Creating **The 'PERFECT' Slider Set**

[nnng07]

Re: Creating **The 'PERFECT' Slider Set**

Okay guys, I've made the first change to the set, and I think it's a crucial one.

Change AI Contact down to 45 & AI Power up to 50

These two were originally at 55/45, and this change is meant to create more human strikeouts against the CPU. By toning down contact, the CPU will miss more of their swings. The power has to be upped by 5 in order to compensate for the lost contact and keep the integrity of CPU hitting intact. I have played two games so far with these two changes and here were the pitching results:

SP Anthony Reyes: 7.1 IP, 6 K, 2 BB, 8 hits, 78 pitches, 54 strikes, 3 ER
SP Kip Wells: 6.0 IP, 4 K, 1 BB, 7 hits, 54 pitches, 41 strikes, 4 ER

[[EDIT: Third start with these settings: Chris Capenter, 7.2 IP, 7 K, 1 BB, 7 hits, 73 pitches, 56 strikes, 2 ER
I'm really starting to be happy with these.]]


So please try this out, and I've made the update in the first post. I will also start a list at the bottom of the first post with changes that have been made to the original set so that those who started off with the original can know what changes have been made.

[davehughes14]

Re: Creating **The 'PERFECT' Slider Set**

Okay guys, I've made the first change to the set, and I think it's a crucial one.

Change AI Contact down to 45 & AI Power up to 50

These two were originally at 55/45, and this change is meant to create more human strikeouts against the CPU. By toning down contact, the CPU will miss more of their swings. The power has to be upped by 5 in order to compensate for the lost contact and keep the integrity of CPU hitting intact. I have played two games so far with these two changes and here were the pitching results:

SP Anthony Reyes: 7.1 IP, 6 K, 2 BB, 8 hits, 78 pitches, 54 strikes, 3 ER
SP Kip Wells: 6.0 IP, 4 K, 1 BB, 7 hits, 54 pitches, 41 strikes, 4 ER

I think if anything the K's may be a tad too high with 10 coming in just over 13 IP's from contact guys, but I'd rather overshoot and then adjust the two to an even 50/50, rather than have them the way they are now.

So please try this out, and I've made the update in the first post. I will also start a list at the bottom of the first post with changes that have been made to the original set so that those who started off with the original can know what changes have been made.

Nice work man. I've played a few games with these and really got realistic results. Having a lot of fun playing with your slider set.

[PRGuY_85]

Re: Creating **The 'PERFECT' Slider Set**

So, I know there is no holy grail in terms of slider configuration, but seeing as this thread and config is aimed at creating the "perfect" sliders, can anyone confirm the following:

1) Are you getting lots of hits variety, including more foul balls? I read in another thread that having contact up will produce more hit and foul variety, still maintaining real strikeout stats for the user...

2) Are you getting the AI to swing at pitches?

3) Are you getting a realistic amount of K's both on offense and defense, taking into consideration the star pitchers vs regular pitchers?

These are my main gripes with my current slider configuration (smmduck's). Lets see if I indeed found the Perfect Slider Config here...

[Super Glock]

Re: Creating **The 'PERFECT' Slider Set**

Great set of sliders, having a lot of fun with them. Thanks for the thought behind them and keep up the good work

[nnng07]

Re: Creating **The 'PERFECT' Slider Set**

1) Are you getting lots of hits variety, including more foul balls? I read in another thread that having contact up will produce more hit and foul variety, still maintaining real strikeout stats for the user...

2) Are you getting the AI to swing at pitches?

3) Are you getting a realistic amount of K's both on offense and defense, taking into consideration the star pitchers vs regular pitchers?

1) The hit variety is very good. The hits are sprayed all over and there should be plenty of non-HR extra base hits (doubles & triples). The fouls are still not what I would consider 'perfect' by MLB standards, but I have been able to get a much more accurate number of fouls balls with contact at a relatively high 35 (compared to the 15-20 other sets have).

