MLB '09: The Online League

[tommyboy81]

I'm wondering if they even tested the online league before it's release. Probably not since they didn't fix a lag.

[lacubs]

i cant take that win, but the connection it petty bad, but i am on mine way to 0-115 lol,but trying mine best

[FilmmakingFiasco]

Originally Posted by lacubs

i cant take that win, but the connection it petty bad, but i am on mine way to 0-115 lol,but trying mine best

My connection was fine until that moment. Nice couple of homers you snuck in on me. Your outfield (especially Nate McClouth) have great arms, btw.

[toef]

Originally Posted by lacubs

i cant take that win, but the connection it petty bad, but i am on mine way to 0-115 lol,but trying mine best

Do you plan on giving up on the last 13 games (we're playing 128)?

Our third game was pretty good. As some tips, I'd recommend mixing up your pitches a bit more, and don't be afraid to throw on the edges of the strike zone. In our first two games, a lot of pitches ended up right over the plate.

So in general, throw curveballs low in the strike zone, so that after they curve, they are actually out of the strike zone. Throw sliders so that they slide out of the strike zone, or (depending on which side the batter is on), I like to make the ball slide into the strike zone, so it looks like a ball, but crosses over the plate at the last second, for a called strike. And the final tip is to change up the speeds. I like to start off with a few faster pitches, and then go for something slower, like a curve or changeup.

In general, always leave them guessing. Try to avoid developing a routine of pitches that you follow for every batter. Just mix things up, and keep them on their toes.

In any case, I give you a lot of credit for not quitting, because most people seem to quit when they get behind.

[tommyboy81]

Originally Posted by toefer

Do you plan on giving up on the last 13 games (we're playing 128)?

Our third game was pretty good. As some tips, I'd recommend mixing up your pitches a bit more, and don't be afraid to throw on the edges of the strike zone. In our first two games, a lot of pitches ended up right over the plate.

So in general, throw curveballs low in the strike zone, so that after they curve, they are actually out of the strike zone. Throw sliders so that they slide out of the strike zone, or (depending on which side the batter is on), I like to make the ball slide into the strike zone, so it looks like a ball, but crosses over the plate at the last second, for a called strike. And the final tip is to change up the speeds. I like to start off with a few faster pitches, and then go for something slower, like a curve or changeup.

In any case, I give you a lot of credit for not quitting, because most people seem to quit when they get behind.

I find it wierd when I throw the pitch perfectly (pitch meter) to the outside corner it goes to the middle of the plate. Even more so when the stopping place for the meter is yellow. With some pitchers you have to make adjustments. Either stop it just early or a little past.

He should take this into account also.

[toef]

Originally Posted by tommyboy81

I find it wierd when I throw the pitch perfectly (pitch meter) to the outside corner it goes to the middle of the plate. Even more so when the stopping place for the meter is yellow. With some pitchers you have to make adjustments. Either stop it just early or a little past.

He should take this into account also.

I noticed this too, but assumed it was related to the pitcher getting comfortable. Even the best pitcher in the world cannot pinpoint his pitches perfectly every time, so I tend not to get too mad.

Each pitch-type also has to be worked up on its own. If I nail a few curveballs in a row, then I'll be great at curveballs, and the yellow bar in the meter will be bigger.

But if I try throwing a fastball next, even if I stop it perfectly in the meter, it's probably not going to go exactly where I want, because it's the first fastball I threw.

I noticed this late in a game I played yesterday, in which I only threw curveballs and sliders. Late in the game (5th or 6th inning) I decided to finally through a fastball, and despite lining up the meter perfectly, the ball ended up closer to the middle of the plate than to where I was aiming.

[lacubs]

thanks for the tips but i think mine pitching is good, but mine defense and pitching guessing stinks, but i will never quit on mine 128 game
and i will in all your tips, but some are mine problems are cause by mine (C.P.) but i would never use that as a excuse!

[toef]

Originally Posted by lacubs

thanks for the tips but i think mine pitching is good, but mine defense and pitching guessing stinks, but i will never quit on mine 128 game
and i will in all your tips, but some are mine problems are cause by mine (C.P.) but i would never use that as a excuse!

No problem. We'll meet again for another series at some point.

If you want some hitting tips (not saying I'm a pro, but I did hit 9 HR's in a single game ), pick a part of the strike zone you like, and wait for a pitch there. I'm generally willing to take pitches until I get one in the zone I'm looking for. Of course, once you get 2 strikes, you can't be picky anymore, and have to swing at anything near the zone.

