Taking a beating

[Groucho]

Hi guys,
I'm new to the game and new to baseball and have taken the plunge and dived in as best I can.
I like the idea of playing every ball of a game and have tried to do this. However, I'm taking a total beating in every game. I'm now 0-7 and have lost by scores of 0-9, 1-6, 1-6, 3-6, 4-6, 0-8, 1-5.
When I auto-resolve the game my team normally wins so clearly I'm doing something badly wrong.
Can anyone give me a few pointers?
I've tried varying my play calling but have found that bunt is next to useless. I have never had a single successful bunt. None of the options outside of the standard swing ever gets me a thing other than a strike (sometimes a ball), and my outfields rarely seem to field well enough to stop base hits, while my own batters are routinely run out when they hit grounder balls into the field.
It's just as bad pitching. I try to vary the pitch and if a guy has hammered me in an early inning, I'll let him walk to first if there's no one else on base.
I'm letting the ai pick the team for me and subbing my pitcher once he starts getting roasted.
Any help would be very welcome - it's getting a bit frustrating.
thanks

[Kelric]

I'd mostly guess small sample size and bad players are doing you in more than any decisions that you're making from the dugout. What kind of ratings do your defenders have in the field?

[Groucho]

I'm using the Cuban League (because it has no financial side to it, which makes things considerably easier). I'm playing as Metro and most of the players are rated at 2-4 star players.
The opposition Camaguey seems to have mostly 1-3 star players so I'm a bit puzzled.

[SteveP]

I second what Kelric says. You're likely just having bad luck. You also could be getting in your own way by trying to closely manage every thing your teams does. IMHO, that's seldom going to improve the success rate of a team (at least it doesn't when I do it )

If you haven't done this already, you could set the AI to manage your team, and then watch a few games on a pitch-by-pitch basis. Study how the AI calls plays. Sometimes you have to guess about it (for example, if the AI called a Hit and Run play or not, and also defensive alignments are a guess when you are only watching games.

[Kelric]

Stars mean nothing, really. They're useful for a quick overview of a player but don't say much. How are their ratings in the field? If you have a team with very little range who make a lot of errors, it won't really matter how good your pitchers are - you'll still give up a lot of runs.

[Groucho]

Thanks guys, appreciate the advice.
I'm going to check out those stats in more detail and watch a play by play game.
best wishes
Groucho

[Groucho]

Groan....now 0-11, the ai has a great ability to hit home runs whenever it has bases loaded, while I seem to get hit by triple plays.
Yet when I autoplay I seem to win most so must have an okay side.
Running out of ideas....

[Big T]

Well remind me not to let you coach my sons ball team ever.... Just kidding of course.

Maybe we could be more help if we had a little more information...

1)Do you set your own line ups or do you use your coaches line-ups?

2)Do you play pitch by pitch or one pitch mode?

3)Can you give us a breakdown of your line-up/roster?

I am not promising anything, but I do coach/manager the occasional game, while letting my AI Manager handle most of the work. Well see if we can give some suggestions.

[Groucho]

Hi Big T, how do I let you know the roster?
I'm doing the full plays not one click an I let the ai coach set the field. I'm using the coach's lineup.
Came close in my last game - leading 5-1 going into last innings and guess what 5 run inning in the bottom of the 9th another loss...it's getting silly

[Groucho]

Would anyone be kind enough to take me through their own playing style for a play by play match.
So for instance...
1. Do you always swing? When would you take a pitch and in what circumstances? When would you bunt (I'm presuming you'd only do this with a player who had a high bunt for hit rating unless trying to get a player on third base home?) Again, is there a good time/circumstance to hit and run or run and hit?
2. When pitching in what circumstances would you pitch around (when up against a dangerman?), and when if ever would you bother to pitch out?
Is there a good time to use hold runner, other than when you have two bases loaded?
3. Is there ever a good time to steal bases or throw to prevent a base being stole? It seems random to me and although I've stolen a couple of bases with a quick batter I've never ever got anyone out with a throw to a base.

I'm letting the ai control field placements for defence at the moment.

I could really use a few pointers if any of you guys have time to share your knowledge. I'm beginning to get frustrated after so many one-sided beatings or late game losses that it would be wonderful even to take a game to overtime.

thanks in advance...

4. Anything else I'm missing?

[Big T]

Originally Posted by Groucho

Hi Big T, how do I let you know the roster?
I'm doing the full plays not one click an I let the ai coach set the field. I'm using the coach's lineup.
Came close in my last game - leading 5-1 going into last innings and guess what 5 run inning in the bottom of the 9th another loss...it's getting silly

I am not sure of the technical way of showing your roster, but if you are using the manager lineups, in most cases they use a variation of the same formula.

