The Art of Walking

[Pared]

Quote: Originally Posted by Ball_Bag

I also need advice on walks-BAD! And I'm not a patient hitter.

That's the problem. Almost everyone is the same way.

Walks come if you are patient and willing to take a 3rd strike... but how many guys are actually willing to do that when it's so easy to just press X?

[Jgainsey]

If you can master the walk, it will completely change the game for you. I've been playing on HOF default so far, and drawing key walks throughout a game can be essential to having success. Make sure you pick your spots, don't be afraid to not swing at a pitch in the zone, especially if you are already ahead in the count. Start telling yourself, "no matter what, I'm not going to swing at the first pitch in this at bat". Also, make sure you're picking up the ball as soon as possible, just like you would need to if you were batting in real life.

It's also somewhat important to keep the opponents pitch count in the back of your head at all times. If you're only seeing around 10 pitches every inning, then you're not being patient enough. If I finish the 3rd inning and the pitcher I'm facing has only thrown 28 pitches, chances are he's doing pretty well against me.

[KOL]

I have always taken Skyboxers advice on never swinging on the first pitch, I just really want to have those 11-12 pitch at-bats at least once in the game (like Utley vs. Sabathia in Game 1) is there any skill behind fouling balls off, or is it all luck?

[swaldo]

Quote: Originally Posted by KOL

My mindset when nobody is on base is walk but I never pull it off.

There's your problem right there. First, as a pitcher you have to be an idiot to issue a leadoff walk - it's a cardinal sin because 70% will score. Perhaps the CPU logic understands this and pitches accordingly. Personally, if I have 3 balls on a leadoff batter I'm going to throw it over the plate one way or another and make them earn the base (unless they have killer power.)

Also, the first thing you should do before a game is check the pitchers walks to innings pitched ratio. The average is 38.4 walks to 100 innings pitched. If his ratio is higher then go ahead and try to draw some walks. If it's lower then a more aggressive approach may be needed because he is not going to walk you.

[CoreyMac]

Im from the Bobby Abreu school of thought. Never swing at the first pitch. Also, learn to be good at checking swinging. You will at the very least get alot more 2-2 and 3-2 counts. I check swing more than I full swing in a 9 inning game. It benefits me dearly.

[swaldo]

Also, if you want pitchers to get wild in this game you have to spank them which reduces their command and confidence. Make them pay for mistake pitches and walks will come easier.

[rodperezto]

The only tip I can give is, learn to take strikes; particularly those tht seem to be painting the corners. Many of them will be called balls, believe me. Also, don't be afraid of striking out looking! By adopting that mentality I have not only been able to take more walks but to get in awesome counts and get some real good pitches to hit. Not only does this work against the CPU but it also works online. My first online game this year, I drew 5 walks!

[swaldo]

Quote: Originally Posted by CoreyMac

Im from the Bobby Abreu school of thought. Never swing at the first pitch. Also, learn to be good at checking swinging. You will at the very least get alot more 2-2 and 3-2 counts. I check swing more than I full swing in a 9 inning game. It benefits me dearly.

Does that really apply though if a user is batting with all 9? I mean, the reason some batters like to watch the first pitch is because they want to get a good look at the pitcher - time his wind-up, see how much pop he has on his fastball or movement on breaking stuff. If you only have 4 at-bats to work with then it's a good approach for some. However, in a video game you are seeing his stuff over and over again. So should every batter you use have this same approach?

I like to bat in a similiar fashion to the real life batters. For example if I'm Vladdy then anything close to the plate I'm hacking. If I'm Abreu then I'll see if I can work a deep count etc.