Owner Mode

[duke776]

Re: Owner Mode

So I played my first game without the pitch cursor and won 7-4. The one issue I had with it is strikeouts...I can't imagine getting a realistic # of strikeouts over a course of a year. It was a lot harder to strike guys out without being able to pinpoint where you want the ball( computer kept making contact).. any pointers? other than me just getting better at locating without it as time progresses.
Also... I have having a hard time hitting the corners perfectly now. I rarely do it.. it's so hard to pull the left thumbstick just enough but not too much without the pitch cursor... is this because I suck and I am doing something wrong? or is it just that hard to pitch without the pitch cursor on mvp difficulty?

My strikeout numbers will be on the low side too, but I don't feel like messing with my sliders now because once I change one thing I'll have to change another. You may want to lower the CPU swing frequency slider so they'll take more pitches, so they won't be constantly hitting the first or second pitch. That is the only thing I can think of right now that would help it.

I play on all star so I'm not sure if it's still there or not, but my controller vibrates when I'm touching the outside of the zone. Do you have xbox or ps2? I play on xbox, so maybe that's not on the ps2 version.

I would like to see the sliders you're playing with. I've tried a couple I've found on the internet, but it was too much of a slugfest. I won 8-7 but there were about 4-5 HR's hit.

You are probably better than me since you said it's easy to hit on all star, so they may not be good for you but here they are. I based them off of a slider set I got about two years ago(forget who's, someone from mvpmods) and have tweaked them to my playing style.

GAMEPLAY OPTIONS(You don't have to use these, just posting them in case you wanted them)
Difficulty = All Star
Fielding = Manual
Batting View = Pitch 6/Bat 4
Fielding View = Zoom
Strike Zone = Off
Hot/Cold Zones = Off
Pitch Cursor = Off
Hitter's Eye = Off
Catch Circle Assist = On
Variable Strike Zone = On
Base Umpire Blown Calls = On
Fielding Aid = On
Vector Line = On
Throw Meter = On
Player Names = On
Player Icons = On
Auto Replay Frequency = Medium
Check Swing Frequency = Medium
Missed Swing Replays = On
Injuries = On
Suspensions = On
Errors = On
DH Rule = AL Only
Batter Overlay = Statistics
Pickoff Return = Automatic
Trade Deadline = On
CPU Initiated Trades = On
Fair Trades = On
Budgets = On
Financial Advisor= On
Rained Out Games = On
Energy Level Effect = On
Team Chemistry Effect = On
Variable "Stuff" = On
Cooperstown Effect = On

GAMEPLAY TUNING
User Pitch Meter Difficulty = -40
Pitch Speed = 0
CPU Pitcher Ball Rate = 21
User Pitcher Fatigue = 24
CPU Pitcher Fatigue = 18
User Pitch Control = -50
CPU Pitch Control = -7
Bullpen Fatigue Rate = 6
Bullpen Fatigue Grace = 12
User Batting Contract = 4
CPU Batting Contact = -1
User Batting Power = 5
CPU Batting Power = -9
User Bunting Ability = 15
CPU Bunting Ability = 15
User Foul Ball Frequency = 45
CPU Foul Ball Frequency = 45
CPU Swing Frequency = -20
User OF Speed (Manual) = -10
User OF Speed (MVP) = 0
CPU Outfielder Speed = -12
User INF Speed (Manual) = -5
User INF Speed (MVP) = 0
CPU Infielder Speed = -8
User Throw Speed = -5
CPU Throw Speed = -5
User Throw Accuracy = -15
CPU Throw Accuracy = -15
User Catch Errors = 10
CPU Catch Errors = 20
User Dive Difficulty = 10
CPU Catch Effort = -30
User Baserunning Speed = 5
CPU Baserunning Speed = 1
User Runner Aggression = 7
CPU Runner Aggression = 7
User Runner Steal Speed = 0
CPU Runner Steal Speed = -4
User Runner Steal Delay = -5
CPU Runner Steal Delay = -5
CPU Steal Rate = 14
Runner Injury Freq. = 5
Pitcher Injury Freq. = 5
Batter Injury Freq. = 0
Fielder Injury Freq. = 15
Pitching MG Difficulty = 0


They're not perfect, but they're good enough for me. I am probably going to be raising some of the injury sliders and probably raise the user power slider(because I haven't hit a HR with these yet) but the rest of it I'm pretty satisfied with.

Good luck with finding the right sliders, and don't be afraid to do some tweeking of your own(if you have time) because that's what got me to my set.

