As far as what the OP of this thread claimed, I do
not agree with his assessment that more often than not a double-play will result after a runner at 1st base breaks for 2nd, but then puts on the brakes and hustles back to 1st. It doesn't jive with my experiences managing games in OOTP. I just played 8 games since reading the original post and it didn't happen at all. I know, that's hardly scientific.
We all have experienced that one guy we need in our regular lineup, who posts very good numbers but strikes out at a ridiculous rate. Well, I'm sure most of you have also experienced that one guy you need to have in your regular lineup because his production is typically good...the downside of this hitter, however, is not strikeouts, but rather, grounding into textbook double plays at an extremely frustrating rate. My #5 hitter has been John Olerud for the past few seasons. I think I'm very fortunate to have him as a starter on my team. He's a very good hitter with two very big flaws. #1) He may be the slowest runner in OOTP. #2)
He hits into a lot of DPs. Last season, he led the Major Leagues in GDP with 36. Johnny averaged 1 double-play every 4 games! He is a DP machine.
Are you sure you don't happen to have a DP machine on your own team?
*********** BONUS CONTENT REGARDING BASE STEALING IN OOTP 21 ************* aka "ALB's Whining"
I was recently active in a different thread regarding base stealing in OOTP 21. My complaint is when I am playing a team with a good catcher who possesses a strong arm if I press the number 4 key, trying to steal second base, my base runner on 1st will almost always break for second base on that pitch. Whether he is safe or not isn't an issue with me.
If I am playing against the same exact team and they are using a backup catcher who has a poor arm or maybe a below-average arm, if I press the number 4 key, trying to steal second base, my base runner on 1st will almost always break for second base on that pitch, however, he will stop after a couple of steps and return to first base. I interpret that as my base runner on 1st realizing he got a terrible jump and smartly canceled his attempt to steal second base.
I have not collected data on this, but based on observation, it most certainly appears that my base runners will NOT try to steal second base when I ask them (press the number 4 key) if the opposing team has a catcher with a weak arm behind home plate.
I'm taking into account a pitcher's ability to hold runners. Some are better than others. So, let's just say that if every single important variable is the same except for the catcher's arm strength, my 3 best base stealers will follow my instructions much more often when the catcher's arm is strong. I've assumed that happens so we can't run all over the weaker catchers. At least, that's what I tell myself. LOL