Community Forum

We know that some folks use R2 to try to, “slow down,” “quick pitching,” although, I’m not sure what they really mean.

Others use it just to mess with folks.

However, there is a segment that use it - probably most - to review the pitches in an at bat. However, as a pitcher I can find it pretty annoying as it represents an area of the game where being a “video game” leaks a bit much into the immersion of real life.

Therefore, to alleviate this third bucket, I’d love to see a setting where the pitches in any given at bat can be shown automatically in the at bat along with the strike zone before a pitch. Then, like the strike zone, the overlay can fade away before the pitch is thrown. (Also, like the strike zone, this would be a setting that you could turn off/on if you don’t like it.

Just an idea!

It’s been great seeing some of the improvements into custom practice over the last couple years, including the ability to choose which pitches you want to face and where in the strike zone you want to see them.

One thing I noticed is that depending on the pitchers that you’re facing in custom practice, some don’t pitch as quickly as I’d like them to, and it would be helpful if there was a way to add a pitching machine option that allowed the volume of pitches to increase so you can get more repetitions in!

Also, if I remember correctly there was a mini game element in MLB 17/18? that gave you a chance to try and work on the direction you hit the ball.

I’ve found that the way Zone hitting is implemented that it’s difficult to try and influence the direction of your hits, and I think it would be cool to see that added into practice!

Glad that you’re getting into baseball in general and MLB The Show.

Even as a big fan of the sport, I’ve found that playing The Show is a wonderful way to learn about current players on teams that I don’t follow in real life - particularly rookies and prospects. Not sure how much you know about the history of the game as well so I’d figure playing with the legends in the game will help you learn about them as well.

The one thing I’d add on the advice side relates to the aforementioned practice mode.

I am by no means a good hitter in the game so I’m not speaking as an expert, but I think the first skill based dividing line in the game is being able to hit a good fastball up and in and not being intimidated by that.

Therefore, I’d recommend dedicating 2-3 30 minute sessions to doing the following:

• Put the game on Legend difficulty for both batting and pitching.

• Choose a right handed batter (for you to use) and then a right handed pitcher with a great fastball. (Perhaps one of the Legend team pitchers like Nolan Ryan)).

• Narrow the pitches selection to a fastball in the upper and inner quadrant of the strike zone (so strikes - not in the “ball” area).

• Practice hitting those pitches until you can consistently turn on them.

• Then do the same think but choose a pitcher with a sinker with high velocity (98 mph or higher) and do the same thing.

• Now flip to the left side and use a left handed hitter and pitcher.

If you dedicate 1.5 - 2 hours on Legend difficulty doing this you’ll gain the confidence to face the the hardest pitches in the game to hit - and often the first test that people look to take advantage of when facing folks online.

Good luck!

Ahh - that actually makes sense.

Well…drat…

Maybe I’m the odd person out, but I’m just not a fan of moments…at least hitting. Feels at times like a grind for “grinds” sake.

Anything that would allow this mode to fit into the more classic play modes (Conquest, Play vs. CPU, Ranked, BR) would be preferable, but again…that can just be me complaining.

@PAinPA_PSN

Got it. Note, I’m specifically looking for something for offline play in moments - not for online multiplayer.

Don’t know if they could just limit to the former though…

Not sure if anyone feels similarly but I’m not a big fan of the hitting moments. I totally get why they are there (helps break up the game, allows you to gain XP in different programs, it helps share a bit of history, etc.). However, it’s SUPER grindy. Plus, I do feel like the hitting moments (which I like less than pitching) are “nerfed,” at times? (Could just be me, but man are there a ton of warning track shots…)

So…one quality of life suggestion I have would be to create a quicker “reset” feature that allows you to restart the at bat faster than the current functionality that requires you to wait for the ball to be caught. I know that it sounds spoiled - having to wait an extra 2-3 seconds - but when you’re grinding something you don’t enjoy, you just want to turn over every rock you can in order to get it over with.

More macro - is there way to make these more enjoyable? Perhaps allow you to adjust the difficulty and thus, provide more XP if you do them (read: get them over with) on a harder level?

Or…somewhat of a different topic: what if the Topps now tie in allowed you to receive card typically included in moments for rental to use in offline or online play and then earn XP? Kinda like FIFA loan players, but more tied into using them within a short time frame? This way, folks would diversify their teams more by using these cards, and that could actually allow to accomplish tasks in modes that are more enjoyable? Just my ramblings but love to see what folks think…

@kwikpoppa_PSN said in Found a couple ways to inject some fun into the game!:

In Bases Loaded you could actually hit the darn ball. It was timing if I recall. Lot like High Heat . Glad you mention the game . There was Penant Race and maybe one more. First really great baseball game was MVP 2005 which I had the honor of working on . And always believed The Show might have incorporated some of MVPs physics engine . MVP was first to get the ball inside the field correct. i loved franchise until I got online . Thought I was The Moose til I started playing 12 year olds with serious eye hand coordination.

