my list of gripes

[bleachercreature]

Here's my list of gripes with this game so far many are small things, and will probably never be addressed because there are other issues, or because I'm the only one who is bothered by them.

1. Way too many foul balls. I buy a game that has a "one pitch" mode for a reason. I want to throw one pitch to a batter. I don't mind it happening every once in a while, but it happens way too much, and the guy doesn't just four off one or two. He always fouls off four or five.

2. There is appearently no way around the fact that custom leagues will crash when you try to use a realistic schedule. Either this has to be fixed or the scheduler with the game needs to create better schedules. There are no off days on saturday, The season ends the last Sunday in September or the first Sunday in October. THERE ARE NO ONE GAME SERIES!!!

3. Way, wayway too many 'great running catches" This happens at least six times a game, and always when there is a ralley.

4. Way too many blown saves.

5. I am also conviced that computer controlled teams get a boost against human controlled teams, or human controlled teams take a penalty against computer controlled teams. The things that happen in some of these games are so outragous, it absord. Whether it be ridiculous running catches when a human controlled team has a ralley, a catcher having four passed balls in one game, that had four all year last year, or get this, runners second ahd third one out, fly ball to right center, right fielder makes one of those great running catches, running toward the alley in right center. Does anybody tag up? NO. Is the option even given to tag up NO! There is no way if he's making an all out run toward righ center that he's going to be in position to throw.

6. What is the point of arguing a call? It just makes the game go llonger, the umpire isn't going to change his call, and you may get thrown out. AT that point you lose control of your team. I'd rather have rrain delays and rain outs. Just one man's opinion but I find this feature useless. Especially when hitting the N to not argue has to be done twice.

OK. There's my list of gripes for now. Like I said some of this may never be adressed for a ton of reasons, but i'ts out there for discussion, I guess

[draven085]

#2- Do a search for a scheduling utility called "stickware". This generates far better schedules than OOTP's default scheduler.

#3- The issue here is the PbP. I agree that its annoying but you shouldn't read too much into it.

[Beach23BoyP]

#1) I love the foul balls. It adds to the suspense.

#2) I've been using the same "real schedule from 1969" since version 4. Still works perfectly.

#3) I see maybe two a game at the most, but I could be wrong. For the next 10 games I'll keep track of them.

#4) I haven't seen this either. I play out all my games. My closer Roy Face leads the league in Blown Saves. He has 6 BS and 26 Saves. Perhaps, I need to replace him with Hoyt Wilhelm. I see absolutely no problem here.

#5) I haven't seen any of this at all. I'm in first place in my division, leading by 5 1/2 games with 17 to play. As long as Mantle keep hitting (.398) I'll keep winning.

#6) If I'm behind (usually) 3 runs or more after the 6 inning or so -- I'll always argue. I think I've been thrown out 5 or 6 times this season. We've come back and won at least half of those! Great fun.

Again, love those foul balls!

[cshigh]

1. Foul balls are a part of baseball.

2. Stickware is great.

4. I don't believe so. Maybe the closers aren't very good? No problem in my estimation.

5. Absolutely not true.

6. Arguing a call is part of the game.

[TheRockCT]

I'm not going to go into detail about most of these, but #5 is definitely not true. If anything else, I win a higher percentage of my games when I face up against the CPU than if I were to sim them. It is as always, your opinion, but I've probably won 70-80% of the games that I play out (which isn't tremendously often, but I've been playing since OOTP3), and that includes using teams that are subpar to start with.

[Henry]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by bleachercreature
1. Way too many foul balls.

Not true. I detailed out 25 games and found that 1-2 foul balls are common and 4+ happen about once every three games on average.

2. There is appearently no way around the fact that custom leagues will crash when you try to use a realistic schedule.

I've used many custom schedules and the only time I've seen a crash is when I made a mistake in the schedule

3. Way, wayway too many 'great running catches" This happens at least six times a game, and always when there is a ralley.

