Tips on How to Hit

Collapse

Recommended Videos

Collapse
X
 
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
  • dvazquez190
    Rookie
    • Sep 2008
    • 203

    #1

    Tips on How to Hit

    I've read countless threads dedicated to people sharing their frustration with their inability to hit. Looking for advice. I'm hoping this thread helps people who are struggling.

    - I'd like to start off by saying what to me is the most important thing, you're going to strike out. Everyone strikes out. Miguel Cabrera, Mike Trout, Andrew McCutchen. They all strike out. It happens. Wasting your time trying not to strike out is most likely hampering your ability to hit the ball. You're putting yourself in constant "protect mode" instead of simply letting the game come to you. Now i'm not saying striking out is good. What I am saying is you can learn something from each at bat, no matter the result. Don't view a strikeout as a complete failure. It's only a complete failure if you learn nothing from it.

    - Simply put, play the game. I see people saying that they always take the first pitch or they take until they get a strike. If it works for you fine, doesn't mean it will work for everyone. Personally You will never catch me looking for the sake of looking. In my experience roughly 15% of the first strikes you see will most likely be meat pitches. Get me over pitches that can be hammered. The best pitch of the at bat. I look at every pitch and only take strikes that I know I won't hit hard.

    - Find out your hitting style. Everyone has one. Something that suits your strengths. Some people handle high pitches well, some hit breaking balls well. Find out what your strengths are and develop a strategy around them. If you hit the low ball well than work the count until you get something you can handle. Use the count to your advantage, if you have less than 2 strikes only look to swing at a pitch or location where you can do damage. With two strikes try to protect until you get a pitch you can handle. If you try and hit every pitch in all zones you will most likely be unsuccessful. Play to your strengths.

    - Strategy. This is a simulation and requires strategy. Some pitches are tough. Just like they are in real life. You might not be able to hit them. So instead of focusing on how to score 10 off Kershaw, why not make him throw pitches and get to the bullpen where you might fare better. Also always pay attention to the count. Pitchers who are behind in the count 2-0, 3-1 are more likely to make mistakes than pitchers who are ahead.

    - Practice. This is probably the key. If you find yourself swinging at balls constantly, especially a certain pitch or in a certain region than you just need to practice. Go to batting practice, and find a way to lay off pitches thrown there. If you don't practice it'll take you that much longer to figure it out. No shame in practicing if you want to get better.

    Hopefully if you follow this you will become a better hitter. I use these keys to hitting in all of my at bats (I play on HOF, Zone, no guess pitch). I won't say I always score 10 because sometimes I have games when I score only 1 or 2. I will however say I consistently score 4-6 runs a game, obviously I have great games where I score 10+ just like I have poor games.

    P.S. This goes without saying but i'll say it anyway. Play on a difficulty level that is playable to you. No shame in playing on Veteran if that's where your skill level is. The purpose is to enjoy the game, not show you are the best to ever swing a virtual bat.

    Hope this helps. Cheers
    Last edited by dvazquez190; 04-21-2015, 03:17 PM.
  • mcseven
    Rookie
    • Feb 2009
    • 162

    #2
    Re: Tips on How to Hit

    I'm in a major hitting slump but the thing that is ticking me off the most is the way the CPU is pitching my all stars. When Mike Trout comes up usually I get 2 strikes looking on some unhittable strikes. If not that they're usually just throwing him garbage. When they give him a pitch that I can hit it turns into a groundout or popout. After that Pujols comes up he gets better pitches but for some reason he has no power and only hits weak outs. This is using regular swing on all star level. This is the second year in a row that i'm starting to get really discouraged with this game. Pitching is no problem just can't hit like I used to be able too. I mean this game you can sit on a fastball down the middle hit it perfect with Trout and it will say foul and now they don't even show where the foul ball is going.

    Comment

    • dvazquez190
      Rookie
      • Sep 2008
      • 203

      #3
      Re: Tips on How to Hit

      Originally posted by mcseven
      I'm in a major hitting slump but the thing that is ticking me off the most is the way the CPU is pitching my all stars. When Mike Trout comes up usually I get 2 strikes looking on some unhittable strikes. If not that they're usually just throwing him garbage. When they give him a pitch that I can hit it turns into a groundout or popout. After that Pujols comes up he gets better pitches but for some reason he has no power and only hits weak outs. This is using regular swing on all star level. This is the second year in a row that i'm starting to get really discouraged with this game. Pitching is no problem just can't hit like I used to be able too. I mean this game you can sit on a fastball down the middle hit it perfect with Trout and it will say foul and now they don't even show where the foul ball is going.
      You actually bring up a really good point. Stars get pitched noticeably different than normal hitters. Guys like Trout see much more pitches to the corners or completely off the plate. Those are the guys you really need to practice patience with. When I play as the Angels I actually lead trout off and bat Aybar second if I remember correctly. Batting him leadoff seemed to help him get more fastballs. I hit extremely well with him out of that slot. Try switching where he hits in the lineup and see if that changes the pitches he gets. As for Pujols I joke with my friend all the time how bad he is. I think some of it's me because he's my favorite player and I press really hard with him. Trying to bring him back to his glory days. But even when I seem to hit the ball with authority it goes to the warning track. Or these mammoth pop flies.

