Welcome to the fourth episode in my series, The Show Training 101, where we’ll take an in-depth look at various mechanics and control schemes, analyze how they’re implemented in MLB 15 The Show, and explore the ways in which you can leverage your newfound knowledge to take your game to the next level.
Today, we’ll be taking a look at pulse pitching. So what exactly is pulse pitching? Well, it’s a simple timing based mechanic that allows the user to control the accuracy of the pitch. After selecting your pitch, a circle surrounding the pitch marker will start pulsating, after which you can move that pitch marker to your desired location with the left stick. Your goal here? Press the X button as the pitching ring contracts to its smallest possible size. The smaller the cursor, the more accurate the pitch will be. The larger the cursor; the less accurate you’ll be. Easy enough.
Now there are multiple variables that influence the speed of the pulsing, as well as the outer and inner limits of the pitch ring. The pitching difficulty level along with the type of pitch selected governs the general speed and size of the pitch cursor. Additionally, a fastball is the easiest pitch to control, and as such, the pitch cursor is correspondingly slower and smaller, allowing the user to more easily time the mechanic. The smaller meter provides greater accuracy via contracted outer and inner limits of the pulse, which effectively decreases the range of possible pitch location results. Conversely, a breaking pitch is more difficult to control, and is correspondingly represented by an increase to pulse size and speed. Now remember, with pulse pitching, you only control the accuracy of the pitch. The velocity, break, and effectiveness of the pitch is a product of player ratings.
OK. So now that we have a better understanding of the mechanic, a new question is raised. That is, how do we best control the accuracy of the pitch? Or rather, how can we master the timing of the mechanic to ensure greater precision when on the mound? Many members of The Show community have expressed difficulty executing the pulse pitching mechanic consistently. When attempting to pitch as the cursor is at its smallest point, most find that their reflexes aren’t quite quick enough on the draw, and by the time their thumb makes contact with the controller, the cursor has already expanded. The result; an extremely inaccurate pitch. This problem stems from our inherent inability to react quickly enough to a fast-moving target, especially on higher difficulty levels. We first see the pitch cursor contract to its smallest point, and then our brain tells us to throw the pitch, at which point the pulse is expanding once again. Timing the mechanic won’t work well. It’s EXTREMELY difficult. Instead, to master the mechanic, we must BECOME the mechanic. Yes, I know how that sounds. But bare with me.
Pulse pitching works in a rhythmic fashion; the pitching ring expands outwards and then contracts in uniform speed. With this knowledge in place, let us then use our thumb as a make-shift metronome to help time the pulse. Let me show you exactly what I mean. By placing your thumb over the X button on the controller, and moving it up and down in accordance with the pulse of the pitch, you create a handmade metronome. Literally. Before executing the pitch, make sure your rhythm matches that of the pulse, and instead of using the visual cue of the pitch cursor to determine when to press down on the controller, the physical movement of our thumb’s oscillating motion will regulate our decision regarding when to time the pitch. Lastly, after ensuring that our thumb’s movement matches the pulse, we can finally execute the pitch as our thumb naturally descends towards the controller. And there you go. Your thumb movement should synchronize with a condensed pitch cursor. An accurate pitch.
So that’s all for this week. Just remember, with pulse pitching, we’re relying more on our thumb’s back and forth motion than our eyes to time the mechanic precisely. By employing a slightly crude but nonetheless effective timing mechanism via a makeshift, thumb-derived metronome, we can more accurately time the pulse of the pitch. The result; you’ll be painting the corners and striking out batters with reckless abandon. Clayton Kershaw style.
Pulse Pitching. Time the pulse. Be the pulse. Simple.
Be sure to check out my other MLB 15 The Show Guides here:
MLB 15 The Show Zone Hitting Guide
MLB 15 The Show Analog Hitting Guide
MLB 15 The Show Directional Hitting Guide