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[ksig24]

Ok so I have used just about everyones sliders and have yet found a challenge. I honestly have always been using guess pitch. I curtailed that once I read Carew's post in response to someones reply and he stated that he never uses guess pitch. The key to a real challenge in this game is NEVER use guess pitch. I played college ball from 98-00 at UNC and pro ball from 00-04 and now I am a scout and playing this game with guess pitch off took me back to real baseball. I absolutely love it and now want to press my luck in a full season as it now has my attention. I have always used the guess pitch feature and never really saw an abundance of hit variety, but the first game I played with no guess pitch I am proud to say that I saw different things in this game. I played as the Rangers against Gil Meche and the Royals. Meche struck me out ten times while allowing nine hits in route to a complete game shutout. I started Matt Harrison and k'd four while allowing seven hits and one run through six and two thirds. The best part of this experience was that I really had to train my eye and change my mindset as to what pitches to look for in what counts and situations. I also hit a couple doubles that were not gappers, they were ripped down the line and rolled into fould territory. With one on and two outs in the ninth, Vazquez ripped a deep flyball that DeJesus brought back into the yard to end the game. Another thing was that the superstars were not the sluggers in the game. I hope this helps anyone who is looking for the challenge.

[gminnick9]

what sliders did you decide upon? I have never used guess pitch, thought the bonus was too much. Instead of guess pitch, I will use the power swing if I am up in the count and I get the pitch I was looking for.

[Rod_Carew29]

you're right on point...if one REALLY thinks about how baseball should be played...as a batter...you're either going to GUESS, LOOK FOR or just REACT to the pitch coming your way....

Bottom line, it's all guessing in varying degrees...

We don't need any color coding (like MVP 2005), and we dont need to 'know' what's coming with 100% accuracy.

Tonight against Jamie Moyer at Shea, for about 2+ innings, I was looking predictably off balance...lol

Then with two out in the bottom of the 3rd, Ramon Castro REACTED (of course it was me) to a slider that I CAUGHT on it's downbreak and hit it out over the right field wall. THAT'S how I like to play. I wasn't looking for any particular pitch, but I knew that most of his pitches are in the low 70's-83 mph variety...so they're all coming in realtively slow. But once I saw that 'hump' on the slider, that split second I needed to identify it, was enough to park it over the right field wall.

Quote: Originally Posted by ksig24

Ok so I have used just about everyones sliders and have yet found a challenge. I honestly have always been using guess pitch. I curtailed that once I read Carew's post in response to someones reply and he stated that he never uses guess pitch. The key to a real challenge in this game is NEVER use guess pitch. I played college ball from 98-00 at UNC and pro ball from 00-04 and now I am a scout and playing this game with guess pitch off took me back to real baseball. I absolutely love it and now want to press my luck in a full season as it now has my attention. I have always used the guess pitch feature and never really saw an abundance of hit variety, but the first game I played with no guess pitch I am proud to say that I saw different things in this game. I played as the Rangers against Gil Meche and the Royals. Meche struck me out ten times while allowing nine hits in route to a complete game shutout. I started Matt Harrison and k'd four while allowing seven hits and one run through six and two thirds. The best part of this experience was that I really had to train my eye and change my mindset as to what pitches to look for in what counts and situations. I also hit a couple doubles that were not gappers, they were ripped down the line and rolled into fould territory. With one on and two outs in the ninth, Vazquez ripped a deep flyball that DeJesus brought back into the yard to end the game. Another thing was that the superstars were not the sluggers in the game. I hope this helps anyone who is looking for the challenge.

[wookie48]

If you want a further chanllenge and authenticity, try swing where the pitch is. I have had awesome hit variety using carews sliders guess pitch off, but I swing with the pitch. If its down and in, thats where is aim my bat to make solid caontact. Some folks here are under the impression all you have to do is just press X or Square. In reality to get the full effect of a baseball sim, swing with the pitch.

[ckarlic]

Quote: Originally Posted by wookie48

If you want a further chanllenge and authenticity, try swing where the pitch is. I have had awesome hit variety using carews sliders guess pitch off, but I swing with the pitch. If its down and in, thats where is aim my bat to make solid caontact. Some folks here are under the impression all you have to do is just press X or Square. In reality to get the full effect of a baseball sim, swing with the pitch.

I agree with you here....since day 1 i always use the Left Stick to swing where the ball is.

[Rod_Carew29]

you're right but....

I havent had the need to use the swing stick....and honestly, I RARELY will use the right thumb controller to 'aim' a hit...that usually comes with me by swinging to quick (pull) or being a fraction too late (opposite field).

Quote: Originally Posted by wookie48

If you want a further chanllenge and authenticity, try swing where the pitch is. I have had awesome hit variety using carews sliders guess pitch off, but I swing with the pitch. If its down and in, thats where is aim my bat to make solid caontact. Some folks here are under the impression all you have to do is just press X or Square. In reality to get the full effect of a baseball sim, swing with the pitch.

[wookie48]

I turn off the hot influence as to I think it should be purely rating based on how someone hits. But the left analog is a must. I think its a form of cheating by just pressing X. Thats just me though. I am a sim baller to the fullest.

[ksig24]

Good turn out on this topic fellas. I never have hot zones or strike zone on. I have always used the left stick to influence the hit hence down and in. I am using Carew's sliders and Im looking for some small tweaks to fix it up just a tad. I played as the Padres the other day against the A's and scored 8 runs in four innings with the new mindset.

[bsb13]

I believe hot and cold zones still play a role wither you have them on or off. Having it set to "On" will just enable it visually, but they still will have an effect even with it set to "Off".

[Rod_Carew29]

I feel that the hot and cold zones do work....at least when you leave them on....

for example, can't tell ya'll how many times I've battled a batter...having him at 0-2...and then for maybe the next 5 or 6 pitches, he's fouling them off. Then I'll take a quick look at his blue area...then cross my fingers that my pitcher doesn't miss...and throw the right pitch at the right time in the blue area...and get the batter to strikeout or just make a damn out...lol

Quote: Originally Posted by bsb13

I believe hot and cold zones still play a role wither you have them on or off. Having it set to "On" will just enable it visually, but they still will have an effect even with it set to "Off".