Left Stick/Right Stick - Hitting

[JustSomeGuy]

Wanted to get your thoughts on hitting.

I think I've got the right stick down as far as power/contact/defensive, but I have no clue how to use the left stick for directional hitting.

If I hold the left stick up for hitting it into the air, it usually results in a high fly out, or foul fly out to the catcher.

Is the best way to hit a home run some combo of Right Stick Power Swing while holding Left Stick up, or slightly pulling?

[Mike12000]

I'm wondering too. Last year it was definitely pushing the stick all the way to left/center/right top. This year I'm not so sure. Having a heck of a time hitting dingers. I've hit a lot of sky-high popouts. Wondering if swing timing is a bigger factor this year. Also wondering if it matters whether you "set" or "push" the left stick as well?

[Kernel Pie]

Most of the homers I've hit have been from holding the L stick for a pull and getting an inside or down the middle pitch. I have not hit a homerun to center field yet and have only hit a couple opposite field shots. You most definitely have to push the L stick towards the pitch location for optimal contact. The way I do it is to guess before the pitch is thrown--I just hold it where I think the pitcher's gonna go. I usually always hold it for a pull on a 0-0 count with power guys.

I haven't hit one yet from holding up, which is strange.

[mrclutch]

I would love to hear some kind of official answer on this. You would think someone would know.

[Blazzen]

I don't use the left stick to try to hit HR's. If you do a properly timed power swing, the homeruns will be there and you'll get some to center and the opposite field.

I use the left stick in a couple situations including:
- Hold it up to try to hit a fly ball to get a sacrifice fly with a runner on 3rd and less than 2 outs.
- Hit and run I will hold it to the side that I except to cover second base (opposite field)
- Runner on second and no outs I will try to hit a ball to the right side of the field to advance the runner to third by using the left stick.