What I'm doing wrong, and What I can do about it?

[Dellinger]

Re: What I'm doing wrong, and What I can do about it?

@decga:
At first, I did follow the catcher's calls and sometimes would shrug it off. Then I went with just my thoughts after getting bombed for 5 games from the catcher's calls. Well, then when I went with my gut, I got bombed for 5 more games. So at this point it's more 75% my calls, 25% what the catcher calls.

@bobhead: I'll defenitely start using the mound visit more often than just buying time for the pen.

Yes, I did use an un-established change up but since it was the first inning and the pitch confidence meter was more than half full (not quite 75% full) and it was my pitcher's second best pitch that it would ok to work it in.

CPU swing probabilities you laid out, regarding the count, are duely noted. And I do try to work in my 3rd & 4th pitches for strike outs and on pitchers primarily.

I usually walk the heavies in the lineup when no one is aboard, not intentionally, but trying to hit the corners perfectly. Obviously that doesn't happen and I issue some walks but I'm trying not to give them anything in the zone.

@Ryan97:
This is exactly what I'm talking about when I made this post. Excellent info (and the other posts on this page were excellent as well.)

I 'see' what you are saying here. Makes perfect sense. I was doing pretty much what you were laying out. I was trying to change the eye-level of the hitter with my pitches... which wasn't working out well. And I was throwing a lot of pitches down in the zone but when I missed my spot, it was a HR.

I'll focus more on establishing the pitches on the first go round in the order and then change it up more on the second time through.

To all:
A few things I have noticed... Say I'm throwing a 4-seemer, sometimes I'll mis-time the meter but the pitch still goes for a strike, albeit, somewhere other than I had aimed with the ball cursor. The CPU batter will either take the pitch or swing through for a miss. It's like the CPU knows the pitch I'm throwing and the location (you could say..."Well, duh! The buttons mashed input to the computer what the pitch is and where it going!") but since I mis-timed the meter, it automaticallly lays off the pitch because it thinks it's going for a ball or it swings through assuming the pitch is going where it should gone if I did time the meter perfectly.

Very good conversations in this thread. Many thanks for all the advice. By all means, keep it coming.

[Dellinger]

Re: What I'm doing wrong, and What I can do about it?

Oh, and I had a few more thoughts, or questions wrather...

Since I'm using meter, just HOW MUCH do the pitchers ratings influence the outcomes?

I'm using quite a few AA and AAA guys in Spring Training. And they are the one really getting lit up.

I was under the assumption it was like a 50/50 deal with meter... half of it how good you are at timing the meter and the other half was based on ratings. Am I on track here?

[cusefan74]

Re: What I'm doing wrong, and What I can do about it?

If you are using AA and AAA pitchers against the Yankees, well you are gonna get rocked pretty hard. Besides that try turning down the AI hitting.

[Chairman7w]

Re: What I'm doing wrong, and What I can do about it?

Just take it off All-Star. It's that simple, really.

Setup:
Difficulty (Fielding/Hitting/Pitching)- All Star

[Bobhead]

Re: What I'm doing wrong, and What I can do about it?

Oh, and I had a few more thoughts, or questions wrather...

Since I'm using meter, just HOW MUCH do the pitchers ratings influence the outcomes?

I'm using quite a few AA and AAA guys in Spring Training. And they are the one really getting lit up.

I was under the assumption it was like a 50/50 deal with meter... half of it how good you are at timing the meter and the other half was based on ratings. Am I on track here?

I'd say it's more like 66% ratings and 33% your meter ability, if not 75/25. Using pitchers that aren't good enough to face major league hitters is probably the reason you feel you aren't good enough to face major league hitters.

[Dellinger]

Re: What I'm doing wrong, and What I can do about it?

Ah...ok. Gotcha.

Well, I'll go forward with the knowledge gained here and try the next 5 games with major league relievers. I've usually pulled my starter after 3 innings to see the other guys in system and to prevent any injuries.

I'll report back with my results of using JUST major league talent.

Again, my best for all input.

[mmorg]

Re: What I'm doing wrong, and What I can do about it?

I also noticed you gave up a homerun to Granderson. This was the pitch sequence

#1: Fastball outside (ball)
#2: Fastball outsde (ball)
#3: Change-up outside (Homerun)

You threw two pitches outside for a ball and tried to sneak a change up in the same spot in there on 2-0. Right here is when I would have thrown a fastball high and inside just barely off the black, or a breaking pitch that starts off the plate and breaks back over because I just gave him a look at two fastballs out there. Don't be afraid to challenge hitters inside once in a while.

[Dellinger]

Re: What I'm doing wrong, and What I can do about it?

morg- that was my 'next' pitch lol. But you are right, if you can locate a fastball inside unexpectedly, it's usually pretty effective.


Update: Played the Marlins in more Spring Training.

