Clarifying Plate Coverage Indicator (PCI) Shrinkage

[SDS_JoeK_PSN]

Shortly before launch it was communicated on stream that we would be removing PCI shrinkage on pitches down and away. We wanted to take the time to provide some clarity regarding that change.

For balancing purposes, the game inherently applies bonuses and penalties based on pitch type and location. For example, if a pitcher hangs a curveball, your PCI grows because in real world baseball, that is a mistake and hitters will generally punish those pitches. Similarly, if a pitcher dots a slider down and away, that pitch inherently is more difficult to hit, hence, the slight reduction in your PCI size.

Before the change, the user was penalized for both A) breaking balls moving away from the batter, and B) the pitch being located down in the strike zone. After the change, the user is only getting one of those penalties, not both. Also understand that your swing timing plays a huge role in your PCI size.

The shrinkage also helps with the high number of foul balls that users have seen in the past. PCI shrinkage and PCI enlargement remain in the game as a mechanism to maintain balance between the pitcher and the batter.

We hope this helps clarify the change and reasons behind it. As always, we appreciate your feedback.