Walks

[adaher]

One of the things that's bugged me about every baseball simulation is how walks are modelled. They tend to be just chance, using the ratings of the pitcher and batter. But in real life baseball, walks are more likely to happen in certain situations, and less likely to happen in others. For example, walks are a lot more likely with the bases empty than the bases loaded. Walks are also a lot less likely to the leadoff man than with two outs and the bases empty.

Maybe I'm just being nitpicky because I used to pitch in high school. Unless I'd totally lose my ability to throw strikes, I rarely walked hitters in situations where walks were particularly damaging, such as with the bases loaded. At certain points, no matter what level you play at, there are times when you just have to serve one up and hope the batter doesn't hit it hard.

Of course, this applies to many other situations as well. A batter's approach at the plate varies depending on the situation as well. Sometimes they need to hit it to the right side, sometimes they need a long fly, sometimes they just need to stay out of the double play. And then there are situations where a power hitter is going to be swinging for the fences all the way. the first baseball sim to correctly model how pitchers and batters approach each at bat given the situation and their abilities will be head and shoulders above the competition.