[Canes5]

Re: Owner Mode

GAMEPLAY OPTIONS(You don't have to use these, just posting them in case you wanted them)
Difficulty = All Star
Fielding = Manual
Batting View = Pitch 6/Bat 4
Fielding View = Zoom
Strike Zone = Off
Hot/Cold Zones = Off
Pitch Cursor = Off
Hitter's Eye = Off
Catch Circle Assist = On
Variable Strike Zone = On
Base Umpire Blown Calls = On
Fielding Aid = On
Vector Line = On
Throw Meter = On
Player Names = On
Player Icons = On
Auto Replay Frequency = Medium
Check Swing Frequency = Medium
Missed Swing Replays = On
Injuries = On
Suspensions = On
Errors = On
DH Rule = AL Only
Batter Overlay = Statistics
Pickoff Return = Automatic
Trade Deadline = On
CPU Initiated Trades = On
Fair Trades = On
Budgets = On
Financial Advisor= On
Rained Out Games = On
Energy Level Effect = On
Team Chemistry Effect = On
Variable "Stuff" = On
Cooperstown Effect = On

GAMEPLAY TUNING
User Pitch Meter Difficulty = -40
Pitch Speed = 0
CPU Pitcher Ball Rate = 21
User Pitcher Fatigue = 24
CPU Pitcher Fatigue = 18
User Pitch Control = -50
CPU Pitch Control = -7
Bullpen Fatigue Rate = 6
Bullpen Fatigue Grace = 12
User Batting Contract = 4
CPU Batting Contact = -1
User Batting Power = 5
CPU Batting Power = -9
User Bunting Ability = 15
CPU Bunting Ability = 15
User Foul Ball Frequency = 45
CPU Foul Ball Frequency = 45
CPU Swing Frequency = -20
User OF Speed (Manual) = -10
User OF Speed (MVP) = 0
CPU Outfielder Speed = -12
User INF Speed (Manual) = -5
User INF Speed (MVP) = 0
CPU Infielder Speed = -8
User Throw Speed = -5
CPU Throw Speed = -5
User Throw Accuracy = -15
CPU Throw Accuracy = -15
User Catch Errors = 10
CPU Catch Errors = 20
User Dive Difficulty = 10
CPU Catch Effort = -30
User Baserunning Speed = 5
CPU Baserunning Speed = 1
User Runner Aggression = 7
CPU Runner Aggression = 7
User Runner Steal Speed = 0
CPU Runner Steal Speed = -4
User Runner Steal Delay = -5
CPU Runner Steal Delay = -5
CPU Steal Rate = 14
Runner Injury Freq. = 5
Pitcher Injury Freq. = 5
Batter Injury Freq. = 0
Fielder Injury Freq. = 15
Pitching MG Difficulty = 0


They're not perfect, but they're good enough for me. I am probably going to be raising some of the injury sliders and probably raise the user power slider(because I haven't hit a HR with these yet) but the rest of it I'm pretty satisfied with.

Good luck with finding the right sliders, and don't be afraid to do some tweeking of your own(if you have time) because that's what got me to my set.

I'll definitely give these a try. I just finished a game with some old sliders i found on here. I lost 5-2 (blue jays me vs. mariners on default rosters). I was trying to use a lesser team against a better one. I only had 4 hits and 2 were HR, although both were served up to me. What got me the L was trying to leave Halladay in through the 10th. His pitch count was extremely low as I wasn't working the count enough, but he just tired out fast and gave up 3 in the 10th.

But back to your sliders. How's the hit vareity play out for you? I'm tired of either getting a HR or nothing.

[hitstreak13]

Re: Owner Mode

Hey guys, long time no post. I have been really busy but have gotten in 8 games within the past week so I will update what has gone on.

Well, my record is 43-52. The trading deadline is approaching really soon so I already developed a spreadsheet to determine exactly what I am looking for in regards to prospects. I have a specific age, potential, Thowing hand, position, pitch types, power ratings, etc that I am interested in. I have it all figured out . The only difficult task is determining what type of packages I am willing to put together in order to obtain those prospects.

I am thinking of unloading Christian Guzman. Yes, he is hitting .319 with 5 HR, 36 RBI's and a team leading 15 SB's but he is getting paid too much. Granted he is still quite young (at least in this game) and can still be productive. He is on pace to for 9 bombs, 61 RBI's, and 25 steals which is not bad at all for a guy batting leadoff. According to my sheet, he is hitting .333 since batting leadoff (in 43 games). He has made only 6 errors this season which is the best out of my full time infielders.

