MLB 2006 The Show Demo at EBGames for a Pre-Order

AJColossal · Post by **AJColossal** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 2:44 pm

OK, I am starting to see more and more of the dreaded "ball shoots through the outfielder to the wall" deals that we talked about earlier.

Is anyone else seeing this now that we've had more time with the game?This is for the PS2 version, BTW.

webdanzer · Post by **webdanzer** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 2:49 pm

Yeah, I mentioned it in a post yesterday. I can go for a while without seeing any, then I'm hit with them again. I know I don't play or try anything differently.

Boom · Post by **Boom** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 3:02 pm

AJColossal wrote:OK, I am starting to see more and more of the dreaded "ball shoots through the outfielder to the wall" deals that we talked about earlier.

Is anyone else seeing this now that we've had more time with the game?This is for the PS2 version, BTW.

I'm actually seeing less of it the more I play the game. I saw it every couple of games when I first got the game. I haven't had it happen to me in my last 8 - 10 games.

AJColossal · Post by **AJColossal** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 3:03 pm

Yeah, it's really strange.

I've noticed it only happens with my corner outfielders, and with low-liners that kind of short-hop the fielder. Part of the problem is the way the camera swings on those plays. You think you have it judged, but you become disoriented by the camera and you end up missing it all together.

And then on some plays you judge it properly, and it appears to go through you.

Weird.

lexbur · Post by **lexbur** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 3:30 pm

Another weird outfielder thing I've been seeing once in a while is if you're running down a ball hit down the line that's already a sure double, sometimes my outfielder will do a somersault while he's picking the ball up, which takes just enough time to turn that double into a triple.

I'm not sure what causes that. Maybe I'm trying to stop running too fast when I get to the ball, maybe you have to gradually slow down as you approach the ball so you can just bend over and pick it up.

AJColossal · Post by **AJColossal** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 3:38 pm

Boom wrote:
AJColossal wrote:OK, I am starting to see more and more of the dreaded "ball shoots through the outfielder to the wall" deals that we talked about earlier.

Is anyone else seeing this now that we've had more time with the game?This is for the PS2 version, BTW.
I'm actually seeing less of it the more I play the game. I saw it every couple of games when I first got the game. I haven't had it happen to me in my last 8 - 10 games.

Do you think it's a result of the fielders making those kind of plays or the fact that you haven't seen the type of hits that usually cause the problem?

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 4:21 pm

Has anyone ever tried the PSP version online? I may give it a shot sometime this week and would prefer not to play randoms who will pause and quit when I throw too many balls.

Badgun · Post by **Badgun** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 7:26 pm

webdanzer wrote:Yeah, I mentioned it in a post yesterday. I can go for a while without seeing any, then I'm hit with them again. I know I don't play or try anything differently.

Ever since I have made a concerted effort to get my fielder squarely in front of the ball, I haven't seen it since. I really do think it has so much to do with the angle you take and I am trying to be squarely in front of the ball even if it means going back a few steps and then over in front of the ball.

Badgun · Post by **Badgun** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 7:28 pm

I posted this at OS while the forums were down, but I think it's worth reposting here since I have seen no mention of what I am seeing.

After thinking this game was perfect, I have finally seen some issues that seem to be standard and not random.

Two games in a row, the wrong pitcher has been credited with the win. First, I took Carpenter out in the 7th, Rincon finished the 7th and Braden Looper pitched the entire 8th inning. I score a run in the bottom of the 8th and win 2-1. Since Looper is the pitcher of record in the top of the 8th and still officially in the lineup in the bottom you would think the game would have no problem with crediting him with the win. But Carpenter got the win. So I'm thinking hmmmm...well, on to the next game.

Suppan is pitching in a tie game in the 7th, he gives up 3 runs and I bring Wainwright in who gives up another run so now I'm down 5-1. I pinch hit for Wainwright in the top of the 8th and score 6 runs to take the lead. I bring in Rincon in to pitch the bottom of the 8th. Now ahead 7-5, Rincon pitches the entire 8th. I score another run in the 9th to go up 8-5 and then bring in Isringhausen, who gets the save in the 9th. So who gets the win? Suppan! The guy only finished 6 innings and was removed in the 7th with no outs. I score the runs in the 8th to take the lead. How can the game give him the win?

Does this happen every time you take a starter out and then come back to win in late innings? So far this is the first times I've done it, but both times the wrong guy got the win. Anyone else seeing this stuff?

billharris44 · Post by **billharris44** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 11:06 pm

I think there are definitely some stat tracking issues. In career mode, my pitcher's ERA isn't getting calculated properly, either.

webdanzer · Post by **webdanzer** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 9:21 am

Badgun wrote:
webdanzer wrote:Yeah, I mentioned it in a post yesterday. I can go for a while without seeing any, then I'm hit with them again. I know I don't play or try anything differently.
Ever since I have made a concerted effort to get my fielder squarely in front of the ball, I haven't seen it since. I really do think it has so much to do with the angle you take and I am trying to be squarely in front of the ball even if it means going back a few steps and then over in front of the ball.

