How to not strike out (tips)?

[Gagnon39]

Can anyone help me out? In 30 AB's in my RTTS I have struck out 10 times. I reloaded a couple because I got so angry. It seems I fall behind every, single count and always have 2 strikes on me. I am terrible at hitting but refuse to play on anything above or below the All-Star setting because that is the "normal" setting. For those that have success, what do you do to be better hitters?

[HustlinOwl]

Re: How to not strike out (tips)?

I use HighHeat's House Rules

My House Rules for Batting:

Rule 1 - Must wait until the AI throws one strike in the count to swing, unless it is a 2-0 or 3-0 count. If an out is recorded on a swing during a 2-0 or 3-0 count, I lose the power swing on remaining 2-0 and 3-0 counts for that inning unless I draw a walk to regain it.

Rule 2 - Must use Power swing on all 2-0 and 3-0 counts (square button), must use contact swing on 1 and 2 strike counts (X button).

Rule 3 - Only allowed one batter in the 1st, 4th, and 7th inning to swing at the first pitch. (First Pitch Swinging) This allows me not to step to the plate every at bat and have to wait for a strike to be thrown. Rule resets at beginning of 10th inning and same player may not first pitch swing more than once per game. I may not use the same player more than once per game to first pitch swing.

Rule 4 - Only allowed one bunt attempt per inning, whether it is a sacrifice, bunt for hit, or squeeze attempt.

Rule 5 - When hitting in a National League Park, I may only pinch hit for the pitcher after 7 innings of game time and losing or any current Starting Pitcher house rules are met. Same rules apply for any relievers that enter the game.

[Gagnon39]

Re: How to not strike out (tips)?

Thanks. I actually already do most of these things, I just suck. All-time strike out record... here I come! Move over Reggie Jackson!

[baseball66]

Re: How to not strike out (tips)?

I use 1/4 guess pitch and always guess down in the zone, that way i can eliminate that part of the zone if i don't get an indicator that it's coming there. Low in the zone is my weak spot. If i get better i may stop. By the way 1/4 has the least amount of bonus for guessing right and the least amount of penalty for guessing wrong.

[Cras]

Re: How to not strike out (tips)?

Do not do not do not do not swing at the first pitch. Especially at the beginning of the game, unless it is right down the middle at right where you lined up the contact circle. First pitch swinging will kill any chance at running up the pitch count, you will always be in a hole, you will get nothing but junk pitches you cannot do anything with, and you will build up the opposing pitcher's confidence and then when that gets too high, he becomes unhittable.

[Gagnon39]

Re: How to not strike out (tips)?

I can't afford not to swing at the first pitch anymore. I've only got 3 chances each at-bat to not strike out. I checked my stats so far and right now I'm striking out right at 24% of the time. This is becoming such a frustration it is taking away they enjoyment of the game. I refuse to play on anything below All-Star.

[wahoo138]

Re: How to not strike out (tips)?

I can't afford not to swing at the first pitch anymore. I've only got 3 chances each at-bat to not strike out. I checked my stats so far and right now I'm striking out right at 24% of the time. This is becoming such a frustration it is taking away they enjoyment of the game. I refuse to play on anything below All-Star.

Well, it sounds like your pride is getting the better of you. You are not at an All-Star level as a hitter yet. You might want to reconsider a handful of games at a lower level until it clicks for you.

Are you focusing on the strikezone, or are you trying to pick up the ball out of the pitcher's hand? Most people keep their eyes on the strike zone area and then swing when they think it's going to be in that area. This is not a good approach. Focus on a spot right over the pitcher's throwing shoulder as he goes into his motion. You'll learn to pick up the ball right out of his hand and get a longer look. You should be able to do a better job deciding earlier in the process whether it's a pitch you should swing at or not.

[Gagnon39]

Re: How to not strike out (tips)?

I pick the pitch up out of the pitchers hand. And I've played on All-Star every year since 08 and I'll do it again this year. I'm not going to get worse at hitting. But it is costing me money. I think I need anger management classes because after my last RTTS at-bat (striking out for the 3rd time in the game) my controller met the floor at about 100 miles per hour.

[Cras]

Re: How to not strike out (tips)?

