Watching Pitches

[zkiesel]

Here's a few things I wanted to ask:

1. What batting view is best to see the ball? I don't know if it's the view or not, but I have a lot of trouble watching pitches and figured a better view might help.
2. What strategies do you guys use to watch more pitches? Do I just need to be more patient?
3. Finally, when do you guys pull back on the power swing? I seem to be doing it too late more times than not.

Thanks so much!

[stcardinal]

Quote: Originally Posted by zkiesel

Here's a few things I wanted to ask: 1. What batting view is best to see the ball? I don't know if it's the view or not, but I have a lot of trouble watching pitches and figured a better view might help. 2. What strategies do you guys use to watch more pitches? Do I just need to be more patient? 3. Finally, when do you guys pull back on the power swing? I seem to be doing it too late more times than not. Thanks so much!

I don't know the specific view I'm using, but I'm using 5 - 5 for the settings. It's basically what I call the MVP05 view since I'm use to that.

I think being patient is important. I usually take the first pitch unless it's a fastball that I see very well. Sometimes I'll even take pitch number two. If I'm down 0-2, I start to use the defensive swings to try to see and foul off more pitches.

I use the power swing whenever I am committed to whacking the ball. I basically go for broke, a hit or a strike out. This is usually after seeing 3-4 pitches.

Sometimes you have to ask yourself if you're walking enough. I walk a few times per game, if you're not walking at all then you're not being patient enough.

[1andonly]

Quote: Originally Posted by zkiesel

Here's a few things I wanted to ask: 1. What batting view is best to see the ball? I don't know if it's the view or not, but I have a lot of trouble watching pitches and figured a better view might help. 2. What strategies do you guys use to watch more pitches? Do I just need to be more patient? 3. Finally, when do you guys pull back on the power swing? I seem to be doing it too late more times than not. Thanks so much!

Well I play baseball in college currently, and I play MLB just like I really hit. I will usually take the first pitch. I look to avoid any breaking balls that are low, chances are that it's either going to be a ball or you will not make solid contact. I'm very patient and wait for my pitch, unless it's 0-2 I will try to avoid all breaking balls unless it's up in the zone, and I wait for a fastball/changeup to be thrown.

As far as determining what the pitch is? Heres some tips

1.) Sliders are easy to tell but sometimes it's easy to mix it up with a cutter. Lets say you got a right handed hitter up and your facing a RHP. You know his slider and cutter will break away from you. Those will be the only pitches that have a lot of lateral movement away from your bat. Unless the pitcher has both a slider and a cutter, you can see that pretty well. Do not swing at a slider low in the zone or away, if its breaking in high or they try to back door it and put it on the inside it loses some movement and flattens out.

2.) Curves are also easy to tell somewhat. There are 2 different kinds, a 12-6 curve, and a standard curve. A normal curve is just like a slider but it will have less lateral movement, more vertical movement, and will usually be slower. The harder curve to hit is the 12-6. If you see a pitch that is coming relatively slow, and has a lot of break, it's a 12-6 curve. 12-6 curve's are slow enough to see that it's coming in with a lot of break, thus, you being able to see it's a 12-6 curve. When the pitch is getting close to you is when you decide if it's a ball or strike. If you see it coming in high in the zone, then usually it will end up as a strike on the bottom or just below the K zone. If you see the curve is coming in down the middle avoid it at all costs. Only swing at a 12-6 if it's gonna be a close call and it's an 0-2 count, or you see it's gonna break into the top half of the zone. Any breaking ball in the top half of the zone will always flatten out and makes for an easy drive.

3.) Fastballs. A splitter is a mix between a fastball and a 12-6 curve somewhat. They are generally pretty fast and are classified as a fast ball. They have good vertical break late. If the pitcher has a splitter and you see a fastball coming in low, you will have to use your best judgement to if the ball is breaking and is a splitter, or just a low fastball. Sinkers don't really break. They are thrown on a rail. What that means is they leave the pitchers hand going in basically a straight diagonal line breaking down into the plate. Hitters will generally swing over the top of it because the angle it's coming in at, thus making a good ground ball pitch. The best way to nail a sinker is to get under it. If it's coming in low, getting under it could be really tough. But if that thing gets left in the top half, it's nothing more than a slow non moving fastball. Cutters and 2 seamer's are easy to tell. They will be the coming in at pretty good speed but you can tell by if it has slight break to the right or left. Cutters go from right-to-left when a RHP is throwing, and 2 seamer's go from left-to-right when a RHP is throwing.

Hope this somewhat helps.

[Sabo's corked Bat]

To add onto 1andonly's post, know your pitches and know how to hit them.

Sinkers, big breakers down in the zone, need to be swung on under. Holding down, ateast wit classic hitting works well for this. Be patient and eating the first pitch is also essential, unless you get a first pitch were you want it.

Also, some players are better at hitting certain pitches at certain times. To see your players abilities in this, buy your own teams scouting report. It will tell you what and when to swing, if you dont know your players that well. Also focus on your zone.

Dont swing at fastballs high in the zone early in the count. Watch the ball from the pitcher's hand right into your zone. Pick a zone and stick with it, even if it means watching three pitches go for a strike. If you go up 3-1, or 3-0 take those pitches, make the pitcher throw strikes, while you foul them off.

[zkiesel]

Thanks guys. I tried everything you suggested, got a walk (rare for me), and forced Tim Hudson out of the game in the 6th because of pitch count. I'll just try and work that walk count up and I should be good. Thanks again.

[cardswin2006]

Most of the time the CPU tries to hit the low and outside corner, so just wait for something inside or over the plate. You'll find if you look for a specific pitch that you will crush it more times than not. It's especially helpful early in the count. Once you get two strikes, you swing at anything close.

Me? I always look for a fastball middle in or up in the zone to jump on with the first pitch.

[kpkpkp]

I use "Batter3" and zoom ALL the way in to "10"

(Default is "batter2" zoom 5.)


I think it makes it MUCH easier to read pitches... try it for an at bat or 2 and tell me if you agree.

But really, the best answer is to try all 3 options and see what is best for you.

[Franchise408]

For myself, I just have to remind myself that its better to take a strike and get another pitch, than to end an inning grounding into a double play. I try to avoid anything low and outside.

If its high and in, im usually cranking that for a double, if not more.

I still get fooled by a lot of pitches tho. Its gonna happen.