I’m not even joking I was looking up clips from MVP baseball last night! What a game, and I was really impressed to see how good that game still looked considering it came out on the PS2. You worked on that? How cool.

In addition, I remember that really great college baseball game that was based on MVP. I remember spending so much time looking up and inputting the actual rosters from schools – because obviously you couldn’t download them online – and it just so happened that the year that game came out had so many college baseball players who would have a great careers. Evan Longoria AND Troy Tulowitzki both on Long Beach State (!) Ian Kennedy on USC and many more. Man that game… I can still hear the “ting!” of the metal bats…

Also, if you want to go down baseball game history, I have to always bring up World Series baseball from the Genesis in the early 90s. I still feel like that game in its heyday still has the best hitting interface I’ve played…

@arvcpa_MLBTS said in Found a couple ways to inject some fun into the game!:

I'm pretty sure I would strike out 27 times in a row using that view.

I know right?

I mean…in your first game you might. Ha.

The thing for me is that once I got a feel for it, Ibwas more proficient at getting good timing - including way more perfect/perfects, than normal.

But yeah - might take a game or two to dedicate to it.

Again - if you can already hit, no need to even try!

Mia culpa to start…I skipped buying 23 this year so what I’m sharing relates to 22 but still applicable I think.

After redownloading 22 and having fun again, I quickly started to get back into the ranked rabbit hole doldrums that everyone knows (every team having the same players… “ohh P5 Randy?! What a novel idea!”). So needed to find some new things and found two that have got me excited - at least for this week.

Firstly, I actually never dove into Franchise mode before, and if you haven’t, it can be fun! While loving stats, I felt that I was more someone who if I’m picking up the controller, that I want to actually play a game…not just oversee the team. However, once I got into the weeds of transactions - especially the off-season, found that it can be really fun. Things like fighting over free agents, who to let go to make room for a young star…all very fun. I’m mixing in playing some of the games but it’s more about the big picture. The only thing I wish for would be more in depth feedback in the off-season and more understanding of what inputs lead to gains/decreases in stats both in season and over the years…

The second thing that’s been fun is actually pretty different (and most folks will roll their eyes), but as someone who gets frustrated at hitting (I’m about a .190 hitter in ranked) I needed something in the, “try every PCI/Camera view” mix to finally help me feel more comfortable at the plate and after trying a ton of things have landed on trying the Pitcher Offset camera as a HITTING view.

For those that never played the old Bases Loaded game on Nintendo this may sound weird but hitting from a view behind the pitcher worked really well in that game so I tried it… The results have been pretty friggin’ good! I’ve found that my timing - especially on fastballs - is so much better, and that I feel more aggressive in confident in hitting as opposed to defensive.

The best example of the impact of the view on my hitting is that the thing I can’t stand the most in the game - Hitting based Moments - aren’t actually the annoying cuss-out-the-computer grind they normally are now. …that’s saying something for someone who can’t stand them…

Now it’s not for everyone, and you have to resist peeking at the pitchers throwing hand in his glove as you can see the grip change for some pitchers (this is addition to the catcher adjusting his target) but, if you’re getting frustrated with hitting, don’t take the game too seriously and want a new approach, give it a try. It will take about 2-3 games to get a handle but if you do, could be a fun new way to play offline if you need a change (just keep in mind that you aren’t able to use in online games against people).

@Blind_Bleeder said in Enough! Please add “Grown Folks” Mode:

I’m 61 and played beginner and Franchise mode from 2008-2020. Admittedly, from 2008-2016 I only played a couple of hours a month. When I retired, my hours picked up, but I still played beginner and Franchise. Then I jumped in with some guys who taught me how to push myself, be better, and try new aspects of the game, like DD.

To make this long dribble short, try something new. If online play frustrates you, go offline. If the level you are playing is too frustrating, knock it down a level until you get comfortable, and then bump up the difficulty and push yourself.

Frankly, I suck online, but I’m better than I used to be.

Also, see if you can get into a league Discord group with some guys that will help you tune your skills. You can PM me and do what I can to help too.

There are guys in here that say age has nothing to do with how well you play, but I don’t agree with them. I know it does…except for one guy…he’s older than me and plays like he’s 21. You know who you are

Great post, thanks!

I get it.

I’m old. Can’t hit. Fine. Still, really enjoy the game. Even though the hitting engine really needs to be changed but won’t because you can’t satisfy casuals and die hards. I get that.

But… I’m like…tired of the nonsense online. Call me old. Past it. Out of touch.

I just played a guy who had a GREAT eye. Refused to bite on cutters in. Kudos to him.

But 1.5 batters in…after check swinging and getting a ball call on 4 straight pitches…proceeds to call time to…I guess…”flex?” To…you know… rub it in that he had a good eye??

Clearly I’m in complaint mode, but man… It would be good to just be able and play with normal, functioning human beings. Man…

Like…”I’m an adult and just want to play the game mode.” No calling time because you took a pitch. No bunt dancing after a HR. Just…you know… normal…I’m not nuts human behavior…

The Kid.

