To use the L stick or not.

[Bulldogs78]

Re: To use the L stick or not.

Well I play on All Star and its a little more forgiving if you dont use the L stick. I think on the higher levels you need to use it. Timing seems to be the most important thing whenhitting on the lower levels (Allstar and down)

Ok, so I did a little experiment myself. I played veteran and all star using sliders accordingly.

From what i've noticed, you're right, it is much more hard on veteran as oppose to all star without using the left stick. For some reason, I suck bad at veteran level. I'm popping up fly balls up in the sky as if i'm Willie Mays Hayes playing the Show.

All Star is where it's at. With some good set of sliders and batting without the left stick, I'm getting very realistic stats and at least i'm hitting it.

[frago]

Re: To use the L stick or not.

Well if you choose not to use it , it is the same as closing your eyes and swinging. The CPU decides everything about the hit. You cant direct the hit and will get many more computer generated things happening.

Oh look another clutch double play gee. Oh look a pop up with the bases loaded again . Oh no I cant hit doubles etc.

While you absolutely dont have to use it , you are only playing half the batting game if you choose not to use it. It is the exact same thing as using auto Fielding etc. You take what the Computer gives you and thats it. If Auto batting was an option i am sure this would be it. It is all about how interactive you want to be. Let the computer play for you or control your own hits. Simple.

[tree3five]

Re: To use the L stick or not.

Well if you choose not to use it , it is the same as closing your eyes and swinging. The CPU decides everything about the hit. You cant direct the hit and will get many more computer generated things happening.

Oh look another clutch double play gee. Oh look a pop up with the bases loaded again . Oh no I cant hit doubles etc.

While you absolutely dont have to use it , you are only playing half the batting game if you choose not to use it. It is the exact same thing as using auto Fielding etc. You take what the Computer gives you and thats it. If Auto batting was an option i am sure this would be it. It is all about how interactive you want to be. Let the computer play for you or control your own hits. Simple.

thats not true for me. If I want to hit one the other way I wait, if I want to pull I swing ealry, if I want to hit in in the air I wait for a high pitch, etc.. I have never felt like my hits were computer generated without using the L stick. Maybe its just me but thats what I am seeing.

[PsychoBulk]

Re: To use the L stick or not.

Absolutely correct...

[Braves Fan]

Re: To use the L stick or not.

I just don't see the need to use it, I mean if I was pulling all of my hits then ok fine, I could see it. But I'm seeing hits all over the ballpark. Hitting is more about timing than it is anything else.

For example I was just hitting with Brad Hawpe. I was looking for a fastball and got a kuckle curve. I didn't get out there to early though and actually swung a little later than I wanted and I hit a homerun to LF. In the game prior with the bases loaded I got a fastball with him and timed it perfectly and pulled one for a grand slam with him.

I like the timing aspect of hitting instead of trying to direct my hits to one side of the field or the other. You'll hit it all over the ballpark as you learn how to hit so I don't see the point in using it.

[DJ]

Re: To use the L stick or not.

I just don't see the need to use it, I mean if I was pulling all of my hits then ok fine, I could see it. But I'm seeing hits all over the ballpark. Hitting is more about timing than it is anything else.

For example I was just hitting with Brad Hawpe. I was looking for a fastball and got a kuckle curve. I didn't get out there to early though and actually swung a little later than I wanted and I hit a homerun to LF. In the game prior with the bases loaded I got a fastball with him and timed it perfectly and pulled one for a grand slam with him.

I like the timing aspect of hitting instead of trying to direct my hits to one side of the field or the other. You'll hit it all over the ballpark as you learn how to hit so I don't see the point in using it.

Great post and this is my approach as well.

When I first started with 09 I tried using the L-stick and my hitting was terrible. It was throwing my timing off trying to not only press the X button to swing (no power swing for me), but to move the L-stick in the direction the pitch was going.

Now, I just read the pitches and press X when it looks good. Timing is really key in this game and if you're patient (my rule of thumb is to always take the first pitch or until they throw you a strike) you'll get good pitches to hit and won't need the L-stick.

[COMMISSIONERHBK9]

Re: To use the L stick or not.

i try to read the pitches and not use the analog stick but i still not getting quality hits. first i was playing on all star, now im on venteran but still cant hit. any suggestions?