      Comment

      • YeOldTonk
        Pro
        • Aug 2011
        • 827

        #4
        Re: Tips on How to Hit

        Some great tips and advice right there. Thanks dvazquez190.
        Make #FranchiseNation great again!

        This thing called Twitter I do sometimes

        What's your thoughts? It's a game.

        Comment

        • Introvese
          Banned
          • Dec 2011
          • 168

          #5
          Re: Tips on How to Hit

          Just look for pitches in places u feel u are at ur best. Right now my weakness is the high fast ball. But just be patient. And Practice. Put Kershaw on Legend hit the cages. U will get better breh

          Comment

          • Bondsfan
            MVP
            • Jan 2003
            • 1275

            #6
            Re: Tips on How to Hit

            I hit on All Star. I think it gives a great variety of challenge but also decent results if you are patient and swing at good pitches.

            A few other points:
            1. If hitting is too hard on a level, consider lowering pitch speed instead of the difficulty level. I start on All Star and every year, there is an adjustment period where its too hard to hit because I haven't played in months. Lower the pitch speed a bit, even if you have to go all the way to zero. Then as hitting gets easier, keep bumping it up. This year I had to go to three until I adjusted, and now I'm back up to default. You'd be amazed what lowering the pitch speed does for your batting results.

            2. Don't use guess pitch. Ever. Just turn it off. Learn to recognize pitches without relying on it. Not only does it make the results worse 90% of the time, guess pitch will also make you reliant on it. Stop using it, and within a week you'll be hitting better.

            3. Use zone hitting without the strike zone or the PCI on. These graphics make it harder to track the pitch and location IMO. When its all off, its so much easier for me to guage balls and strikes coming out of the pitchers hand.

            4. Ahead in the count... sit on a pitch down the middle; if its not there, don't swing.

            5. 2 strikes; use contact swing. Contact swing isn't a bunt, you'll get extra base hits with it, and it'll allow you to foul off pitches that you'd otherwise swing and miss.

            Personally, I rarely move the (invisible for me) PCI. I'm sitting on pitches down the middle, then use contact swing to protect the edges when I have two strikes.

            Do all this and I promise you'll be a much much better hitter.

            Comment

            • JTommy67
              Pro
              • Jul 2012
              • 598

              #7
              Re: Tips on How to Hit

              You know, I may be only speaking to a very small demographic here (probably more experienced players who have tried the great tips listed above by others), but anyway:

              For those that are having a super hard time with off-speed pitches, consider raising the pitch speed instead of lowering it. I've found it's easier to look fastball and still adjust to changeups. After changing, it feels more like last year's hitting to me now, and I now have the pitch speed maxed.

              I occasionally get burned by hard stuff by I'm not whiffing on slow pitches near as much. As always, it's still important to visually pick up the ball right out of the pitcher's hand.

              Comment

              • JTommy67
                Pro
                • Jul 2012
                • 598

                #8
                Re: Tips on How to Hit

                Originally posted by Bondsfan
                5. 2 strikes; use contact swing. Contact swing isn't a bunt, you'll get extra base hits with it, and it'll allow you to foul off pitches that you'd otherwise swing and miss.
                This is a big one for me. Good use of contact swing with two strikes can often work you back into a 2-2 or 3-2 count, and draw you some walks. A few days ago, I even knocked a homer with a contact swing (Rizzo).

                Comment

                • DH523
                  Rookie
                  • Jul 2004
                  • 92

                  #9
                  Re: Tips on How to Hit

                  Some things I've noticed...

                  #1: 90% of the 'hammered' pitches for home runs tend to be fastballs over the middle or just slightly away from the hitter. Same goes for hanging breaking balls. Those are the pitches to try and target anytime in the count.

                  #2: Learn to read pitches and locations. Develop a feel and recognition of pitches that will be off the plate and don't swing at them (Note: As a result of tip 1, I do get fooled a ton on breaking balls that start at the belt then break low usually striking out b/c I'm in 2-2 or 3-2 counts). Along with this, keep track of locations that allow you to hammer pitches. Take strikes if the pitch is in a location that you absolutely know you can't do anything with. At worst, you drive up the pitch count and possibly get a better pitch to hammer.

