help scoring runs

[sdmvp]

Short Version: Anyone know of any advanced hitting guides for MVP 2005?

I'll add a long version to vent and maybe it could help others.

Long Version:

I played MVP 2005 for a few months (i don't play too often) without being able to hit a HR for sh*t or score more than once.

Then I discovered Hitter's Eye. Yes I just never looked at the reviews and stuff and figured it is the same thing as 2004. Also, my pitching was great from day one, barely allowing one point for the other team, so I just figured hitting was harder in 2005 and I had to get used to it. Anyways the HRs started to come when I figured out Hitter's Eye.

Now I realized that was not the real issue. It's all about timing! Isn't it? I average over 10 hits a game now and about one or two homeruns. And I can't score more then 3 or 4 runs a game. I play on PRO setting. How bad am I in this game? I play with the Cardinals and I know my team now, atleast I think I do.

My general strategy is to hit to the opposite field with most guys and go for homers with Pujols, Rolen and Edmonds when appropriate.

I've also had a huge change in my swing. I used to be a jumpy batter and swing at almost anythign that looked semi-good. That gave me a lot of popups and 3 pitch innings. Now I'm relaxed, I wait for the pitch I want and in the part of the plate I want it in. Sometimes a good pitch happens on the first pitch of the at bat and I let it go. Because I want to work the pitcher and often it's hard to tell if it's a good enough pitch. I figure I got two more strikes and I'll make something happen. So as you can see I've changed drastically.

I think I understand most of the basics. If I want a homer, I wait for a fastball up and in. To hit it the other way, I wait for an outside pitch center or high.

Ok, so here is my problem. I only play against the cardinals or the yankees. I always play with the cardinals. So I play the cardinals versus the cardinals. This is just an example, but let's say I know Edmonds has a cold zone on the lower inside corner. So I pitch him in that zone. I will strike him out 75% of the time, yet the other 25% of the time he will usually get a hit and I've even seen him get homers. I do mix the pitches from mostly the low outside corner to the low inside corner and coldzones.

This happens to a lot of guys I go up against. They will just hammer it when I know they shouldn't. Mind you that I pitch mostly breaking balls and off speed. So I tell myself, thats okay, it's all in the odds, they are bound to that.

But then when I go up to bat as Edmonds if I try to homer or hit something in my cold zone I will never hit a homer there. Furthermore, often when I get a high inside fastball and I perfectly time it with Pujols, I'll hit a home run maybe 20% of the time?? So how does the CPU beat the odds, while I get shafted by them. My only conclusion is that it's all in the timing of the swing. It doesn't matter if it's in a cold zone, if I time it should be possible to belt it. I think my timing is pretty good, but it obviously be low average.

So should I start trying to homer things that are low and outside? In any case I'd like to know how I can improve and score more runs. How can I improve my timing? Because it seems the CPU will average above 3 runs and I'll end up loosign most of the time.

[medric822]

with gamepad, aim the stick upwards. With keyboard, press the arrows upwards.

To hit the other way, aim to the other way, and hit the pitch a split second later.

Always wait a split second with a bunt, and aim downwards.

NEVER TRY TO HOMER LOW AND OUTSIDE!

If anything, hit it the opposite way. If you have a righty batter, and a guy on first, dont hit it at all! Lefty batters you have omewhat a chance, but its still risky

Like I said, just wait a split second later to hit the other way. Works 99% of the time. The other one percent with me was a homer pulled to the same side as the batter, a 450+ shot.

[sdmvp]

didn't know the split second thing.

So it is true, it's all about timing. I thought it was about pressing to the side and waiting for an outside pitch if I wanted to hit it the other way. That explains why sometimes the ball goes the oposite way of where I want it to go.

So I can hit an inside pitch the other way by just swinging late? I know its possible, but is this a good strategy?

So If I want to hit a homer as long as its not low and my timing is perfect and I got a slugger, I should get a homer 99% of the time regarless of the pitch?

Now how do I train my brain to swing a split second late... Thanks for the info.

[medric822]

Last season, my Yankees had 113 wins, and won the series in 4 games.

This season, 2006, they are 57-12.

that, and good pitching tactics, and your set.