I don't know about six times a game, but would agree the PbP could use more variability

4. Way too many blown saves.

Haven't seen this either

5. I am also conviced that computer controlled teams get a boost against human controlled teams, or human controlled teams take a penalty against computer controlled teams. The things that happen in some of these games are so outragous, it absord. Whether it be ridiculous running catches when a human controlled team has a ralley, a catcher having four passed balls in one game, that had four all year last year, or get this, runners second ahd third one out, fly ball to right center, right fielder makes one of those great running catches, running toward the alley in right center. Does anybody tag up? NO. Is the option even given to tag up NO! There is no way if he's making an all out run toward righ center that he's going to be in position to throw.

I am positive there is no coding in the game favoring ANYONE except the home team advatage which is small and only added this year to provide a 52-54% home win percentage.

6. What is the point of arguing a call? It just makes the game go llonger, the umpire isn't going to change his call, and you may get thrown out. AT that point you lose control of your team. I'd rather have rrain delays and rain outs. Just one man's opinion but I find this feature useless. Especially when hitting the N to not argue has to be done twice.

Part of the game and might be enhanced in the future.

[Le Grande Orange]

Originally posted by bleachercreature
2. There is apparently no way around the fact that custom leagues will crash when you try to use a realistic schedule. Either this has to be fixed or the scheduler with the game needs to create better schedules. There are no off days on saturday, The season ends the last Sunday in September or the first Sunday in October. THERE ARE NO ONE GAME SERIES!!!

I've created and used a custom schedule, and it worked fine. There is a thread in the Mods forum where folks have posted their schedule files ready for importing into OOTP; check out the thread and see if you can successfully import any of those schedules into the game. Just make sure the league that matches the structure the schedules were created for when you try them out.

Technically, even now 1 game series are still allowed in MLB, though only as season openers.

Yes, OOTP's schedule generator leaves a lot to be desired. I suggest you check out the aforementioned thread with the posted schedule files in it and/or use the Stickware schedule utility. Also, do not overlook the schedule import/export feature. Though not the most user-friendly format, the CSV file generated by exporting the schedule can be much more easily edited in a spreadsheet program than the schedule could ever be edited inside OOTP. Once you're done with your changes, just save them and then import the schedule CSV file back into the game.

[lfj]

4. Way too many blown saves.

Have you seen the Indians bullpen this year??? I believe it's 9 blown saves thus far....so disappointing as a Tribe fan. If they'd only won 1/2 of those they would be competing for first place!

[Thanos]

Originally posted by lfj
4. Way too many blown saves.

Have you seen the Indians bullpen this year??? I believe it's 9 blown saves thus far....so disappointing as a Tribe fan. If they'd only won 1/2 of those they would be competing for first place!

This problem landed the Cardinals in 3rd place as oppsed to the playoffs last year. Nobody could hold a lead for us early in the season.

[Moody_soxfan]

1. Did you see the Dodgers game last night? I don't think we have enough foul balls in OOTP! ;-)

2. As everyone has said...Stickware

3. It's just the PBP and as for me I like it. I'd rather have great running catches than just 'There's a swing, oh it's an easy fly ball to left. Game over'. It adds a little to the suspense , just for that split second you think maybe you've tied the game and then it all ends in tears. But a little enhancement to the PBP wouldn't hurt.

4. Never seen this as an issue, except with teams that have useless closers and then, what do you expect? Check out the Indians this year or the Red Sox last year.

5. Perception is a funny thing. I'd always felt that I had the advantage when playing out games as opposed to simming. I almost wish there was something in the code that gave the computer an advantage. Of course it has an advantage in that being human it's possible to make ridiculous playcalling and substitution decisions...or to do a Grady so to speak.

6. Well it's fun sometimes when you're getting blown out and want an excuse to just sim to the end of the game.

[Gramps]

I agree on the 'great running catches'. I do seem to do better when I play the AI instead of the sim mode. One thing not mentioned though, seems there is very little cutting off of throws from the outfield and as a result a lot of singles end up with runners at second base. Takes away from possible DP on next batter with less than two outs.

[Goody]

Too many foul balls.

Very true.

I know everyone keeps saying "Foul balls are a part of the game" but so are balls, and strike #1 and #2. One pitch mode simulates the full at bat and gives you the goods at the end.

It could be improved if PBP foul balls were limited to ones that are going to land in foul ball territory on the field (in play/possible out) and remove the ones that go into the stands.

