Can someone explain this...meatball concept?

[D_Money]

When does a pitch become a meatball? I've run into two situations that baffle me about this concept?

Situation 1: When 'Gesture' rating is 90+ and a pitch is still designated as a meatball.

Situation 2: On occasion, I have intentionally lined up an 'out-of-strike zone' pitch. Somehow inexplicably, the pitch winds up as a meatball. And of course, Prince Fielder, Braun, Howard, Burrell, Utley, etc hit it out for a home run. I purposely threw a pitch out of the zone, and the system punished me more by putting the pitch in the strike zone?

So, at this point it's confusing as to how much user-control one has over pitching. Any help clarifying would be appreciated.

[Aaenuel]

Re: Can someone explain this...meatball concept?

One thing I realized is that you need to at least put enough effort into the pitch to get past the inner circle during the windup.

The pitch will also end up as a meatball if you don't stop the location before it completely collapses to the middle of the circle.

[D_Money]

Re: Can someone explain this...meatball concept?

I hear what you're saying. So theoretically if I wanted to walk a person without the 'Y' button, I would need to make sure I'm paying attention. Same would be for a pitch-out as well.

It's just strange that the program forces meatballs on intentionally outside pitches if one doesn't follow the three steps.

[baa7]

Re: Can someone explain this...meatball concept?

It's just strange that the program forces meatballs on intentionally outside pitches if one doesn't follow the three steps.

Do you mean 'strange' as in 'completely unrealistic and arcade, and whoever came up with that should be shot'? Then I agree with you.

[Agana]

Re: Can someone explain this...meatball concept?

My favorite is how the meatball pitch relates to Wakefield. In the game, Wakefield's fastball tops out in the high 70s. His meatball is around 90.

[baa7]

Re: Can someone explain this...meatball concept?

My favorite is how the meatball pitch relates to Wakefield. In the game, Wakefield's fastball tops out in the high 70s. His meatball is around 90.

Did I say shot? Make that flogged, drawn and quartered, and then set on fire.

[ac11367]

Re: Can someone explain this...meatball concept?

My favorite is how the meatball pitch relates to Wakefield. In the game, Wakefield's fastball tops out in the high 70s. His meatball is around 90.

I experienced the same thing with Jamie Moyer. Meatball becomes their out pitch because batters are geared up for their slow stuff most of the time.

[baa7]

Re: Can someone explain this...meatball concept?

Meatball becomes their out pitch because batters are geared up for their slow stuff most of the time.

Now that's making lemonade out of lemons! Way to go

[Shadymamba]

Re: Can someone explain this...meatball concept?

My favorite is how the meatball pitch relates to Wakefield. In the game, Wakefield's fastball tops out in the high 70s. His meatball is around 90.

lmao! never played against the sawks! but that sounds hilarious!

[TripleThreat1973]

Re: Can someone explain this...meatball concept?

I experienced the same thing with Jamie Moyer. Meatball becomes their out pitch because batters are geared up for their slow stuff most of the time.

Yup, I've had more than a few meatballs on outside curveballs that blow the hitter away with "heat".

A bad gesture should result in a "bad ball", not a completely different pitch. When you mess up on a curveball or changeup, the result is not a fastball. This should never happen and it's silly.

You just accept it and keep playing.

[D_Money]

Re: Can someone explain this...meatball concept?

Do you mean 'strange' as in 'completely unrealistic and arcade, and whoever came up with that should be shot'? Then I agree with you.

Yes they should be shot. So the Phillies with a 5-star batting rating wear out meatballs. Have a partner that plays with the Phillies and he honestly thinks he's a stud. I say he's not because I'm intentionally throwing balls outside and the AI is forcing a big fat meatball.

[JayhawkerStL]

Re: Can someone explain this...meatball concept?

I'm not sure why people are so down on the meatball feature. I throw maybe one or two a game. Often, I don't throw one at all. when i do, it's when I wasn't concentrating, and messed up the pitch. So, it seems like a legitimate feature.

The first patch seems to have toned down the results of throwing one, though. Instead of a HR every time, it comes off as a bad pitch that often gets hit hard, but sometimes whiffed. I like that, in that you get that sense of dodging a bullet.

[Trevytrev11]

Re: Can someone explain this...meatball concept?

I'm not sure why people are so down on the meatball feature. I throw maybe one or two a game. Often, I don't throw one at all. when i do, it's when I wasn't concentrating, and messed up the pitch. So, it seems like a legitimate feature.

The first patch seems to have toned down the results of throwing one, though. Instead of a HR every time, it comes off as a bad pitch that often gets hit hard, but sometimes whiffed. I like that, in that you get that sense of dodging a bullet.

I agree that if you are careful, they are few and far between.

BUT, the whole logic surrounding the issue is busted.
How can a player try to throw an offspeed pitch and end up throwing a curveball. How can you try to throw a 70 MPH curveball or a 56MPG knuckleball and let go of a 92 MPH fastball?

Secondly, what are the odds that a pitcher who can't locate his pitches can magically find the middle of the strike zone when he makes a mistake?

They just need to scrap the whole idea because it is completely rediculous.

Also, they need to add a feature in which you select the pitch you are trying to execute...because if you throw a really horrible curveball, how is the game supposed to know what you intended to throw. With this feature, if you choose a curveball and screw up the motion, at least your guy would still throw a really crappy curveball instead of a BP fastball.

[D_Money]

Re: Can someone explain this...meatball concept?

.... Instead of a HR every time, it comes off as a bad pitch that often gets hit hard, but sometimes whiffed. I like that, in that you get that sense of dodging a bullet.

I could live with that if it's less than 20%. Simple ground ball base hits would be acceptable too. Depending on the team's hitting rating, AI's manipulations seems too excessive. On occasion it's borderline CPU gone wild effect.

[D_Money]

Re: Can someone explain this...meatball concept?

... Also, they need to add a feature in which you select the pitch you are trying to execute...because if you throw a really horrible curveball, how is the game supposed to know what you intended to throw. With this feature, if you choose a curveball and screw up the motion, at least your guy would still throw a really crappy curveball instead of a BP fastball.

Amen!!!