Hitting tips

[y2dan]

Hey guys,
I'm having a difficult time hitting in Veteran difficulty right now. My main problems include picking up on different pitches and picking up on pitch location. I've tried about batting practice sessions and I seem to make decent contact there but once I hit a game situation, I'm a mess. Any tips?

PS: I've turned off guess pitch and PCI interface.

[2ndBase]

Re: Hitting tips

Develop different approaches with different players. Sometimes as a user we get into a negative grove swinging at the same bad pitches. Pick certain spots and take two pitches to start the at bat. Look for only a breaking ball in another at bat. Go up there and take a big blind hack at the first pitch. Good or bad, this has kept me from getting into habit. I'm usually able to get good results with this on Veteran with guess pitch on no feedback.

[funkybudda]

Re: Hitting tips

I am experiencing hitting problems as well, granted I will admit it's most likely due to I being a first time owner of MLB The Show game, but I have tried everything I have read on this board with not much luck.

I tried the dont use left analog stick approach, still cant hit much with it. I tried playing around with the sliders, CPU hitter still hits better than I do. I am playing on veteran, and really am getting frustrated with the hitting aspect of this game.

[floridagatorfan]

Re: Hitting tips

On veteran don't use the left stick at all and it will allow you to just focus on whether the ball is a strike or not.

After enough practice you will start to get the hang of it. Basically, it just takes a bit of time and practice.

[stoncold32]

Re: Hitting tips

i couldnt hit until i changed the camera angle to "Wide"....and played with the sliders a bit

[The House]

Re: Hitting tips

1. Find the pitchers release point and try not to stare at his body. Rather, look at his head and adjust your eyes slightly to the left/right to find the release point. If you need to, pause the game after the first pitch and watch it in slow-motion (err, sorry, "show-motion") if you have to. This is probably the most important piece of info I can give you. If you arent seeing the ball precisely as it leaves the pitchers hand then you are likely going to suffer with pitch recognition.

Here's what I do. I have the same approach every time I bat. I hold L2 to bring up the black-box i.e. faded strike-zone (since I play with the strike-zone off. I find it distracts me pre-pitch) and try to etch that area into my brain. Then I look at the pitchers head until he's about mid windup, at which point I shift my eyes left/right to find the release point. It sounds dumb, but it works for me. If anything, I think by just having a routine you should be able to have a little more success at the plate.

2. Be patient and drive that pitch count up. 95% of the time I take the first pitch. It's ok if you're getting shutout through the first couple innings. The idea is to drive the pitch count up and capitalize on mistakes in the 4th-7th innings.

3. Expect breaking balls/fastballs out of the zone when the count is in the pitchers favor (i.e. 0-2, 1-2, ..... and 2-2 to an extent). Think off-speed and react to the fastball,; try to fight it off. Even if you wind up without a hit, it can still be considered a successful at-bat. If you manage to have an 8+ pitch at-bat then you can afford to get aggressive with the next batter by either swinging at a first or second (if the first pitch was a ball) fastball.

4. Lower pitch speed. Default pitch speed can be overwhelming at times especially if your reflexes are'nt the best (or you're an older guy like myself). In 08' I had pitch speed at 0 and as I became comfortable with that I increased it by 1 notch, then 2, etc



Hope that helps. If I think of more I'll let you know.

[JerzeyReign]

Re: Hitting tips

Seriously, go online. 99% of the people on their throw offspeed pitches alot. After about 10-15 games you'll be sitting on that hanging curveball in no time. Or keeping the bat on your shoulders versus that slider down and away.

Happy Hittin'

[Dreifort]

Re: Hitting tips

different LCD TVs can cause un-natural delay in controller reactions to displayed graphics.

when I switched my PS3 from a 26" Samsung to a 46" Sharp (both LCDs), there was a HUGE discrepancy with timing.


This has more to do with the LCD's response time and PS3 possibly delivering at a different frame rate.

[funkybudda]

Re: Hitting tips

1. Find the pitchers release point and try not to stare at his body. Rather, look at his head and adjust your eyes slightly to the left/right to find the release point. If you need to, pause the game after the first pitch and watch it in slow-motion (err, sorry, "show-motion") if you have to. This is probably the most important piece of info I can give you. If you arent seeing the ball precisely as it leaves the pitchers hand then you are likely going to suffer with pitch recognition.

