Did something change ?

[eldur00]

I debated for a few days before posting this because this seems like a small sample size, but this one is odd to me.

So, I've been playing OOTP since OOTP9. I've always played out every single game in one pitch mode. For the past few years, not only do I still play that way, but I also play as Manager only as I found it's the most challenging way to play without the need to add a bunch of house rules.

I've even decided to up the challenge one notch further this year, by setting up my strategies, and letting things play out during my games. I basically only do substitutions, leaving the sim engine to play according to my set strategies. I'll be honest, it's the most fun I've had playing this game in all those years.

So for a bit of context, I have an historical game I started in 1991 with the Expos. I'm now in July of 1993. We're playing .500 ball, and I have my strategies based on speed and small ball because I don't have a lot of power on my team. Everything was going fine. I've been no-hit for the first time ever by Andy Ashby, and I have seen my first ever straight steal from home (Ray Lankford). I also saw for the first time a player being hit by a ball in play (Mark Whiten).

I also saw something else for the first time ever - one of my pitchers, Carlos Perez, attempted a bunt hit. Nobody on base. With two strikes. He bunted foul.
And then he did it again. And a couple more times.
Yesterday, I saw Terry Mulholland attempt it with two strikes as well. Now, both those pitchers have a drag bunt rating above 50 on the 1-100 scale. I sadly don't remember what they were earlier in previous years because, well, drag bunt is not really a rating I care for much for pitchers.

So to verify, I did the only thing I could think of, which was to start a new 1993 game and check the drag bunt ratings, with the full understanding they would probably differ since I've had 2 years of development. So in a new 1993 game, Carlos Perez has an 8 for drag bunt, but Mulholland has a 60. Why is it so high ? Was it always like that ?

I find it a bit odd. I've watched a lot of baseball in my time, and can't recall a pitcher trying to bunt for hit ever. I'm not saying it has never happened, but I have personally not seen it. I also have not seen that play in 10+ years of playing the game. Even in OOTP21, it only started showing up about a month ago (real life, not game time).

So, did something change ? Or is it just a quirk that has developed in my save ? Is it due to my strategies being aggressive, and at that point the pitcher is just seen as a regular bat, so with a high enough rating, they attempt a drag bunt for hit ?

I know at the end of the day it's not that big of a deal since pitchers tend to get out more often than not (although Perez is capable of hitting a bit in my save). I just find the play odd. If the reason is because the game doesn't differentiate a pitcher bat to a position player bat, then I think I can deal with it better knowing changing strategies for those players only should help, but I wanted to pick everyone's brains about it.

[Charlie Hough]

Originally Posted by eldur00

I've watched a lot of baseball in my time, and can't recall a pitcher trying to bunt for hit ever. I'm not saying it has never happened, but I have personally not seen it.

Wow. I find this hard to believe if you've truly watched a lot of baseball. Pitchers bunting for hits has been part of the game since the beginning, and while it was far more prominent before the 2000s, it still happens today.

Historically, pitchers in the National League were expected to know how to bunt, and it was a frequent strategy to help get them on base, especially if they hit pretty poorly. You used to see this a lot in the 1970s and 1980s. But it's still a strategy that managers and teams use occasionally today.

Watch this video to see a number of recent examples of pitchers bunting for hits with no one on base: https://youtu.be/KSNFQc9pFbQ?t=29

[cmaug]

lol...awesome

[BusterKing]

Originally Posted by eldur00

So, I've been playing OOTP since OOTP9. I've always played out every single game in one pitch mode.

I've even decided to up the challenge one notch further this year, by setting up my strategies, and letting things play out during my games. I basically only do substitutions, leaving the sim engine to play according to my set strategies. I'll be honest, it's the most fun I've had playing this game in all those years.

Been playing this way since the beginning. I always felt that it was the only fair way to play, not taking advantage of the AI teams. It's so much fun now that the 3D games are great to watch.

[The_Offspring187]

Originally Posted by BusterKing

Been playing this way since the beginning. I always felt that it was the only fair way to play, not taking advantage of the AI teams. It's so much fun now that the 3D games are great to watch.

Same here. I used to be a simmer (I started with Season Ticket Baseball in 2001) but since about OOTP13 I've watched all the games out. The 3D games have me glued to the game this year.