Randall Delgado went 6 innings with 7ks, 2BBs. No earned runs, 1 hit. One did score but was unearned as my 1B couldn't dig a throw by Pasternicky in the hole at short. Reyes (reached on error) stole second with zero outs. The rest of the lineup sac flied Reyes in.

Next two relievers Martinez and O'Flaherty (both good relievers for Atlanta) allowed 4 runs on three hits, with a BB, zero K's..

I lost 4-0.

The pitching this time was WORLD's better. I adjusted nothing but my approach to hitters, threw a lot more fastballs, and stayed away from my 'junk' until the confidence came up.

Thanks for the help!

[Ryan97]

Re: What I'm doing wrong, and What I can do about it?

Thats awesome, keep building on that. Relievers are a little different as the AI becomes much more aggressive looking to attack anything in the zone and especially fastballs above the knees. I really try to bait the batters with strikes than try to get them to chase or hit my out pitch poorly.

As for the other guy that said we are not playing a super computer.....well you would be surprised. The AI is set up to react to what you are doing, and it is set up very well.

They dont "know" where the pitch is going they are making their decision based off of everything you have done to that point and playing the percentages. If it doesn't require a proper strategy than why is your strategy of not having a strategy failing ? And you say they "know" When those of us that do use strategies don't feel they "know" at all ?

It all depends on what you want out of the game. If you want to throw and relax lower the difficulty. If you want to have to think about it than up it. All a matter of preference. But yes good sound pitching strategy is needed to yield favorable results on higher levels.

Anyway I digress, Keep us posted Dillenger I love talking about this stuff ! This game as a completely different set of fans than anything else out there.

Oh an try out classic pitching with the same mindset it took a couple games but I will never go back now.

[Dellinger]

Re: What I'm doing wrong, and What I can do about it?

Thanks Ryan!

Yeah, I'm onboard with you regarding the difficulty. I didn't want to go down to Veteran... I knew I would enjoy the challenge on All Star. I just needed a bit of guidance, lol. I'll tryout the 'classic' soon enough.

THe Show '12 is my first of the series... my first baseball game in a while. It's really got me back into loving baseball. (I used to play in high school and two years of Div. 2 ball.) After playing for so long I didn't really miss it. Then I got this game and at first, I wasn't really 'enjoying' it but now, I have a whole new appreciation. I've even been watching any game of MLB that's the tube and my wife's like, "...so why are you back into baseball now?"

Anyway back to topic....

Very happy to report a 2-1 victory for the Braves! My first W! I'm pumped.

Tommy Hanson pitched 5.1 innings 2 Ks, 2BBs, 1 earned run, 3 hits.

Medlen and Venters came in and shut down the Nationals, allowing on one hit in almost 3 innings of work. They combined for only 1 K.

It was a pitching duel to say the least.

4 hits for each team.
I was down 1-0 at the bottom of 8 when the Nats walked my leadoff guy, J-Hey singled. Sacrice bunt with Medlen. Bourn went down on strikes. 2 outs, I sub in Diaz for Prado, and Diaz delivers with a frozen rope in the center-right gap. Scores two to setup the win.

Good stuff.

Now I just have to work on the offense! lol.

[Bobhead]

Re: What I'm doing wrong, and What I can do about it?

These types of threads pop up like every week and they almost always end in circular arguments and attacks, as some users are more interested in insulting the game than in improving their experience, and dismiss pretty much any suggestion thrown at them.

Seeing this one is a very refreshing change.

Basically what I'm saying is thank you, Dellinger, for being mature, patient, and open-minded, and I'm glad things have gotten better.

[IXI DECAY IXI]

This thread has also helped me out a ton on the mound! Recorded 7 strikeouts in 3 innings last night in a spring training game with Tommy Hanson playing the Tigers.

I'm still struggling offensively but hopefully I will get better before the end of spring.

[Dellinger]

Re: What I'm doing wrong, and What I can do about it?

These types of threads pop up like every week and they almost always end in circular arguments and attacks, as some users are more interested in insulting the game than in improving their experience, and dismiss pretty much any suggestion thrown at them.

Seeing this one is a very refreshing change.

Basically what I'm saying is thank you, Dellinger, for being mature, patient, and open-minded, and I'm glad things have gotten better.

Thanks Bob! I know what you mean regarding the arguments. Always happens. Really hurts us newbs who venture into a gaming website seeking how to 'play the game'. Usually 'vets' see posts such as these and don't even click on them. But man am I greatful for the people who took the time!

Every rating, slider, blah, blah, blah is so subjective with sports games that there is really no use arguing about them. I see a lot of that going on.

This thread has also helped me out a ton on the mound! Recorded 7 strikeouts in 3 innings last night in a spring training game with Tommy Hanson playing the Tigers.

Awsome, glad someone else got something out of this!