Pitch Count

[arizona_icedT]

Recently I seem to be having a problem with raising the opposing teams pitch count. I am swinging too often and early in counts, resulting in more strikeouts, less walks, and opposing pitchers lasting way too long.

So what does everybody here recommend or do to see more pitches and raise the pitch count?

[fins2010]

Stop swinging so much

[nickmyster16]

I struggle at this too and get over anxious some..
but heres what i like to do if i catch myself doing that.

One thing thats helpful is to watch for the box to light up saying the pitch and the general area where it is. If that happens read the pitch. Anything off speed unless there are 2 strikes i lay off of. I look to see where its going.. anything less than 2 strikes I lay off if its clearly off the plate or gonna be close. Look for fastballs down teh heart and clobber em.

Be patient and wait for your pitch, thats the best advice. Don't just swing at everything but wait for the pitcher to mess up. Watch for the box to light up and lay off offspeed stuff if you don't have 2 strikes.

Thats just me tho and i'm not that good at this either

[mike22]

Quote: Originally Posted by fins2010

Stop swinging so much

It's hard when the check swing is a complete fail with classic controls. It's the most unnatural thing - hit the button to swing, then hit again to check the swing ? who can really do that ? seriously, does anyone actually check their swings frequently while using classic controls ?

[cubsfan203]

I had this problem when I first started playing as well. What I started doing was taking the first two pitches of every at bat. I wouldn't even put my thumb on the right stick so I wouldn't be tempted to swing.

I've gotten better at reading pitches since then so I've modified it a little bit. Now I usually always take the first pitch, but if the first pitch is a strike I'll swing at the 2nd pitch if it's one I can hit and know it is in the zone. If the first pitch is a ball, I'll usually take the 2nd. If the count is 2-0, I'll probably watch the next one as well.

[RogueHominid]

I have had this problem intermittently as well, and it's cost me games by simply throwing away good at-bats.

Now I will take the first two, just like cubsfan stated. You will find yourself in some 0-2 counts for sure, but you'll be surprised at how many 2-0 counts you get.

To make the CPU throw even more pitches, I will often hold off on a 2-0 count until it's 3-1, and I will hold off on a 1-1 unless the pitch looks hittable. There's no need to chase a borderline strike in that instance since you won't hit it hard anyway.

What's weird is that the more you force yourself to do this, the better you will be able to see mistake pitches and break your self-imposed take rules to hammer them.

The only thing you have to watch out for is that the CPU will sometimes come straight out of the gate throwing all strikes. If you see this in your first couple of batters, you're just gonna have to swing. It will also adjust its tendencies mid game every so often and start coming right after you. I just make sure that I note if it's two batters in a row like that I'm going to get aggressive for a few at-bats.

[peigone]

Quote: Originally Posted by arizona_icedT

I am swinging too often and early in counts, resulting in more strikeouts, less walks, and opposing pitchers lasting way too long. So what does everybody here recommend or do to see more pitches and raise the pitch count?

I recommend you re-read your first sentence above. You yourself typed the answer already.

[arizona_icedT]

Quote: Originally Posted by peigone

I recommend you re-read your first sentence above. You yourself typed the answer already.

I'm just looking for advice from other people..I realize what I am doing wrong. Im just trying to see what others do to prevent them from making that mistake. If I didn't know what I was doing wrong I wouldn't have asked for advice.