Minor League News
Kyle Blanks just hit his 20th HR of the season (all in AA). He has me excited with his unique potential. His defense is below average, but if he can provide me with 20-25 HR's per season, I will be a happy camper.

Chris Marrero, also a 1B, has been hitting the hell out of the ball as well. He recently got his 12 HR of the season and is on pace to have just over 80 RBI's this year.

Collin Balester's rehab is comming along nicely. He made his 5th and final start going a strong 6, giving up 8 hits, 3 ER, and striking out 5. Here are his rehab stats:
5 GS, 22 1/3 IP, 2 W 0 L, 12 BB, and 17 K's. Not a good ratio, but I'll take what I can get.

Around the Majors
Detroits Rick Porcello is really making a strong case for AL rookie of the year. He is now 10-5 on the season and just keeps getting better.

Roy Halladay (a.k.a. Doc) got his 14th win of the season and it wont surprise me if he reaches 20 by the end of the season.

Scott Olsen just earned his 9th victory of the year and is having a marvelous season, despite my teams woes.

Well, I am 13 games back from the Mets, but am 9 games from the wild card. This game is really really fun guys. I love adjusting the sliders everytime I play in a new stadium. I love playing in HR parks because I jack up the sliders for both the CPU and I.

Hope you enjoyed reading.

[duke776]

Re: Owner Mode

But back to your sliders. How's the hit vareity play out for you? I'm tired of either getting a HR or nothing.

It's been pretty good. The first game I played with them I saw some hits that I have never seen before. I actually saw line drives hit hard to the gap or down the line. I hope changing the power slider won't mess with that, but the hit variety has been much better.

Now for the CPU they have manufactured runs against me, not just getting all their runs by homeruns. Last night I had a game where I lost 4-1 and only one of their runs came off a homerun. The problem is they seem to hit at least one homerun a game, so I may lower their power slider a notch or two if they continue doing that.

[wpnads]

Re: Owner Mode

Hitstreak, I have to say what you have been doing here is genius! It made me dig out my X-Box and my copy of MVP and I'm contemplating starting a owners mode of my own. I am amazed by how many responses you have received so far and I'm enjoying everything you and Duke and the others have wrote so far. It reads better than the sport pages! The only problem I will have is that the last roster I have was modified in October of '05 (tells you how long it's been since I played) and for some reason my AR is not working on my computer. So, if I do start a OM it will be in the '05 season. But, if no one objects I will be more than happy to share my experiences with everyone. BTW, Duke I tried your settings in expedition mode and found it suits me. The only thing I changed was the user batting power from 5 to 8. I look forward to reading more of everyones' experiences and hopefully I'll be adding some of mine soon!

[duke776]

Re: Owner Mode

Hitstreak, I have to say what you have been doing here is genius! It made me dig out my X-Box and my copy of MVP and I'm contemplating starting a owners mode of my own. I am amazed by how many responses you have received so far and I'm enjoying everything you and Duke and the others have wrote so far. It reads better than the sport pages! The only problem I will have is that the last roster I have was modified in October of '05 (tells you how long it's been since I played) and for some reason my AR is not working on my computer. So, if I do start a OM it will be in the '05 season. But, if no one objects I will be more than happy to share my experiences with everyone. BTW, Duke I tried your settings in expedition mode and found it suits me. The only thing I changed was the user batting power from 5 to 8. I look forward to reading more of everyones' experiences and hopefully I'll be adding some of mine soon!

Glad you like the sliders, and I also adjusted the power slider from 5 to 8 or 9 after my game this morning.

By any chance do you have a vista computer? If you do that's why the action replay won't work on your computer because it's only compatible with Windows XP or an earlier computer. Not sure why that is but I saw that on codebreakers FAQ's for the xbox AR.

[wpnads]

Re: Owner Mode

I think my problems lie within my USB ports (I still have XP) because I tried to print out some reports and my computer would not send it to my printer (stupid computer)! Anyways, thanks Duke for the heads up about vista, my wife and I are in the middle of computer shopping now (I had this one custom built back in '02 for gaming) and that is probably where the problem is (stupid, stupid computer)!! Just to let everyone know about how well Dukes sliders worked for me in expedition mode, keep in mind I only played a couple of innings. I used Oakland and played against SF. Jay Payton hit a homerun and Eric Chavez walked than got injured going into second trying to break up a double play. The pitching feels right to me both my pitching and the computers. Zito struck out two, then floated a fast ball that got crushed! Anyways, Duke, I think you're on the right track with these sliders (adjusting the user batting power from 5 to 8) and to any lurkers out there looking for good sliders I would recommend them!

