HIT & RUN question

[hechojazz]

When evaluating whether or not to change the default manager settings regarding hit & run, what exactly does a player's H&R rating tell you? Is an "A" limited to describing the hitter's ability to start such a play well, or does it also tell you how well he will perform in the running part of the equation, if another hitter is at the plate?

Another way to ask the question is this: In order for decent success to be seen with hit and run plays, is it better to string together several players with good H&R ratings, to increase the chances that you will have both a well-rated hitter and a well-rated runner? Or will HAL treat all runners the same?

Is running speed and/or stealing ability the issue with the running half of the equation, rather than the runner's H&R rating? And how does that work into bunting analysis? Just trying to squeeze a bit more offense out of a lighter-hitting squad than I'd have liked, but I don't want to shoot myself in the foot by excessively toying with such settings...

:)

[bjs73]

[quote:b41c9f5890]Is running speed and/or stealing ability the issue with the running half of the equation, rather than the runner's H&R rating?[/quote:b41c9f5890]

You're close but no cigar. H&R ratings are for only the batter. It is far more important for the runner to be a good base stealer (AAA or AA or A) on first base in a H&R situation and ALSO the batter be a "B" H&R rating.

That at least is the ideal situation. The lower the batter's rating at H&R the more opportunity exists for a "missed pitch." Which basically means a straight steal. Ever wonder why Jack Clark got a caught stealing when you've set him at a "do not steal" tag? 8 times out of 10 it was a missed pitch on a H&R attempt.

"A" bunting and "B" H&R are ideal for the 2 hole hitter. If the defensive corners pull in to cover the bunt (taking the batter's bunt rating [u:b41c9f5890]down[/u:b41c9f5890] one letter point, the hitter's H&R rating goes 'Up" one letter mark! There are no natural "A" H&R batters in the game.

Basically have speedy base stealers ahead of good H&R candidates and you'll be sitting pretty well. Ask more questions if need be.

bjs

[MARKWEAVER]

[quote:ad54bcc80c]Ever wonder why Jack Clark got a caught stealing when you've set him at a "do not steal" tag? 8 times out of 10 it was a missed pitch on a H&R attempt.
[/quote:ad54bcc80c]


Actually, I'm wondering how Steve Kemp (with a "D" steal rating) could manage to get thrown out twice in one game when I have him set to "do not steal", I have my manager's strategies set at "normal" for steals and "extra conservative" for H&R, and, in fact, there were no H&R's attempted in the game:

http://fantasygames.sportingnews.com/baseball/stratomatic/80s/league/boxscore.html?group_id=13703&g_id=17

[bjs73]

[quote:70a35e6d8c]in fact, there were no H&R's attempted in the game[/quote:70a35e6d8c]

You can't know if there were no attempts. If a H&R is on and the batter misses the pitch, it turns into a straight steal. The hitter would still be up to bat.

As far as the game logic goes and whether or not HAL using the H&R when you don't want him to, you'd have to track it with your own manager tendencies, series by series. Hard telling what really happened here though. Could be that HAL just couldn't keep himself from challenging Salas' (+1) arm?

[MARKWEAVER]

Since this was the first series of the season, I do know from the stats page that there were no H&R attempts (although I wouldn't know if they were turned into straight steals... I would think they'd still be counted as a failed H&R). Regardless, the second caught stealing occured with 2 outs and, at least in the CD Rom game, I think that you can't H&R with 2 outs (or maybe I'm mistaken there).

[yak1407]

They would be counted as straight steals because the batter did not make a play on the ball.
For it to count as a hit and run, the batter has to make contact.
Otherwise, it just looks like a strike and a steal attempt.
You may also have steals that were failed hit and run attempts.
And yes, you can try to hit and run with two outs, but it would show up in the box score as an out.
A hit and run is where the batter makes contact and either advances the run or gets a hit.