Runner Always Scores on Infield Single

[majesty95]

Is anyone else noticing this? Every time there is a runner on third and less than 2 outs the runner scores. Obviously, this can happen occasionally on plays into the hole. But routine grounders the fielder would check the runner back and make the throw. In close games they would probably go for the runner at home if he is trying to score. But every time they take the out at first and let the run score. Its really bothersome...

[Markus Heinsohn]

This is probably a small sample size issue. It works as intended here in my tests.

[SteveP]

I'll weigh in just so Markus can have another opportunity to correct me ...

In my experience, a ground ball to an Inf will (almost) always result in a throw to first. The only difference is whether the Inf is playing in or out. If out, the runner on 3rd will always score. If in, the runner on 3rd will stay put.

There is an exception that occurs if the runner on 3rd would be able to score a walk-off run. Then he may attempt even if the Inf is playing in.

AFAIK, all this is still the case. If it has changed, I'd love to know about it.

[BIG17EASY]

Originally Posted by SteveP

I'll weigh in just so Markus can have another opportunity to correct me ...

In my experience, a ground ball to an Inf will (almost) always result in a throw to first. The only difference is whether the Inf is playing in or out. If out, the runner on 3rd will always score. If in, the runner on 3rd will stay put.

There is an exception that occurs if the runner on 3rd would be able to score a walk-off run. Then he may attempt even if the Inf is playing in.

AFAIK, all this is still the case. If it has changed, I'd love to know about it.

This is extremely accurate. The only exception with the infield would be a ground ball directly at the pitcher.

However, I'm confused by the OP. The title says infield single, but the actual post seems to be discussing ground ball outs.

[r0nster]

I have found for years ground ball to pitcher the batter is safe at first ... figured pitcher has horrible fielding ratings been trying to get pitchers with better fielding range of which appears to help. Runner at third will score if he fast if moderate to slow runner he will stand pat I have noticed

[David Watts]

Originally Posted by BIG17EASY

This is extremely accurate. The only exception with the infield would be a ground ball directly at the pitcher.

However, I'm confused by the OP. The title says infield single, but the actual post seems to be discussing ground ball outs.

This confused me as well. An infield single will more often than not lead to a run, as it's a tough play all the way around.

[r0nster]

Ground ball to pitcher fast runner at least 95% of the time scores unchallenged

[tavastian]

Originally Posted by r0nster

Ground ball to pitcher fast runner at least 95% of the time scores unchallenged

This actually goes completely against my (admittedly SSS experience). In the roughly 5-10 situations where I had the infield in with a runner on third, a ball fielded by the infielder has resulted in only one attempt of home by the runner, and that one an out at the plate (Gordon caught by a throw of Freeman to Bethancourt). Though maybe a "grounder to the pitcher" is almost never a one-hopper a play could be made on, and reflects something dribbling down a line the majority of the time?

Of course, I also experience very high (90%+) rates of runs scored if the ball is hit to an infielder that isn't playing in, which I suspect jives with reality.

An infield hit should never result in an out at home logically, since the force at 1st is nearly always an easier play than a throw home. Not to mention it wouldn't ever be scored a hit if the fielder threw home and got an out--would be an FC in that case, right?

[SteveP]

Originally Posted by BIG17EASY

The only exception with the infield would be a ground ball directly at the pitcher.

Exactly. I believe the game simply regards a GB hit to the pitcher the same as a GB hit to an Inf playing in.

Since the AI never calls a squeeze play, what happens with a man on 3rd and less than 2 outs tends to be pretty predictable.

[Markus Heinsohn]

Originally Posted by tavastian

An infield hit should never result in an out at home logically, since the force at 1st is nearly always an easier play than a throw home. Not to mention it wouldn't ever be scored a hit if the fielder threw home and got an out--would be an FC in that case, right?

Unless the scorer decides it would have been a hit all the way.

[Questdog]

Originally Posted by SteveP

Exactly. I believe the game simply regards a GB hit to the pitcher the same as a GB hit to an Inf playing in.

Since the AI never calls a squeeze play, what happens with a man on 3rd and less than 2 outs tends to be pretty predictable.

I had a squeeze play called by the AI a few games ago.....

[RchW]

Originally Posted by Questdog

I had a squeeze play called by the AI a few games ago.....

Same here. Trying to find the game log.

[The Wolf]

I have played a LOT of games out since this was released, and everything seems just fine to me except for bunt frequency and success, and I adjusted those two values already in the engine.

