Defensive Urgency

[jeff.ragauskis]

I thought early on, it seemed that this year's version of the show had better defensive pacing. Now having played a large number of games, I still have a slight issue with how the shortstop (one of the main culprits) throws for faster runners. It seems more often than not these individuals end up safe due to double clutching, taking their time, etc.

Any tips/tricks on how to adjust this? Is there something I may be doing in my playing style that is causing this.

Thanks

[Armor and Sword]

It's why I lowered base running speed to 3 on my sliders. It truly let's the top speed guys shine and not let a 50 rated speed guy beat out a lazy ground ball hit to the SS for that very reason. SS has a lazy animation which I noticed within 2 games of first playing this years version.

Try it.

[shadow2201]

There's also quite a few instances, at least that I've seen, where an OF will throw a really high, arcing, slow throw to the infield, and most of the time, it's been just on a normal play, but I've had it happen when guys are on 3rd and it allows them to go home. And on top of what was said above, a lot of slow lobs from the SS to the 2B, or 2B to the SS on a double play.

[Armor and Sword]

Quote: Originally Posted by shadow2201

There's also quite a few instances, at least that I've seen, where an OF will throw a really high, arcing, slow throw to the infield, and most of the time, it's been just on a normal play, but I've had it happen when guys are on 3rd and it allows them to go home. And on top of what was said above, a lot of slow lobs from the SS to the 2B, or 2B to the SS on a double play.

Sometimes that is attributed to precision input, take out slides, player rating, etc. Again lot's of things going on in the algorithm under the hood. It happens...no doubt, but not often.

[KBLover]

In addition to lowering speed, you can increase the strength of infield throws. This is my preferred "accommodation" since at default, throws are far too soft for my tastes.

Infielders with strong arms can really chuck that ball and any left infielder's arm will need to be strong, so it really expresses.

But, yeah, it's not you in all likelihood. It just for some reason that animation is thought to be how SS play the game against a fast runner or even an average one hustling down the line.

As realistic as this game can be, some of these animations are just not baseball.

[Armor and Sword]

Quote: Originally Posted by KBLover

In addition to lowering speed, you can increase the strength of infield throws. This is my preferred "accommodation" since at default, throws are far too soft for my tastes. Infielders with strong arms can really chuck that ball and any left infielder's arm will need to be strong, so it really expresses. But, yeah, it's not you in all likelihood. It just for some reason that animation is thought to be how SS play the game against a fast runner or even an average one hustling down the line. As realistic as this game can be, some of these animations are just not baseball.

I may bump up infielder arm strength to 6 and try this as well.

[KBLover]

Quote: Originally Posted by Armor and Sword

I may bump up infielder arm strength to 6 and try this as well.

I'm so I have it at 8 or 9 (can't decide which one gives me the same estimated velocities I see on StatCast) against 5 speed.

So for 3 speed and using the same "+3 pattern", 6 should do nicely for you if things scale in the engine, and they usually do for things like this.

[countryboy]

Quote: Originally Posted by Armor and Sword

It's why I lowered base running speed to 3 on my sliders. It truly let's the top speed guys shine and not let a 50 rated speed guy beat out a lazy ground ball hit to the SS for that very reason. SS has a lazy animation which I noticed within 2 games of first playing this years version. Try it.

The SS not charging the ball animation and the corner infielders ducking line drives animation are two animations I would love to see taken out of future games. Nothing worse than giving up an infield hit or trying to jump for a line drive with a corner infielder only to see them duck underneath the baseball.