I pick the pitch up out of the pitchers hand. And I've played on All-Star every year since 08 and I'll do it again this year. I'm not going to get worse at hitting. But it is costing me money. I think I need anger management classes because after my last RTTS at-bat (striking out for the 3rd time in the game) my controller met the floor at about 100 miles per hour.

Been there done that.
Try using the Wide camera view. I find the low pitches the hardest to judge, and the wide camera view has more of an emphasis above the strike zone, so you can really tell if a ball is heading down under the zone.

And, using a favorite phrase of Hawk Harrelson, you have to be a 60 ft hitter. You have got to pick up the ball right when it comes out of the pitchers hand. Some times I am lazy and only pick up the ball maybe 40 feet before it crosses homeplate, and then I am royally screwed. Pick up the ball out of the pitcher's hand and you will be able to tell quickly if it is a breaking ball or not, then all you have to do then is judge location and speed. Easier said then done yes.
And working the count will also help you guess which pitch will be coming. Dont look or swing at a breaking ball on pitch one, and sit fastball on 2-0, 3-1, and dont even think about swinging 3-0. With 1 strike, still stay away from the low junk, even taking a strike if you have to. Only go into protect mode with two strikes where you still look for a pitch middle up, and be ready to quickly hack at a pitch low to survive.
And watch out for that damn slider running away, the pitch gets me every time.

[abcabc]

Re: How to not strike out (tips)?

I use 1/4 guess pitch and always guess down in the zone, that way i can eliminate that part of the zone if i don't get an indicator that it's coming there. Low in the zone is my weak spot. If i get better i may stop. By the way 1/4 has the least amount of bonus for guessing right and the least amount of penalty for guessing wrong.

that's interesting... can i ask, how long you've played w/ 1/4, and what team you use, and what's your team batting avg? i dont do any guess stuff, have it all turned off. i do okay, but just curious if it'd help me.

[budsticky]

Re: How to not strike out (tips)?

You also have to remember that you will have crappy ratings at the beginning of your career. A lot of pitches that you might normally foul off will be swings and misses until you build up your plate vision and contact ratings. I was worried too when I started my RTTS because I was striking out like crazy, but then I started playing some games in season mode, and with Major League hitters I wasn't striking out nearly as much. When I went back to RTTS I was whiffing a ton again..so that convinced me that the ratings really do make a big difference.

[Braves Fan]

Re: How to not strike out (tips)?

I use 1/4 guess pitch and always guess down in the zone, that way i can eliminate that part of the zone if i don't get an indicator that it's coming there. Low in the zone is my weak spot. If i get better i may stop. By the way 1/4 has the least amount of bonus for guessing right and the least amount of penalty for guessing wrong.

Wow, that really works, it almost feels like cheating though.

I've never used guess pitch, just tried it and it tells you exactly where the ball is going to wind up. So if it's in the dirt you know ahead of time. That's my weakness as well and where most of my strikeouts occur. I swing at a lot of stuff in the dirt.

Thanks for the tip.

[baseball66]

Re: How to not strike out (tips)?

Wow, that really works, it almost feels like cheating though.

I've never used guess pitch, just tried it and it tells you exactly where the ball is going to wind up. So if it's in the dirt you know ahead of time. That's my weakness as well and where most of my strikeouts occur. I swing at a lot of stuff in the dirt.

Thanks for the tip.

Lol, yeah i sometimes feel like it's cheating a bit but what the heck it's in the game! I find that when i do get a pitch that "locks on" it's not an automatic hit for me, far from it actually, i generally get so geared up that i'm always early. Helps me work the count as well by being able to lay off the low stuff. There is a penalty as well for any balls you swing at that aren't in that particular zone so it's not all a benefit to you.

[RogueHominid]

Re: How to not strike out (tips)?

Super helpful, Gagnon! I took High Heat's house rules, Psycho's sliders, and your advice and saw massive improvements--without any aids. Much appreciated.

[LowerWolf]

Re: How to not strike out (tips)?

I sucked up my pride and put the pitch speed slider at 0 (on All-Star). It's helped me be a lot more patient. Before, I was always gearing up for the inside fastball, which led to me swinging at junk. Drew five walks last night in a play-now game.