Key to good pitching-

1) Mix up your pitches, but nver start a batter off with a change. 9-10 its outta the state.

2) Turn off the hot/cold zones, and pitch where you think you'd have a weak spot with that batting stance.

3) With cutters, to a opposite batter, go up/in for strike 3, and a little high/outside for same batter, ex. Pedro Martinez would throw up/in cut to giambi, and outside for Jeter.

4) throw 12-6 curves on upper corners for strikes 2 and/or 3

5) Dont be afraid to throw a little inside, to get the batter to dive. Then throw another tight one, but in the zone.

6) Never throw back to back pitches, or two in the same spot, atleast not in two consecutive at-bats

7) throw sliders inside to opposide side batters, like LHP throw inside slider to Righty batter. Theor these mid high, and inside. Great for strikes 2-3

Look at their line-up before the game, and note how many batters are switch, or bat the other side. If more than 5, change your pitcher to get better odds.

9) Have someone with an unusual delivery, and 3+ pitches for sut-ups/ closers.

10) Different speed pitches means more K's

Those are the Ten Commandments of Pitching!

[medric822]

PS, the smiley face is supposto be..

8)

[sdmvp]

Last season, my Yankees had 113 wins, and won the series in 4 games.

This season, 2006, they are 57-12.

that, and good pitching tactics, and your set.

Key to good pitching-

1) Mix up your pitches, but nver start a batter off with a change. 9-10 its outta the state.

2) Turn off the hot/cold zones, and pitch where you think you'd have a weak spot with that batting stance.

3) With cutters, to a opposite batter, go up/in for strike 3, and a little high/outside for same batter, ex. Pedro Martinez would throw up/in cut to giambi, and outside for Jeter.

4) throw 12-6 curves on upper corners for strikes 2 and/or 3

5) Dont be afraid to throw a little inside, to get the batter to dive. Then throw another tight one, but in the zone.

6) Never throw back to back pitches, or two in the same spot, atleast not in two consecutive at-bats

7) throw sliders inside to opposide side batters, like LHP throw inside slider to Righty batter. Theor these mid high, and inside. Great for strikes 2-3

Look at their line-up before the game, and note how many batters are switch, or bat the other side. If more than 5, change your pitcher to get better odds.

9) Have someone with an unusual delivery, and 3+ pitches for sut-ups/ closers.

10) Different speed pitches means more K's

Those are the Ten Commandments of Pitching!

I've broken rule number one. I always start with a change up. Batters don't swing at it 9 out of 10 times and the time they do swing they miss. I like to start with what I feel is a pitchers worst pitch which is a changeup for the pitcher I use.

Also, I don't think I've ever hit a homer from a changeup, ends up a pop fly when I try.

[medric822]

well, when they throw a change, you have to use the split second rule, but make it a full second role, possibly seconds.

[sdmvp]

well, when they throw a change, you have to use the split second rule, but make it a full second role, possibly seconds.

yeah, this is another sign that my timing is off. I haven't been able to hit a homer on a changeup.

I just tried playing dynasty mode so I decided to play against a team other than the cardinals and Yankees. I played the astros and I scored 6 runs. I don't think I was playing that well so I'm guessing the astros are a lot easier than what I am used to.

I keep working on my timing to hit the other way, it works okay, allowing 6 or 7 hits that way a game. Should I expect more? Often when I hit the other way its a grounder to first or to the second baseman.

[medric822]

well, you kinda have to aim upwards, and the other way at the same time.

[JP_Frost]

like you said yourself it's all about timing.

What I'm doing now is not preloading my swing - aim a certain direction before a pitch is thrown - cuz I find that I get too anxious and don't recognize the pitch. So, right now I'm just keeping the left analog stick in the middle and go with the pitch that's thrown at me; if it's outside go the opposite, if it's inside pull the ball.

This way you won't get fooled as often, but you really have to focus and recognize what the pitcher is throwing at you.

one more thing: be patient! don't swing at junk and keep in mind which way the breaking balls break ( a curveball that starts out low will break even lower )

[krawhitham]

Short Version: See ball, hit ball

sorry I had to

[medric822]

thanks tin-man! No, I cant call you that, thats my nickname on the baseball team! I'm called the Tin-Man!

Pritty cool name, huh?