MLB 12 -Teach me how to pitch

[pistolpete]

I never got into pitching on this game, and I suspect it was because I am so awful at it. When I did a franchise I super-simmed pitching, but I would like to do a 52-game franchise in which I actually pitch.

Pitching on 2k11 there is not much to you. You throw your best pitches on the corners and as long as you execute well you'll be fine.

So, does anyone have any good tips for 2k12 pitching.

[Money99]

Re: MLB 12 -Teach me how to pitch

I never got into pitching on this game, and I suspect it was because I am so awful at it. When I did a franchise I super-simmed pitching, but I would like to do a 52-game franchise in which I actually pitch.

Pitching on 2k11 there is not much to you. You throw your best pitches on the corners and as long as you execute well you'll be fine.

So, does anyone have any good tips for 2k12 pitching.

Are you referring to analog-pitching?

In both 2K11 and 2k12, pitching can be easy on the lowest levels. It's pretty easy to hit your spots and when getting up on the hitters, you can make them chase pretty easily as well.

But if you move up in difficulty and then turn off the strike zone box/indicator, it's a lot more difficult - even more so if you edit the sliders so that your accuracy is a lot lower. Then you'll really need to concentrate on your form.

[pistolpete]

Re: MLB 12 -Teach me how to pitch

I mean in regards to pitch selection. Don't batters crush you if you throw the same pitch repeatedly?

[Money99]

Re: MLB 12 -Teach me how to pitch

I mean in regards to pitch selection. Don't batters crush you if you throw the same pitch repeatedly?

Yeah they do.
I'm far from an expert, but basically I try to mix breaking balls or change-ups with fastballs (2-seamers and 4-seamers).

I don't mind wasting a few pitches outside the zone. So I might start the AB with a 4-FB to go up 0-1, then throw another one outside the zone.
Then throw a 2-FB on the edge, to get a 1-2 count, and then throw a changeup or breaking ball, hoping to make them chase.

It's a chess-match and you try to fool the batter into thinking you'll feed them with another FB only to give them a Circle-change or slider.

Again, I'm no expert on pitching or video games, but this seems to work well for me.

[shogunofharlem3]

Re: MLB 12 -Teach me how to pitch

They sure do crush you if you throw the same pitch. You have to be patient and pitch on the edges. Have good misses that may draw bad swings. Try not to miss in the middle. Try to stay ahead or in even counts.

Try to throw perfect timing pitches if you can. I can't, I suck at perfect time but refuse to make the slider easier, I'll get it at some point.

One last, know who's pitching. If Verlander is throwing you can get away with more misses than Felix Dubront. Pitch accordingly, pitch efficiently but if the cpu hitters work you and your pitch count goes up, don't be afraid to use your bullpen.

Also, a big stat on pitching charts and I teach my high school pitchers all the time, is to make sure your not throwing fastball first pitch every time. Mix in that first pitch curveball or slider. Have a plan 0 and 2. Throw a setup pitch, NOT A WASTE PITCH!!! a setup pitch, if you go up and in 0-2, plan on going down and away 1-2. If you go curveball in the dirt 0-2, plan on going above the hands 1-2.

[Radja]

Re: MLB 12 -Teach me how to pitch

One last, know who's pitching. If Verlander is throwing you can get away with more misses than Felix Dubront. Pitch accordingly, pitch efficiently but if the cpu hitters work you and your pitch count goes up, don't be afraid to use your bullpen.

everything shogun wrote was right. if you only follow one thing, it is this!!!!! especially, use your bullpen.

i will add, in a franchise use them wisely. they will tire over multiple games.

[Mt Oread]

Re: MLB 12 -Teach me how to pitch

Use Inside Edge liberally. Look at hitters hot and cold zones. Look at what pitches they hit well, and what they don't. Note what they swing and miss at.

Then use their favorite pitches as "show." Throw your pitcher's strengths and the hitters weakness for strikes, even in their hot zones. Make them hit your pitch. But throw the hitter's favorite pitches for balls just outside their favorite zones.

Don't be afraid to use catcher suggestions, even if you just do it for awhile to learn. When it suggests a pitch and location, look at the inside edge and see why. 2K12 probably nailed pitch selection better than any game in the series.

One way to play is to use catcher suggestions for pitch type, but select your own location. But think about where a pitch would actually work. And still be willing to go with your own selection.

