Hands on game as a manager

Dr. Strangelove · 08-03-2017, 07:21 AM

Up until now I had always played as the GM, but now I decided to try the more "hands on" approach with the manager. There are quite a few different options so I am a bit confued, mainly about pitching.

There are several types of pitches thrown - normal one, contact and away (or however it's called). What are the differences between them? What skills are most important for them (both pitcher's and the batter's)?

Mr. Marlin · 08-03-2017, 02:08 PM

Pitch to contact means the pitcher is throwing a ball with the intention of the batter putting it into play, hoping for a ground out. For example, if you have a runner on first, one out and a groundball pitcher you might set the defense for double play, pitch to contact and hope the batter hits into a DP. But you are taking a chance. A pitch to contact pitch is a high probability of being hit and if it ends up in the outfield... you won't be happy.

Pitch away is telling the pitcher not to throw any obvious strikes. Don't challenge the batter. There will be more outside off speed pitches. You might go this route with a dangerous hitter thinking it's better to walk him than let him hurt you with an extra base hit, but don't want to intentionally walk him. If the pitcher has good control and the hitter has a poor eye rating there is a pretty good chance of a favorable outcome. But there is a much higher chance of a walk.

Keep in mind, these only change the probabilities. Anything can happen on any pitch.

Dr. Strangelove · 08-03-2017, 06:46 PM

Thanks, that's pretty much what I expected but you described it really well. Thanks a lot!

Dr. Strangelove · 08-04-2017, 02:33 PM

How about different types of hits? What kind of skills are most important for each type? Does taking the pitch let player feel the pitcher and boost his chances?

RchW · 08-04-2017, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Marlin

Pitch to contact means the pitcher is throwing a ball with the intention of the batter putting it into play, hoping for a ground out. For example, if you have a runner on first, one out and a groundball pitcher you might set the defense for double play, pitch to contact and hope the batter hits into a DP. But you are taking a chance. A pitch to contact pitch is a high probability of being hit and if it ends up in the outfield... you won't be happy.

Not picking on this post specifically more the concept of pitch to contact. I think it's "mythology". The original DIPS theory and refinements to stats like FIP still show that pitchers have little control over how balls are put in play. The idea that a pitcher has a switch of technique that can increase balls in play is not supported by evidence. Maybe Matt and/or Markus can let us know what concept or set of numbers is used to make this occur. In earlier versions I found PTC mostly produced poor results and stopped using it as it seemed to make the pitcher less effective than his actual talent.

The only use I can think of for a "let 'em hit it" mode is up 12-0 in the 4th 5th inning. Most of the time this just makes it 12-6 by the 7th.

Apologies if this is too OT.

Mr. Marlin · 08-05-2017, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Strangelove

How about different types of hits? What kind of skills are most important for each type? Does taking the pitch let player feel the pitcher and boost his chances?

Well, in my world there is no such thing as that crime against humanity the DH. My pitchers take their at-bats. So my strategy with pitchers is to take as many pitches as possible to run up the opposing pitcher's pitch count. I'll have them take pitches until they have two strikes. I'd take the third strike if the game would let me. Very seldom will the game allow a walk without taking a swing.

One thing you have to remember, with a nod to what RchW just mentioned: OOTP is not real life. Things work in OOTP that would never work in a real game because these players are not little humans with their own ideas and strategies. It's just software calculating probabilities. So small things that you can do as a manager like creating matchups using L/R splits, matching pitcher tendencies to defense, etc can improve your chances of a favorable outcome without having to consider batter abilities or tendencies or other aspects of the game that are not numerically quantifiable.

OOTP is closer to real life than any other SIM I have played so I'm casting no shade here. But at the end of the day it's just numbers.

08-03-2017, 07:21 AM	#1
Dr. Strangelove Minors (Double A) Join Date: May 2017 Posts: 105	Hands on game as a manager Up until now I had always played as the GM, but now I decided to try the more "hands on" approach with the manager. There are quite a few different options so I am a bit confued, mainly about pitching. There are several types of pitches thrown - normal one, contact and away (or however it's called). What are the differences between them? What skills are most important for them (both pitcher's and the batter's)?

08-03-2017, 02:08 PM	#2
Mr. Marlin All Star Starter Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 1,276	Pitch to contact means the pitcher is throwing a ball with the intention of the batter putting it into play, hoping for a ground out. For example, if you have a runner on first, one out and a groundball pitcher you might set the defense for double play, pitch to contact and hope the batter hits into a DP. But you are taking a chance. A pitch to contact pitch is a high probability of being hit and if it ends up in the outfield... you won't be happy. Pitch away is telling the pitcher not to throw any obvious strikes. Don't challenge the batter. There will be more outside off speed pitches. You might go this route with a dangerous hitter thinking it's better to walk him than let him hurt you with an extra base hit, but don't want to intentionally walk him. If the pitcher has good control and the hitter has a poor eye rating there is a pretty good chance of a favorable outcome. But there is a much higher chance of a walk. Keep in mind, these only change the probabilities. Anything can happen on any pitch.

08-03-2017, 06:46 PM	#3
Dr. Strangelove Minors (Double A) Join Date: May 2017 Posts: 105	Thanks, that's pretty much what I expected but you described it really well. Thanks a lot!

08-04-2017, 02:33 PM	#4
Dr. Strangelove Minors (Double A) Join Date: May 2017 Posts: 105	How about different types of hits? What kind of skills are most important for each type? Does taking the pitch let player feel the pitcher and boost his chances?