Batters 1-2 are usually on base guys, so high ratings in Contact, K's and Eye, usually can also steal bases.
Batters 3-5 are usually your power guys, to drive in runs, they have higher ratings in Gap and HR Power ratings.
Batters 6-9 are usually the rest based on either a personal strategy. (I like to give the Power and Gap players more at bats so I prioritize in that fashion.

Early in the game offensively I am just trying to manufacture runs, so my thinking is I am playing to score at least once.

I tend to attempt to steal with by best runners and only second base, early in the count, so that my hitter who will not swing doesn't get too far behind in the count. Once the batter has one strike, and he is a good contact hitter, I will chose the "run and hit". (this aids in staying out of a few less double plays) With two outs I rarely steal, especially if I have a runners at 1st and 3rd as I don't want to get run out of the inning.

I only use bunt if I have no outs, a runner at first and a batter with low Power or Gap ratings and High Sacrifice Bunts ratings. ( Don't want to take the bat out of the hands of a Power hitter)

On defense, I usually hold any runners at 1st and 2nd base. First base to keep him close and gives me the best shot at a double play and when at 2nd to allow my OF a chance to throw him out at home if the other team is attempting. I don't feel a need to hold runners at third since and single they are going to score on anyway, unless there are less 2 outs and I am in a close game where giving up that run will hurt my chances to win.

I rarely give out intentional walks, and never intentional walk the tieing or leading run on base. Another rule of thumb for me is with a big lead, to simply collect outs. Thus no intention walks, pitch arounds or infield/outfield adjustments. In fact I will rarely hold runners other than those at 1st and less than 2 outs.

These are just some of my thoughts, obviously others will have other strategies and can likely find holes in mine.

[damientheomen3]

1. I always press 'swing away', but i play in one pitch mode. I bunt if it's late, and it's tied or i'm down by 1, and have a decent speed runner at first or second with no outs. I only use hit and run when I have a slow runner at first and can't afford a DP.

2. I never use pitch around or pitch out, but, again, i play in one pitch mode.

3. Whenever any of my speedsters gets to first and there is no one at second, i keep clicking steal second until he actually goes. my top base stealer (8 out of 10 in speed, 10 out of 10 in instincts and ability) is 11 for 15 so far this year.

[Groucho]

Thanks Big T and Damien. As a total noob, this kind of support can make or break a game for a person like me. I really appreciate your help, and will try out the strategies in the hope that I might break my duck.
I'm also thinking about switching leagues...maybe the CIA has sabotaged the Cuban league to disillusion anyone from trying it A shame since I've actually been to Havana, Matanzas and Pinar Del Rio and seen the cities and ballparks in question.
Thanks again - now off to Mexico to try something new. (I fear the US leagues might be terribly complex for a Brit with no experience of baseball!

[TT-Zop]

Hi Groucho,

Another semi-newbie here, but I play most of my games. Just finished first season of the major leagues and made the playoffs.

I've actually been simming most of the game, a half inning at a time, until I need to replace my pitcher. Then I manually take over to watch their pitch count so it doesn't spiral out of control (which does happen from time to time).

Anyways, this is my personal play style. Obviously everyone's is different and the best choice is what works for you.
1. I will take pitches early in the game and late in a pitcher's pitch count (to tire him out). Generally, I will use my high contact guys to take the pitches and try and work the count. I rarely ever bunt, sac bunt, run and hit, hit and run, or steal. I feel they give away outs. Out of the above, I will sacrifice bunt the most, typically when I need a run later in the game and there's a man on 1st with 1 or less outs (only by hitters with high sac bunt ratings and low gap/power ratings).

2. Holding runners when they are on 3rd or bases loaded is a waste, as is holding a guy at 2nd who has no chance of stealing a base. Again, if you have runners on 1st and 2nd, but the man on 2nd is not fast or a good base stealer, it's probably not worth it to hold them on.

I have not ever pitched out. I will pitch around power hitters when the game is close, especially if they are a lefty with favorable ratings against my righty (or vice versa). It's important to note, pitch around does not mean walk. I've had many a strikeout when pitching around (and also had home runs hit off me).

3. I would rather have a great defensive catcher than an offensive one. Unfortunately, I have never picked someone off so I cannot vouch for how successful that actually is at holding runners on.

Hope this helps

[Big T]

Originally Posted by Groucho

Would anyone be kind enough to take me through their own playing style for a play by play match.
So for instance...
1. Do you always swing? When would you take a pitch and in what circumstances? When would you bunt (I'm presuming you'd only do this with a player who had a high bunt for hit rating unless trying to get a player on third base home?) Again, is there a good time/circumstance to hit and run or run and hit?
2. When pitching in what circumstances would you pitch around (when up against a dangerman?), and when if ever would you bother to pitch out?
Is there a good time to use hold runner, other than when you have two bases loaded?
3. Is there ever a good time to steal bases or throw to prevent a base being stole? It seems random to me and although I've stolen a couple of bases with a quick batter I've never ever got anyone out with a throw to a base.

