Visits to the mound

[Raffke]

I'm wondering if there is an actual benefit to a manager going out and talking to the pitcher?
By that I mean is he more likely to get the next out with a bit of a pep talk or is it more of an option offered to make things more life like? In my experience of playing out games pitchers usually say they are fine and then give up a bases loaded double...

[Electrovik]

When visiting the mound, you are certainly buying some time for your reliever to warm up in the pen.

Other than that, I don't think it has any effect at all...

Maybe I'm wrong though...

[endgame]

Originally Posted by Raffke

I'm wondering if there is an actual benefit to a manager going out and talking to the pitcher?

I think a lot of RL managers and pitching coaches wonder the very same thing.

[Wrathchild]

I don't use the warm-up rule, but I was under the impression that going out to the mound affected your pitcher's situation for a moment, i.e. maybe he would get himself under control, which is why you can only do it once an inning. I would like a definitive answer on this, really, as it would make a difference in my playing style.

[Questdog]

Originally Posted by Wrathchild

I don't use the warm-up rule, but I was under the impression that going out to the mound affected your pitcher's situation for a moment, i.e. maybe he would get himself under control, which is why you can only do it once an inning. I would like a definitive answer on this, really, as it would make a difference in my playing style.

The rules about visiting the mound are real life rules, but the manual states that you can try this tactic to calm a pitcher in trouble...

Also, when you are losing, you can turn your cap inside out to help your team score runs....

[Wrathchild]

Originally Posted by Questdog

the manual states that you can try this tactic to calm a pitcher in trouble...

But what does this mean in game engine terms?

[endgame]

Originally Posted by Wrathchild

But what does this mean in game engine terms?

What do you want to know, exactly? What percentage chance it allows of increasing stamina? Does it provide for a 1 in 50 chance for a temporary three AB spike in control of 2 on the 1-250 scale?

Why can't it be something that remains to be decided on your experience with using it, just like how often you bring in that 'clutch' hitter or the guy who always seems to give up the walk when the last thing you needed was a runner on base?

[SteveP]

I let the AI manage my team during games. I have, in many hundreds of games, never seen evidence that my AI manager ever visited the mound. I conclude from this that the mound visit button is a useless appendage to the game control screen, as is the "hit batter" button. It's part of the eye candy.

[Wrathchild]

Originally Posted by endgame

What do you want to know, exactly? What percentage chance it allows of increasing stamina? Does it provide for a 1 in 50 chance for a temporary three AB spike in control of 2 on the 1-250 scale?

I'd like to know what the effect of 'calming' the pitcher is. I don't need specific forumalae and calculations, but a general comment would be fine so that I know what the effect is. Something as simple as 'makes your pitcher more likely to throw a strike on the next pitch', etc. Though, as an old time wargamer, I'm not opposed to knowing specifically what it does, either.

[Dr. Wu]

Originally Posted by SteveP

I let the AI manage my team during games. I have, in many hundreds of games, never seen evidence that my AI manager ever visited the mound. I conclude from this that the mound visit button is a useless appendage to the game control screen, as is the "hit batter" button. It's part of the eye candy.

A pitcher really will hit the batter if you push the hit batter button, though. It's not like it has no effect; it's just a poor strategy in game mechanics terms. And eye candy has its place, too. We could play OOTP on spreadsheets, but that wouldn't be nearly as much fun.

[SteveP]

Originally Posted by Dr. Wu

A pitcher really will hit the batter if you push the hit batter button, though. It's not like it has no effect; it's just a poor strategy in game mechanics terms. And eye candy has its place, too. We could play OOTP on spreadsheets, but that wouldn't be nearly as much fun.

I enjoy the eye candy as much as the next person, but some of the eye candy in OOTP is confusing, because new players can't easily tell what is real and what is window-dressing. I don't think that is a good thing. However, I understand that some new players like that they have to figure it out. I guess it's like a mystery game for them.

The hit batter button is not poor strategy. It's meaningless. The effect is no different than intentional walk, unless you are hoping to have your pitcher ejected (along with the batter) which happens about 1-in-20 times you hit someone. I believe that the visit mound button is in essentially the same category.

[Wrathchild]

Originally Posted by SteveP

The hit batter button is not poor strategy. It's meaningless. The effect is no different than intentional walk, unless you are hoping to have your pitcher ejected (along with the batter) which happens about 1-in-20 times you hit someone. I believe that the visit mound button is in essentially the same category.

I could see a couple of reasons for hitting the batter.

1) You are, indeed, hoping to cause some suspensions, feeling that your pitcher is expendable and hoping to get a good opposing player out of the lineup for a few days.

2) You want to injure the batter. I don't know if this can happen by hitting them in the game, though.

[SteveP]

Originally Posted by Wrathchild

I could see a couple of reasons for hitting the batter.

1) You are, indeed, hoping to cause some suspensions, feeling that your pitcher is expendable and hoping to get a good opposing player out of the lineup for a few days.

2) You want to injure the batter. I don't know if this can happen by hitting them in the game, though.

I see you've provided an illustration to support Dr. Wu's description of the Hit Batter button as "poor strategy". I stand corrected.

[Wrathchild]

I never said I play nice with other people.

[clamel]

I think I saw once a comment from Markus that visitng the mound do have some effect on the pitcher. A small boost or calm down thing....

Of course I can´t find the thread anymore in all those threads, but lets hope

[phillosopherp]

the only reason to use it is to buy time if you use the warm up rule. The reason you have never seen the AI use it is because they don't have to warm up a pitcher.

[SteveP]

Originally Posted by phillosopherp

the only reason to use it is to buy time if you use the warm up rule. The reason you have never seen the AI use it is because they don't have to warm up a pitcher.

I was overstating things a bit when I said this button is useless. It is only mostly useless.

[tajoumaru]

Originally Posted by phillosopherp

the only reason to use it is to buy time if you use the warm up rule. The reason you have never seen the AI use it is because they don't have to warm up a pitcher.

So it's as I've always suspected...all AI players are androids!

[The Outlaw]

I will continue pretending my visits to the mound calm my pitcher down...as I've seen both negatives and positives occur. I've seen a pitcher strike out the side following loading the bases after a mound visit and I've also seen them get shelled for 5 runs.

[oppie]

I have thrown at an opposing teams best hitter, only in retaliation for having my injury prone star beaned twice in a game, and I injured their best hitter for several weeks. Afterward I thought to myself, well I didn't really want to injure him I only wanted to send a message. Message delivered.