Rants about BM PBP one pitch mode

[xirr]

1. The RNG is pretty god-awful. 3 balks in a row? Really?
2. No catcher's interference.
3. No option to 'go home on contact from third base'. Sure, I can choose hit and run, but then I randomly get stolen bases of home, which is just odd.
4. Didn't we used to get to pick whether or not we threw to the lead runner or trailing runner? Why can't I choose now?
5. No pitch-out option. (Although the AI seems to have it. At the least the pitch-outs aren't outside and in the dirt anymore on the graphic.)
6. No way (that I noticed) to disable the graphic representation. I don't mind that not much work was put in the graphic section, - I'd prefer scrolling text anyway, but if you're gonna leave it weak, at least let me disable it.
7. No pitch-around option.
8. The AI intentionally walks you WAY too often, often for no logic at all. ie Create a double play situation with 2 outs already, skip a lefty to pitch to a talented righty - (and this was with a left-handed pitcher). I realize the AI won't/shouldn't always make the right decision, but come on.
9. Increased infield hits and defensive errors when the 'pitcher is toast'. This is not only frustrating, it's ridiculous.
10. No dropped 3rd strike. (I could be entirely wrong on this, but I don't think I am)
11. No errant throw on steal/advance plays. (Same as #10, could be wrong, but I doubt it)
12. Poor description of what happened on some plays. 'Grounded out to first'. 3 unassissted? 3-1 maybe? 3-4!? I DON'T KNOW.

Now, there's plenty more, but these are the things that really bug me.

That said, BM is the best in its genre and overall very very good. Keep up the good work.

[Lex Logan]

All good points, except I'm OK with the graphics. As for #9, I wish it were just infield hits! My guys seem to give up nothing but extra base hits. Does the game actually have a "pitcher is toast" feature and does anyone know how it works? Avalon Hill's Baseball Strategy would downgrade a pitcher after the 4th runner reached base in an inning; in Mogul pitchers seem to start innings with no stuff, but that could just be perception.

[ohms_law]

I can say that I know for a fact that there's no "downgrade a pitcher after the 4th runner reached base in an inning" or "pitchers seem to start innings with no stuff". I've seen the code, so I can say with certainty that it is perception. The only influence on a pitchers performance is Endurance.

[HoustonGM]

Agreed completely on #8.

[Lex Logan]

I can say that I know for a fact that there's no "downgrade a pitcher after the 4th runner reached base in an inning" or "pitchers seem to start innings with no stuff". I've seen the code, so I can say with certainty that it is perception. The only influence on a pitchers performance is Endurance.

Interesting. Statistically, in real life, is there no correlation between getting hammered in an inning and the pitcher's performance versus the next batter? I would think at least part of the time the pitcher got hammered because his control was off or his breaking pitches don't break or something. I know basketball hot and cold streaks have been shown to be nothing more than chance but I'd be surprised if that was 100% of the case for pitchers.

[HoustonGM]

I do remember Clay mentioning something in the past that there is something in the code that "decides" whether or not a pitcher will have an off-day, although I can't find the quote. What I think ohms is saying is that a pitcher's performance isn't then adjusted by the results of the sim.

[HoustonGM]

I know basketball hot and cold streaks have been shown to be nothing more than chance but I'd be surprised if that was 100% of the case for pitchers.
Just wanted to mention this. The study in "The Book" regarding hot/cold streaks that found that, for hitters, they have no predictive value, said this about pitchers:

"If a pitcher has pitched exceptionally well for four consecutive appearances or so, we can expect him to continue to pitch better than his norm for at least one more appearance. If a pitcher has pitched poorly for several appearances in a row, if he is otherwise physically and mentally fit, we can expect him to continue to pitch at his usual (long-term) level of performance."

Which essentially means that "hot streaks" for pitchers have predictive value, while "cold streaks" don't (unless, of course, the "streak" can be explained by something, such as an injury, which is why the "if he is otherwise physically and mentally fit" qualifier is there).

[ohms_law]

Obviously a pitchers other ratings have an effect on his performance. What I was addressing was just what you mentioned in your earlier post, where you were speculating that game timing influences a pitchers performance. It doesn't.

[Lex Logan]

OK, pitchers having off days makes sense. You can't be sure, of course, five hits in a row can happen just by chance, but if you've got a reasonable bullpen you might as well use it.

That quote from The Book seems to concern streaks over multiple games, but do they address the question of a pitcher "losing it" during a game or having an off day? In other words, does four or five bad results in a row during a game have any predictive value for the next batter faced?