Tired of Baserunners Taking a Vacation on Your Watch? Master the Art of the Quick Pitch in MLB the Show!
Ah, the joys of pitching in MLB the Show. You've got your heater dialed in, your curveball painting corners, and then... disaster strikes. That pesky baserunner on first decides he's seen the Bahamas enough and sets his sights on swiping second. You scramble, throw a lollipop of a pitch, and... sigh stolen base.
Fear not, my friend! There's a secret weapon in your pitching arsenal: the quick pitch. This little gem throws off baserunners and can turn a would-be steal attempt into a comedic out at second. But how do you unleash this beast? Let's break it down, with some tips that'll have you chucking like Randy Johnson in his prime (minus the whole bird thing, hopefully).
Step 1: Hold on There, Speedy Gonzales!
First things first, you can only quick pitch with a runner on base. Think of it as your "get off my lawn" move for overzealous base stealers. If the bases are empty, you'll just end up looking silly with a half-wound windup.
Step 2: Unleash the Inner Ninja (But Keep it Baseball-y)
Here's where the magic happens. While you're selecting your pitch, hold down the left trigger (that's LT on Xbox and L2 on PlayStation). This puts your pitcher in a special "let's catch this dude napping" mode. Now, with the trigger held down, throw your pitch like normal. Voila! A lightning-fast delivery that'll make even the fastest base runner think twice.
Important Note: Timing is key here, grasshopper. Hold the trigger down too early, and you'll initiate a throw-over animation to first base. Not exactly what you're going for. Practice makes perfect, so head into batting practice and get that quick pitch muscle memory firing on all cylinders.
The Art of the Bluff: Friend or Foe?
The beauty of the quick pitch is that it disrupts the baserunner's timing. Even if they don't actually steal, it can throw them off balance and make them hesitant on future attempts. It's a mind game, folks! Just be careful not to overuse it. Predictable pitching is a recipe for disaster, so mix it up with your regular delivery to keep the batter guessing.
When NOT to be Quicksilver
While the quick pitch is a valuable tool, there are times to leave it in the holster. Here are a few situations:
- High pitch count: A quick pitch can be a bit more tiring on your pitcher's arm. If you're already pushing late in the game, stick with your normal delivery.
- A known base stealer is on first: If you're facing someone notorious for their speed, a perfectly timed jump might beat even your quickest pitch. In this case, consider using a pickoff move or a slide step to catch them off guard.
By mastering the quick pitch, you'll transform yourself from a frustrated pitcher to a baserunner-controlling zen master. Remember, it's all about strategy, timing, and maybe a little bit of showmanship. Now get out there and dominate the mound!
