MLB 09 The Show Sneak peek

lexbur · Post by **lexbur** » Wed Mar 11, 2009 11:01 am

Speaking of sounds in the game I was glad they included the drummer at Progressive Field this year.

Another cool sound in the game - I played a game at Yankee Stadium last night and the crowd did that thing in the top of the first where they chant each Yankees name until the player acknowledges them. They showed a few of the players waving or tipping their cap. Annoying as hell since I hate the Yankees, but still kinda cool that it's in the game.

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Wed Mar 11, 2009 11:12 am

The Yankees roll call!

I think that was in MLB 08 as well.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Wed Mar 11, 2009 11:13 am

I went back to classic pitching and the camera right behind the pitcher, getting some excellent battles with guys like Jeter. After the homer-fest that I had the other day, I managed to get no more than 5 hits on AS, wished there was an in between as I am reading the ball no problem lately on veteran.

How's does the music thing work, do I need a memory stick?

lexbur · Post by **lexbur** » Wed Mar 11, 2009 11:22 am

MizzouRah wrote:The Yankees roll call!

I think that was in MLB 08 as well.

Yeah, I probably missed it last year because I was playing on Fast Play. I'm leaving Fast Play turned off this year, there's too much cool stuff to see.

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Wed Mar 11, 2009 11:45 am

Ok so on Veteran I am now 8-1. The AI just swings and misses a lot more, so now i am thinking i either need to go back up a level or start messing with sliders.

I'm afraid it might be the later because there seems to be no happy medium. On all-star the hit the s*** out of everything and on Veteran well lets just say they don't.

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Wed Mar 11, 2009 11:51 am

Danimal wrote:Ok so on Veteran I am now 8-1. The AI just swings and misses a lot more, so now i am thinking i either need to go back up a level or start messing with sliders.

I'm afraid it might be the later because there seems to be no happy medium. On all-star the hit the s*** out of everything and on Veteran well lets just say they don't.

What pitching method do you use? Could you take off some(all) of the aids?

I guess if you are seeing less contact, though, it may not matter.

spooky157 · Post by **spooky157** » Wed Mar 11, 2009 12:28 pm

One cool thing I noticed in my first game at the new Yankee Stadium is that Derek Jeter gets introduced by someone who sounds an awful lot like Bob Shepard. I know he was the one player who specifically requested to be announced by a recording of Bob Shepard last year while Shepard was too ill to attend. Nice touch.

lexbur · Post by **lexbur** » Wed Mar 11, 2009 12:34 pm

spooky157 wrote:One cool thing I noticed in my first game at the new Yankee Stadium is that Derek Jeter gets introduced by someone who sounds an awful lot like Bob Shepard. I know he was the one player who specifically requested to be announced by a recording of Bob Shepard last year while Shepard was too ill to attend. Nice touch.

Yeah, I noticed that, too. Same thing when Matsui came up, it sounded like a Japanese announcer. Like each player has their own announcer or something.

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Wed Mar 11, 2009 1:43 pm

lexbur wrote:
spooky157 wrote:One cool thing I noticed in my first game at the new Yankee Stadium is that Derek Jeter gets introduced by someone who sounds an awful lot like Bob Shepard. I know he was the one player who specifically requested to be announced by a recording of Bob Shepard last year while Shepard was too ill to attend. Nice touch.
Yeah, I noticed that, too. Same thing when Matsui came up, it sounded like a Japanese announcer. Like each player has their own announcer or something.

It seems like the Devs took a little extra time on Yankee Stadium and the games that are played there. I swear the graphics are sharper there when playing. Maybe I am just imagining this, not sure.

jLp vAkEr0 · Post by **jLp vAkEr0** » Wed Mar 11, 2009 1:43 pm

10spro wrote:So I got ejected for the first time, not that I could control it but in a close game there must be an option to avoid the players' behaviour, no?

No, you can disable ejections all together.

jLp vAkEr0 · Post by **jLp vAkEr0** » Wed Mar 11, 2009 2:15 pm

BTW, after installing update 1.01, I started a new 14 game season with the Mets (HOF).

Loss both games by 1 run and was able to make better contact.

I did notice that the CPU is being incredibly agressive on the mound.

