Intentional Walk Logic

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

I have no idea where this should go, so I'll just stick it here and hope that the proper folks read it.

I don't want to get into another long debate as with the other AI strategy problems, but I want to briefly note that OOTP9's intentional walk logic is completely backward.

I'm not talking about how often intentional walks are given out, although that seems skewed as well. I'm saying the game gives them out incorrectly. Right now, if I don't mess with the default strategy settings (and I don't - I play in god mode), the game gives out a TON of intentional walks when there are zero or one outs, a good hitter at the plate, and first base is open. I play out all my games, and I have seen exactly ZERO intentional walks with two outs, a good hitter at the plate, and first base open.

In reality, the thinking is just the opposite. (Sabermetric studies of the intentional walk prove this obvious point - intentional walks with no one out are devastating, while with two out they can be the right call in a given situation.) The reasoning should be obvious, but just in case it isn't here goes: with no one out you don't want to put a runner on base - it's awfully likely that SOMEONE will be able to move that runner along and in, even if the hitter you're avoiding is Ruth or Bonds. With two out, it often can make sense to walk a guy, though, especially in a late/close situation. If you only need one out and the on-deck hitter is much worse, the math isn't that difficult, and the walk isn't nearly as potentially dangerous.

Anyway, I'm posting this so that the beta team remembers to take a very close look not just at the frequency of intentional walks overall, but also their relative frequency by out level in the inning. Thanks.