Did that for a while, thought that solved it. Hadn't seen it in like one, maybe even two dozen games.

Now I'm seeing it again, and balls go THROUGH my guys, so it's not that I'm not in front of them.

GTHobbes · Post by **GTHobbes** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 12:08 am

Leebo33 wrote:Has anyone ever tried the PSP version online? I may give it a shot sometime this week and would prefer not to play randoms who will pause and quit when I throw too many balls.

Leebo, I'm up for a game if you do give it a shot. I've logged on but have not actually gone into a game online yet, and am also curious to see how it plays.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 3:07 am

Badgun wrote:I posted this at OS while the forums were down, but I think it's worth reposting here since I have seen no mention of what I am seeing.

After thinking this game was perfect, I have finally seen some issues that seem to be standard and not random.

Two games in a row, the wrong pitcher has been credited with the win. First, I took Carpenter out in the 7th, Rincon finished the 7th and Braden Looper pitched the entire 8th inning. I score a run in the bottom of the 8th and win 2-1. Since Looper is the pitcher of record in the top of the 8th and still officially in the lineup in the bottom you would think the game would have no problem with crediting him with the win. But Carpenter got the win. So I'm thinking hmmmm...well, on to the next game.

Suppan is pitching in a tie game in the 7th, he gives up 3 runs and I bring Wainwright in who gives up another run so now I'm down 5-1. I pinch hit for Wainwright in the top of the 8th and score 6 runs to take the lead. I bring in Rincon in to pitch the bottom of the 8th. Now ahead 7-5, Rincon pitches the entire 8th. I score another run in the 9th to go up 8-5 and then bring in Isringhausen, who gets the save in the 9th. So who gets the win? Suppan! The guy only finished 6 innings and was removed in the 7th with no outs. I score the runs in the 8th to take the lead. How can the game give him the win?

Does this happen every time you take a starter out and then come back to win in late innings? So far this is the first times I've done it, but both times the wrong guy got the win. Anyone else seeing this stuff?

I mentioned that WAAAAY back when the first game came out. It's just an issue with crediting the win to the right pitcher. I don't feel like looking for the exact post, but it's there somewhere. Someone else has seen what you're talking about at least.

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 10:02 am

GTHobbes, you have a PM.

I tried classic pitching again on All-Star (I tried it way back when I got the game on Veteran and it didn't seem much different) last night and WOW. I played 3 games and walked 7 (YES!), 2, and 5 with the pitch cursor *on*. I'm still a little confused on how long to hold the button, whether or not to tap the button, etc.

If I can find the proper balance (I may be *real* close) between giving up 5 walks and 8 runs on average with classic pitching and no walks and 2 runs with the meter), MLB 06 will not only cement itself as my favorite baseball game ever...it may be my favorite sports game ever.

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 10:44 am

I am very intrigued by classic pitching and have been playing around with it now for a few games. With the meter I am just to pinpoint. Initially, I was getting frustrated with the classic as I felt I had absolutely no control over where the pitch went.

I do believe I am getting the hang of it a little now. Yesterday I was pitching with Eric Milton (a lefthander). Pitching to a right handed hitter, I moved the cursor out of the strike zone to the left and threw a slider holding on to the button longer than would seem necessary. The pitch broke hard and ended on the inside corner, a very nasty pitch. I then placed the cursor on the outside corner, threw a change up and just tapped the button. This pitch missed further left and was outside for a ball. The next pitch I put the cursor high in the zone, threw a curve and held onto the button. This pitch almost ended in the dirt.

First, you have to find the amount of time to hold the button where your pitch will hit the area in which you intended to throw. I then believe you can ease up or press harder for more movement. Kind of like the meter but much more difficult to gauge.

For a right-handed pitcher, ease up for more movement to the right, press and hold longer for more movement to the left. Of course this is on pitches that move horizontally. With splitters, changes and the such that move vertically, holding longer would cause the ball to move lower in the zone.

Of course, I could be totally wrong with this and have no idea what I am talking about. Wouldn't be the first time.

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 10:50 am

Pete wrote:I am very intrigued by classic pitching and have been playing around with it now for a few games. With the meter I am just to pinpoint. Initially, I was getting frustrated with the classic as I felt I had absolutely no control over where the pitch went.

I do believe I am getting the hang of it a little now. Yesterday I was pitching with Eric Milton (a lefthander). Pitching to a right handed hitter, I moved the cursor out of the strike zone to the left and threw a slider holding on to the button longer than would seem necessary. The pitch broke hard and ended on the inside corner, a very nasty pitch. I then placed the cursor on the outside corner, threw a change up and just tapped the button. This pitch missed further left and was outside for a ball. The next pitch I put the cursor high in the zone, threw a curve and held onto the button. This pitch almost ended in the dirt.

