Okay, so I’ve been diving deep into MLB The Show 24, and one thing I really wanted to master was using sidearm pitchers effectively. It’s a whole different ballgame, you know? So, here’s how my little experiment went.
Getting Started
First, I jumped into Practice Mode. No point in ruining my stats in a real game while I’m flailing around, right? I picked a couple of guys known for their sidearm deliveries – I think I went with Darren O’Day and maybe Steve Cishek. Just to get a feel for different arm slots and release points.
Figuring Out the Mechanics
The biggest thing I noticed immediately? The aiming is way different. With overhand guys, it’s pretty straightforward. With sidearmers, you gotta compensate for that horizontal movement. I spent a good chunk of time just trying to hit the corners of the strike zone. It felt awkward at first, like I was throwing across my body in real life, even though I was just using a controller.
Experimenting with Pitches
Next, I started messing with different pitch types. Sliders and sinkers from sidearmers are nasty. They break so much. I found myself trying to throw back-door sliders to right-handed batters, starting them way outside and having them break back over the plate. When I got it right, it was beautiful. But, man, when I missed, it was usually a meatball right down the middle.
- Sinkers: Great for ground balls, but you gotta keep them low.
- Sliders: My go-to strikeout pitch, especially against same-handed batters.
- Changeups: Tough to control, but effective if you can locate them down and away.
- Four-Seam Fastballs: I actually tried to avoid use, The movement, or lack thereof, just made them too hittable.
Facing Real Batters (Finally!)
After I felt somewhat comfortable, I took my newfound (and very shaky) skills online. Let’s just say it was a learning experience. I gave up some home runs, sure, but I also racked up some strikeouts with pitches that I probably couldn’t have thrown with a traditional pitcher. It was all about mixing things up and keeping the batter guessing.
My Takeaways
Sidearm pitching in MLB The Show 24 is definitely a challenge, but it’s also super rewarding.
This is my simple record of it and I wanna share it with everyone who loves the game!
It takes practice, patience, and a willingness to experiment. But once you get the hang of it, you can add a whole new dimension to your pitching arsenal.
