Pitch Sequences?

[The Commish]

I've been doing some research for the science behind Pitching. i.e. - When to pitch a specific pitch type? and Where to make that pitch? I felt once armed with that info I would understand how to better approach each batter. (Kinda like a real pitcher does)

During my search I happened upon an old article where someone gave a tut on creating a pitcher using "The Show" 08. It has some nice info, here's the link if anyone hasn't seen it yet. However I do not know if all of this info is still good or relevant, but I know I picked up a few things from it.

http://community.us.playstation.com/thread/1679089?start=0&tstart=0

With that said, he mentions towards the end about "Pitch Sequencing". But he doesn't go into detail about what situations would warrant certain pitch types and locations. I know every situation is different but there have to be things that are common among most AB's and rules that you want to follow.

I'm looking for a base set of Ground rules to follow as I approach any given situation.

Do you have pitch sequences that you use for certain in game situations?

[Bobhead]

Re: Pitch Sequences?

The only trademark pitch sequence I use is the three fastballs "up the ladder." A "get me over" fastball low over the plate for strike 1, a fastball inside for strike 2, and a fastball high slightly above the zone for strike 3, which is usually a swing and miss, if not a blown call for a strikeout looking.

I am not a fan of recycling pitch sequences though. I personally think that's bad baseball.

[37]

Re: Pitch Sequences?

The only trademark pitch sequence I use is the three fastballs "up the ladder." A "get me over" fastball low over the plate for strike 1, a fastball inside for strike 2, and a fastball high slightly above the zone for strike 3, which is usually a swing and miss, if not a blown call for a strikeout looking.

I am not a fan of recycling pitch sequences though. I personally think that's bad baseball.

i happen to disagree....if the hitters can't make adjustments, why should u change it up? For me, i usually go fastball first, curveball/slider 2nd, and changeup 3rd...i never throw anything in the middle of the plate and only try to hit the corners with different pitches/speed variations

[Bobhead]

Re: Pitch Sequences?

i happen to disagree....if the hitters can't make adjustments, why should u change it up? For me, i usually go fastball first, curveball/slider 2nd, and changeup 3rd...i never throw anything in the middle of the plate and only try to hit the corners with different pitches/speed variations

It probably works in-game but as much real-life baseball as I've played and watched, I just can't bring myself to think that way.

[37]

Re: Pitch Sequences?

It probably works in-game but as much real-life baseball as I've played and watched, I just can't bring myself to think that way.

oh of course, IRL hitters would pick up your pattern in a jiffy and rock your pitches if u tip your hand.....fortunately in a video game, ur able to get away with it more often than not...it's just a confidence thing for me

[ill23matic]

Re: Pitch Sequences?

The game does have the majority of hitters hot and cold zones down, so they got that element right for the most part. Ie: if im facing Jeter, im only showing him pitches outside to keep him honest, but most of the time, im working to his weakness. If hes going to beat me, he has to get his hands inside some hard heat on the inner third of the plate.

But as for the rest of it, you really shouldnt have that mentality of, im going to get two strikes with a fastball and throw a curve for a strikeout. Even though the game doesnt fully recognize smart pitching and setting guys up, I still pitch like it does.

[seanjeezy]

Re: Pitch Sequences?

It's not so much sequencing as it is attacking hitters' weaknesses. Bobhead is right to a degree but so is noFatGirlz, falling into patterns is bad, but if a guy can't hit a certain pitch, why go away from it? The most important thing to remember is every pitch has a purpose, there is no such thing as a waste pitch since even those are used to set up another pitch or vice versa. I think the most important thing I learned while pitching in college (JCs still count!) was that the game has evolved from fastball in, offspeed out, fastball up, offspeed down; if you can keep your offspeed pitches on the same plane as your fastball, it doesn't matter where you throw the ball. I incorporate this strategy into the game and It works pretty well even on Legend pitching with sliders skewed toward the CPU.

[The Commish]

Re: Pitch Sequences?

I only play against the computer so I don't have to worry about irl situations. However I hear things in the game about "This is a two strike pitch", "Set up pitch" Or "changing the eye location". I know that those things are referring to specific pitches and locations. It gave me the idea that there was a basic structure to pitching to a batter based off of what has happened already in the bat.

For instance: I find that my I have more success striking a guy out by throwing my high and inside heat pitch w/ at least 2 strikes. Doesn't always work but I finish him off a good percentage of times, enough to notice.

[The Commish]

Re: Pitch Sequences?

Just to give an update to my thread.

I have applied a systematic approach to attempting to strike out batters.

I play Rtts CP, I do not play against online opponents but the cpu does a great job adjusting to patterns.

I only play about an inning each time I play, so I am only facing 3 or 4 batters at a time.

It seems that about every 6-9 batters (2-3 games) I have to switch up my sequences.

I'm wondering what others have experienced.

[ebarws6]

Do hot and cold zones actually do anything? Or are they just there?

[The Commish]

Re: Pitch Sequences?

Do hot and cold zones actually do anything? Or are they just there?

They tell me where the hitter "wants" the ball. Basically I try to avoid those sections if at all possible. If you pitch there it doesn't mean that the hitter will bomb it on you, it just means that in the past they have hit pitches in those locations.