Sometimes they go on for up to 6 or more fouls in one at bat. Yes it happens...does it need to be in PBP in OOTP? Not really.


This one is lifted towards right field...its twisting toward foul ground...Johnson is after it...he makes the catch near the stands in foul territory! good

Joe Blow got ahold of that fastball...a long fly ball down the leftfield line...if it stays fair its a home run......it is FOUL by a few feet! good (keep these cause its a major dramatic event)

The 1-2 pitch from Snotblower....its popped up behind the plate....it drifts into foul territory out of the reach of Dobbs. Still 2 strikes on the batter. bad

[mking55]

With regards to number 5: the computer advantage.

I have never seen this. Sometimes I thought there was a human advantage. There are times when I have come from so far back to win, it's scary. But I don't really believe there is a built-in human advantage in the system. It is just that I am smarter.

I don't play solo anymore although I do try it with each new release in the hopes that it has improved. Maybe it has, but not enough for me. I win too often no matter how crappy a team I start with. That is no fun. And I don't want to play with house rules because I am both lazy, and don't believe I should have to.

But anyhow, in my judgement which I am 99.9% sure of, there is no computer advantage.

In fact, if I may ramble on, that would be so dishonest of what a programmer does, it would be almost criminal. I may have many issues with this game (which is no secret), but the honesty/integrity of the developer is not one of them.

[Giants44]

I agree with this 100% - now maybe this is harder to program then I think it is, but I think far and away the best thing about OOTP is the ability to customize everything. I like arbitration you don't -so you turn it off - You love scouts and coaches, I don't so I turn them off, etc, etc.

Is there a reason foul balls can't be a toggled option - clearly some people love them and some people hate them.

Originally posted by Goody
Too many foul balls.

Very true.

I know everyone keeps saying "Foul balls are a part of the game" but so are balls, and strike #1 and #2. One pitch mode simulates the full at bat and gives you the goods at the end.

It could be improved if PBP foul balls were limited to ones that are going to land in foul ball territory on the field (in play/possible out) and remove the ones that go into the stands.

Sometimes they go on for up to 6 or more fouls in one at bat. Yes it happens...does it need to be in PBP in OOTP? Not really.


This one is lifted towards right field...its twisting toward foul ground...Johnson is after it...he makes the catch near the stands in foul territory! good

Joe Blow got ahold of that fastball...a long fly ball down the leftfield line...if it stays fair its a home run......it is FOUL by a few feet! good (keep these cause its a major dramatic event)

The 1-2 pitch from Snotblower....its popped up behind the plate....it drifts into foul territory out of the reach of Dobbs. Still 2 strikes on the batter. bad

[Bald Eagles]

Originally posted by bleachercreature
1. Way too many foul balls. I buy a game that has a "one pitch" mode for a reason. I want to throw one pitch to a batter. I don't mind it happening every once in a while, but it happens way too much, and the guy doesn't just four off one or two. He always fouls off four or five

In a game against the Chicago Cubs, Alex Cora of the Los Angeles Dodgers whacked 14 consecutive pitches foul down either line. On the 15th pitch, he whacked a two-run homer. Granted this is rare, as Pat Hughes and Ron Santo were asking what the record of fouls in an at bat. But don't tell me this never happens. I think four or five in a row or an AB is the norm.

[satchel]

Originally posted by bleachercreature
6. What is the point of arguing a call? It just makes the game go longer, the umpire isn't going to change his call, and you may get thrown out. At that point you lose control of your team.

Has this stopped a real life manager yet?

[Bald Eagles]

PS. The way that reads makes for a good news story, oh only if it could be!

[DerekT]

Originally posted by Bald Eagles
In a game against the Chicago Cubs, Alex Cora of the Los Angeles Dodgers whacked 14 consecutive pitches foul down either line. On the 15th pitch, he whacked a two-run homer. Granted this is rare, as Pat Hughes and Ron Santo were asking what the record of fouls in an at bat. But don't tell me this never happens. I think four or five in a row or an AB is the norm.

I think the point wasn't so much that there are too many foul balls in the game, just that we don't need a PBP on all of them (I wouldn't mind the idea of showing playable foul balls (PBP would show caught, not caught, or just out of reach), its just the PBP shows all fouls after 2 strikes, some people don't like it.