Squeeze bunts

[Erik]

I think these need to be addressed in the new version.

In all my days of playing OOTP, I think I had successfully complete 1 squeeze bunt. This is crazy!

As long as you get the ball down on the ground during a squeeze bunt, that runner will score. Each time I do this in OOTP and the ball gets down and everything, he always gets thrown out at home. Even if its a guy with 4 or 5 for speed! This is so highly unlikely that I rarely attempt the squeeze bunt anymore in the game because its essentially giving up an out at home.

I could understand if the bunt was popped up in the air and there was a double play. Or if the guy missed the bunt and the runner got caught in a run-down or something. But when a guy lays the bunt down and it goes out far enough to where the pitcher has to field it, that runner will score everytime! Not so in OOTP...please fix this issue!

[andymac]

I wonder if the issue is in the percentage of successful squeeze bunts, or just in the selection of play-by-play text.

[marky32082]

As much as I would like to agree with you, I can't. I've been somewhat successful with the squeeze. I just always make sure the runner on third can run and the batter can bunt. If so I'm well over 50% at getting the job done.

[Malleus Dei]

I've also been very successful with the squeeze, but I don't use it often - only with the game situation calling for it, a less-than-stellar defensive infield on the field, a runner on third with excellent running skills and a batter at the plate with high bunting skills.

[RchW]

Yeah, when I saw your post heading I thought it would be about them being too successful. I have good success but it's usually with a 4 or 5 bunter and a 80-90 speedster against a poor fielding pitcher so I expect success.

Are there any stats available showing squeeze play success in recent years?

[Erik]

You all got to be kidding me!? You guys are lucky. Granted I've never taken the pitcher's fielding percentage into consideration because like I said, its a sure thing if you lay the bunt down that the runner will score. Even Mr. Gold Glove Greg Maddux can't prevent it from happening.

I only do the squeeze with a fast runner (4 or 5 speed) and a 4 or 5 bunter also, but hell...

Even "well over 50%" could be too low of a number though. I'm no good at looking up statistics, does anyone know where to get that sort of info?

The only way the squeeze bunt does not work is if the batter doesn't get the ball down (or ok the VERY VERY rare exception that a pitcher fields the ball and tosses it right at the exact perfect spot of the plate where runner happens to be sliding into and the catcher catches it and tags him in a nano second for the out and you have a slow runner on 3rd).

It is good to see you all have had more success than myself with the squeeze bunts though. Maybe it is just me and there is no issue at all. Maybe I need to buy my players some better cleats...

[jm47048]

Yeah, me too. I have had tremendous success with this feature. I squeeze once a game if the game is tied or I need to tie it.

[Elendil]

Originally Posted by RchW

Yeah, when I saw your post heading I thought it would be about them being too successful. I have good success but it's usually with a 4 or 5 bunter and a 80-90 speedster against a poor fielding pitcher so I expect success.

Ditto. Even 50 speed gets the job done most of the time if the batter gets wood on the ball.

[Erik]

OK

Just thought I'd update you on this. Last night I successfully attempted a squeeze bunt with a runner of only a rating of 2 on 3rd base and a pitcher with a bunt rating of 4. He bunted it down the first baseline and it worked because the runner scored.

maybe I was over reacting...

[andymac]

Originally Posted by Erik

OK

Just thought I'd update you on this. Last night I successfully attempted a squeeze bunt with a runner of only a rating of 2 on 3rd base and a pitcher with a bunt rating of 4. He bunted it down the first baseline and it worked because the runner scored.

maybe I was over reacting...

Well, I still think there may be a problem if you are often getting cases where the bunt gets down, but they throw the runner out. My guess, though, is that the problem lies in the PBP's choice (i.e. it is cosmetic).

[Erik]

I don't seem to have too many instances where the player misses the ball or can't get the bunt down for soem reason. I don't think I've ever had someone pop a bunt up in the air and get doubled off at 3B.

I think, especially with the pitch by pitch function in this new game, the squeeze bunt feature could be expanded ten fold. Anyone who watches Tony La Russa baseball 162 games knows how fun small ball can be.

So if the problem is in with the PBP, than like I said, with the new pitch-by-pitch function, this problem should be easily fixable, right?

[andymac]

Originally Posted by Erik

Anyone who watches Tony La Russa baseball 162 games knows how fun small ball can be.

Yep, that was definitely cool to watch this past season as he used the squeeze a ton. The other team even knew it was probably coming, but couldn't do anything about it.

[tysok]

It is possible that it wouldn't work. That's why you don't see it every time there's a runner on 3rd with less than 2 outs and they really need the run. Even the best bunter may bunt it too hard, even the best runner may break just a bit too late. If the defense is expecting a bunt it's easier. Just because it says down the first base line it doesn't mean it's hugging the line, a right hand pitcher may fall off the mound just right to field it and get the runner.

I always keep some poor schmuck who can't do anything but bunt very well on my team just for an occasion where I need a squeeze, I won 3 games in a row once with a squeeze. But it doesn't work all the time, I'd probably say about 90% in my experience with the game.