Speed Rating

Cowboys3356 · 01-29-2014, 11:18 AM

For this upcoming version please have the speed rating improve/decline more realistically. Currently the speed rating for 99% of players falls dramatically once they reach their mid-20s and by 30 they have almost no speed at all. Yet while the speed rating declines, the base stealing and base running ratings remain completely unaffected. Lets have a little more variety instead of a hard code to crush everyone's speed rating. Some players need to remain fast while others need to lose SOME speed AND base stealing ability.

As the game is currently designed it is impossible to maintain a player as a base stealer throughout his entire career due to the speed rating tanking after only a few seasons. A player doesn't need to stay at the max speed level for 20 seasons but he also doesn't need to drop to the lowest possible level after only 3-4 years of playing at the big league level.

Perhaps this is beyond coding but if there was a way for players who start out fast and are basestealers to have a better % chance of maintaining their speed than someone who was a pure slugger that would be the most realistic option. Obviously injuries and age can slow anyone down but a person that made their living off of their legs is more likely to maintain them and keep their speed up over the course of their career.

Just my suggestions, can't wait for V15!

RchW · 01-29-2014, 12:05 PM

What is the right number of players regarding speed. In MLB I have the following on a 5 point scale.

50 players 29+ and 4+ on speed
132 players 29+ and 3+ on speed. That means 82 players have a 3 rating

83 players 25-28 and 4+ on speed.

I don't know what the right numbers are but these don't show any red flags to me.

Fyrestorm3 · 01-29-2014, 01:02 PM

As far as I've seen, the elite base stealing guys retain their speed pretty well. I have a 31-year-old Elvis Andrus on my team, who just took his first Speed hit this offseason, making him 6-Speed, 7-Stealing (on an 8-point scale). And then there's Brett Gardner, still in the league at 35, with 8-Speed, 7-Stealing. Carl Crawford just retired at age 38, with 6-Speed, 7-Stealing. Chase Utley and Curtis Granderson have seen their Speed drop off, but they're 40 and 39, respectively, and their Steal ratings are still acceptable.

This is what I would expect. The true elite speedsters - who are few and far between - retain their Speed as they age. But anyone who steals less than 10 bases in a season is going to lose a step as he gets older, because Speed was never a huge part of his game. And for the middle class, the Chase Utleys and Brandon Phillips of the world, who steal bases but aren't truly elite, their Speed falls but their Stealing ability stays the same. I think that's about right - the guy may have lost a step in general, but he's still got the jump to pilfer a base or two if you need him to do so.

01-29-2014, 11:18 AM	#1
Cowboys3356 All Star Starter Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,572	Speed Rating For this upcoming version please have the speed rating improve/decline more realistically. Currently the speed rating for 99% of players falls dramatically once they reach their mid-20s and by 30 they have almost no speed at all. Yet while the speed rating declines, the base stealing and base running ratings remain completely unaffected. Lets have a little more variety instead of a hard code to crush everyone's speed rating. Some players need to remain fast while others need to lose SOME speed AND base stealing ability. As the game is currently designed it is impossible to maintain a player as a base stealer throughout his entire career due to the speed rating tanking after only a few seasons. A player doesn't need to stay at the max speed level for 20 seasons but he also doesn't need to drop to the lowest possible level after only 3-4 years of playing at the big league level. Perhaps this is beyond coding but if there was a way for players who start out fast and are basestealers to have a better % chance of maintaining their speed than someone who was a pure slugger that would be the most realistic option. Obviously injuries and age can slow anyone down but a person that made their living off of their legs is more likely to maintain them and keep their speed up over the course of their career. Just my suggestions, can't wait for V15!

01-29-2014, 12:05 PM	#2
RchW Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: The big smoke Posts: 15,628	What is the right number of players regarding speed. In MLB I have the following on a 5 point scale. 50 players 29+ and 4+ on speed 132 players 29+ and 3+ on speed. That means 82 players have a 3 rating 83 players 25-28 and 4+ on speed. I don't know what the right numbers are but these don't show any red flags to me. __________________ Cheers RichW If you’re looking for a good cause to donate money to please consider a Donation to Parkinson’s Canada. It may help me have a better future and if not me, someone else. Thanks. “Conservatism consists of exactly one proposition …There must be in-groups whom the law protects but does not bind, alongside out-groups whom the law binds but does not protect.” Frank Wilhoit

01-29-2014, 01:02 PM	#3
Fyrestorm3 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Tampa Bay, Massachusetts Posts: 2,928	As far as I've seen, the elite base stealing guys retain their speed pretty well. I have a 31-year-old Elvis Andrus on my team, who just took his first Speed hit this offseason, making him 6-Speed, 7-Stealing (on an 8-point scale). And then there's Brett Gardner, still in the league at 35, with 8-Speed, 7-Stealing. Carl Crawford just retired at age 38, with 6-Speed, 7-Stealing. Chase Utley and Curtis Granderson have seen their Speed drop off, but they're 40 and 39, respectively, and their Steal ratings are still acceptable. This is what I would expect. The true elite speedsters - who are few and far between - retain their Speed as they age. But anyone who steals less than 10 bases in a season is going to lose a step as he gets older, because Speed was never a huge part of his game. And for the middle class, the Chase Utleys and Brandon Phillips of the world, who steal bases but aren't truly elite, their Speed falls but their Stealing ability stays the same. I think that's about right - the guy may have lost a step in general, but he's still got the jump to pilfer a base or two if you need him to do so. Last edited by Fyrestorm3; 01-29-2014 at 01:04 PM.