[hitstreak13]

Re: Owner Mode

Hey wpnads, thank you for the kind words. Don't fret about the rosters. The problem is that every season people are tempted to start all over because of drastic changes. My cousin is a baseball freak and is in year 8 of his owner mode. His goal is to play all 30 seasons and he is almost a 1/3 there. I looked at his profile and it looks very realistic. He has like $16 million in the bank and recently increased his payroll to $120 million and is 40-23 in his 8th year.

I just love this game flat out. I do play the show, but about once a week. About 85% of my time is on mvp 05. It just forces you to think about your payroll, what type of personnel to hire, what kind of concessions to purchase first, etc. Just flat out strategic. I recieved my degree in business with a minor in statistics so I am really into that kind of stuff. I have spreadsheets with my guys secondary average, RISP, ERA when pitching on 3 days rest, W vs. divisions, night, day, etc. I just have it all and am having a blast.

It would be very cool to read what transpires during your owner mode with or without updated rosters. They are very fun to write about as well as to read. I will have an update for you guys later tonight.

[wpnads]

Re: Owner Mode

Hey wpnads, thank you for the kind words. Don't fret about the rosters. The problem is that every season people are tempted to start all over because of drastic changes. My cousin is a baseball freak and is in year 8 of his owner mode. His goal is to play all 30 seasons and he is almost a 1/3 there. I looked at his profile and it looks very realistic. He has like $16 million in the bank and recently increased his payroll to $120 million and is 40-23 in his 8th year.

I just love this game flat out. I do play the show, but about once a week. About 85% of my time is on mvp 05. It just forces you to think about your payroll, what type of personnel to hire, what kind of concessions to purchase first, etc. Just flat out strategic. I recieved my degree in business with a minor in statistics so I am really into that kind of stuff. I have spreadsheets with my guys secondary average, RISP, ERA when pitching on 3 days rest, W vs. divisions, night, day, etc. I just have it all and am having a blast.

It would be very cool to read what transpires during your owner mode with or without updated rosters. They are very fun to write about as well as to read. I will have an update for you guys later tonight.

I agree with you about MVP. I too tried different baseball games after I got my 360, they just played too much like an arcade game and you didn't have the option to use strategy as far as payroll was concerned (not like MVP). I quit playing for a while after my third 360 gave me the red ring of death, but then I happened onto this site and started reading about your and Dukes exploits in owners mode and now I'm on the cusp of starting my own. The rosters I have were updated in Oct of '05 but it has all the players named from the majors on down to A level. I most likely will go with Oakland and play my first few seasons in the Coliseum, if financially I make it that far. Anyways, I look forward to reading more about your OM and also look forward to posting info on mine.

[Canes5]

Re: Owner Mode

What do you guys recommend when starting off purchases wise? I never quite figured out what's most effective, other than buying concessions and staying away from gimmicks like the arcade, etc. And what did you start budgets out at--small, medium, or large?

oh and one more question. how much do you guys spend at the beginning? how much do you leave in the bank?

[Queens, NY]

Re: Owner Mode

"I play on all star so I'm not sure if it's still there or not, but my controller vibrates when I'm touching the outside of the zone. Do you have xbox or ps2? I play on xbox, so maybe that's not on the ps2 version."-Duke

I actually have it on XBOX... I think i may have turned vibrate off. How does the vibrate actually work? Do you only get one shot to see if ur locating outside the strikezone or do u get multiple shots? Meaning... lets say I try to locate on the outside corner and my controller vibrates and I know its a ball. Can i just shake it off and go back to the middle of the strikezone and try again and again until I get it exactly where i want it to be?

[duke776]

Re: Owner Mode

"I play on all star so I'm not sure if it's still there or not, but my controller vibrates when I'm touching the outside of the zone. Do you have xbox or ps2? I play on xbox, so maybe that's not on the ps2 version."-Duke

I actually have it on XBOX... I think i may have turned vibrate off. How does the vibrate actually work? Do you only get one shot to see if ur locating outside the strikezone or do u get multiple shots? Meaning... lets say I try to locate on the outside corner and my controller vibrates and I know its a ball. Can i just shake it off and go back to the middle of the strikezone and try again and again until I get it exactly where i want it to be?