@eatyum_PSN said in Finest Lindor Vs. FOTF Lindor ????:

To be fair, your fotf Lindor was facing much weaker pitching, now every pitcher is outlier 99

…beat me to it.

Think about the pitchers in events your FOTF Lindor faced early in year (ex. Commons in moonshot events) vs. Randy, Bob, etc in the most recent events.

@jonblaze2424_PSN said in You Have an X Button...:

So now the game takes 43 mins instead of 40. Un freakin believable

Yeah…I get that but the question remains - what the heck are people doing?

@SuntLacrimae50_MLBTS said in You Have an X Button...:

What's with all the losers who love to watch cutscenes?

This is actually funny. I personally wouldn’t call them “losers,” but yeah, I don’t know what folks are doing at the start of the game… Just hit “x” my dude and let’s get it rocking and rolling.

Also, I find that folks love watching The Kid and Mookie’s pre at-bat animations in particular. I get it… they are both cool for sure …but let’s get it going! It’s the same every time!

I just don’t get it.

@halfbutt_PSN said in I’m convinced that feedback means nothing:

I’m actually comforted by all the replies. I agree with most of you. I’ve been saying for a while that it is really difficult to actually get better at this game. There are too many variables.

Over long periods of time, like years, I think you can improve. My pci placement has definitely improved since 2016. That said, I don’t agree with the idea that the card attributes don’t matter. They matter too much, imo. How many times have you outhit your opponent thoroughly but lost on three solo home runs on questionable swings?

Wow. When you put it that way Diamond Dynasty really is just a great looking baseball “arcade” game. I hate to say that because “arcade” is kinda derogatory but I think that’s the product. You take what is a sim experience and then juice it with pumped up cards and a meta that favors HRs or bust because, let’s be honest, that’s what most folks who buy the game want.. and you get Ozzie Smith with 90+ HR ratings.

And let’s be honest. It’s fun. That’s why we all are still playing 8 months after launch.

Therefore I think expectations from a user standpoint are critical.

If you want to be able and pick up a baseball video game and be able to hit a baseball (the hardest thing to do in sports) in the first 5 minutes, and then hit a HR in the first 10 minutes (which most people who buy the game expect to be able to do) then the whole concept of any semblance of realism is out the door. So stop asking for it. It’s the same as all the attributes you add to players in Fifa or MUT in Madden. It’s arcade fantasy that satiates the masses. NBA 2k3 games with guys greening fading away threes all day. Sport video game high theater….

Now, if you want sim (which I do) you have to try and carve out a less frequented and importantly, less supported space. However it is there. Last night I played a super fun game of Online Rated. 0-0 going into the bottom of the 9th…I had struck out 12 times…hit a bullet off the wall to score a runner from first to win in a walk off. Ton of fun. Rewarding. But I’m in the minority of folks who find that rewarding.

I’m telling y’all…turn that stuff off. Pitch feedback. Swing feedback. The white dot that pops up after a pitch is thrown….

It will make the game more rewarding and you’ll both be able to focus and enjoy the game more.

Everyone seems to have their own expectations of outcomes based on the feedback data so you’re bound to be disappointed!

For example the, “every perfect swing should result in a HR,” camp (which is flat bonkers to me). For some real life context, in last nights Padres game the three hardest hit balls resulted in the following outcomes:

The hardest hit ball resulted in a groundout. (So literally not even a hit).

The second hardest ball resulted in a double. (Cool)

The third hardest hit ball resulted in a single (Just fine sunglasses emoji).

How’s that for, “RNG?”

If the phrase, “late sided good,” is in your vocabulary, do yourself a favor and turn…feedback…off.

@halfbutt_PSN said in Slide stepping:

Where do you guys stand on slide stepping every pitch with bases empty?

Exploit or not?

Combine this with pausing between pitches and you get how some pretty good players actually pitch.

I was surprised by this tactic because I ran into a goon in the event who was mashing every mistake pitch. I decided to finish the game to see if I could hang with him. Nope. Lost 5-1.

Those of you who play above 700, how often are you seeing this?

I’m no 700 player so might not have the credibility however I actually like it when people use that delivery. It has far less deception than most deliveries and breaking balls seem easier to spot and hit to me from the slide step.

Does anyone play Online Rated games (So choosing a real team to use and play others online)?

If so, is there any reward for playing a ton of games or is the experience just one off games?

Asking as I’ve been looking for a non-super card experience online where I can play folks on legend. (Low run pitchers duels where folks are striking out 12 times is actually fun to me).

DD online is so batting weighted that fun things like tunneling, etc don’t work for me since you’re punished so much for throwing anything in the zone.

Alternatively how do leagues work? What do the windows to get games in look like?

@RazorForte45_XBL said in Settings to make the game more enjoyable:

Love this…

And how about this.
Pick a set of player cards… say the All Star cards.

Make a lineup of only those.

So really no 99/perfect cards.

Play the CPU w those settings you mentioned on Legend.

More enjoyable to me than on line.

…That’s a really interesting idea!