2) YES. This is tied into the take ball & take strike settings I have, which I haven't touched in a while since I am very happy with them. Try those 6 out as they are, trust me. And, this ties into.. #3)

3)..since you need those 6 there, and this I just realized today, but have CPU contact at 45 and CPU power at 50. This 45/50 split has started giving me a very realistic number of K's. In terms of human batting K's, well that's all really a matter of your ability, and I've mentioned in the sliders which ones specifically you should adjust based on skill level. Personally, with these settings I strike out 7-8 times a game, down from an original 9-10. I can probably get this down right around 6-7 as I get my franchise under way, which I will be pleased with.

...also, tied into your third question, you were asking do stars vs. non-stars get K's accordingly. This is a very important setting, but the Pitcher Difficulty one must be adjusted correctly. Have the one under YOUR HUMAN OPTIONS @ 80, and the AI PITCHING DIFFICULTY under the AI BATTING OPTIONS @ 20. This 80/20 split is essential. I've been getting wins & K's with Chris Carpenter, nibbling at corners with Kip Wells to keep his ERA under 5.00. I strongly recommend this 80/20 split here.

Good Luck!!

[GSW]

Re: Creating **The 'PERFECT' Slider Set**

nice sliders bro and good detail on the write ups ill be checking these out tonight

[PRGuY_85]

Re: Creating **The 'PERFECT' Slider Set**

1) The hit variety is very good. The hits are sprayed all over and there should be plenty of non-HR extra base hits (doubles & triples). The fouls are still not what I would consider 'perfect' by MLB standards, but I have been able to get a much more accurate number of fouls balls with contact at a relatively high 35 (compared to the 15-20 other sets have).

2) YES. This is tied into the take ball & take strike settings I have, which I haven't touched in a while since I am very happy with them. Try those 6 out as they are, trust me. And, this ties into.. #3)

3)..since you need those 6 there, and this I just realized today, but have CPU contact at 45 and CPU power at 50. This 45/50 split has started giving me a very realistic number of K's. In terms of human batting K's, well that's all really a matter of your ability, and I've mentioned in the sliders which ones specifically you should adjust based on skill level. Personally, with these settings I strike out 7-8 times a game, down from an original 9-10. I can probably get this down right around 6-7 as I get my franchise under way, which I will be pleased with.

...also, tied into your third question, you were asking do stars vs. non-stars get K's accordingly. This is a very important setting, but the Pitcher Difficulty one must be adjusted correctly. Have the one under YOUR HUMAN OPTIONS @ 80, and the AI PITCHING DIFFICULTY under the AI BATTING OPTIONS @ 20. This 80/20 split is essential. I've been getting wins & K's with Chris Carpenter, nibbling at corners with Kip Wells to keep his ERA under 5.00. I strongly recommend this 80/20 split here.

Good Luck!!

You are definitely convincing me more and more on these sliders. I will check on them tomorrow...already started a season mode with smmduck's sliders. Hope I can change them.

[born_bad]

Re: Creating **The 'PERFECT' Slider Set**

I played 3 games with these sliders last night and the games were awesome.

I use the Red Sox. Schilling was getting hammered early by the Cubs in the first game, so I was a little worried the CPU batting was going to be too good. I managed to get a little control back and stop the bleeding. I ended up losing something like 8-2 and the Cubs had about 12 hits.

My next game was against the Dodger and I was beating up Derek Lowe really bad. They pulled him in the 3rd and zoomed in on the "Derek Lowe face."*

*Bill Simmons reference.

I don't remember the final score or numbers, but they were very realistic.

The last game I played was the 1st game of my season against the Royals. This time, Schilling was kicking butt. I had him in until the 8th and it was getting tough to spot my pitches, so I brought in Timlin to slam the door.

The hitting was all very realistic. My HRs were few, but realistic and from guys you would expect (Ortiz, Manny, Drew) and usually they came once I worked the count to a hitter's count.

I saw lots of foul balls, triples, doubles, singles, walks, strikeouts, nice dives, errors, etc. Everything seemed to happen in a very realistic way.

I can't wait to play some more with these. Nice job.

[jimdoggy32]

Re: Creating **The 'PERFECT' Slider Set**

Just played my first game with your updated sliders and I played a fun game against the brewers with the cubs. Rich Hill pitched well for 6 innings, gave up about 6 or 7 hits and 1 earned run while striking out 3. I struck out a bunch but I am still getting the timing down on the swing stick. I won 4 to 1 and had a few doubles and one homerun. Great work on the sliders.