First, you have to find the amount of time to hold the button where your pitch will hit the area in which you intended to throw. I then believe you can ease up or press harder for more movement. Kind of like the meter but much more difficult to gauge.

For a right-handed pitcher, ease up for more movement to the right, press and hold longer for more movement to the left. Of course this is on pitches that move horizontally. With splitters, changes and the such that move vertically, holding longer would cause the ball to move lower in the zone.

Of course, I could be totally wrong with this and I have no idea what I am talking about. Wouldn't be the first time.

I think you're spot on. Once you get the "feel" for it, it becomes second nature. The good thing is, I think it's more ratings based and mistake pitches WILL be crushed. I've been switching from AS defaults to veteran with CPU contact and power +5.

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 10:54 am

I have been playing on All-Star knocking contact and power down a few notches for both myself and the computer as hitting is a little too easy and pitching a little too difficult.

Inuyasha · Post by **Inuyasha** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 12:13 pm

I finally tried classic pitching and really enjoy it. It reminds me of High Heat pitching but with better ball movement. Classic pitching also seems to let the games play a little faster and the flow of the game is improved since you dont have to wait for the meter.

I still like the meter pitching because I really like how they made you work to get location on the pitches.

This game keeps getting better and better.

wabash97 · Post by **wabash97** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 9:36 am

I am very, very close to thinking this is the best baseball game I've played. But, I've tried numerous settings, and I'm still getting too many hits. Runs are fine, and I'm hitting HRs at a fairly normal pace (using the Mets).

It just seems like I can almost hit singles at will - 12-15 hits in total almost every game - with the occasional double mixed in. I've tried defaults on All-Star and HOF. I've tried lowering contact (some people are saying this actually contributes to the amount of singles); I've tried pitch speed at default and pitch speed at max; and I've tried both settings in-between.
One thing I liked about MVP is that, with the right settings, hits felt like they were earned. I get some hits in The Show where I think I've been torched by a fastball, and it turns out I'm pulling the ball into the gap.

Otherwise, I enjoy just about every aspect of the game; and I even think the fielding is fine as the animations and variety make up for any clunkiness.

I know other people are enjoying this game, so I thought I'd see what results you're getting.

B

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 9:47 am

I got too many hits on veteran, but I'm finding it OK on default All-Star. I never use guess pitch or location though and the teams I usually use are not known for their offensive prowess. I probably get a couple extra hits a game over the norm, but my team OBP is realistic since I don't walk enough due to impatience.

AJColossal · Post by **AJColossal** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 12:23 pm

I'm playing at HOF, with contact at zero, and I still see a tad too many hits. However, hitting seems to be a little high in general. In my season, several times are hitting over .300. I'm at .303, so it's not THAT ridiculous. Plus as somone mentioned before, the walks come out a little low compared to real life, so the OBP comes out about right.

The games are fun, competitive, and with good variety. I'm 20-13 in my season, and every game has been a blast.

So for me, the only other negtives in this game boil down to:

-Stat tracking: Like every other baseball game in history, errors are not recorded properly. Also, pitchers are sometimes credited with the win when they shouldn't be.

-Ball going through the corner OF legs. Sometimes I think I have a grasp on it though. Anyone have any breakthroughs handling this?

-Strike zone is still too generous, ESPECIALLY on low strike calls.

I can live with all of this however. Best baseball game I've played since HH. The franchise continuing in the next gen just warranted a PS3 purchase for me.

webdanzer · Post by **webdanzer** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 12:36 pm

I'm at HOF, only slider change is pitch count maxed, and I was seeing a bit too many hits (as singles) as well.

I started using the power button more, got less singles (and less hits overall), more doubles and HRs, and now my numbers are pretty darn good. Not nearly as many 13 hit, 4 run games.

Are you guys making good use of the power swing? The normal swing almost feels like a contact/normal to me.

EDIT: Lol, I just realized that this looks like a 'Hey guys, do this and you'll be WORSE' post. My runs have gone up a bit since doing this too...

Overall, the R and H are closer to real life scores when I make fair use of the power swing.

icvu42 · Post by **icvu42** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 12:45 pm

I have the PSP version. I play on All-Star, and have lowered human contact to 5, and human power to 6 (maybe it's 7). I also have guess pitch turned off. Through 12 games with the Yankees, my stats are pretty realistic. Team BA of .282 and 14 HR. I've had as many as 19 hits in a game, and as few as 4, depending who I've faced. My record is 7-5.

Rick

AJColossal · Post by **AJColossal** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 12:55 pm

Web, That's not a bad idea about using the power button more. I can see how that would cut down on singles and increase doubles.

wabash97 · Post by **wabash97** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 1:26 pm

I usually use (in the Mets lineup), power swing for the first two strikes of every hitter with th exception of Reyes, Lo Duca and Ordo ... Hernandez. Last night, though, I had three singles with Cliff Floyd on two-strike counts. I'm going to try HOF with contact lowered again today. The game is just too good otherwise to put it down.

B