Getting Started: Practice, Practice, Practice
First things first, I jumped straight into practice mode. No use ruining my stats in real games, right? I picked my favorite team (Go, Red Sox!), and just started swinging. At first, it was embarrassing. I mean, I was missing fastballs down the middle, chasing pitches in the dirt... you name it, I did it.
Finding the Right Settings
Then, I started messing around with the settings. There are a bunch of different hitting interfaces: Zone, Directional, and Pure Analog.
- Zone: You have to move a little PCI (Plate Coverage Indicator) to where the ball is going. Sounds simple, but it takes some serious hand-eye coordination.
- Directional: This one's more about timing. You just pick a direction (up, down, left, right) and swing. Seemed easier at first, but I felt like I had less control.
- Pure Analog: Uses the right stick for everything. Felt super awkward to me, so I didn't spend much time on it.
I ended up sticking with Zone. It felt like the best way to really learn how to hit, even if it was frustrating at the beginning.
Timing is everything
After I picked my hitting mode. I started to work on * is everything, I found some sliders to slow down the game in practice mode.
Then, I focused on the pitcher, from the movenment to the release, I kept my eye on the ball.
PCI Placement and Swing Timing
Next, I worked on actually placing the PCI. This is where the real challenge comes in. You have to predict where the ball is going to be AND get your timing right.
One thing that helped me was to focus on the pitcher's release point. I tried to anticipate the pitch type and location based on how he was winding up. It's not foolproof, but it definitely improved my chances.
Another tip: don't be afraid to take pitches! I used to swing at everything, but I've learned to be more patient. Waiting for a good pitch is way better than hitting a weak grounder.
Putting It All Together
Finally, it was time to take my newfound "skills" into an actual game. I won't lie, I still struck out a lot. But I also started to get some hits! I even managed to hit a couple of home runs, which felt amazing.
Still Learning
So, that's my hitting journey in MLB The Show 23 so far. I'm still learning, still grinding, but I'm definitely getting better. It takes time, patience, and a whole lot of practice, but it's worth it when you finally connect with that perfect swing. Keep swinging, folks!