In my 2nd game, Kuroda at one time had 39 strikes vs 5 balls. Tried working the count but it's impossible when pitchers keep comming after me PLUS keeps getting border line calls by the umps (f***ers!).

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Wed Mar 11, 2009 2:15 pm

Pete wrote:
Danimal wrote:Ok so on Veteran I am now 8-1. The AI just swings and misses a lot more, so now i am thinking i either need to go back up a level or start messing with sliders.

I'm afraid it might be the later because there seems to be no happy medium. On all-star the hit the s*** out of everything and on Veteran well lets just say they don't.
What pitching method do you use? Could you take off some(all) of the aids?

I guess if you are seeing less contact, though, it may not matter.

I'm using meter and the only thing I have is the controller vibration. That's not really an issue I still see my pitcher missing his spots, not nearly as much as all-star. When I'm throwing an 86 mph fatty over the outer half of the plate to Alberto Puljois he should not be missing it 905 of the time. by missing I mean flat out swing and miss, or weak foul back etc. The difference between the two level is night and day.

lexbur · Post by **lexbur** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 10:25 am

XXXIV wrote:
webdanzer wrote:once I started to make good contact with the ball!- I have hit many gap doubles.
I have only played one game (due to distance of the PS3 from game room) but I had two gap doubles in it.

I thought of this last night while I was playing, how somebody was asking about doubles in the gap. I got totally dominated by CC Sabathia, a 5-0 loss to the Yankees, I only got three hits, but on the brighter side, one of the hits was a double in the gap. That's a pretty good ratio.

RallyMonkey · Post by **RallyMonkey** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 11:08 am

Thanks Lex. Since posting i have seen a number of doubles in the gap so it's all good. In addition i've seen a couple of balls sail over the head of the OF's which is just great to watch.

On a side note, i think the devs are either related to or are in love with JD Drew. I'm batting something stupid like .220 as a team, but Drew has 5 HR, 13 RBI and is hitting something sick like .380 right now after 9 games. Ortiz can't hit a beachball with an oar but Drew is on pace to win the triple crown.

webdanzer · Post by **webdanzer** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 12:07 pm

I'm seeing some of the lineup oddities now. Hopefully they'll be able to patch that.

Also, something that I'm not all that particularly troubled by but that I have noticed, is that there seem to be a lot of singles down the line past the 3rd baseman in this game. It's like he is not playing the line closely enough or reacting quickly enough.

Not that big of a deal, but something that I'm seeing probably more than I should be if I were comparing it to a real game.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 12:15 pm

webdanzer wrote:Also, something that I'm not all that particularly troubled by but that I have noticed, is that there seem to be a lot of singles down the line past the 3rd baseman in this game. It's like he is not playing the line closely enough or reacting quickly enough.

Not that big of a deal, but something that I'm seeing probably more than I should be if I were comparing it to a real game.

That has ALWAYS been an issue with the MLB series. It's almost like the ball isn't hit hard enough to make it to the outfielder, but somehow the 3b or 1b can't react quickly enough to get to that ball down the line. I'm not sure how they could really tweak that without making the corner infielders too good at reacting to balls between 3rd and short and 1st and second, but whatever.

It's probably the one thing that bothers me the most, but doesn't bother me. It's not like it would affect BA or OBP, but I guess it does affect the number of doubles and slugging %. Oh well...if that's the worst thing we have to complain about, we're doing alright.

webdanzer · Post by **webdanzer** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 12:22 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:
webdanzer wrote:Also, something that I'm not all that particularly troubled by but that I have noticed, is that there seem to be a lot of singles down the line past the 3rd baseman in this game. It's like he is not playing the line closely enough or reacting quickly enough.

Not that big of a deal, but something that I'm seeing probably more than I should be if I were comparing it to a real game.
That has ALWAYS been an issue with the MLB series. It's almost like the ball isn't hit hard enough to make it to the outfielder, but somehow the 3b or 1b can't react quickly enough to get to that ball down the line. I'm not sure how they could really tweak that without making the corner infielders too good at reacting to balls between 3rd and short and 1st and second, but whatever.

