After growing very tired of called 3rd strikes on the AI, not to mention hitters taking strike two, I decided to experiment with these settings. I was under the impression (looks like many others are as well) that when the game states 'ahead' or 'behind' it was referring to it from the AI batting perspective. However, after playing about 4 or 5 games last night with them reversed (75-25 or thereabouts) I think that it refers to 'ahead' or 'behind' from the user pitching perspective.
In general, batters should take more strikes when ahead in the count (2-0, 3-1, etc) and be more prone to swing away when behind (0-2, 1-2, etc). When I had the AI Take sliders with 'Take Strike Behind' very low, I was expecting the constant called third strikes to be limited. Same with 'Take Ball Behind', I thought I would see the AI chase some pitches out of the zone with two strikes, only to rarely see it although they would occasionally do it at other times. Hence, my idea that for the purposes of these sliders, 'ahead' means counts like 0-2 & 1-2, while 'behind' means 2-0 and 3-1 counts (again from the user's POV).
I think I'll play a few tonight to check it out further, but the results from last night's games were encouraging. I saw maybe 2 or 3 called 3RDs on average per game, usually when appropriate like a 3-2 breaking ball that locks the batter up or one that absolutely paints the black. The AI didn't seem to be nearly as many pitcher's counts (0-2, 1-2), but when they were, I was able to actually get a few guys to chase for strike three. I know the one game with Zach Duke, I threw 95-100 pitches in 7IP for about 55-60% strikes, while only striking out four (3 swinging, 1 called I think). I was really nibbling because I felt I had to; I couldn't just pump the first two pitches in and get ahead. I also saw several foul balls and 2-strike hits on pitches I expected (from previous experiences) to be taken for strike three.
Overall, it felt more like a battle with the hitter and more representative of how a major league hitter thinks at the plate. I hope the gears are grinding after reading this, as I think I've done a damn fine job of confusing myself...
In general, batters should take more strikes when ahead in the count (2-0, 3-1, etc) and be more prone to swing away when behind (0-2, 1-2, etc). When I had the AI Take sliders with 'Take Strike Behind' very low, I was expecting the constant called third strikes to be limited. Same with 'Take Ball Behind', I thought I would see the AI chase some pitches out of the zone with two strikes, only to rarely see it although they would occasionally do it at other times. Hence, my idea that for the purposes of these sliders, 'ahead' means counts like 0-2 & 1-2, while 'behind' means 2-0 and 3-1 counts (again from the user's POV).
I think I'll play a few tonight to check it out further, but the results from last night's games were encouraging. I saw maybe 2 or 3 called 3RDs on average per game, usually when appropriate like a 3-2 breaking ball that locks the batter up or one that absolutely paints the black. The AI didn't seem to be nearly as many pitcher's counts (0-2, 1-2), but when they were, I was able to actually get a few guys to chase for strike three. I know the one game with Zach Duke, I threw 95-100 pitches in 7IP for about 55-60% strikes, while only striking out four (3 swinging, 1 called I think). I was really nibbling because I felt I had to; I couldn't just pump the first two pitches in and get ahead. I also saw several foul balls and 2-strike hits on pitches I expected (from previous experiences) to be taken for strike three.
Overall, it felt more like a battle with the hitter and more representative of how a major league hitter thinks at the plate. I hope the gears are grinding after reading this, as I think I've done a damn fine job of confusing myself...
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