Howdy folks, let me tell ya ’bout pitchin’ in that there MLB The Show 24 game. My grandson, he’s always playin’ it, and I watch him, so I kinda learned a thing or two, even though I don’t know nothin’ ’bout them fancy video games.
Now, you wanna throw strikes, right? That’s the whole point, ain’t it? But you can’t just throw any ol’ pitch. You gotta be smart about it, like foolin’ a chicken with a fake worm.
First off, you gotta know your pitches. They got all sorts of names, sound like somethin’ a city slicker would make up. But don’t let that scare ya. There’s a few that are real important. They say ya need a good “sinker.” That’s one of them pitches that drops down real quick, like a rock in a well. Hard for them hitters to get a good swing on that, yessir.
Then there’s somethin’ they call a “cutter.” Now, this one’s tricky. It moves a little bit, like a snake slitherin’ through the grass. Makes the hitter think it’s comin’ one way, then it goes another. Keeps ’em guessin’, that’s the key.
- Sinker: Drops down fast.
- Cutter: Moves sideways a bit.
- Slider/Slurve: These are kinda like the cutter, but they bend more. One bends down and sideways, the other one just bends sideways, like a frisbee in the wind. Confusin’, I know, but you’ll get the hang of it.
So, when do you throw which pitch? Well, that’s the real secret, ain’t it? It’s all about mixin’ things up. You can’t just throw the same pitch over and over, or them hitters will start knockin’ the ball outta the park, like a bat out of hell.
Start with the fastball. That’s your basic pitch, the one you throw the hardest. But don’t just throw it straight down the middle. Aim for the corners, make ’em work for it. If they start hittin’ the fastball, that’s when you gotta start gettin’ fancy.
Throw a sinker when you wanna get a ground ball. You know, make ’em hit it on the ground so your fellas can scoop it up. Use the cutter and the slider to keep ’em off balance. Throw it on the outside of the plate, then on the inside, mess with their heads. It’s like playin’ poker, gotta bluff a little bit.
And don’t forget about count. That’s them numbers up there on the screen. If you got two strikes on the hitter, that’s when you can throw somethin’ nasty, like a slider way outside, tryin’ to get ’em to swing at nothin’. If the count is full, three balls and two strikes, you gotta be careful. Don’t wanna walk ’em, but you don’t wanna give up a hit either. That’s when you gotta trust your gut and throw your best pitch.
Now, I ain’t no expert, mind you. I just watch my grandson play, and I see what works and what don’t. He’s always yellin’ about “velo” and “break”. Velo, I reckon, is how fast ya throw, and break is how much the ball moves. The faster it goes and the more it moves, the harder it is to hit. Seems simple enough, even for an old gal like me.
Another thing, you gotta pay attention to the hitter. Some fellas can’t hit a curveball to save their lives. Some fellas like to swing at everything. Some fellas are patient, waitin’ for their pitch. You gotta figure out what they can’t hit, and then throw it to ’em ’til they cry uncle.
And don’t get discouraged if they hit a home run. It happens. Even the best pitchers get shelled sometimes. Just gotta shake it off and get back on the mound. Like I always say, you can’t win ’em all, but you can sure try.
So there ya have it. That’s my two cents on pitchin’ in that MLB The Show 24 game. Just remember to mix up your pitches, pay attention to the hitter, and don’t be afraid to throw somethin’ nasty. And most importantly, have fun. It’s just a game, after all. Though, losin’ ain’t much fun, now is it? So, try yer best to win, y’hear?
My grandson, he keeps goin’ on and on about “location, location, location”. Says ya gotta hit yer spots. I guess that’s like plantin’ corn, ya can’t just throw the seeds anywhere and expect a good crop. Ya gotta put ‘em in the right place. Same with pitchin’, I reckon.
Practice makes perfect, they say. So get out there and throw some pitches. Experiment, try new things, and see what works for you. And don’t be afraid to ask for help. There’s plenty of folks out there who know more about this game than I do. Heck, my grandson could probably teach ya a thing or two, even though he’s still got that peach fuzz on his face.
And that’s all I gotta say ’bout that. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I gotta go make some supper. Got a hankerin’ for some fried chicken and mashed potatoes. Y’all come back now, ya hear?
