a certain pitch, I feel like I've kind of cheated all these years in MLB The Show.

10) Pitch Speed and Ball/Strike –

In '12, I find pitch recognition to be very difficult, even on Rookie level. Even during BP or training in my Road to the Show game, it's difficult to gauge speeds.

In '12, I'm having a heckuva time adjusting to the high pitch. Coming out of the hand, a fastball looks high and I lay off - only to take a strike at the very top of the zone. It's happening repeatedly. I get it. I'm struggling with it, so the AI is messin' with me. I even tried adjusting my players down to like 5 feet 5 inches. It still happens. It looks high. I've tried different camera angles - maybe I just need to keep trying different custom angles.

As for ball/strike situations, I think there are some incredibly smart AI pitchers out there. I rarely get a fastball where I want it on 3-0, 3-1. I'm rarely in those good counts, though, because I'm constantly jumping at the first few pitches - as soon as I get to 2 strikes, I'm dead (because of the Speed and Pitch Recognition problems I'm encountering).

Thanks for asking. I love this game. It's the only baseball game I've played since I found it.

[Jr.]

Re: Research Poll

1) Overall Difficulty - I play on All-Star for hitting, pitching, and fielding. I find that All-Star is the perfect level for me for hitting as it provides a great challenge, but when I'm on my game I can put up good offensive numbers. The only thing I find overly challenging is recognizing changeups/splitters/forkballs that are low in the zone. Since we are unable to read the spin on the ball in the game, perhaps some mechanic that simulates this experience would definitely help with this.

For example, MVP baseball had a mechanic where the ball would have a colored circle around it at the pitcher's release point to denote what pitch was coming (green for fastball, red for breaking ball, etc.). I liked the theory behind this method but one major flaw was that the light was always correct. Perhaps a mechanic similar to this could be implemented but have it built around a players plate vision rating so hitters would be fooled (i.e. a pitch lighting green, denoting a fastball, when the pitcher really throws a hard slider or changeup. The lower the batter's plate vision rating, the more often he was fooled on off-speed and breaking pitches). Just a thought; feel free to steal and expand greatly on this idea. I only ask for a free copy of whatever game this gets implemented in the future

I feel that my success with pitching is more related to the method that I use rather than the difficulty. I will speak more to that on the pitching-related question. I am thinking of moving up a difficulty level with fielding. I'm not exactly sure what the difficulty for fielding does as I've never played on anything but All-Star, but I find fielding fairly easy so far.

2) Game Log - I do not use this feature, so I will not comment

3) Strategy Guide - I have not checked out the strategy guide yet this year.

4) Pitcher Batter Analysis - I do use this from time to time, mostly to see trends. I don't know if this is possible, or if it's there already, but maybe y'all could make trends vs. each pitcher faced in this? I have no idea how easy/difficult this would be to do.

5) Pitching Interfaces - I have been using Pulse this year so far, but I think I'm going to switch back to Analog, which I used last year. I like pulse pitching, but I have yet to figure out if there is a way to influence where a pitch is likely to miss. What I mean by that, is when I'm trying to paint the corner on a 2 strike pitch, if my timing is off, I am more likely to miss over the plate than off the plate, which is where I would like the pitch to miss. Again, this shouldn't be automatic where I will always miss off the plate, but I feel that it should happen more than it does currently.

6) Classic Pitching - I have never used classic pitching.

7) Hitting Modes - I use timing hitting in my franchise and zone hitting for RTTS. I really want to use analog, but I am just not good at it for some reason. I am planning to give the Zone+Analog another try once my RTTS player gets to the Majors though. The only hitting mode I won't use is the Analog only mode because I suck at it, haha.

8) Stealing Balance - Not sure if all of these questions are about 2P, but I do have one major gripe about stealing (well, baserunning in general). I know this isn't your area of the game, but some of the sliding animations simply take too long; namely headfirst straight into the bag. I can't count how many times I've been thrown out, or have thrown other runners out because they slid headfirst and slowed down to a crawl.

