Giving up on Manual/Assisted Fielding

[bfindeisen]

As a premise, let me just say that I absolutely love this game. My favorite baseball video game of all-time. While there may be many things to criticize, that is more because this game does so many things right that it is hard to understand how some of it's shortcomings made it through to the final product.

With that being said, I want to state that I am officially giving up on using the Manual/Assisted Fielding system in the game, and switching over to Auto-Fielding full-time. I understand that no one cares what decision I have made in order to better enjoy this game, but I was hoping to see if other have the same concerns about this as I do, and to see if I can spark some discussion on the issue.

My issue is this: I play for realism. I try to make the game play and look as if I were watching the game on TV. I use Wide View for hitting, and Broadcast view for everything else, with R-T w/ Replays with all zones, etc. turned off. It is fantastic. However, there are a couple issues with fielding. Far too often the CPU hits a dribbler down the 3rd or 1st baseline that goes under the fielder's glove for a dubious hit. This also happens occasionally in the holes between 3rd and short, 2nd and 1st. It is so unbelievably frustrating, mostly because it happens so often. I know others experience this, as I have seen many threads stating so. Way too often the fielder goes into the stupid animation where the ball goes right under/through the fielder's glove/legs. It happens an average of 3-4 times a game, no exaggeration. To combat this, I tried manually positioning the fielders, but again this is cumbersome and not always effective. I also want to state that it has nothing to do with the angle I take to the ball. I played a fair bit of competitive baseball in my life, and fully understand how to properly approach a ground ball, whether in real life or a video game. Another problem with fielding (mainly due to fielding with Broadcast View...) is that it is hard to react to hard hit balls correctly because of the short window of reaction time and also because you don't always know which fielder you will be controlling.

All in all, I have found that by switching to Auto-Fielding, the game plays so much better. The fielders move and behave realistically (for the most part), and the CPU makes some incredibly good-looking plays that I otherwise would not have been able to do manually. As an added bonus, I don't have to look at those arcade-style icons under the selected fielder. I am currently enjoying this form of fielding far better, and am not getting so frustrated by all the weak hits.

Does anyone else find this (using Auto Fielding) to be helpful, better, or disappointing? ...as oppose to Manual/Assisted?

[deucepoppi17]

I am actually trying out AUTO fielding tonite just out of certain frustration with some animations. I swear the players do it just to make sure the CPU scores once in a while. I could easily throw out some more runners at home if it wasn't for the OF slowing down and rounding the ball as I charge it.

[TomServo09]

It happens in RTTS too which is pretty disappointing. I've gone from playing every fielding opportunity to only some. And I may just change to none. In RTTS the CPU bunts for a base hit WAY too much and it is successful WAY to much. In one game 5 CPU players in a row bunted for a base hit and were successful.

[bfindeisen]

Quote: Originally Posted by TomServo09

It happens in RTTS too which is pretty disappointing. I've gone from playing every fielding opportunity to only some. And I may just change to none. In RTTS the CPU bunts for a base hit WAY too much and it is successful WAY to much. In one game 5 CPU players in a row bunted for a base hit and were successful.

Wow. That issue is still in the game?!? I remember complaining about this last year and starting a thread specifically dedicated to that. That is really disappointing to hear...

[RedsManRick]

I've had the same issue. The ball going right under the glove thing is nearly an epidemic. I think I have at least one a game with Scott Rolen. And what makes it worse is that I've tried to combat it by diving, by then the guy dives right over/past the ball. It's been quite frustrating.

[Dabeeds]

Fielding has been the weakest part of the show for years now, but i can't sit there and watch the computer field for me and just pitch & hit only.

[bfindeisen]

Quote: Originally Posted by Dabeeds

Fielding has been the weakest part of the show for years now, but i can't sit there and watch the computer play d for me and just pitch & hit only.

Dabeeds,

That is exactly what I thought initially, too, but you still get to make all the throws and decision-making, so it really isn't too bad IMO.

[Dabeeds]

Quote: Originally Posted by bfindeisen

Dabeeds, That is exactly what I thought initially, too, but you still get to make all the throws and decision-making, so it really isn't too bad IMO.

I hear ya.

I said it before and i'll say it again...

SCEA , please give us THE OPTION to play with a TRUE manual fielding system in the future.