[PsychoBulk]

Re: Creating **The 'PERFECT' Slider Set**

Just played with the updates.

Lost 6-5 to the Orioles.

They had 10 hits, me 9, them 2 homers me 1, me 2 errors them 0.

Ive noticed the human fielders seem to give up 1/2 errors per game, and its rare the AI does any.

Any thoughts on this?

[X*Cell]

Re: Creating **The 'PERFECT' Slider Set**

I will try these... with a few changes...

70 Pitch Speed (I think that's the most realistic in terms of speed)

70, 70, 70, 30, 30, 30 in the Take Strikes and Balls category for the CPU... leaving the contact and power at 50, 50. I got the most realistic number of USER strikeouts with these settings personally.

I have AI Skill at 50 also.

I have the AI Throw Strike Sliders at 40, 40, and 40

After 5 games I will post my cumulative stats, and make my changes necessary.

[born_bad]

Re: Creating **The 'PERFECT' Slider Set**

Just played with the updates.

Lost 6-5 to the Orioles.

They had 10 hits, me 9, them 2 homers me 1, me 2 errors them 0.

Ive noticed the human fielders seem to give up 1/2 errors per game, and its rare the AI does any.

Any thoughts on this?

Not in the games I played. One game the AI had 1 error and I had none. Another game, the AI had 1 and I had 1. The next game, there were no errors at all.

[gtm]

Re: Creating **The 'PERFECT' Slider Set**

I will try these... with a few changes...

70 Pitch Speed (I think that's the most realistic in terms of speed)
70, 70, 70, 30, 30, 30 in the Take Strikes and Balls category for the CPU... leaving the contact and power at 50, 50. I got the most realistic number of USER strikeouts with these settings personally.

Let me know how u do with tthese using your edits.

[nnng07]

Re: Creating **The 'PERFECT' Slider Set**

70, 70, 70, 30, 30, 30 in the Take Strikes and Balls category for the CPU... leaving the contact and power at 50, 50. I got the most realistic number of USER strikeouts with these settings personally.

I have AI Skill at 50 also.

See, I am not a big fan of making the take ball sliders as low as you (and many other slider-makers on this board) have them. I walk 1-2 people a game right now (1.7 to be exact) and I can't fathom how much more these CPU guys would be striking out --and how little they'd be walking-- if they'd be swinging at even more balls [than with the setting @ 65 like I have now].

I see that a lot of people on this board have struggled getting the CPU to strike out (and thus want to turn AI take ball down severly), and I can't stress enough how much of a difference putting AI CONTACT @ 45, AI POWER @ 50 made. These, combined with take strike overall @ 60, and take balls overall @ 65 have given us (me and the other guys trying this set out) great results. I've upped my K's by nearly one and a half a game since I switched it from 55-45.

[[I suggest putting AI SKILL at whatever you are comfortable with. I started at 60, then moved to 75, then 85, and eventually 100 for a full challenge when using Payoff Pitching. This setting is the one that needds to be adjusted based on personal level, not the Contact/Power ones which need to be at 45/50.]]

Also, I have a suggestion for how to strike the CPU out for those of you that have been struggling. Make your goal on the first 2-3 pitches of the at-bat to get ahead in the count and bring up a two-strike count (I know this isn't neccessarily easy, but if you can get ahead 0-2 or 1-2 you really have gotten yourself in great shape). Then, with two strikes, pick your pitcher's best breaking pitch (not fastball) and aim at one of the corners with as much effort as you can handle, with the intent to pitch one out of the strike zone. If executed correctly, the CPU will hack at this maybe 40% of the time. Now if you've gotten yourself up 0-2 or 1-2, throwing back-to-back breaking pitches of this kind (curveballs are my favorites, then probably slick sliders or slllooooooow changeups) gives you nearly a two-thirds chance of striking the batter out before the count even gets full. [Of course these numbers are all general approximations, but you get the point.]