Here's what I do. I have the same approach every time I bat. I hold L2 to bring up the black-box i.e. faded strike-zone (since I play with the strike-zone off. I find it distracts me pre-pitch) and try to etch that area into my brain. Then I look at the pitchers head until he's about mid windup, at which point I shift my eyes left/right to find the release point. It sounds dumb, but it works for me. If anything, I think by just having a routine you should be able to have a little more success at the plate.

2. Be patient and drive that pitch count up. 95% of the time I take the first pitch. It's ok if you're getting shutout through the first couple innings. The idea is to drive the pitch count up and capitalize on mistakes in the 4th-7th innings.

3. Expect breaking balls/fastballs out of the zone when the count is in the pitchers favor (i.e. 0-2, 1-2, ..... and 2-2 to an extent). Think off-speed and react to the fastball,; try to fight it off. Even if you wind up without a hit, it can still be considered a successful at-bat. If you manage to have an 8+ pitch at-bat then you can afford to get aggressive with the next batter by either swinging at a first or second (if the first pitch was a ball) fastball.

4. Lower pitch speed. Default pitch speed can be overwhelming at times especially if your reflexes are'nt the best (or you're an older guy like myself). In 08' I had pitch speed at 0 and as I became comfortable with that I increased it by 1 notch, then 2, etc



Hope that helps. If I think of more I'll let you know.

Thanks man, I will try your suggestions.

[LowerWolf]

Re: Hitting tips

I gave up last year because I couldn't hit. I sucked up my pride this year and moved the pitch speed slider to 0 (on All-Star). Also, I've stopped using the power swing. I hit a lot better just using X to swing. And I rarely use the left stick. Again, this is on All-Star.

Played my first dynasty game last night. Beat the Cubs 5-2. Had eight hits, which included four doubles and a home run. Most fun, realistic game I've ever played. The home run was especially sweet. I had been taking the first pitch. Noticed Zambrano started grooving first-pitch fastballs for strikes since I wasn't swinging. Went up with Diaz intent on hacking at that first pitch, got the fastball and hit it out.

[vinny_77]

Re: Hitting tips

Keep the count in mind, but try not to focus on it too much. Too much focus on the count will have your mind wandering instead of keeping your eye on the ball. Try to simply see ball hit ball. Think about where the ball is going...not where the ball is now.

Also, I personally feel that swinging with X is strictly a defensive swing. I press Square everytime I swing with less than 2 strikes.

Don't forget to swing hard, in case you hit the ball. ~Woodie Held
<!--CMGB-->
Obviously, with 2 strikes, press X to protect the plate. Others will disagree with me on this. Good luck, and have fun!

Baseball is the only field of endeavor where a man can succeed three times out of ten and be considered a good performer. ~Ted Williams<!--CB-->

[funkybudda]

Re: Hitting tips

i couldnt hit until i changed the camera angle to "Wide"....and played with the sliders a bit

I tried the wide view, and definitely made slight difference in my hitting, it does give me a fraction of a bit more time to look at the ball. I also tried the other views, offset is definitely not working for me, but I tried the pitcher and outfield view, I must say it actually offers a better view on how the ball is coming towards the hitter... Do any of you experienced players use those two views, are there any negative issues in using those over others?

[Cito2009]

Re: Hitting tips

Don't know if people no this but when your using pitcher view to hit, a majority of the pitchers you can actually see the grip on the ball and see what pitch is coming.... thats some pretty good detail;p sliders, fatsballs, change ups, they all have there own grip. Pretty nutty really.

[ulua]

Re: Hitting tips

Can someone please explain how the Left stick works for batting?
I'm a first time owner of the Show, previously owned MLB2k and for 2k basically if I want to hit pull or go the other way I would just aim
the left stick in that direction, but in the show I don't see anything
happening when I use the left stick.

Thanks
ulua

[Mabster]

Re: Hitting tips

Can someone please explain how the Left stick works for batting?
I'm a first time owner of the Show, previously owned MLB2k and for 2k basically if I want to hit pull or go the other way I would just aim
the left stick in that direction, but in the show I don't see anything
happening when I use the left stick.

Thanks
ulua

The left analog stick directs where you swing. The right analog stick influences where you hit the ball. Read page 4 of your game manual. Depending on what level you are playing the game at hitting in The Show can be a lot more complicated then the 2K series.