HOF "the right way"

[authentic]

Re: HOF "the right way"

The Cards placed Pujols on the trade block today. I won't go for a trade but I definatley will push for him in the free agent market if he is there. same with Fielder. The Cards wouldn't trade him to the Cubs, but i think he might consider coming to Chicago in the offseason.

[Black59Razr]

Re: HOF "the right way"

Gonna put my Jays franchise down for a while. Sucks making the Playoffs the first year.

I just started a Pirates HOF franchise. I have a 3 year plan. 2011; I want to win 70 games. 2012: 82 wins. 2013-2015: Playoffs.

First game versus the Cubs, I scored 3 runs (zone hitting) in the first inning. 2 walks, 1 single, 1 double, and 1 HR. I was like; sweet! Then, I gave up 5 runs in the bottom of the 1st. After 8 more innings of slow pitch softball, I ened up losing 13-10.

I had to drop the solid hits down to 3. Next two games I lost like 3-2 and 4-0. I swept the Cardinals in the next series like 8-0, 4-2, 5-1.

HOF hitting seems easier to me. Perhaps its the same reason why a few MLB hitters do better in the big leagues than in AAA. My focus is much higher, and the pitchers are more consistant. I draw hella walks now. McCutchen is batting like .125, but has an OBP of like .300.

I rarely stike out now; only a few times per game. I have stopped trying to take fastballs the opposite way in hitters counts. I can now afford to pull them; my OBP and SLG is through the roof. And my team contact and power is around 15-19th.

HOF pitching on analog is still way too easy. I used meter for the Cubs series and switched back to analog versus St. Louis. Probably why I shut them down with my weak staff; 29th in the league. Funny, my Pirates ace is not as good as my #5 guy on my old Jays chise. I LOVE classic pitching to death but its soooo inacurate. I walk about 2 per inning and just end up aiming fastballs down the middle and watch them get hit 450'.

So it looks as though meter pitching is, in fact, the best, if you are looking for accurate stats. But man, I would love classic pitching. I may go to Veteran classic pitching to see if that balances out better.

In summary, if anyone out there uses All Star, like me, try switching to HOF. So far, I feel no difference, except for the satisfation of playing on a higher difficulty level.

I do have to say, however, solid hits on 5 is way to high for me. Maybe because I am using zone hitting. I know timing is more of a crap shoot. But I am pretty good at only swinging at pitches near the middle with hitters counts. And with zone hitting, those will be solid hits every time. With zone, you never know. I still have to drop down to contact and try to foul off fastballs with 2 strikes; only trying to draw walks. But thats fine.

[JonLP24]

Re: HOF "the right way"

I'm currently 1-7 with the Rockies. Hitting is .175 but I know I can do better.

One thing is how do you steal? As far as what the tutorial says about stealing, the controls interfere with hitting. Among the many things I tried, is left stick pointing to runner at first base and L2+triangle or stick and triangle(for 2nd base) and I'm laying down a bunt.

I'd like to stick with default because I like to point stick towards runner + corresponding base while the ball is in the outfield. Also would like to stick with timing hitting as well.

[authentic]

Re: HOF "the right way"

To steal you just press L2.....

[authentic]

Re: HOF "the right way"

Split the 1st two with the Cards. 18-18 now, at bats are getting better but need to be more consistent just like the real Cubbies.

[authentic]

Re: HOF "the right way"

Fella's, I've given in. I am in slider testing currently with the stats I have from my 38 franchise games. I want to have a perfect feel. A lot of things are perfect, but a couple of things are a little off. I will post updates later.

[authentic]

Re: HOF "the right way"

Now available for testing. I hope some people will test these out and post some box scores.

User Settings:

Gameplay Options
Hitting Difficulty- Hall of Fame
Hitting Interface- Timing
PCI- Off
Bunting Interface- Classic
Guess Pitch- Off
Hitting View- Catcher 3
Swing/Pitch Info- On
Pitching Difficulty- Hall of Fame
Pitching Interface- Meter
Pitching Ball Marker- Fade
Pitching View- Catcher 3
Pitch Callout- Full
Pitch Confidence- On
Pitch Delay- Normal
API- Off
Strike Zone- Off
Hot Zones- Off
Balks- Off
Warm Up Pitchers- Off
Throwing Interface- Buttons
Throwing Difficulty- Hall of Fame
Throwing Decision- Off
Throwing Meter- On
Throw Cancelling- On
Fielding Decision- Assist
Fielding One Button Dive/Jump- Off
Fielding View Offense- Medium
Fielding View Defense- Medium
Catch Region Indicator- Off
Catch Position Indicator- On
Tag Up Indicator- On
Rob Home Run Indicator- On
Controller Fielding- Off
Baserunning Interface- Default
Baserunning Decisions- Assist
Sliding Decisions- Assist
Runner Windows- On
Controller Sliding- Off
Umpire Balls and Strikes- Variable
Umpire Close Plays- On
Check Swing Appeals- On
Injuries- On
Ejections- On
Post Game Auto Save- Off
Vibration- Off

