I thought I would post the player ratings edits I've settled on for some feedback. You're welcome to give them a try. They're based on what some others have done. I play the game on auto-field. I use classic(fast) pitch speed when I pitch and rookie(slow) when I bat(2D).
These latest and hopefully last of many many many tweaks came to be when I decided that baseball(Unlike all the other major sports) is a game of pace, not speed. At first, with these settings, it seems like the game is in slow motion; but especially with using the 2004 cam--I really enjoy how the game unfolds and plays develop.
Overall player speed- My fastest runners only have a speed rating of B+. I think I gave Juan Pierre and another guy or two an A-. Guys who are fast or have good speed are at B or B-. Most guys in baseball have average sppeed; so I have the vast majority of guys at C or C+ ratings. The slowest guys are at C-, with a few at D+.
Pitchers- I haven't touched them. I'd like more stamina and better range and to make individual adjustments according to real life performance, like I've done with alot of the hitters; but there are too many important ratings that are uncontrollable that are affected. I can live with the stamina and have pretty effectively addressed all the infield hits with the speed and other adjustments.
Catchers- I have given them all ranges from A+ to A-. I don't see wild pitches much at all; but they get to alot of those dribblers that were driving me nuts. Arm strength I keep between B and D range. I have toned down arm accuracy alot. Think about it. How often does a catcher put a throw to 2nd right on the bag? I've moved accuracy down to range in C's and D's.
Infielders- Top arm strength is A-. Most strong arm guys are at B+ or B. Lesser arms B- to C. Accuracy I only adjust individual players that seem off according to their real-life capabilites. Middle infielder range is also good; except for the individual player they have here and there that is rated wrong. I've found that the corner infielders , though, have too much range. Derrick Lee, for example, had an A+ range rating. He does have A+ range for a 1st baseman; but it doesn't work that way. An A+ for him equals an A+ for a great shortstop. Not right. I've dropped Lee down to a B+ with the vast majority of corner infielders at B, B- or C+. Now a groundball can sometimes get out of the infield without it having to go right up the middle. Also puts more importance on defensive positioning.
Outfielders- I've struggled with OF range and arm strength all season. Both are way too high to start. I dropped range down too far to begin with and then I ended up playing most of the season with it back up again too high. After going through most of the season pitching on legend with all aids and vibration turned off and leading in ERA by a mile, I've dropped range down to a happy median. Centerfielders are mostly at B+. I have Andruw Jones at an A and a few of the less rangy CFs at B. Corner Outfielders are mostly at B- with some at B and a few more at C+. Arm strength I've dropped all down to D or D+, with only a couple C- and D- ratings. Same accuracy philosophy as with catchers. Most with D+ or D accuracy with a few at C- or C.
I'm pretty happy with how the game plays at these ratings. The AI baserunning is still not aggressive enough. They seem to only go when they know they'll make it(maybe it's because I'm on auto field). But for the most part doubles are doubles and I have guys score from 2nd on singles quite often. It will be interesting to see how having these ratings from the beginning of a season and with the adjustments(corrections) I've made to individual players hitting ratings work out.
Congratulations to anyone who made it through this whole post. I know what you are thinking. But due to some health problems, I have alot of time on my hands right now. I'd be happy to get some suggestions on further changes you've found worked.
These latest and hopefully last of many many many tweaks came to be when I decided that baseball(Unlike all the other major sports) is a game of pace, not speed. At first, with these settings, it seems like the game is in slow motion; but especially with using the 2004 cam--I really enjoy how the game unfolds and plays develop.
Overall player speed- My fastest runners only have a speed rating of B+. I think I gave Juan Pierre and another guy or two an A-. Guys who are fast or have good speed are at B or B-. Most guys in baseball have average sppeed; so I have the vast majority of guys at C or C+ ratings. The slowest guys are at C-, with a few at D+.
Pitchers- I haven't touched them. I'd like more stamina and better range and to make individual adjustments according to real life performance, like I've done with alot of the hitters; but there are too many important ratings that are uncontrollable that are affected. I can live with the stamina and have pretty effectively addressed all the infield hits with the speed and other adjustments.
Catchers- I have given them all ranges from A+ to A-. I don't see wild pitches much at all; but they get to alot of those dribblers that were driving me nuts. Arm strength I keep between B and D range. I have toned down arm accuracy alot. Think about it. How often does a catcher put a throw to 2nd right on the bag? I've moved accuracy down to range in C's and D's.
Infielders- Top arm strength is A-. Most strong arm guys are at B+ or B. Lesser arms B- to C. Accuracy I only adjust individual players that seem off according to their real-life capabilites. Middle infielder range is also good; except for the individual player they have here and there that is rated wrong. I've found that the corner infielders , though, have too much range. Derrick Lee, for example, had an A+ range rating. He does have A+ range for a 1st baseman; but it doesn't work that way. An A+ for him equals an A+ for a great shortstop. Not right. I've dropped Lee down to a B+ with the vast majority of corner infielders at B, B- or C+. Now a groundball can sometimes get out of the infield without it having to go right up the middle. Also puts more importance on defensive positioning.
Outfielders- I've struggled with OF range and arm strength all season. Both are way too high to start. I dropped range down too far to begin with and then I ended up playing most of the season with it back up again too high. After going through most of the season pitching on legend with all aids and vibration turned off and leading in ERA by a mile, I've dropped range down to a happy median. Centerfielders are mostly at B+. I have Andruw Jones at an A and a few of the less rangy CFs at B. Corner Outfielders are mostly at B- with some at B and a few more at C+. Arm strength I've dropped all down to D or D+, with only a couple C- and D- ratings. Same accuracy philosophy as with catchers. Most with D+ or D accuracy with a few at C- or C.
I'm pretty happy with how the game plays at these ratings. The AI baserunning is still not aggressive enough. They seem to only go when they know they'll make it(maybe it's because I'm on auto field). But for the most part doubles are doubles and I have guys score from 2nd on singles quite often. It will be interesting to see how having these ratings from the beginning of a season and with the adjustments(corrections) I've made to individual players hitting ratings work out.
Congratulations to anyone who made it through this whole post. I know what you are thinking. But due to some health problems, I have alot of time on my hands right now. I'd be happy to get some suggestions on further changes you've found worked.