How to pitch correctly?

[AndrewS2]

Mods - please move this to another forum if it doesn't belong here, but I had a question...

How can I pitch well. What I mean by this is, where should I pitch certains pitchers, how do I mix it up, and when are mound visits appropriate?

It seems the first time around Im not in any trouble, and the second time around runners start getting on base - and the third time around Im getting smoked. Now, this isnt in the 7th or 8th innings when Id normally bring in a reliever, its only like the 5th and I dont want to waste my bullpen.

Im sick of trying to get my offense to come all the way back from a 10-1 defecit because I can't pitch well after a few innings.

What should I do? What pitchers are good ones to start out with to learn the ropes?

I know this sounds weird - but John Lackey is "my best pitcher" - I have the least amount of trouble pitching with him.

Maybe sometimes I just become to reliant on 1 pitch? Can the Computers' AI figure out what Im going to throw?

How can I change this, and have my starter go maybe 6 or 7 innings and only allow say 3 runs.

Thanks everyone!!!

Andrew

[Stus1171]

The computer is quick to pick up when you do the same thing over and over. Make sure to mix it up and don't always use the same series of pitches. Also, don't throw in the strike zone always.

[turma]

What's your difficulty setting?

Try hitting the edge of the strike zone often. Use curveballs and other breaking balls to your advantage, for example a slider to cut towards the opposite end of the strike zone and outside it. Mix fast pitches with offspeed pitches, and avoid using a same series of pitches, mix it up depending on the hitters handeness.

[Kelvarr]

I have found there is no right or wrong answer for this.

Personally, I really try to not throw the same pitch more than twice in an AB unless I have to, or unless the hitter isn't even close to it.

First pitch generally varies, but is usually something on the low outside corner of the plate. For the second pitch, I will change both pitch speeds and location (both of these are key!) to one of the other corners, sometimes mid-outside. Rinse, wash, repeat until AB is over. Keep note of what the batters seem to be doing, as they do learn your pitching techniques (which is why changing pitch speed and location is important)

Changing both keeps the hitters off-balance. If I throw Curve, Slider, Change, I will usually strike him out with high-inside fastball (just out of the zone).

The other thing I would suggest trying is to not hit "Perfect" every pitch. If you get "Late" or "Early", then you get different movements on the pitch. For example, a 4-seam Fastball normally has no movement. If I place my cursor in the strike zone, near the high edge, and hit "Late" on the pitch meter, then the ball actually drifts up and out of the strike zone. This can be key, because the batter will swing due to the target being in the strike zone.

[jservice]

I pitch a lot like Kelvarr last post. Just to add something to that, try throwing pitches that start off of the strike zone and comes back in. With RH batters Screwballs & 2fb start outside and break back in. Curve, Slider & some cutters start on the inside and come back in. Works for me, but I also have umpire blown calls (ON) so I get strikes that are not in the zone.

Good Luck.

[AndrewS2]

I've got it the lowest level (easiest)

[pdub]

Remember to hold the pitch button, release for the desired effectiveness, and press the button again in the green. Make sure you vary with your pitch effectiveness, also. When you hold the pitch button, sometimes let the bar go all the way into the red of the pitch meter. Sometimes just on the border of the red, and sometimes less. Get to know your pitchers. Throw sinkers low just off the plate, or break em in. If you have a hard fastball thrower, start in the hitters cold zone, then try a changeup in the same place but out of the zone a bit. Don't just throw strikes, but don't make it obviouswhen you are throwing a ball.

[sdoyle7798]

Does anyone else do this,I do it with curves mainly - I'll not let the power meter go all the way to the red sometimes, like I am trying to "take a little bit off" off a pitch. Seems like the curves drop sooner. Just my two pennies.

[pdub]

Yeah, I do that. I also go full effectiveness with sinkers and miss the perfect zone (late) on purpose so the pitch will drop more, the same thing happens with curves for me. It getts lots of swinging strikes. For sliders, (righty vs righty) try just off the plate near the low-outside corner and release early, the pitch will be lower and a bit more to the right of your target. I get a good amount of looking strikes that way.

[turma]

There isn't always need to fill the whole pitch meter. Actually I use full effectiveness only about 1/8 pitches. Curveballs and fastballs especially don't need full effectiveness, and it doesn't tire out the pitcher that much.