Extra step lead vs step off
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So this battle has been going on in this game for ages. One player has a speedy runner on first and wants an extra step lead, and the player in the field counters by stepping off.
I just faced an opponent with over 900 ranked games played who did this for over 6 minutes.
The strangest thing is, after I picked one of his runners off at second, he never took an extra step again for the rest of the game.
Something needs to be done about this IMO. The rules in the MLB have changed, and while I hate the idea of giving a guy second base, this game took forever to play out. This isn’t much fun.
What do you guys think?
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Was just curious how good was he? Because in 2 years I have almost 4,000 ranked games online
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Well, he beat me 6-3. I think he had 12 hits, of which 4 were bloops. We were both in the 500’s.
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I am having trouble telling if you are the pitcher or baserunner in this post. I have had many games against guys who loaded their lineups with speed cheesers who tried to steal every base with every runner. You get caught in the loop of not wanting to give them the extra step and eventually having to throw the ball. Obviously, I don't drag it on forever, but against a cheeser like this you have to let them know you aren't just going to roll over for them.
I had one guy that took the extra step every time, and I picked him off three times and he quit. Regarding the rules in MLB changing, I don't recall them making stealing bases illegal, so what are you asking for? Runners have to ask permission for a lead off?
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I've had a few step-off wars (as the pitcher) but never 6 minutes worth. I do agree the speed issue in general is tough to manage. I can slide-step and have Adley's arm at the plate, nail the throw from catcher right on the perfect line, and still feel I have no chance to throw out a lot of the runners. I've been able to execute a few pickoffs where the runner is delayed getting back, so I get the out, but I've also found if I step off and the runner is actually going, I often still can't get them out! The speed is so much and the throw animations sometimes so slow that they end up safe.
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I've been telling them that they needed to fix this for years now. Just a reminder that if you are pitching in this situation, step-off and then throw to the selected base. That way your pitcher will not take a hit in energy or confidence.
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@cbpm72
That is definitely the case. In this game I described, my opponent left early a couple of times and I’d stepped off. He was possibly trying to bait me to throw behind the runner but I just threw to second every time and he went back to 1. -
@darkblue1876
I’m talking about the two disengagements rule. In the show, the pitcher can disengage and/or throw over as many times as the baserunner takes an extra step.Things are already pretty skewed to favour the baserunner in the game, so I’m not sure how they could change this in a balanced way.
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@halfbutt ok. I was really having trouble figuring out what you were getting at. I think the better solution is to fix the catcher throwing and/or pitcher pick off attempts.
I don't know if it's RNG on these, or what. I can do everything right, have the runner beat by a mile and the runner is still called safe, and other times where I was sure he was safe and I get the call in my favor.
Same with pickoffs. I have had many times where I caught the runner and the throw pulls the first baseman off the bag to save the throw.
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I figure it's a case of speed will often win and that's how it's programmed. That's how it feels trying to execute on defense. It sort of goes hand in hand with how a bunt for hit attempt will sometimes give a fail animation (fielder doesn't pick up the ball) so you don't get a chance to throw.
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I think you’re both correct. Sometimes even if you catch the runner sleeping, your first baseman will fail to put down the tag.
I’ve had way more successful pick offs at 2nd base, so I’m not sure how the programming is different.
