Getting Smooth Fielding Animations

[Kernel Pie]

So because there is no tutorial from 2k (not that I know of) on how to initiate the different fielding animations, I thought I'd post a thread to see if anyone has this figured out.

Specifically in the infield, the timing and the direction you press the left stick seems to affect which animation you get when your fielder throws the ball.

At third, if you let the AI charge, and then press the left stick toward third right before throwing, you get that nice smooth 2 step hop towards first with the throw.
I just saw another animation at third, where the guy was charging a slow chopper, and I thought I pressed up and to the left, but with sort of a circular motion, and the animation was definitely different than the two step and the normal throw. I thought it looked pretty awesome.

At short, though, I can't seem to get more than the flat-footed throw or the dreaded off-balance rolling throw to first, which looks whack. I know there have to be more animations, but I can't seem to trigger them.

So as there's no way to practice this since you can only do fielding drills in My Player mode, does anyone have this figured out? I wanna get all the infield animations down so it looks nice and slick.

Oh, and in the outfield, sometimes it's a crap shoot to trigger the quick throw, and the spinning throw. I wish they had this stuff layed out in a tutorial.

[Sabo's corked Bat]

Re: Getting Smooth Fielding Animations

So because there is no tutorial from 2k (not that I know of) on how to initiate the different fielding animations, I thought I'd post a thread to see if anyone has this figured out.

Specifically in the infield, the timing and the direction you press the left stick seems to affect which animation you get when your fielder throws the ball.

At third, if you let the AI charge, and then press the left stick toward third right before throwing, you get that nice smooth 2 step hop towards first with the throw.
I just saw another animation at third, where the guy was charging a slow chopper, and I thought I pressed up and to the left, but with sort of a circular motion, and the animation was definitely different than the two step and the normal throw. I thought it looked pretty awesome.

At short, though, I can't seem to get more than the flat-footed throw or the dreaded off-balance rolling throw to first, which looks whack. I know there have to be more animations, but I can't seem to trigger them.

So as there's no way to practice this since you can only do fielding drills in My Player mode, does anyone have this figured out? I wanna get all the infield animations down so it looks nice and slick.

Oh, and in the outfield, sometimes it's a crap shoot to trigger the quick throw, and the spinning throw. I wish they had this stuff layed out in a tutorial.

It also has to do with the players actual fielding ratings. Better players and different body types have certain animations designated to them. Tulo is obviously going to have better animations than say Starlin Castro. It also has to do with when and if you preload your throw.

[Kernel Pie]

Re: Getting Smooth Fielding Animations

It also has to do with the players actual fielding ratings. Better players and different body types have certain animations designated to them. Tulo is obviously going to have better animations than say Starlin Castro. It also has to do with when and if you preload your throw.

Yeah, I know--but it seems like a lot of guesswork. I'm looking for a breakdown on the controls.

[Graphik]

Re: Getting Smooth Fielding Animations

Yo, I woke up this morning with the intentions to find a answer for the outfield animations. That 1 second hitch between animations when throwing is driving me insane. I cant find the right balance in baserunning speed for the cpu and my outfielders throwing arms and running speed.

I'm looking for some outfielder assisted outs. I cant seem to get any close plays at the bags. No matter what I try. Once I think I got the outfieders arms where I want it, then I have to hit the cut-off and that opens pandoras box for slider junkies. Need help.

[RogueHominid]

Re: Getting Smooth Fielding Animations

I've been working a little on this issue and have gotten some success with the OF. Here's what I've found:

If you want to avoid that delay that makes it hard to gun down an advancing runner, you have to charge the ball so that you arrive at the landing icon on the run. This takes practice, as you have to accelerate your approach gradually and synch it with the arrival of the ball. In other words, you have to start easy on the left stick then get to full throttle toward the infield when you catch the ball. Once you catch the ball on a dead run you can hit the throw meter and you'll get a better throw.

Approaches of this sort are obviously much easier when the ball is hit directly in front of your fielder. If you're chasing a ball to the side or a little to the back, you can't just run straight at the landing icon. You have to round your approach. It makes sense from a physics standpoint. I'm practicing this type of throw now and will post what I find.

[Graphik]

Re: Getting Smooth Fielding Animations

^^^Intriguing.

Playing now, I'll let you know if I notice anything when I try that.

[bkrich83]

Re: Getting Smooth Fielding Animations

I am interested to see what comes of this.

One of my biggest complaints about the game is the herky jerky and awkward fielding animations.

[Graphik]

Re: Getting Smooth Fielding Animations

I am interested to see what comes of this.

One of my biggest complaints about the game is the herky jerky and awkward fielding animations.

Yes. They suck. Kills the enjoyment sometimes. Although I did just throw a runner out at home from the cutoff man. Batter doubles off the wall in right. Grabbed the ball one bounce off the wall and the animation went smooth. I was running straight up towards the wall and preload my throws like a normally do. Plus I throw in the red in those situations to the cutoff.

[RogueHominid]

Re: Getting Smooth Fielding Animations

Regarding playing balls bouncing off the walls, you can't run straight into the wall/ball where the icon is. Like charging flies, you have to slow down and anticipate where the ball will come after it careens off the wall, timing your deceleration so that you're essentially stopped and ready to turn when the bounce comes to you.

It all makes sense when you think about it, they just made it so that it's pretty tough to do. Or maybe more to the point, you have to approach using the left stick in relation to fielding the ball like you're controlling a human body with momentum. When I field I'm used to just running to a spot and standing there and having everything go right. It's more complicated in this game.

I chalk that up to 2K's commitment to getting the most out of analog controls. It's really immersive and fun when you get the hang of it, but until then it's a pain in the arse lol.

[DetroitStyle]

Re: Getting Smooth Fielding Animations

My issue is on double plays, SS-2B-1B. The short stop always has a 1 sec hitch (even if i preload the throw) and just kind of lobs it to second (if close to the base). It kills the DB every time

[Kernel Pie]

Re: Getting Smooth Fielding Animations

My issue is on double plays, SS-2B-1B. The short stop always has a 1 sec hitch (even if i preload the throw) and just kind of lobs it to second (if close to the base). It kills the DB every time

This happens to me a lot, too; but there is a way to get the quick side flip to second. You have to flick the left stick to the right just before you take possession of the ball, or maybe even earlier--not sure.

If you hold the left stick to the right as the ball's approaching, your fielder will not misplay the grounder. That's one of the funny things in this game--the left stick decides which animation you get. It's not an automatic "push left, fielder moves left" kind of thing. Try moving the left stick around just as the ball's approaching, and you'll see different throws.

[bigfnjoe96]

Personally I use the face buttons. This way I have been able to see some real nice infield animations. Double plays are very smooth.

Outfield animations look pretty good also

Sent from my Awesome Phone via tapatalk

[DetroitStyle]

Re: Getting Smooth Fielding Animations

Personally I use the face buttons. This way I have been able to see some real nice infield animations. Double plays are very smooth.

Outfield animations look pretty good also

Sent from my Awesome Phone via tapatalk

Might have to try that. Doesn't bother me that much to use face buttons.