9) Guess Pitch Modes - I use Guess Pitch only when I'm up 2-0, 3-0, and 3-1 in the count. I use the mode that gives no feedback (don't know what it is called). I do think the mode is pretty balanced, especially with no feedback, because there is no indication of whether I guessed right or not. So I still have to see the pitch myself and time my swing right. I play on All-Star difficulty with hitting. I can hit effectively without using guess pitch.

10) Pitch Speed and Ball/Strike – Fastballs are too fast on the default setting. I have had to lower pitch speed 1 notch for the last few years. I can usually read balls and strikes but I don't think it's too easy or too hard by any means. The only pitches I consistently struggle with reading are changeups/splitters/forkballs that start at the bottom of the zone and move below the zone for a ball. I would say I swing at this pitch 60-70% of the time because I simply cannot recognize it most of the time.


I continue to be amazed by the amount of interaction y'all do with the community. There's a reason this game is so highly rated and thoroughly enjoyed every year. Keep up the great work, gentleman!

[lvann4x]

Re: Research Poll

1) Overall Difficulty - I've only really played RTTS pitching at length because I've been waiting for Knight's rosters.
Hitting seems workable.
The problem with pitching is that it's too easy to throw strikes.
I have to turn the human pitcher control slider down to 0 to get anywhere near a 62% strike percentage on the difficulty level just below legend (I forget what it's called.)
I've got a pitcher with 75 BB/9 and around 70 control for each of his pitches, and thru 28 IP in the Majors this season, he has 0 BB with the human control slider down to 0.
This is on pulse pitching.
A guy with these ratings should be around 3 BB/9.
Also, having a H/9, BB/9, HR/9 and K/9 rating that I can improve or worsen with training or a lack thereof doesn't make sense.
It should all be based on my individual pitch ratings.
It would be fine to have those H/9 BB/9 HR/9 etc ratings as a reflection of my pitches, but I shouldn't be able to train to improve these ratings specifically.
A pitcher doesn't have the specific ability to prevent hits or homeruns or walks, or to cause strikeouts. Rather, he has PITCHES that cause or prevent these events from occurring.
IF anything, a DECEPTION rating would be useful. This would rate how hard it is to pick up a certain pitcher's different pitches coming out of his hand. Some pitchers throw a changeup that's only 7 mph slower than his fastball, but it gives hitters fits because it's so hard to detect that it's a change coming out of his hand, while other pitchers may throw a changeup 15 mph slower than his fastball, but it's not as effective because his arm action slows down and thus is easy for hitters to pick up. Of course, the perfect combination is a changeup that is 15 mph slower than the fastball AND hard to detect.
This is something I've thought for a long time, but I read something the other day that spelled it out perfectly.
Anyway, I may have strayed, but I think it's a point worth making.
Nonetheless, it's way too easy to throw strikes.
Also, the hit/miss detection on knockout and other pitching training modes is messed up. It counts hits that miss the target and misses that hit the target.
Also, the location that I am asked to hit in these training sessions should be specific to the type of pitch that I'm throwing.
Very rarely does a pitcher WANT to try to throw a curveball in the upper part of the strike zone, so it makes no sense to make me hit this location in training.


4) Pitcher Batter Analysis - I like this feature. It would be cool to be able to see my all-time head to head stats against each hitter that I face.

5) Pitching Interfaces - I like pulse and pure analog.

6) Classic Pitching - NA



7) Hitting Modes - I like the mode where you have to stride and swing with the analog stick, but you dont have to move the bat to the location of the pitch. Yes, I have used timing only also.

8) Stealing Balance - I dont play 2p. However, against the cpu, I'd like to know that the pace of my delivery has an effect on how good of a jump the base stealer gets off of me. For example, on pulse pitching, I count six pulses to get a good rhythm of how fast the pulses are going and then on the seventh pulse I hit the pitch button.
I'd like for the cpu to get a feel for this, so that if I'm always pitching on the seventh pulse, they'll get a great jump on me.
This would force me to vary my pace with runners on base, creating a game within the game. It would force me to make an adjustment and make pitching with runners on base more difficult than with the bases empty, just like in real life.