It will continue to vibrate when you have the ball near the edge of the zone. It will be a slight rumble if you are nearing the edge, a little more if you are on the edge and a strong rumble if you are off the plate completely. It will vibrate each time you go near the edge, you can go near it let the ball go back to the center and then go to the edge again and it will rumble.

Hope that answers your question.

[Queens, NY]

Re: Owner Mode

"It will continue to vibrate when you have the ball near the edge of the zone. It will be a slight rumble if you are nearing the edge, a little more if you are on the edge and a strong rumble if you are off the plate completely. It will vibrate each time you go near the edge, you can go near it let the ball go back to the center and then go to the edge again and it will rumble.

Hope that answers your question."

Yea it does... have u ever tried playing with it off? Cause It seems kinda unfair... that if u dont get the placement u want.... that u cud just go back to the middle and try again. Although I tried playing the other day without the vibrate and it was way too hard....<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

[hitstreak13]

Re: Owner Mode

What a wild game against the Houston Astros. I was winning 7-0 with Daniel Cabrera on the hill. Cabrera has been on a bit of a hot streak lately, going 2-1 with an ERA of an even 4 over his last 5 starts entering play. After pitching 7 masterful innings (allowing 0 runs and striking out 10 while walking 2) he was fatigued and decided to take him out. Eude Brito comes to face Michael Bourn and Darin Erstad. Brito has appeared in his Major League leading 53rd game of the season and has held lefties to a respectable .218 average. I walk Bourn who then manages to steal second base. Erstand comes through with a run scoring single to center, just his 10th RBI of the season. I warm up Julian Tavarez and Joe Biemmel out in the pen. Brito walked his next man, Kaz Matsui, on 5 pitches. I had enough. I walk out to the mound and bring in always reliable Tavarez. What does he do? He allows a 3 run bomb to Carlos Lee (his 16th). I ended getting out of the inning without further damage. Leading 7-4 after 7

8th inning begins and am still leading 7-4. I leave Tavaras in and Ivan Rodriguez leads off with a double, moved over to third on a Geoff Blum groundout, and scored on Aaron Boones sac fly. Talk about small ball. Tavaras strikes out Pence to end the inning. Didn't score in the bottom half as Christian Guzman, hitting .363 with RISP, struck out with the bases loaded. Leading 7-5 after 8.

Top of the ninth, Hanrahan comes in. He has 17 saves this season and has converted his last 11 so I'm feeling pretty good. First up is Michael Bourn. I easily overpower him and strike him out in 4 pitches. Darin Erstad was a much tougher hitter. He fouled 3 straight pitches at one point and worked the count to 3-2. He lined the next pitch off Hanrahan for a double (his 5th). Kaz Matsui up to bat. I throw a slider inside and hit him by accident, so now there are runners on 1st and 2nd with 1 out. Carlos Lee is up with Berkman hitting behind him. I managed to strike out Lee on 5 pitches for the second out. I then foolishly decided to pitch to Berkman and he made me pay by taking my first offering and launching it into the Right field seats for a 3 run bomb to make it 8-7 them.He struck out Blum to end the inning.

I bat in the ninth and nothing happens. They bring in Valverde and he strikes out the side in order. That was just heartbreaking right there. So now I'm 43-53 and 14 GB from the Mets. That just sums up my season right there. It is July 22nd and the trading deadline is near. There haven't been any trades between teams yet so I will immediately notify you guys as to what transpires. As for me, I will start packaging up my veterans in order to obtain solid prospects.

Hope you enjoyd reading.

[duke776]

Re: Owner Mode

That has to suck hitstreak, it's even worse when your most reliable pitchers get lit up.

I actually had my most reliable starter get lit up yesterday. Lohse, coming in with a mid 2 ERA, gave up 5 runs in the first inning to the Pirates. Luckily I came back and caught up within two innings and tied it up. We ended up going back and forth in scoring until it was 7-6 me.

My pen shut the Pirates down after that, for 3 strong innings. Although it was a little scary in the 9th. Hawkins, who had recently been promoted to closer, gave up a lead off single. Then Chris Duffy lays down a bunt to move the runner over, but my Catcher throws it in front of my pitcher all the way into the outfield Luckily Jose Guillen was close enough so the runners couldn't advance. Hawkins strikesout a batter to get the first out of the inning. They get another single to make it bases loaded, now I'm in big trouble. Luckily Freddy Sanchez hits a hard groundball to Encarnacion at third and he throws it home for the force out. The next batter hits another rocket shot to 3rd and Encarnacion somehow gets it and tags third to end the game.