[caliblue15]

Originally Posted by toefer

No problem. We'll meet again for another series at some point.

If you want some hitting tips (not saying I'm a pro, but I did hit 9 HR's in a single game ), pick a part of the strike zone you like, and wait for a pitch there. I'm generally willing to take pitches until I get one in the zone I'm looking for. Of course, once you get 2 strikes, you can't be picky anymore, and have to swing at anything near the zone.

Its called play the game, like you really would in real life.. lol

[DonRSD]

Originally Posted by caliblue15

Its called play the game, like you really would in real life.. lol

lol. good observation

[caliblue15]

Originally Posted by DonRSD

lol. good observation

I played some RTTS last night, yeah, the batting has changed. I feel like I'm in 5th grade while batting, because a 94mph fastball takes so long to get to me.. I'm always early. I would rather be late, as I can change that, but waiting longer just feels weird. Its as if I have to wait for it to reach the plate then swing. Instead of swinging when the ball is about 1/2 -3/4 the way like you do in real life.

[ludawg23]

I'm confused.

The league started on Saturday but Series 1 deadline is the 31st?

Also, Mex...let me know when you're free...i'm around tonight

[caliblue15]

Originally Posted by ludawg23

I'm confused.

The league started on Saturday but Series 1 deadline is the 31st?

Also, Mex...let me know when you're free...i'm around tonight

3 day deadline.

[toef]

I think as of last night only 11 of the 30 teams have played a game.

I know there are at least a few people who were on a lot, but their Series 1 opponent never showed up.

So we probably have about 15 of 30 people being active.

Where is everybody?

Also, I noticed someone who posted in this thread recently (or maybe the other one, before we switched threads), hadn't logged into SportsConnect since March 20th.

For those who were gone for the weekend, a quick re-cap:

1) The league started Saturday
2) The deadline to complete Series 1 is Tuesday, March 31st, at 12pm EST.

Online games don't take as long as I thought they would... if you skip the cutscenes (just hit whenever they come up) you can probably get a game done in just over 30 minutes, so it'd only take about 1.5 hours to get the series done tonight.

[Scalzo]

Yeah, my first series guy hasn't been around when I've been there. E-mailed him too. I guess we'll see...

[DaMexiRican]

I played 2 or 3 games yesterday. Didn't know it started saturday but didn't really have time. Lag sucks even with a great/green connection, but oh well, I still had fun playing.

Ludawg, got you pm n replied. Toefer, since series 1 ends tomorrow at 12pm EST I probably won't be able to finish my other matches. How do I give the wins to Ludawg or is that something you can take care of?

[lacubs]

why cant play all the games yet? pointshaver is on now and i only challenge him to exhibition?

[caliblue15]

Originally Posted by lacubs

why cant play all the games yet? pointshaver is on now and i only challenge him to exhibition?

flex scheduling only lets you play 15 weeks ahead or so..

[toef]

Originally Posted by MiguelitoDaMexiRican

I played 2 or 3 games yesterday. Didn't know it started saturday but didn't really have time. Lag sucks even with a great/green connection, but oh well, I still had fun playing.

Ludawg, got you pm n replied. Toefer, since series 1 ends tomorrow at 12pm EST I probably won't be able to finish my other matches. How do I give the wins to Ludawg or is that something you can take care of?

I can take care of it all once the deadline comes. I'm not 100% how it works, but I think once the deadline hits, nobody can play any games anymore, until I advance it to Series 2, and before I can advance it, I have to decide the outcomes of all the unplayed Series 1 games.

Originally Posted by lacubs

why cant play all the games yet? pointshaver is on now and i only challenge him to exhibition?

I think the game might try to preserve a little bit of a pennant race. I noticed the last ~10 or so series for me (and for all the other people I randomly checked on) are intra-division games. So I think the game only lets you go up to the first 15 series for now, as sort of a checkpoint, to make sure we all have the same # of games played, and nobody gets too far ahead.

[ludawg23]

So Mex can't play any games tonight so it looks like there's a scheduling conflict. Plus he's west coast so he's not able to play until tomorrow, about 11-12pm EST.

Mex, taking the wins seems kind of cheap...wouldn't want to do that to you unless there's no other way. Any thoughts Toefer?