Presentation Options
Presentation Mode- Broadcast
Batter Walkup- On
HR Celebration Cam- Off
Game Tips- Off
Tutorial Tips- Off
In-Game Ticker- On
Closed Captioning- Off
Mode Updates- On
MLB.com Updates- On
Friend Updates- On
Menu Ticker- On
MLB.com Updates- On
Friend Updates- On

Sliders
Human Contact- 6
Human Power- 5
Human Timing- 5
Human Foul Frequency- 5
Human Solid Hits- 4
Human Starter Stamina- 5
Human Reliever Stamina- 0
Human Pitcher Control- 5
Human Pitcher Consistency- 0
CPU Contact- 4
CPU Power- 6
CPU Timing- 5
CPU Foul Frequency- 5
CPU Solid Hits- 5
CPU Starter Stamina- 5
CPU Reliever Stamina- 0
CPU Pitcher Control- 5
CPU Pitcher Consistency- 5
CPU Strike Frequency- 2
CPU Manager Hook- 5
CPU Pickoffs- 5
Pitch Speed- 5
Fielding Errors- 6
Throwing Errors- 6
Fielder Run Speed- 3
Fielder Reaction- 0
Fielder Arm Strength- 5
Baserunner Speed- 5
Baserunner Steal Ability- 5
Baserunner Steal Frequency- 5
Wind- 5
Injury Frequency- 5

Slider Explanations
Human Contact- Through 38 games my average was about .010 too low and my strikeouts per game were too high. This will take care of both those things.
Human Solid Hits- Lowering this one click will help make sure my doubles don't spike too much because of the increase in contact.
Human Reliever Stamina- Just to make it so relievers can't throw 40-50 pitches and be good the next day.
Human Pitcher Consistency- Having this at 0 is very good. I aim for the corners on any count. Expect obvious counts on pitchers for example, 3-0 to a pitcher. I try get hitters to chase and swing at pitches out of the zone. Aim for the corners and this will work to perfection. Get good at meter pitching and you'll be fine.
CPU Contact- Lowering this one will increase user strikeouts on the CPU. I needed only about one or two more per game and this will get that where it needs to be.
CPU Power- Increasing this one is going to increase home runs by the computer, I wasn't giving up many and this should get it up a bit.
CPU Strike Frequency- At 2, this gets the % right and walks right. I needed about 1 whole extra walk per game compared to default.
Fielding/Throwing Errors- Just needed a little more errors by the CPU and human teams.
Fielder Run Speed- Testing shows on 5 the fielders are faster than in real life. At 3 this is perfect.
Fielder Reaction- I tested this for hours. Having this at 0 is actually what it needs to be. If you look at replays, on 5 the fielder reacts almost .05 seconds after the ball is hit, at 0 they react just like real life.

[Polo Bandit]

Re: HOF "the right way"

I've been playing HOF default since 07 and always liked the results. I haven't really played much of this year's game, but I think I'm just going to give up on analog hitting. I get a decent amount of hits (usually 9 or 10) with 2 or 3 runs a game, but I also strike out 15+ times per game.

[authentic]

Re: HOF "the right way"

Give these a try. See what you think. Use timing hitting though, I'm a firm believer in timing hitting this year. I suggest using the settings and sliders the way they are up there, changing any settings that are a big part of the game would change how it plays.

[Heroesandvillains]

Re: HOF "the right way"

Authentic,

Is it possible for you to post your stats from before the slider changes?

If not, could you just go ahead and post them now anyway?

I'm not saying changes weren't necessary, but your adjustments appear a bit extreme...as far as the (a) the number of clicks, and (b) the number of sliders changed.

I'm from the 'school' of making slight changes. The last you posted, nothing really jumped out as urgent.

[TripleThreat1973]

Re: HOF "the right way"

Okay ...