[Zumi]

Re: To use the L stick or not.

I just time my swing over using the L-Stick. I play on AS and get 2-4 HR's a game, 8-10 hits. Power swinging almost all the time, unless they aren't really a homerun hitter (such as Corey Hart)

[SiMbEcK11]

Re: To use the L stick or not.

Well if you choose not to use it , it is the same as closing your eyes and swinging. The CPU decides everything about the hit. You cant direct the hit and will get many more computer generated things happening.

Oh look another clutch double play gee. Oh look a pop up with the bases loaded again . Oh no I cant hit doubles etc.

While you absolutely dont have to use it , you are only playing half the batting game if you choose not to use it. It is the exact same thing as using auto Fielding etc. You take what the Computer gives you and thats it. If Auto batting was an option i am sure this would be it. It is all about how interactive you want to be. Let the computer play for you or control your own hits. Simple.

Strongly agree. Here is the approach I have used on hitting since 06 the show on PS2. I always guess pitch inside fastball. I switched the settings back to how they used to be for guess pitch with 06 and 07 versions (classic 1/4). The only time I don't use the L stick is if I guess correctly and I get the red circle that shows exactly where the ball is coming. If I don't get the red circle but all 4 corners light up then I know I guessed fastball correctly and can adjust accordingly. If nothing happens I can also adjust to something that will probably be offspeed. I agree not using the L stick is only hurting yourself, you will not see as good power results definitely. With the L stick zone hitting you will be able to square up on the ball more successfully without relying on the computer.

[SiMbEcK11]

Re: To use the L stick or not.

I just don't see the need to use it, I mean if I was pulling all of my hits then ok fine, I could see it. But I'm seeing hits all over the ballpark. Hitting is more about timing than it is anything else.

For example I was just hitting with Brad Hawpe. I was looking for a fastball and got a kuckle curve. I didn't get out there to early though and actually swung a little later than I wanted and I hit a homerun to LF. In the game prior with the bases loaded I got a fastball with him and timed it perfectly and pulled one for a grand slam with him.

I like the timing aspect of hitting instead of trying to direct my hits to one side of the field or the other. You'll hit it all over the ballpark as you learn how to hit so I don't see the point in using it.

Using the L stick to hit is about timing and squaring up on the ball. Not using the L stick is easier because you only have to worry about timing and you can rely on the computer to try and square up on the ball for you. Just because us L stick users like bat placement doesn't mean timing does not play a huge factor. Any way you choose to hit timing and bat placement are equally as important.

[Jays4life]

Re: To use the L stick or not.

I prefer to not use the L stick because it helps me to focus more on timing. Timing is what you need to blast it out of the park

[Jays4life]

Re: To use the L stick or not.

Timing is KEY

[COMMISSIONERHBK9]

Re: To use the L stick or not.

timing is something i lack of. any tips on timing?

[chuckm1961]

Re: To use the L stick or not.

Here's a pile o'tips, pick what you like:

Watch the ball out of the pitcher's hand, all the way to the plate.

Hit Select while batting, then hit Square to see the pitcher's different pitch speeds. Compare the listed speeds to what you actually get while batting. Get used to timing a 95-MPH fastball, by playing a lot.

Move the Pitch speed slider all the way left to slow down pitches, or all the way right to speed them up. Wherever you put the slider, LEAVE IT THERE. You need to get used to timing pitches at a certain setting, not keep fiddling with it.

Go to Practice mode. Practice.

Use R3 (or is it L3?, can't recall now) after swings to check your timing. Adjust accordingly.

Again, watch the ball all the way out of the pitcher's hand and CONCENTRATE on timing. You have to GRIND in this game to hit.

[chuckm1961]

Re: To use the L stick or not.

Back on the topic of the left stick, I get MUCH MUCH better hit quality when I properly move the left stick to the ball (All-Star setting, modified sliders).

Yes, timing is the number one issue in hitting. AGREED.

Yes, you can hit homers and solid hits without moving the left stick. AGREED.

But take the example of a fastball away, on the outside corner, belt-high. You don't move the left stick.... you are not centering the PCI on the ball, and your hit quality is going to be lower than it is if you move the left stick to the right and center the PCI before you swing. Simple as that.