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Gastric ReFlux · 07-09-2003, 02:12 PM

Seriously, the way OOTP handles fielding is clumsy and out of character to the game's talent ratings for hitting and pitching. A lot more realism could be added by rethinking things and it would add another layer of depth to this game I already enjoy.

As I've thought about it, players really shouldn't have a fielding percentage attached to them. Instead, there should be a method by which the fielding percentage would be a result of certain skills each player has.

These are the skills I've thought of:

Speed: an important element to how many balls a player could get to, especially in the outfield positions. Likely to start out high when the player is young, and erode downwards as the player ages

Quickness/Reflexes: This one is trickier to define, but I would roughly put it down as something that the player uses to get a jump on the ball. Very important for 3rd basemen. This will also tend to go down as the player ages.

Softness of heads: a prime factor in determining errors like bobbled grounders and dropped flyballs. It would tend to be rather stable during a player's career.

Arm strength: Fairly obvious in its effect on outfielders and catchers. It would also have effects on the range factors of 3rd basemen and shortstops. It would also be fairly constant, but subject to going down if a player suffers an arm injury.

Arm accuracy: Just how likely the player will make a good throw for the play. Important determing factor of throwing errors, and it is something that could go up or down during a player's career.

Defensive awareness: this would be a measure of how intelligently the player handles the position, how well he puts himself in position for different hitters. This would be a key factor in a player learning a new position, and help to free us from the current system. Players could have a certain awareness level already at every position, and as they play and practice their position, it will tend to go up. Of course, some are quicker learners than others.

Some special stuff would need to be added to handle the freaky position of catcher, but a move towards something like I've outlined above could improve the current system of fielding being used by OOTP.

07-09-2003, 02:12 PM	#1
Gastric ReFlux Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Member #3409 Posts: 8,350	Revamping Fielding in future OOTPs Seriously, the way OOTP handles fielding is clumsy and out of character to the game's talent ratings for hitting and pitching. A lot more realism could be added by rethinking things and it would add another layer of depth to this game I already enjoy. As I've thought about it, players really shouldn't have a fielding percentage attached to them. Instead, there should be a method by which the fielding percentage would be a result of certain skills each player has. These are the skills I've thought of: Speed: an important element to how many balls a player could get to, especially in the outfield positions. Likely to start out high when the player is young, and erode downwards as the player ages Quickness/Reflexes: This one is trickier to define, but I would roughly put it down as something that the player uses to get a jump on the ball. Very important for 3rd basemen. This will also tend to go down as the player ages. Softness of heads: a prime factor in determining errors like bobbled grounders and dropped flyballs. It would tend to be rather stable during a player's career. Arm strength: Fairly obvious in its effect on outfielders and catchers. It would also have effects on the range factors of 3rd basemen and shortstops. It would also be fairly constant, but subject to going down if a player suffers an arm injury. Arm accuracy: Just how likely the player will make a good throw for the play. Important determing factor of throwing errors, and it is something that could go up or down during a player's career. Defensive awareness: this would be a measure of how intelligently the player handles the position, how well he puts himself in position for different hitters. This would be a key factor in a player learning a new position, and help to free us from the current system. Players could have a certain awareness level already at every position, and as they play and practice their position, it will tend to go up. Of course, some are quicker learners than others. Some special stuff would need to be added to handle the freaky position of catcher, but a move towards something like I've outlined above could improve the current system of fielding being used by OOTP.