A few questions

[GoodShark]

I'm new to the forum, and relatively new to MLB The Show. I played '10 sparingly, but now I'm going to do a full season with '12. However, I've been getting annoyed with a few things. (And before anyone yells at me about reading the manual, I don't have one, I got it used without the manual)

I've managed to fix my sliders so that the my hitting ability is more realistic(I suck at hitting) and my pitching seems to be fine, although sometimes my pitchers get erratic, but thats common in real life, so no biggy.

My main gripe is about base running. I've made a created character for my team, who is a big time threat on the base path, but I can't seem to steal any bases. I constantly get picked off, even though I moved the pick off slider all the way down. I don't even know how to slide back and beat the throw. I get picked off almost every time, which is not realistic at all. So any tips on how to steal bases would be great. Because the CPU manages to steal on me ALL the time.

On that note, how do I pick someone off? I tried while playing a friend, thinking that L1 + PO that was showing, meant pick off, but it meant pitch out.

I have another question about some of the presentation aspects. First off, when pitching, my breaking balls show arrows of where they're going, but sometimes it goes from two arrows, to three arrows. Why?

Also, the icon that I believe I see when an outfielder is catching a ball and a runner is tagging up. A big blue and green line close to the catching icon, what am I supposed to do with that? Stand behind it? On it? Move into it as the ball is coming down?

Another weird one is on my schedule in franchise. There is a small icon on one of the dates, its a little yellow cross, just curious as to what it is.

As far as editing players. I play as the Jays, and I can edit the players fine, I just did a few tweaks based on how they're actually doing this year, but is there any way to change their hot and cold zones? Brett Lawrie, who is a beast, has a cold zone EVERYWHERE, which doesn't make sense. He's still batting well for me, just curious if there is a way to change that.

Thanks in advanced.

[Bobhead]

Quote: Originally Posted by GoodShark

I'm new to the forum, and relatively new to MLB The Show. I played '10 sparingly, but now I'm going to do a full season with '12. However, I've been getting annoyed with a few things. (And before anyone yells at me about reading the manual, I don't have one, I got it used without the manual) I've managed to fix my sliders so that the my hitting ability is more realistic(I suck at hitting) and my pitching seems to be fine, although sometimes my pitchers get erratic, but thats common in real life, so no biggy. My main gripe is about base running. I've made a created character for my team, who is a big time threat on the base path, but I can't seem to steal any bases. I constantly get picked off, even though I moved the pick off slider all the way down. I don't even know how to slide back and beat the throw. I get picked off almost every time, which is not realistic at all. So any tips on how to steal bases would be great. Because the CPU manages to steal on me ALL the time.

First off, make sure your created player has a high baserunning ability. Speed is not enough, baserunning ability will help him read the pitcher's movements and avoid being picked off. I'm assuming you are talking about regular play here, not Road to the Show mode?

Second, the pickoff slider doesn't affect how successful pickoffs are, only how frequently they are thrown. If you want to make pickoffs less effective, decrease the baserunning ability slider (the slider works backwards from its description, don't ask lol).

And third, make sure you aren't going overboard with your leads. For every step you take with L1 during the game, you are more likely to get picked off. I've stolen bases without taking a lead at all, and there is really no reason you'd ever need to press the button more than once.

The game already gives you an average lead by default, so when I say "without a lead," it's not like you are just standing on the base and stealing. You already have a lead.

Quote:

On that note, how do I pick someone off? I tried while playing a friend, thinking that L1 + PO that was showing, meant pick off, but it meant pitch out.

L2 + the base button. Circle is 1st, Triangle is 2nd, Square is 3rd. Press L2, then the button quickly for a regular pickoff. Hold L2, and then press and hold the base button for a balk-ish looking deceptive pickoff. Hold L2 and double tap the base button for a quick turn-and-jump pickoff move, ala James Shields. There's an in-game instruction manual that has all this stuff. I think it is called "Strategy Guide," although I honestly can't remember right now.

Quote:

I have another question about some of the presentation aspects. First off, when pitching, my breaking balls show arrows of where they're going, but sometimes it goes from two arrows, to three arrows. Why?

I've never noticed the change from 2 to 3 arrows, because I play with the cursor turned off. If I had to take a completely random guess, I'd say it depends on the strength of the break. A curveball would probably have 3 arrows, a 2 seamer would have 1 or 2.

Quote:

Also, the icon that I believe I see when an outfielder is catching a ball and a runner is tagging up. A big blue and green line close to the catching icon, what am I supposed to do with that? Stand behind it? On it? Move into it as the ball is coming down?

I don't pay too much attention to that icon, but basically it's to help you time yourself. It changes colors as the ball gets closer to you. Ideally you should stand behind the catch circle, then run at the last second so that you have momentum going towards the base you are throwing to.

Quote:

Another weird one is on my schedule in franchise. There is a small icon on one of the dates, its a little yellow cross, just curious as to what it is.

Sounds like a promotion (first 1000 people get a free panda bear... or whatever) is scheduled for that date. You schedule the promotions yourself, so chances are you scheduled one and then forgot about it.

Quote:

As far as editing players. I play as the Jays, and I can edit the players fine, I just did a few tweaks based on how they're actually doing this year, but is there any way to change their hot and cold zones? Brett Lawrie, who is a beast, has a cold zone EVERYWHERE, which doesn't make sense. He's still batting well for me, just curious if there is a way to change that. Thanks in advanced.

Don't know this one at all. I've never even tried to edit the zones before.

[GoodShark]

Quote: Originally Posted by Bobhead

I've never noticed the change from 2 to 3 arrows, because I play with the cursor turned off. If I had to take a completely random guess, I'd say it depends on the strength of the break. A curveball would probably have 3 arrows, a 2 seamer would have 1 or 2.

Its on the same pitch. Like if I'm throwing a curve ball, in the default starting position, it has two arrows pointing down. But when I move the location of the pitch, it will change to one arrow, or three arrows.

[nomo17k]

Quote: Originally Posted by GoodShark

Its on the same pitch. Like if I'm throwing a curve ball, in the default starting position, it has two arrows pointing down. But when I move the location of the pitch, it will change to one arrow, or three arrows.

The amount of break changes depending on pitch location. A curveball thrown low has more bite than when you hang it high. That's what the arrow length indicates.

[GoodShark]

What do the icons next to players mean? I gather that the R is rookie, and the hot and cold ones are self explanatory. What are all the other ones?

[nomo17k]

Quote: Originally Posted by GoodShark

What do the icons next to players mean? I gather that the R is rookie, and the hot and cold ones are self explanatory. What are all the other ones?

If you push SELECT and choose "?" for help in the franchise mode menu (etc.), there are brief descriptions of what they are.

[GoodShark]

Why are some of my players attributes -1? What is this based on, because they're having GREAT years, and the attributes seem to be doing down in the roster screen.

[Heroesandvillains]

Quote: Originally Posted by GoodShark

Why are some of my players attributes -1? What is this based on, because they're having GREAT years, and the attributes seem to be doing down in the roster screen.

This isn't regression. This is done intentionally to emulate players fatiguing or getting tired. IE, the daily grind of a 162 game season.

No worries on this front. Your players are fine.