[pistolpete]

Re: MLB 12 -Teach me how to pitch

Try to throw perfect timing pitches if you can.

I find this kills my control if I don't hit it.

[Plache]

Re: MLB 12 -Teach me how to pitch

It's very rare for me to get a "perfect" pitch in 2k12, so if that's a problem for you - learn what your pitches will do when they're not perfect and learn where to direct the pitch to make it do what you want. As stated above, change your pitches - but even more than that - change your pitch location. Up and in/out, down and in/out --- the old adage is: throw soft away and hard inside, and switch that around here and there too. Many pitchers will get a feel for one or two pitches during a game, and rarely throw anything else - if your opponent is having a hard time with curveballs, make him hit the curveball, same goes with fastballs or any pitch that you have at your disposal.

[pistolpete]

Re: MLB 12 -Teach me how to pitch

I finally played a game on 2k12 as the Brewers. It took me forever to settle on rosters and a team.

Anyways, my God pitching on 2k12 is a completely different animal than 2k11. I would never walk anyone on 2k11. My refusal to walk someone in my first game killed me! Behind in the count and I got fastball happy and I got rocked.

[Mt Oread]

Re: MLB 12 -Teach me how to pitch

I finally played a game on 2k12 as the Brewers. It took me forever to settle on rosters and a team.

Anyways, my God pitching on 2k12 is a completely different animal than 2k11. I would never walk anyone on 2k11. My refusal to walk someone in my first game killed me! Behind in the count and I got fastball happy and I got rocked.

I usually roll with my pitch accuracy set to 10. Some guys even take to zero. At that point, you really feel the pressure that comes from not assuming a breaking pitch is going to be a strike. It creates an entire mindset of trying to keep a hitter off-balance, so he will fish for balls out of the zone.

I think many people fail to realize that it is not just the analog control mechanic that makes 2K pitching so compelling, but also the nice spread in ratings pitchers will have with various pitches. It creates pressure, as many times, there isn't a good option. There is just a, "I hope to hell he misses my best pitch," option.

And while the overused pitch penalty is not completely realistic, it does create the need to pitch realistically. If a pitch goes red, you really can't throw it. But I rarely ever end up in that situation. The game trained me to think about clever ways to mix up my pitches to give me the best odds of throwing my best pitch and the hitters worst when I really need it.

And some games, I never get there. But the large spread in ratings and different strengths of pitchers means that when you are throwing with a #3-#5 pitcher in the rotation, the difficulty in pitching effectively is much harder than for the front of rotation guys.

Throw in pitch counts and their effect on future performance, and pitching is a deeply engaging part of the game. It's one of the reasons that 2K's totally dorked MLB Today didn't bother me so much. Franchise play and managing your bullpen and rotation is really well done.

[Plache]

Re: MLB 12 -Teach me how to pitch

I finally played a game on 2k12 as the Brewers. It took me forever to settle on rosters and a team.

Anyways, my God pitching on 2k12 is a completely different animal than 2k11. I would never walk anyone on 2k11. My refusal to walk someone in my first game killed me! Behind in the count and I got fastball happy and I got rocked.

Yeah, some gamers don't like that it's not so easy to put the ball exactly where you want it on every pitch - but I just call that more realistic, and more fun.

[Son of Sam99]

Re: MLB 12 -Teach me how to pitch

I know I'm late to the party on this discussion but I'm curious... Does everyone here try to follow what their catcher tells them to do in regards to pitch selection and location or just go totally on your own instincts?

Also does anyone know if the catcher take Inside Edge info into account?

I would say I probably go against my catcher only like 20% of the time.

[Plache]

Re: MLB 12 -Teach me how to pitch

I know I'm late to the party on this discussion but I'm curious... Does everyone here try to follow what their catcher tells them to do in regards to pitch selection and location or just go totally on your own instincts?

Also does anyone know if the catcher take Inside Edge info into account?

I would say I probably go against my catcher only like 20% of the time.

I never look........mix it up on my own.

[pistolpete]

Re: MLB 12 -Teach me how to pitch

Yeah, some gamers don't like that it's not so easy to put the ball exactly where you want it on every pitch - but I just call that more realistic, and more fun.

I blame my computer controller. I went two games w/o perfect execution on it, then with the 360 controller I hit it about every other time.

I have one of those Rock Candy Controllers and the thing is wound so tightly.