[majesty95]

I just realized I said infield single. Lol. Yes, I meant ground out to an infielder.

My issues is this: if it is a tie game, say 4-4 in the 7th inning, with a runner on third and one out and there is a ground ball to short, always, in my short experience so far, the fielder goes to first and allows the run to score. You allowed them to take the lead to get an out.

In my opinion, and what I was taught growing up playing baseball, was that you looked the runner back and then made the throw to first. You never gave up the lead for an out. You might let the run score if you are up several runs, but never in a tie game.

A similar example would be a team intentionally walking the batter to put runners on 1st and 3rd to set up the double play possibility. The game actually does that sometimes, but seems to sacrifice the run for the out in my experience. I've lost a few games because of this and it boggles my mind because it goes against everything I was always taught about situational play as an infielder.

[BIG17EASY]

Originally Posted by majesty95

I just realized I said infield single. Lol. Yes, I meant ground out to an infielder.

My issues is this: if it is a tie game, say 4-4 in the 7th inning, with a runner on third and one out and there is a ground ball to short, always, in my short experience so far, the fielder goes to first and allows the run to score. You allowed them to take the lead to get an out.

In my opinion, and what I was taught growing up playing baseball, was that you looked the runner back and then made the throw to first. You never gave up the lead for an out. You might let the run score if you are up several runs, but never in a tie game.

A similar example would be a team intentionally walking the batter to put runners on 1st and 3rd to set up the double play possibility. The game actually does that sometimes, but seems to sacrifice the run for the out in my experience. I've lost a few games because of this and it boggles my mind because it goes against everything I was always taught about situational play as an infielder.

If the infield is back with one out, the runner on third is going on contact on any ground ball, so there's no opportunity to look him back. Different story if the infield is in. Keep track of whether the infield is in or not and see if it's happening with the infield in. If it is, then that would be a problem.

[SteveP]

Where things get really squirrelly is when you have men on 1st and 3rd, with one or no outs, and Inf playing in. The defense will execute or attempt to execute a DP, and the runner will stay at 3rd. That triggers my gag reflex every time, but one can rationalize it in some situations. I think ...

[Izz]

Originally Posted by majesty95

I just realized I said infield single. Lol. Yes, I meant ground out to an infielder.

My issues is this: if it is a tie game, say 4-4 in the 7th inning, with a runner on third and one out and there is a ground ball to short, always, in my short experience so far, the fielder goes to first and allows the run to score. You allowed them to take the lead to get an out.

Is the infield playing in or is it at normal depth?

[RchW]

Originally Posted by majesty95

I just realized I said infield single. Lol. Yes, I meant ground out to an infielder.

My issues is this: if it is a tie game, say 4-4 in the 7th inning, with a runner on third and one out and there is a ground ball to short, always, in my short experience so far, the fielder goes to first and allows the run to score. You allowed them to take the lead to get an out.

In my opinion, and what I was taught growing up playing baseball, was that you looked the runner back and then made the throw to first. You never gave up the lead for an out. You might let the run score if you are up several runs, but never in a tie game.

A similar example would be a team intentionally walking the batter to put runners on 1st and 3rd to set up the double play possibility. The game actually does that sometimes, but seems to sacrifice the run for the out in my experience. I've lost a few games because of this and it boggles my mind because it goes against everything I was always taught about situational play as an infielder.

Not if you have the IF in. On a DP the run scores as it should.

[majesty95]

Originally Posted by BIG17EASY

If the infield is back with one out, the runner on third is going on contact on any ground ball, so there's no opportunity to look him back. Different story if the infield is in. Keep track of whether the infield is in or not and see if it's happening with the infield in. If it is, then that would be a problem.

Are there multiple infield settings? I haven't really looked at them. I've always thought of "in" as being a 9th inning, game is tied kind of thing. In a "normal" infield depth you could look the runner back and still make the play. Then you might have a "deep" or double play depth arrangement...

[BIG17EASY]

Originally Posted by majesty95

Are there multiple infield settings? I haven't really looked at them. I've always thought of "in" as being a 9th inning, game is tied kind of thing. In a "normal" infield depth you could look the runner back and still make the play. Then you might have a "deep" or double play depth arrangement...

Yes, of course there are. They aren't quite as varied in real life, because in real life you can literally stand anywhere on the field. But there are big differences between having the infield in or not in OOTP.