MLB 15 The Show: Directional Hitting Impressions

[RaychelSnr]

This year there is a new hitting mechanic in MLB 15 The Show called Directional Hitting. The idea behind this system is rather simple. It's basically timing hitting with the ability to influence the directions of your hits by pushing the left stick in a certain direction.

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[Heroesandvillains]

Re: MLB 15 The Show: Directional Hitting Impressions

The way you describe it in the write-up implies that there's a timing element to Directional. If that's the case this is the first time I've heard that.

[Stormyhog]

Re: MLB 15 The Show: Directional Hitting Impressions

I tried t but I still prefer zone hitting as I like to aim for the ball with the left stick. It feels more natural & realistic for me. Not saying I hate directional it's just not for me. That's what I love about the show they give you lot's of options as everyone has different preferences.

[Ruffy]

Re: MLB 15 The Show: Directional Hitting Impressions

Well time to switch to zone....I thought i was doing what i always do try and aim for the ball with my left stick.

This explains a bunch of opposite field shots I have hit.

[juegochamp]

Re: MLB 15 The Show: Directional Hitting Impressions

Here is my question: Are you directing the ball as you hit it? Or "guessing" the left or right before the pitch, which will influence the ball. MVP you used to hold the left stick in the direction as you were hitting to influence it. This appears as if you "guess" before the pitch. Am I wrong?

[Russell_SCEA]

Re: MLB 15 The Show: Directional Hitting Impressions

The way you describe it in the write-up implies that there's a timing element to Directional. If that's the case this is the first time I've heard that.

Of course there's a timing element, it's not an arcade element where you hold up and your guaranteed a fly ball.

[cactusruss]

Re: MLB 15 The Show: Directional Hitting Impressions

Here is my question: Are you directing the ball as you hit it? Or "guessing" the left or right before the pitch, which will influence the ball. MVP you used to hold the left stick in the direction as you were hitting to influence it. This appears as if you "guess" before the pitch. Am I wrong?

It's like hitting in MVP... you move the stick as you're hitting. And just because the ball is on the outer half of the plate (as a right handed hitter) and you push the stick to the right, that doesn't mean the ball is absolutely going to go to the right, it all depends on timing too. Same with moving the stick up, down and to the corners.

It feels a lot like I remember hitting in MVP... and that's a good thing.

Actually, having just read the review, it seems like the reviewer is doing it different... hold the stick up (or wherever) before the ball is even thrown. I suppose you can do it like that, if you really need a fly ball or something, but if the pitch is down and away, hold up is going to make getting good contact a lot harder.

[RogueHominid]

Re: MLB 15 The Show: Directional Hitting Impressions

I like the camera shift, but I want to make sure I'm properly understanding how this works in the game.

I thought that if I was looking for an inside FB, I'd push the R-stick left for a RHB, and would thus have a better chance of pulling a ball in that location. Is that how it works?

Or is it like if I want to hit a fly I hold up on the R-stick?

So, is it where you think the pitch is coming that's at issue, or is it the kind of hit you want to make that's at issue?

[juegochamp]

Re: MLB 15 The Show: Directional Hitting Impressions

My biggest issue was how the plate coverage indicator was often really off in timing. Is the plate coverage indicator still a thing using directional hitting? I can't tell because you do not see it after your swing anymore. I am still trying to figure out if zone or directional is the right choice for me. I like timing, but hated how the PCI was off. I need a better understanding of what is actually happening in directional hitting please!

[juegochamp]

Re: MLB 15 The Show: Directional Hitting Impressions

It's like hitting in MVP... you move the stick as you're hitting. And just because the ball is on the outer half of the plate (as a right handed hitter) and you push the stick to the right, that doesn't mean the ball is absolutely going to go to the right, it all depends on timing too. Same with moving the stick up, down and to the corners.

It feels a lot like I remember hitting in MVP... and that's a good thing.

Actually, having just read the review, it seems like the reviewer is doing it different... hold the stick up (or wherever) before the ball is even thrown. I suppose you can do it like that, if you really need a fly ball or something, but if the pitch is down and away, hold up is going to make getting good contact a lot harder.

Thanks! But I still feel like you are basically just guessing where the ball is going to be. I feel like I will be heavily penalized for pulling the ball on an outside pitch. Which is probably realistic (to an extent.) But I still feel like its more of a guessing the location of the ball mode rather than directing the ball.

[cactusruss]

Re: MLB 15 The Show: Directional Hitting Impressions

My biggest issue was how the plate coverage indicator was often really off in timing. Is the plate coverage indicator still a thing using directional hitting? I can't tell because you do not see it after your swing anymore. I am still trying to figure out if zone or directional is the right choice for me. I like timing, but hated how the PCI was off. I need a better understanding of what is actually happening in directional hitting please!

Push the stick to where the ball is going to be. So if the pitch is a low and on the outside corner, push down and right (if using a right handed batter) and drive the ball to the opposite field. You could push up and to the left, and still possibly make contact, but just like in real life, trying to pull a ball in the air on a pitch that's down and away isn't going to yield good results very often.

[cactusruss]

Re: MLB 15 The Show: Directional Hitting Impressions

Thanks! But I still feel like you are basically just guessing where the ball is going to be. I feel like I will be heavily penalized for pulling the ball on an outside pitch. Which is probably realistic (to an extent.) But I still feel like its more of a guessing the location of the ball mode rather than directing the ball.

You don't guess anything, just push the stick to where the pitch is going. You can push the stick in a certain direction before the pitch, but unless you get the perfect pitch for where you're guessing, you're gonna have a bad time.

Sometimes on 2-0 or 3-1 counts with power hitters I will hole the stick up and to the left (for RH hitter) and look for a pitch up in the zone to try to hit a HR, but if the pitch isn't up, I don't swing. That's kinda like how it's done in real life for a power hitter... look for that grooved pitch on a good count and knock it out of the park.

[cactusruss]

Re: MLB 15 The Show: Directional Hitting Impressions

Or you can just not touch the stick at all and it's just like timing hitting was last year.

[juegochamp]

Re: MLB 15 The Show: Directional Hitting Impressions

Or you can just not touch the stick at all and it's just like timing hitting was last year.

Great. So I basically I can guess the influence before the pitch, or just wait until the actual pitch is thrown to influence it? That is awesome. I couldn't tell if you had to influence it before the pitch or not.

[Heroesandvillains]

Re: MLB 15 The Show: Directional Hitting Impressions

Of course there's a timing element, it's not an arcade element where you hold up and your guaranteed a fly ball.

No Ramone, that's obviously not what I meant.

In the article, he mentions trying to time his directioning in accordance to his swing instead of just pressing a direction at any given time during the at-bat.