I know it feels weird to try to instruct on how to strike the CPU batters out, but in real MLB baseball you often see pitchers try to get ahead, then locate successive breaking balls in an effort to record the strikeout. Then, when the count is full (or otherwise on 3-1 counts) you often hear that their focus is more on 'locating' and thus have to throw a fastball, since the break is much more predictable and negligible. I feel like this is exactly what 2K7 tried to incorporate, and if you follow the actual pitching patterns of MLB pitchers by trying to get ahead and then locating maximum-effort breaking balls to get strikeouts, you will be pretty successful.

Hope that helps!!

[X*Cell]

Re: Creating **The 'PERFECT' Slider Set**

See, I am not a big fan of making the take ball sliders as low as you (and many other slider-makers on this board) have them. I walk 1-2 people a game right now (1.7 to be exact) and I can't fathom how much more these CPU guys would be striking out --and how little they'd be walking-- if they'd be swinging at even more balls [than with the setting @ 65 like I have now].

I see that a lot of people on this board have struggled getting the CPU to strike out (and thus want to turn AI take ball down severly), and I can't stress enough how much of a difference putting AI CONTACT @ 45, AI POWER @ 50 made. These, combined with take strike overall @ 60, and take balls overall @ 65 have given us (me and the other guys trying this set out) great results. I've upped my K's by nearly one and a half a game since I switched it from 55-45.

[[I suggest putting AI SKILL at whatever you are comfortable with. I started at 60, then moved to 75, then 85, and eventually 100 for a full challenge when using Payoff Pitching. This setting is the one that needds to be adjusted based on personal level, not the Contact/Power ones which need to be at 45/50.]]

Also, I have a suggestion for how to strike the CPU out for those of you that have been struggling. Make your goal on the first 2-3 pitches of the at-bat to get ahead in the count and bring up a two-strike count (I know this isn't neccessarily easy, but if you can get ahead 0-2 or 1-2 you really have gotten yourself in great shape). Then, with two strikes, pick your pitcher's best breaking pitch (not fastball) and aim at one of the corners with as much effort as you can handle, with the intent to pitch one out of the strike zone. If executed correctly, the CPU will hack at this maybe 40% of the time. Now if you've gotten yourself up 0-2 or 1-2, throwing back-to-back breaking pitches of this kind (curveballs are my favorites, then probably slick sliders or slllooooooow changeups) gives you nearly a two-thirds chance of striking the batter out before the count even gets full. [Of course these numbers are all general approximations, but you get the point.]

I know it feels weird to try to instruct on how to strike the CPU batters out, but in real MLB baseball you often see pitchers try to get ahead, then locate successive breaking balls in an effort to record the strikeout. Then, when the count is full (or otherwise on 3-1 counts) you often hear that their focus is more on 'locating' and thus have to throw a fastball, since the break is much more predictable and negligible. I feel like this is exactly what 2K7 tried to incorporate, and if you follow the actual pitching patterns of MLB pitchers by trying to get ahead and then locating maximum-effort breaking balls to get strikeouts, you will be pretty successful.

Hope that helps!!

Your last advice is advice I have taken to use a week ago or so, and you are right. I think with keeping it a 50/50 with contact and power, you can get ahead quickly, solely off a foul ball here and there.

You fathom too much ... the 70 and 30 settings actually doesn't make the CPU as stupid as you may think. It just gets them to be more patient and drive pitches later in the count.

That being said, I just changed the Pitcher Difficulty for both to 70. My good pitchers were no better than my bad pitchers, so that wasn't too cool...

After that...

I had the best game of baseball I've had in a long while. I am very impressed with your work.

I ended up winning with a walk-off grandslam... 10-8... the best part about that was, I had a few powerful hits that couldn't quite get over the wall during the game and I got discouraged. I thought that the power might be too low, but low and behold, the homerun was saved for the best part of the game .

I walked them 3 times... they walked me 4 times.

I pitched 6 strikeouts, they pitched 8.

I stole 1 base, they stole 1.

I had 1 triple.

They had 13 hits, I had 10.

I had 1 error. They had 2.

they threw 78 strikes, and 55 balls.

We threw 82 strikes, and 55 balls.

..................

I will post my own version of your sliders, based on my changes.