CPU Baserunning

[BBallBryan23]

Other than each player’s individual attributes, is there a way to boost the baserunning decisions by the CPU? Biggest and most frustrating example I’ve seen is this. CPU runner (with decent speed) on 2nd. Hitter launches a fly ball to deep right-center. My OF makes a tough catch, but the runner doesn’t even tag up to advance! In a normal game, the runner could crawl to 3rd before the ball makes it back to the infield.

Another example is when there is a runner on 2nd or 3rd with less than two outs, and the CPU hitter hits a ground ball to the right side of the infield. My 2B makes a tough play for the put out at 1st, yet the RISP doesn’t even ATTEMPT to advance... even in a situation like this where it would be impossible for my 2nd baseman to make a throw to 3rd or home.

The only baserunning sliders left in the game are “baserunner speed” or “steal ability”. There’s no baserunning aggressiveness slider, so I’m at a loss. The CPU’s horrible baserunning decisions makes it less fun (not to mention less realistic) to play. After about 20 games into my franchise, I feel like these poor baserunning decisions cost the CPU about 2 runs per game. So it cheapens the wins that I actually do achieve, ya know?

Anyone else seeing problems like this? If so, any ideas on how to fix these issues?

[canes21]

This may be a result of how you have your baserunner speed sliders set combined with any fielder throwing strength sliders. I've seen a couple instances of this, but generally can see the logic behind it, especially not tagging to go to 3rd when the 2nd out was made, but overall with the way my sliders are tuned I don't see as many boneheaded baserunning decisions as I saw on sliders near default.

[DJ]

Something else I see that I'm surprised doesn't get talked about more is the CPU tries way too often to stretch singles into doubles, when they have no business doing so. It's like if you hesitate for a nano-second to throw the ball in from the OF, the CPU baserunner takes off for 2B, usually resulting in him getting thrown out by a good 5-6 steps.

[BBallBryan23]

Quote: Originally Posted by canes21

This may be a result of how you have your baserunner speed sliders set combined with any fielder throwing strength sliders. I've seen a couple instances of this, but generally can see the logic behind it, especially not tagging to go to 3rd when the 2nd out was made, but overall with the way my sliders are tuned I don't see as many boneheaded baserunning decisions as I saw on sliders near default.

Ah, that makes sense. What do you have your baserunner speed and fielder throwing strength set at?

I definitely see what you’re saying, but I all three bad baserunning instances that happened in my most recent game happened when there was either one or zero outs.

[canes21]

Quote: Originally Posted by BBallBryan23

Ah, that makes sense. What do you have your baserunner speed and fielder throwing strength set at? I definitely see what you’re saying, but I all three bad baserunning instances that happened in my most recent game happened when there was either one or zero outs.

I have both fielder speed and reaction at 1.

Infield arm strength is at 3.

Outfield strength is at 4.

Baserunner speed is at 3.

[BBallBryan23]

Quote: Originally Posted by DJ

Something else I see that I'm surprised doesn't get talked about more is the CPU tries way too often to stretch singles into doubles, when they have no business doing so. It's like if you hesitate for a nano-second to throw the ball in from the OF, the CPU baserunner takes off for 2B, usually resulting in him getting thrown out by a good 5-6 steps.

Oh yeah. I’ve definitely seen this too! But this is the only instance of where the CPU is OVERLY-aggressive on the base paths.

[BBallBryan23]

Quote: Originally Posted by canes21

I have both fielder speed and reaction at 1. Infield arm strength is at 3. Outfield strength is at 4. Baserunner speed is at 3.

Sweet, thanks! And you feel like with these sliders, you’re seeing more realistic baserunning decisions by the CPU?

[canes21]

Quote: Originally Posted by BBallBryan23

Sweet, thanks! And you feel like with these sliders, you’re seeing more realistic baserunning decisions by the CPU?

Yes. I still see the occasional guy not tag and go to third, but most often it makes sense to me, e.g. shallow ball or with 2 outs. I pretty much never see the CPU try and take an extra base that they have no shot at anymore. I know on default settings you'd see guys blow past the 3B coach and get thrown out at home by a mile or they'd try and stretch a blooper into a double and not even get close. I don't see that happening anymore.