I'm letting the ai control field placements for defence at the moment.

I could really use a few pointers if any of you guys have time to share your knowledge. I'm beginning to get frustrated after so many one-sided beatings or late game losses that it would be wonderful even to take a game to overtime.

thanks in advance...

4. Anything else I'm missing?

Sorry didnt see this post the first time...

My thoughts on your questions.

1) In most cases the only time I don't call for a swing is when the count is 3-0 or sometimes 3-1 with a weak hitter, looking for a chance at a walk. I usually only bunt to move a runner from 1st to 2nd, but I never let my power hitters bunt, because they are the run producers and I would rather get a shot at an extra base hit then sacrifise their at bat. Hit and Run and Run and Hit are slightly different. With Hit and Run the batter is instructed to swing regardless of the pitch while Run and Hit is the batters option to swing. What both do is put the runner in motion and improving the chances of getting a extra base or staying out of a double play. The risk is that the hitter could line the ball right at an infielder and hit in to a double play. The best players to use either strategy with are players strong in contact, eye and avoid strike outs, as well the runner should be of better than average speed and baserunning.

2) I rarely use pitch around unless I am in a situation where I know the next batter is not as dangerous and the walk won't advance any runners (1st base is open) Since this strategy increases the chances of a walk, if I have a big lead or the batter represents the tieing or potential lead run I will never use pitch around. The pitchout is used when you have a strong feeling the base runner is going to attempt to steal. This gives your catcher the best attempt to throw the runner out (if he goes)

3) In my previous post, I like to steal bases to get runners to 2nd and improving their chances to score, in major leaque baseball, I think I read that 35% of all steal attempts turn into outs, so you have to pick your situations and baserunners carefully. Again, I find the need to steal 3rd less important then 2nd, and another run of thumb is that you never want your 1st or 3rd out of an inning to be a runner thrown out at 3rd. If your catcher is rarely throwing guys out (should be about a 1/3 of the time) either your pitchers have weak HOLD rating or your catchers have weak ARM rating.

Good luck.

[Groucho]

You know guys maybe the game is trying to tell me something.
0-15. Last four games I have three times been leading going into the last innings (twice by two) - lost every game.
Maybe it's time to give this thing up

[playball]

This is a very interesting thread, I'm new to the game and have similar questions to you about best strategies for managing plays during a game.

I do each game in one pitch mode rather than pitch by pitch because I am still getting a feel for my players, but I don't have enough time for pitch by pitch. I found that by auto playing a half innings or a whole game I was learning nothing about my team.

I won't give you my rules I've developed because they're probably wrong, however I wonder with your leads turning to losses: are you pulling your pitchers if they are getting shelled? You do get a feeling for when his effectiveness is dropping - longer hits, better placed - and it's time to pull him. And, are you warming up your relief pitchers in the bullpen before sending them out?

I also wonder if having some fun for a while with a MLB team would raise your spirits.

[Groucho]

Originally Posted by playball

I also wonder if having some fun for a while with a MLB team would raise your spirits.

Good call! I need some fun....

Actually my last lost was probably due to pulling a pitcher too early.
He had pitched for 7 innings and held the opposition scoreless. I figured he would get tired in the crucial 9th inning, pulled him, and his reliever cost me 3 runs!

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And finally.....after 18 attempts......after a 0-17 miserable record and oodles of despair....yes......he did it.....Groucho finally wins one!
thanks for the advice all. Now for the majors

[Big T]

Originally Posted by Groucho

Good call! I need some fun....

Actually my last lost was probably due to pulling a pitcher too early.
He had pitched for 7 innings and held the opposition scoreless. I figured he would get tired in the crucial 9th inning, pulled him, and his reliever cost me 3 runs!

-----------

And finally.....after 18 attempts......after a 0-17 miserable record and oodles of despair....yes......he did it.....Groucho finally wins one!
thanks for the advice all. Now for the majors

GOOD STUFF! one win and promoted to the majors......congrats.

[playball]

Originally Posted by Groucho

Actually my last lost was probably due to pulling a pitcher too early.
He had pitched for 7 innings and held the opposition scoreless. I figured he would get tired in the crucial 9th inning, pulled him, and his reliever cost me 3 runs!

Yep, I've done that too. And it happened to me last night except my reliever got blasted for 5 runs in one innings

cheers