It's probably the one thing that bothers me the most, but doesn't bother me. It's not like it would affect BA or OBP, but I guess it does affect the number of doubles and slugging %. Oh well...if that's the worst thing we have to complain about, we're doing alright.

I hadn't really noticed it much in previous versions. I guess I'm seeing it more now because I'm so much more damn early in timing my swings with this year's than I have been in past ones!

Maybe they could move them a step closer to the line.

I agree it's a minor issue to live with.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 2:20 pm

I had a great pitching match up in J. Beckett and R. Halladay. Both guys were in great command with the BOS dude earning the win as my guys (as in real life) had trouble scoring with RISP. A rare game where even in defeat you feel like 'Hey, still I had a great time'.

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 11:55 am

The attention to detail in this game is utterly amazing. It's really evident when you go into the replays. Take a look at the actions of fielders backing up a play or throw, cutoff men, the umpires, base coaches, crowd, etc. They are all realistic. It may seem minor, but it really adds to the overall realism in the game. I also think it is great that they added some occasional "human error" elements into the game...something that is sorely lacking in team sports games. I thought for sure I was going to have an inside the park homerun tonight but unfortunately for me it was the catcher running the basepaths. Also, for the first time since High Heat, I am getting realistic walk totals and pitch counts on *both* sides.

There are hundreds of reasons why this is the best sports game I've ever played. It's a work of art. The year-by-year improvements in this series have been remarkable.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 1:46 pm

Leebo33 wrote:The year-by-year improvements in this series have been remarkable.

I thought MLB 07 played better while MLB 08 looked better but MLB 09 is the best so far in the series.

Diablo25 · Post by **Diablo25** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 1:53 pm

Leebo33 wrote:The attention to detail in this game is utterly amazing. It's really evident when you go into the replays. Take a look at the actions of fielders backing up a play or throw, cutoff men, the umpires, base coaches, crowd, etc. They are all realistic.

Check out Tex's reaction to Ibanez's upper tank shot off Joba

Loved that one

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpD6yIsjHuY

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 2:02 pm

Rodster wrote:
Leebo33 wrote:The year-by-year improvements in this series have been remarkable.
I thought MLB 07 played better while MLB 08 looked better but MLB 09 is the best so far in the series.

07 was just ehhh...it still looked like a PS2 games with the cartoon graphics. 08 was significantly better...and like Leebo, I think 09 is probably the best sports game ever made. Somehow, on veteran, I'm 6-12. Last in the league in most hitting categories and middle of the pack in the pitching...yet I still LOVE this F'n game.

snaz16 · Post by **snaz16** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 6:18 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:
Rodster wrote:
Leebo33 wrote:The year-by-year improvements in this series have been remarkable.
I thought MLB 07 played better while MLB 08 looked better but MLB 09 is the best so far in the series.
07 was just ehhh...it still looked like a PS2 games with the cartoon graphics. 08 was significantly better...and like Leebo, I think 09 is probably the best sports game ever made. Somehow, on veteran, I'm 6-12. Last in the league in most hitting categories and middle of the pack in the pitching...yet I still LOVE this F'n game.

I don't feel so bad then. I'm 2-5 with the Indians on veteran. I can't hit my way out of wet paper bag. No discipline

Whats the general consensus on hitting. Anyone using guess pitch,or what. Damn I suck

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 7:26 pm

I don't use the left stick when batting. Depending on the situation, I press up ,down, left or right with the right analog stick prior to the pitch. Then, I just time the pitch. This is on veteran and I'm having good results.

Slumberland · Post by **Slumberland** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 7:36 pm

I was out in front of everything at first, but that sort of subconscious adjustment that sometimes takes place with these games seems to have taken place, and I'm hitting ok now. Still not the 15 hits a game that previous editions have yielded, but that's a great thing. More like 5-10. I remember ASB used to be like that... there'd be a week or two where the pitches just seemed too fast for human consumption, but eventually your neurons just catch up. This was sort of the reverse, i.e. don't load up on fastballs for anyone who tops out at 90 or so mph or else you'll be out in front.

I am aiming when possible, and using guess pitch. Guess pitch bothers me a bit in theory, but I like playing the game 100% out-of-the-box when possible, and I'm happy to have the help on Legend.