It’s often said that the hardest skill to master in all major sports is hitting a baseball. Pitchers hurl them towards the mound at astonishing speed, and can apply nasty amounts of spin that deceive players into swinging at unhittable balls, resulting in embarrassing whiffs.
Thankfully, it’s much easier to make contact in video games likeMLB The Show 24than in real life. This decreased level of difficulty doesn’t mean there isn’t a learning curve, though, and you will have to dedicate some time to practice in the batting cages if you want to become truly elite at the plate.
Find The Best Hitting Interface For You
The foundation of your at-bat experience will be based on whathitting interface you choose.Each hitting interface introduces or tweaks game mechanicsthat you will have to contend with while in the box. Some interfaces are all about timing, while others give you exact control of where you swing.
Explore all the available optionsand find the one that’s best for you. You’ll be more comfortable at the plate, and be able to turn your focus to the pitcher.
Use Different Swing Types
You’ll notice that whenever you’re batting,you’ll have access to four different types of swings: normal, power, contact, and bunt. As fun as it might be to swing for the fences every at bat, that’s not a recommended strategy. A good batter willunderstand how to tailor their swing to the situation they’re in.
For example, if there are multiple runners in scoring position,a contact swing should be your go-to. Your objective should be to put the ball in play at all costs, bringing the runs in and putting yourself on the bases to keep the rally going. If there are two outs and no one on,a power swing may be appropriate, as you have nothing to lose.Constantly assess your optionsso you can make the best decisions for your team.
It’s not always about getting on base! If you have an out to spare,a contact swing for a sacrifice fly could bring in a run. Don’t be afraid to hand your opponent an out if it can help you win.
Don’t Swing At Balls
This one should be obvious, but it bears repeating:don’t swing at balls. It can be enticing to swing at the high fastball, buttaking a ball will ultimately serve you better.Getting ahead in the count will force the pitcher to throw more strikes, leading to more hittable pitches. Just be patient, and wait for a pitch in the strike zone.
Turn On Dynamic Difficulty
Turning on dynamic hitting difficulty will help tremendously with your development as a player. This settingstarts you off on the easiest setting, and will shift the difficulty up and downdepending on your performance. As the pitchers you face get harder and harder,you will be forced to improve your plate discipline, learning which pitches to swing at and which to avoid.