                  #3: Know the talent you're hitting with. Trying to power swing expecting HRs from a 35 power guy won't amount to much if he has a 77 contact rating. I'd try a normal swing or contact swing with that type of hitter.

                  Comment

                  • mizzouj
                    Rookie
                    • Mar 2008
                    • 161

                    #10
                    Re: Tips on How to Hit

                    One thing that changed MLB The Show for me is a hitting restriction I put on myself.

                    To start off, I play all star zone hitting.

                    The rule is, as long as there are 0 strikes in the count, I only have the controller in my right hand. In other words, I can't move the PCI, which forces me to only swing at meat type pitches early in the count. So if the count is 0-0, 1-0, 2-0, or 3-0, I have to be very selective and only swing at stuff in the middle of the plate or I'll whiff or get myself out.

                    This has really helped me stay patient and get ahead in counts more often, as well as stop swinging at pitcher's pitches and getting myself out on the 1st or 2nd pitch of the AB. The only disadvantage of this is misidentifying a pitch then not being able to move the PCI to reach it and hitting a pop up or weak grounder. But overall, my hitting in The Show in general has improved significantly since I started doing this.

                    Comment

                    • piffbernd
                      Rookie
                      • Sep 2009
                      • 399

                      #11
                      Re: Tips on How to Hit

                      Camera is another thing, use one where u can see good low pitches. Pitch speed slider is important too. Adjust slider lower for many late swings, or work on your timing.

                      Comment

                      • HouseKeepinItReal
                        Banned
                        • Apr 2012
                        • 238

                        #12
                        Re: Tips on How to Hit

                        A good tip from the OP.

                        Stop taking the first pitch for the sake of taking the first pitch. This is the same for taking pitches and being patient. Do not be patient for the sake of being patient.

                        Learn to recognize a fastball right out of a pitchers hand.

                        Comment

                        • japinard
                          Rookie
                          • Jun 2009
                          • 191

                          #13
                          Re: Tips on How to Hit

                          Originally posted by piffbernd
                          Camera is another thing, use one where u can see good low pitches. Pitch speed slider is important too. Adjust slider lower for many late swings, or work on your timing.
                          What camera do you suggest?

                          Comment

                          • dvazquez190
                            Rookie
                            • Sep 2008
                            • 203

                            #14
                            Re: Tips on How to Hit

                            Originally posted by HouseKeepinItReal
                            A good tip from the OP.

                            Stop taking the first pitch for the sake of taking the first pitch. This is the same for taking pitches and being patient. Do not be patient for the sake of being patient.

                            Learn to recognize a fastball right out of a pitchers hand.
                            I feel too many people do this and hamper themselves. You can throw away an at bat just by being too patient. You should only take pitches that are out of the strike zone or pitches that you can't handle. You don't have to swing at every strike (Unless you have 2 strikes and are in protect mode). Some strikes are what I like to call pitchers strikes. Strikes that are in great locations that are meant to either look at or hit weakly. Learn to swing at the strikes that you can hammer.

                            Something I agree with in theory that another poster mentioned but not everything about it is learn who you're hitting with. That I completely agree with. If he is a speed guy use his speed to get on base. Don't try and hit the ball out of the ball park. What I disagree with is the power swing part. I use power swing with everyone. Depending on the count. Obviously more so with power hitters than with like he/she mentioned with 35 power guys. That doesn't mean you can't use power swing with weaker guys. If the count is in your favor, you're looking for a certain pitch, and you get that pitch don't be afraid to use the power swing. You are going to hit the ball with authority and if it finds a gap you can really do some damage. Not to say you can't do that with X but I find no matter who I use when I use [] on a pitch with good timing and I have the PCI in the right location I hit the ball much harder than I would with X. It all comes down to timing as well.

                            Glad to see others get involved with this and provide some more tips. I'm also glad to see people voicing the issues they are having.

                            Comment

                            • ThaShark28_316
                              Pro
                              • Apr 2008
                              • 692

                              #15
                              Re: Tips on How to Hit

                              I'm not the greatest hitter, but what seemed to help me a bit was the hitter's eye. Helps with release points and seeing what a pitch is coming out of pitcher's hand. Keep your eyes on that hand and what point it's coming out of that hurler's hand.
                              Astros
                              Texans
                              Rockets
                              Horns FBall
                              Horns BBall
                              Stars

                              Comment

                              Working...