[mrbill]

Wacky and inconclusive? No conclusion? I started with the hypothesis that 5 BfH should produce about .020 average boost over 1 BfH, at least that's a hard number someone in that thread suggested. I started to get tests that showed a positive correlation. As I did more tests, that correlation got weaker. My "conclusions" were more running summary of what I thought as I did each test. My last conclusion was that in all the tests I did, any difference was probably more noise than an actual BfH effect. "Wacky and inconclusive" is random variance, the heart and soul of OOTP.

I wanted to try and find a scenario where bunt for hit produced a meaningful improvement in average. But, understanding that the effect of "Avoiding Ks" depends on the "Stuff" of the opposing pitcher, I had to vary other factors than just BfH, and the obvious first choice is speed. Maybe BfH talent is more effective when fast or slow. Of course, I ended my test with "I didn't find evidence, what other tests can I do that might highlight how much of an effect is has?"

Now, I could run tests where only the leadoff hitter is different from the rest of the players, but I'd have to do so many seasons to get enough data, that its not worth it to me.

Even if players lower in the batting order bunt half as often for hits, if the rating has a meaningful effect, I think it should show up over 10 seasons.

The real test I want to do is play out games myself, and just make one particular hitter BfH EVERY time at the plate. Using the AI slider may not increase bunting overall enough to notice the effect, if you work off the assumption the effect is still there.

I'm not saying its worthless, but my tests were centered around how an online league player has to use the game, so maybe solo players who control the strategy can make better use of the skill.

Or, maybe its like the "Clutch" rating, and the effects are nebulous at best.

And that ties back into hidden ratings.... in that it's probably hard to find a test that'll highlight the effects without TONS of work on someones behalf, assuming they aren't chasing a development hidden rating or a 0.5% effect hidden rating.

Does anyone know what consistency does? I think that one might play more of a role than people assume.