HRs only the AI can hit...

[KAuss]

Well, I've only played about 160 games (2 away from playoffs) in 2004...

Now I've moved up to 2005 and sadly with all EA sports games, the AI just do things the human player cannot...

What I'm talking about is the HR hit off pitches that are impossible to even hit for singles...

Using the numpad as reference of the "hot / cold" zone, I've never been able to hit in the 2,3,6 boxes for pulled HRs as a righty...

Then 4,1,2 respectively for lefties...

The AI however can hit anywhere anytime for 450 plus ft homeruns PULLED... I've hit opposite field HRs in the top outside boxes and outside boxes with power hitters, but never can I pull a HR for 450 even with Pujos in the 2,3,6 boxes......

Then there are pitches like the sinker (complete garbage) that are out of the strike zone straight down (max analog stick movement) and are STILL hit for HRs...

Then there are tailing sliders away from batters out of the strike zone middle out and they STILL pull it for HRs...

Am I missing something or can human players hit these things for HRs or better yet pulled HRs?

I play on all-pro no sliders btw...

I also play a lot of 2 player games and we end up pitching outside a lot to prevent the long ball, since we're pretty good at spotting anything in the inside upper 4 boxes... Then we're usually playing a guessing game of whether we're going to see a outside pitch, or the sneak 95+ 4 seamer up and in...

This works well in human vs human games, but the AI's approach to hitting ruins the game even if I win...

[uspdude]

here's the thing, when the AI team really want to beat you, no matter where your pitcher throw, its hits after hits, HR after HR.

i remember last time, my pitcher throws a out of K-zone 98+ fastball and Larry Walker and Pujols still managed to smash the ball out of the ball park.

Try to mix it up your pitches, to avoid too much long ball. when vs. Lefty go for inside, and vs. Righty go for outside.

[AstroEric]

I can definitely pull homeruns in the "2" box by swinging really early and golfing them. The others are harder though.

I had a vicious pull homerun that was on the lower outside corner with Brandon Backe pitching a complete game in the 9th, when Cliff Floyd hit a 2 out walk off grand slam. 8O

--Eric

[PeoplesWar]

Your game is modded and edited poorly, that's all.

I use highly realistic sliders in addition to a datafile, play on All-Star, and the game very tough, very challenging. The A.I. hits homers on an average of one every two games, and when simulating a season, very few guys come close to 40. They also hit homers on good pitches, rarely on bad pitches.

[KAuss]

Your game is modded and edited poorly, that's all.

Hitting a sinker that is at maximum down on the left analog stick is anything but a player error...

I don't mind pitching 2 HRs and losing a game 2 - 1 to people like Pujos and Ortiz... But when your no name guy comes up to bat and pulls a 450 ft HR while the game is on the line hitting a pitch that is impossible to make contact with... That has nothing to do with sliders...

I know I've hit HRs in the 2 box, but never did I get to pull it because when you hold up, it tends to either hit a pop fly or a grounder since you're swinging up and the ball is low...

When I play 2 players, this game is heaven... I do still win most of the games since I practice the most, but damn there are games when we go deep into the 13th and beyond tied at 2 - 2 or something... 2 player EA games are always a billion times better than human vs. AI...

***rant off***

BTW, I get about 10 strike outs a game with a good pitcher also, so my pitching isn't poor at all =P

[pdub]

I've pulled outside pitches for homeruns, but only when I point the left analog towards the pitch and swing a little early. Trying to "pull" with the left analog on an outside pitch and your asking for a pop up. I feel you though, the AI hits crap you can't touch, but the other week I hit a high and inside "ball" for a homerun with my pitcher Jeff Weaver. The commentator said something like "that pitch would have been a ball, but its a good thing he swung at it."

[KAuss]

Well, inside pitches can be hit though, thats from many 2 player games...

I have tried to pull with using the "away" stick, but the window to pull a pitch is so rare even for a 4 seam thats so easy to time that I don't see how anyone human player can do it consistantly...

IRL however, you can pull outside pitches to day's end as long as you anticipate it... Just stretch out and swing...

This is why I rather this game's control provided you box location swing + timing to aim where to hit instead of the way it is now... We have the left analog to aim, and also timing determines the direction...

The good thing about 2005, is the amount of foul balls on wrongly guessed pitches... I finally get to have some wicked battles in 2 players and in single player from this batting combination of aim + timing...

However, the offensive small ball game suffers greatly from this...

I've tried to recreate this a few times playing the AI by pitching the same outside pitch all game to see if they pull it, but it's a lot harder to get them to do it in exhibition than dynasty or owner mode!!! I'm gonig to study the swing when I see it though, but the one time I did, they switched out the pitcher for a pinch hitter and took the replay option out...

It's a conspiracy!!!