Stealing Difficulty

[KFK]

As a 16 year OOTP veteran who typically play games out, I’ve noticed it is getting more and more difficult to steal bases in-game, with my caught stealing rate well above what it should be . Seems to have been an issue for a few years. Anyone have any ideas as to what’s going on, or ideas as to producing a more realistic outcome?

[beepollen]

What's your modifier for SB Success %?

(I'm using the AI auto-calc for my 2008 replay, and it's set at 1.200 – which seems high.)

[KFK]

For 2025, the rate is set to 1.262, which I haven’t touched. In a Braves1955 replay I’m doing its .702. Bill Bruton was successful on 69% of attempts that year, but in my replay he’s only had a 33% success rate. Simmed results for other players seem to producing decent numbers, but in games I play out, the results seem skewed.

[Brad K]

Calling steals and hit and runs worked as you describe in 23, that is, not good results, and I stopped calling them myself after that.

[Bobbyraz49]

It "seems" that when I choose hit and run in 1 pitch mode it shows up as a 0-2 count.

[KFK]

I’ve also noticed that there are times when I attempt to steal, the CPU just throws over time after time until I either Send Forced or quit trying. Not sure if this a programmed feature, but it’s annoying nonetheless.

[Bobbyraz49]

Originally Posted by KFK

I’ve also noticed that there are times when I attempt to steal, the CPU just throws over time after time until I either Send Forced or quit trying. Not sure if this a programmed feature, but it’s annoying nonetheless.

Same here.

[zappa1]

I tested this a few times. How about out of the clear blue, any inning, any score or any base runner I have on first. If hit the button to try a surprise steal, woa the pitcher throws to first. Like how does he even know I'm gonna try and steal. Clairvoyant ain't even the right word for it. My catcher has a rag arm when he doesn't at all. My pitchers hold better than average. And they steal my pants. Every version is like this.

[Brad K]

I assume people want to run steals themselves due to the expectation the players will perform better than under computer manager control. Is that correct?

[KFK]

Originally Posted by Brad K

I assume people want to run steals themselves due to the expectation the players will perform better than under computer manager control. Is that correct?

I play out 50-75% of the games from historical seasons I replay. My question/observation was that when I play a game, and decide I want to attempt to steal, the CPU is very difficult to steal on, regardless of pitcher hold or catcher arm ratings. This seems to be a trend in recent versions of the game. Curious if that is others experience, and if there are adjustments available to make the outcomes more realistic for the given season I’m replaying, as the current outcomes are not..

[Sweed]

Here are the stats from my last completed season in v25. I don't have a big enough sample in v26 to use right now. But the OP does mention it's been an issue for a "few years".

It's not what I'm seeing in my game. I've done nothing special to tweak my game. I use default player creation, progression, etc. etc. etc. I do autocalc my League Totals yearly but have never tweaked anything, including steals attempts or success.
I manage the Cubs and play every inning of every game. In my last season I lead the league in Team Steals by 52 with a team total of 245 steals, and an 84.5% success rate. I don't lead the league every year, but last season I had 5 guys that were 7 or 8 in ability with 6+ aggression. Most seasons I may have one or two of these guys at most, and with those two get the same successful results.

I have mentioned before in other threads that I do pick my spots to run. IOW never on an 8 arm C, and rarely try on a 7 hold (steals against these guys are broken hit and runs when they happen). But even with elite base stealers I still get thrown out by a 3 arm and think "huh"? What I don't do is give up trying because I got thrown out, be that by a cannon arm or a marshmallow arm.

Screenshot of my league's team offensive stats. FWIW my League Totals are from an earliere version of OOTP and have been imported along with my game version to version. Expected slash for LT: .266/.338/.422

[omg_pwnasaurus]

I'm seeing the same thing as Sweed, I pick my spots and in a 1984 historical league where the CPU runs wild I think I'm 6th or something in the AL in steals with only a few burners on my team who I look to run with depending on situations.

My question is has anyone ever successfully picked off a runner while playing out the games lol. I have not.

[Sweed]

Originally Posted by omg_pwnasaurus

I'm seeing the same thing as Sweed, I pick my spots and in a 1984 historical league where the CPU runs wild I think I'm 6th or something in the AL in steals with only a few burners on my team who I look to run with depending on situations.

My question is has anyone ever successfully picked off a runner while playing out the games lol. I have not.

Yes, but it's been very rare for me.

[KFK]

Originally Posted by Sweed

Here are the stats from my last completed season in v25. I don't have a big enough sample in v26 to use right now. But the OP does mention it's been an issue for a "few years".

It's not what I'm seeing in my game. I've done nothing special to tweak my game. I use default player creation, progression, etc. etc. etc. I do autocalc my League Totals yearly but have never tweaked anything, including steals attempts or success.
I manage the Cubs and play every inning of every game. In my last season I lead the league in Team Steals by 52 with a team total of 245 steals, and an 84.5% success rate. I don't lead the league every year, but last season I had 5 guys that were 7 or 8 in ability with 6+ aggression. Most seasons I may have one or two of these guys at most, and with those two get the same successful results.

I have mentioned before in other threads that I do pick my spots to run. IOW never on an 8 arm C, and rarely try on a 7 hold (steals against these guys are broken hit and runs when they happen). But even with elite base stealers I still get thrown out by a 3 arm and think "huh"? What I don't do is give up trying because I got thrown out, be that by a cannon arm or a marshmallow arm.

Screenshot of my league's team offensive stats. FWIW my League Totals are from an earliere version of OOTP and have been imported along with my game version to version. Expected slash for LT: .266/.338/.422

I have multiple replays going on, and I do notice stealing success rate is a little better the more recent the season. I have a 1955 Milwaukee replay going on where stealing is difficult, and I do pick my spots situationally with the right players (well, one….Bob Bruton).

I do appreciate that the game provides for variability, where catchers with lower arm ratings can throw a base stealer out once in a while.

[phenom]

Super small sample size warning, but in the 15 games I've managed of the 2025 Tigers completely, my team is 16-17 in steals.

[lizardkingjim]

Originally Posted by omg_pwnasaurus

I'm seeing the same thing as Sweed, I pick my spots and in a 1984 historical league where the CPU runs wild I think I'm 6th or something in the AL in steals with only a few burners on my team who I look to run with depending on situations.

My question is has anyone ever successfully picked off a runner while playing out the games lol. I have not.

A few times...maybe 1 out of 100? If there is a legit base stealer on first, I usually throw over at least on first pitch. In my 1903 Cleveland Naps replay, Addie Joss and Bill Bernhard each picked off a guy.