Small Ball

jerryb1961 · 08-22-2018, 11:22 PM

In my life (since 1961 and going strong so far) I have had two teams I loved, the Atlanta Braves and the Kansas City Royals.

The Braves WS 1995 championship team had probably the best starting rotation ever in the history of the game-- Maddux, Glavine, Smoltz.

The Royals suck wet dead bears this year ("Rebuilding," doan chew know) but in 2014 and 2015 they won the ALCS and then the WS by playing "small ball," clawing and scratching and hissing and spitting for every single base.

It was scientific baseball.

So lately I have fired up OOTP and loaded the All-Time Greats, and I've been disappointed. Why can't I steal a base? Well, dumbass it's because Berra or Bench are catching, or because Carlton is on the mound, or yes, Maddux, and they just don't allow steals unless your runner is Ty Cobb.

Playing the 1927 Yankees doesn't require strategy, it requires you to be able to click on "swing away"...

I think I'm gonna start a fictional league...

Rant over :-D

The Game · 08-23-2018, 12:12 AM

If i want to steal i either switch to pitch by pitch mode or i use Run & Hit. i never use straight steal. My ABF Sox lead the ABF in SB.

Dyzalot · 08-23-2018, 03:54 PM

I let my baserunners decide when to steal so it is more like MLB. Also how exactly is "small ball" scientific?

Arobbins · 08-23-2018, 04:25 PM

I’ve had some moderate success in sim with small ball, not so much in play, in minor leagues

Curve Ball Dave · 08-23-2018, 05:20 PM

I build my team based on speed. Home runs take a day off, speed never does. To insure we turn the game into a track meet I hired a manager who is very aggressive with stealing and base running. I've had a lot of success with this. Give me guys who don't strike out and can run and I'll take them.

TomVeal · 08-26-2018, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dyzalot

I let my baserunners decide when to steal so it is more like MLB. Also how exactly is "small ball" scientific?

Playing in pitch-by-pitch mode, is there a way to leave stealing up to the players?

Arobbins · 08-27-2018, 03:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomVeal

Playing in pitch-by-pitch mode, is there a way to leave stealing up to the players?

I believe their stealing ability will determine how aggressive they are and how they gauge opportunities with steals. Of course that's not counting force steal. In my experience they won't attempt a steal on their own on swing attempts only.

08-22-2018, 11:22 PM	#1
jerryb1961 Minors (Single A) Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: KS Posts: 75	Small Ball In my life (since 1961 and going strong so far) I have had two teams I loved, the Atlanta Braves and the Kansas City Royals. The Braves WS 1995 championship team had probably the best starting rotation ever in the history of the game-- Maddux, Glavine, Smoltz. The Royals suck wet dead bears this year ("Rebuilding," doan chew know) but in 2014 and 2015 they won the ALCS and then the WS by playing "small ball," clawing and scratching and hissing and spitting for every single base. It was scientific baseball. So lately I have fired up OOTP and loaded the All-Time Greats, and I've been disappointed. Why can't I steal a base? Well, dumbass it's because Berra or Bench are catching, or because Carlton is on the mound, or yes, Maddux, and they just don't allow steals unless your runner is Ty Cobb. Playing the 1927 Yankees doesn't require strategy, it requires you to be able to click on "swing away"... I think I'm gonna start a fictional league... Rant over :-D

08-23-2018, 12:12 AM	#2
The Game Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Inside The Game Posts: 30,937	If i want to steal i either switch to pitch by pitch mode or i use Run & Hit. i never use straight steal. My ABF Sox lead the ABF in SB. __________________ Go today don't wait for tomorrow It isn't promised, all the time you get borrowed Don't live your life for other people Don't bottle your emotions till they crack and fill a couple just sorrows Take your mind and refocus go get a paper write your goals out Throw your middle fingers to all your haters "Stay Strong"

08-23-2018, 05:20 PM	#5
Curve Ball Dave Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 2,393	I build my team based on speed. Home runs take a day off, speed never does. To insure we turn the game into a track meet I hired a manager who is very aggressive with stealing and base running. I've had a lot of success with this. Give me guys who don't strike out and can run and I'll take them. __________________ "Hitting is timing. Pitching is upsetting timing"-Warren Spahn.

08-23-2018, 03:54 PM	#3
Dyzalot All Star Starter Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 1,740	I let my baserunners decide when to steal so it is more like MLB. Also how exactly is "small ball" scientific?

08-23-2018, 04:25 PM	#4
Arobbins Minors (Double A) Join Date: Aug 2018 Posts: 133	I’ve had some moderate success in sim with small ball, not so much in play, in minor leagues