The Art (and Occasional Hilarious Blunder) of the Pitch Out in MLB The Show 22: A Guide for the Slightly-Coordinated
Ah, the pitch out. That glorious, slightly underhanded maneuver designed to catch a baserunner napping. It's a thing of beauty when it works, a source of laughter (mostly at your own expense) when it doesn't. But fear not, fellow hurlers, for this guide will equip you with the knowledge (and hopefully the reflexes) to become a pitch-out Picasso.
Step 1: Accepting You're Not Actually Nolan Ryan (But That's Okay)
Let's face it, throwing a 98 mph fastball isn't exactly in everyone's repertoire. The good news is, you don't need to be a flamethrower to execute a successful pitch out. Accuracy is king here, folks. We're aiming for a surprise sleepover at first base, not a trip to Jupiter.
Step 2: Button Mashing 101 (But Hopefully Not Really)
Here's where things get interesting. Depending on your pitching interface (Pinpoint, Meter, or Classic), the button sequence will differ slightly. But the basic principle remains the same: hold that left trigger (L2 on PlayStation, LT on Xbox) to initiate the sneaky slide step, then choose your pitch.
Remember: There's no throwing a fastball here. We're aiming for something slower, something the batter isn't expecting. A good ol' curveball or changeup is your best friend.
Step 3: The Throw That Might Cause Your Catcher to Facepalm (But Hopefully Not)
Now comes the moment of truth. Flick the right stick according to your chosen interface, and pray to the baseball gods for a decent throw. This isn't about pinpoint accuracy, but you still don't want the ball sailing over the catcher's head and into the outfield stands (been there, done that, bought the commemorative T-shirt).
Pro tip: If you completely whiff the throw, don't despair! Sometimes a wildly inaccurate pitch out can still catch the runner off guard, leading to a hilarious (for you, maybe not the runner) rundown. Just remember, practice makes perfect (or at least less embarrassing).
Step 4: The Glorious Out (or the Inevitable Stolen Base)
Witness the beauty! The runner is caught flat-footed, the out is recorded, and you bask in the glory of your strategic genius. OR... the runner steals second base with the grace of a gazelle, and you contemplate switching to a career in underwater basket weaving. Hey, such is the life of the pitcher. But hey, at least you tried, right?
Remember, Pitching Out is a Journey, Not a Destination
There will be hiccups, there will be airmailed throws, and there will be moments where you question your entire baseball video game existence. But with perseverance (and maybe a controller with a slightly less-drifted joystick), you'll be a pitch-out pro in no time. Now get out there and catch those base stealers napping!