9) Guess Pitch Modes - I use standard guess pitch mode just by default. My strategy usually is: 0-0 count and any hitter's count, guess the pitcher's #1 pitch and the best location according to my hitter's hot zone.
With two strikes, I guess fastball and no location and use a contact swing.
This system is flawed because if a guy has multiple kinds of fastballs, he has a huge advantage because if I pick 4FB and he throws a 2FB, I'm as fooled as if I were sitting 4FB and he throws a Knuckleball.
I think the penalty should be worse if I guess fastball and he throws an off speed pitch and less if I guess fastball and he throws a different type of fastball than I guessed.
I'd really like to see more emphasis put on reading the ball out of the pitcher's hand, like in MVP Baseball.
I know you can read the pitches out of the hand in the Show, but it's hard for a noob to do, whereas in MVP Baseball, you had some assistance reading pitches with a color system.

10) Pitch Speed and Ball/Strike – See above. I'd like to see the CPU pitcher and human pitcher throw more balls without having to get into slider hell. The goal should be a 62% strike pct for an average MLB pitcher, higher for Cliff Lee, lower for a Mitch Williams type.
3 BB/ game on each side.

[Brando70]

Re: Research Poll

Thanks so much for soliciting our feedback. I have played every iteration of The Show since 2008 and love the series.

1) Overall Difficulty - I have always played on All-Star defaults and found it just about perfect in terms of challenge. Pitching used to be a bit too easy because it wasn't hard to stay in the zone, but pulse pitching has really changed that.

One of the only things I find very unbalanced is hitting the change up. It is so difficult to tell the difference between a fastball and a change that it makes changeups overpowered in my opinion. I think some kind of ability to read pitches would help a lot (see 9 below).

4) Pitcher Batter Analysis - I would love to be able to see more than the last 25 pitches. Would also be great to have data on timing and contact of swings -- how often was I early or late, how good was my contact throughout.

5) Pitching Interfaces - While I admire the realism of classic, I like having some control over my pitching. I really like the analog interface, but found it too easy to master and too difficult to unintentionally throw balls. I switched to pulse pitching this year. It has the perfect balance of control and ratings. However, I don't really like the interface that much -- I stick with it because it's the most challenging and interesting. If there was a way to combine the control scheme of analog with the variability and challenge of pulse, I would love it.

Two other things. One, pitcher confidence is really overpowered and fluctuates too quickly. It's a great idea but seems like you can quickly go to complete confidence or no confidence way too rapidly. The other is that I think opposing pitchers' energy and confidence should not be displayed.

7) Hitting Modes - I use zone. I like the idea of analog, but I just can't stay on top of pitches -- I am always behind -- and it never felt quite a smooth to me as analog pitching or throwing.

I also almost never use power swing as I feel the boost is not worth the penalty to the contact zone. I do use contact swing all the time, especially when down in the count or when trying to get a runner in from third with less than two outs.

9) Guess Pitch Modes - I use guess pitch but not location. I feel like guess pitch is not "cheating," as a batter would be able to tell the type of pitch quickly but not necessarily the location. I use it when ahead or in certain other situations (like pitcher throwing certain pitches in certain situations).

However, I would love to see this replaced instead with the ability to read pitches. MVP 2005 did a good job with this by using the colored halo around the ball. That was a little cheesy, but the effect was great. It would be great if the skill of the pitcher combined with the plate discipline (or some similar rating) would determine how well a batter could read a pitch ahead of time.

10) Pitch Speed and Ball/Strike – Pitch speed is pretty good, and having the slider helps if it feels too fast.

Telling a ball from a strike would be better if the umps didn't routinely expand the zone. I like the variable ump feature too much to turn it off, but more often it seems like the expand the strike zone, which (while regulation) is already bigger than what you see in most MLB games.