If I Dont Use Zone Hitting, Will I Never Be Able to Hit Effectively?

[brifoxdawg]

MLB 16 is the first of "The Show" series that I have played regularly. I have recently been giving zone hitting a try seeing as everyone and their mother on YouTube is jacking dingers on every other pitch using this setup combined with the fact that using a strictly analog, zoneless hitting setup up until now has produced little to absolutely no offense at all for me.

Is it possible to have a solid offensive game (scoring say 4+ runs a game) without using zone hitting? Also, since making the switch to zone I am having a really hard time getting extra base hits with this setup. I have probably played 12 games and I can only remember hitting 2 doubles and 1 home run for sure. Why can I not hit for power?

If I choose to go back to zoneless analog/button hitting, will I never be able to hit effectively?

[BegBy]

I cannot hit at all this year. I only use directional/buttons. I have been on a 25 game losing streak. I hit on beginner. It's that horrible. I make solid contact. More often than not (due to beginner) my contact is always good with a huge green PCI, but I hit pop ups, or just garbage, usually literally right into fielders' gloves. It honestly looks scripted.

I have never had hitting issues like this with this title. I have been playing 15 the past few days just because 16 is really no fun at all.

Lots of people on these forums agree hitting is difficult this year, and lots think it's the easiest it's been. You'll also find that the majority of guys play either zone or directional and swear by the method they use. For me, when I did try zone, I had really good results, but I just don't like it and I refuse to play it.

I'd suggest not being stubborn like me and switch to zone. Or switch to 15.

[redsfan4life]

You can still play fine with directional but it is a crutch imo. You'll never improve much as a player since you're relying on the game to give you 'luck' for lack of a better word. There's some in zone, but generally if you square the ball up you'll get good results more often than not.

[brifoxdawg]

Quote: Originally Posted by BegBy

I cannot hit at all this year. I only use directional/buttons. I have been on a 25 game losing streak. I hit on beginner. It's that horrible. I make solid contact. More often than not (due to beginner) my contact is always good with a huge green PCI, but I hit pop ups, or just garbage, usually literally right into fielders' gloves. It honestly looks scripted. I have never had hitting issues like this with this title. I have been playing 15 the past few days just because 16 is really no fun at all. Lots of people on these forums agree hitting is difficult this year, and lots think it's the easiest it's been. You'll also find that the majority of guys play either zone or directional and swear by the method they use. For me, when I did try zone, I had really good results, but I just don't like it and I refuse to play it. I'd suggest not being stubborn like me and switch to zone. Or switch to 15.

I agree. I guess I will stick to zone and grind out the learning curve. A 25 game losing streak could very well be imminent though.

[KBLover]

Quote: Originally Posted by brifoxdawg

Is it possible to have a solid offensive game (scoring say 4+ runs a game) without using zone hitting? Also, since making the switch to zone I am having a really hard time getting extra base hits with this setup. I have probably played 12 games and I can only remember hitting 2 doubles and 1 home run for sure. Why can I not hit for power? If I choose to go back to zoneless analog/button hitting, will I never be able to hit effectively?

Yes, it is possible. Use whatever interface you find most comfortable, though. There is no "one right interface".

If you aren't sure, leave everything the same except change interface. Try them all out and see which one gives you result you like the most often.

[Mike Lowe]

I'm ranked in the mid 1600s in Diamond Dynasty, and only have been using directional. I've only lost 2 or 3 times so far in the 9 inning games. Eventually, the results come and I'll score 4+ per game, usually. If you can pitch, you can win using directional, for sure.

[Panopticism]

I've played a lot of games with each of Directional and Zone, and the difference in my results over time was hardly statistically significant when playing against the CPU. It's far more rewarding to use Zone effectively, but you need to be careful not to fall into bad habits.

Against human opponents, Zone is a no-brainer for me.

[iamgramps]

It's a matter of comfort. Although I use zone, I've had success with directional. It feels as if I have more control using directional.