[1] My problem with HoF default is that there's too many strikes, making it too easy to hit (and pitch).

[2] I play with Strike Frequency 3 ... and EVERYTHING is at the thighs or below. First it makes it very difficult to tell balls and strikes (switching to catcher view, from wide, has helped), but that can be a good thing. Secondly, it makes hitting tough, because the PCI is only going to be in the right spot occasionally. Seriously, when I look at the pitcher location charts at the end of the game, the pitches I throw are dispersed throughout the zone, the AI pitches belit and below and just hammers the "bottom of the strike zone" continually, with it being a coin flip as to whether it's a called strike or not. Even if you hit those pitches well, you get a nice, solid, ground ball out.

I played 3 games at HoF default, and threw 27 scoreless innings. I usually don;t make too big of a deal of small sample situations, but I have a team with the 19th rated pitching staff and was facing the 4th rated batting team (ratings, not season stats).

The changes I decided to make were (both user and AI) ...

- Pitcher control = 4
- Pitcher consistency = 3
- Strike Frequency = 4
- Contact = 6
- Timing = 6

Takes pitching down a tad, and bumps hitting (namely reducing K's). But really, I think slider tweaks are minimal this year. I think solid hits and power sliders have the most effect.

Pitcher consistency is one that I am looking at. The key is finding where "confidence" is realistic. I faced a guy that hit a batter, walked the next guy, and gave up a three run homer. He struck out the 8th and 9th hitters, and his confidence was back close to full. That was at default.

If you go hitless the first two innings or strike out 3 times in the first two innings due to adjusting to the pitchers delivery, speed, tendencies, etc ... you're done. Even if you absolutely center a pitch with perfect timing, it's a fly out due to the confidence. I find that part frustrating ... as it seemingly "trumps everything else".

[rymflaherty]

Re: HOF "the right way"

^
I'm torn with the Pitch Confidence. I've yet to try a game turning it off, because I feel it is an important part of the game....but it just seems to have too great an effect on the hitters.

Imo, "confidence" should entail a Pitcher having full command of his breaking pitches, being able to spot the ball where he wants, etc.
Which makes a Pitcher with great stuff tough enough to hit...."confidence" shouldn't make human controlled hitters clueless. If the PCI is going to be a foot away from perfect timing on a mistake pitch - how the heck are you ever supposed to get a hit and get back in the game?

I played a couple games now on HOF with only a couple global changes.
So far I've had the same problem I've always had when pitching on HOF.
My Bullpen gets lit up.
Lester and Lackey gave up 4 runs in 13 innings.
My bullpen 3 blown saves in 2 games and 9 runs in 8 innings.
It's rather frustrating, if I walk a guy or give up a hit it turns into HR derby. Even more frustrating that they aren't what I'd call meatball or mistake pitches.

[TripleThreat1973]

Re: HOF "the right way"

Turning pitch confidence OFF just makes it "invisible" to you. The game still uses the aspect in determining outcomes.

There's no way to remove "confidence" from the video game, but rather whether you can see the confidence bars or not.

The difference between players is the combination of talent and skill. Without those two, you can't have confidence.

In that regard, I'd like the consistency slider to have some, perhaps even strong, influence.

At this point, I think I can play a game, and not have a clue what the actual sliders may be .... with the exception of solid hits and power. Those two are very noticeable.

I'm fine with that because I don't think a game should be "fixed with sliders".

[authentic]

Re: HOF "the right way"

Here are my stats on default.
Batting average- .244, needs to be more like .257
runs/gm- 3.92, needs to be 4.37
hits/gm- 7.89, needs to be 8.74
hr/gm- .95, the avg is .95...perfect
1bs/gm- 5.26, avg is 5.88
2bs/gm- 1.39, avg is 1.75
3bs/gm- .29, avg is .18
obp- .295, mlb avg is .325
slg- .392, avg is .402
bb/gm- 2.29, needs to be 3.25
pitching
k/9- 6.46, needs to be 7.13
bb/9- 2.46, needs to be 3.28
hr/9- .80, needs to be .95
era- 3.87, needs to be 4.08

[authentic]

Re: HOF "the right way"

I went with these slider changes because I tested every global factor out. Baserunner speed, fielder speed, fielder arm strength, reaction, everything. This is the most realistic feel I have had so far. I think I am going to turn down solid hits maybe one more for user after another game of testing right now. I will post a complete box score of the game so you can see how it goes. Try those adjustments out and post some box scores.