Defensive replacements

[jlt53]

Is there any way that, as the website or game or whatever is redesigned, that the defensive replacement function could be fixed so it works?

An example. I have a team that has Willie McCovey (4E18) at first base and the expensive Stan Musial in leftfield and Johnny Rucker on the bench. Under defensive replacements, I have Rucker listed at LF and Stan Musial at 1B. Seems like a pretty simple switch. I end up with 2s at each position and get an awful fielder away from first.

I noticed that it was seldom being actually done in games when I was leading late, so, against my better judgement, I checked the box on McCovey's card to take him out for late-inning defense. Now, the defensive shift I want actually does happen more, but, at least as often, Hal decides to use someone else at first, namely Craig Reynolds, who is about as bad a first-basemen as you can get -- 4E25.

So, I have a choice, either I just let Willie keep taking his stone glove out into the field in the late innings, or I mark him to be taken out, knowing that it is quite likely that I will actually end up with a worse defender at first and my cleanup hitter sitting on the bench.

This doesn't seem like that tough a thing to fix. If nothing else, couldn't Hal be sure not to use a guy as a defensive replacement when he is actually worse than the guy he is replacing?

[seyclops]

I've gotten stuff like that to work on the injury replacement menu -- I would list Musial as the 1B replacement and Rucker as the LF replacement. Have you tried listing them both that way as defensive replacements, along with designating McCovey for a defensive sub with a lead?

Personally, I tend not to use defensive replacements at all, simply because it seems like HAL loves that kind of opportunity and does it far more often than I would.

[danielz]

My defensive replacements usually work, but I can never get Hal to use pinch hitters, even if I have a player listed as avoid RH and another player listed as my PH vs. RH

[PotKettleBlack]

It also helps, if you are going to have a def replacement who has a different position listed as his primary, to not have a bench player with the same position listed. That's probably why HAL gets confused and outs in McReynolds.

As to PH, HAL doesn't like to PH for core of the order guys.

[Ragnarokpc]

I believe for double switches, you need to use spots 1&2 or spots 3&4 on the defensive substitution screen. List the new fielder first (Rucker) and the fielder changing position second (Musial).

As for tagging McCovey with a remove with lead, the only thing I can think of is that HAL may take McCovey out with ANY lead, big or small . . . but defensive subs are only done if the game is close. Have you noticed if he makes the poor switch with a bigger lead only? Or can anyone else chime in on this?

[jlt53]

I went back and looked at my last 5 games, all wins, amazingly enough.

I won one by 4 runs, and McCovey went all the way. The other wins were all by 2 or 1 run. Twice, Hal did the switch as I tried to lay it out. Twice he pulled a double-switch when changing pitchers and took Stan the Man out of the game(!?!?). In those, Hal dutifully made matters worse by sticking Craig Reynolds at first and also taking Willie Mac out.

I think that indicates, in close games, Hal feels duty-bound to stick in someone for defense, even if the better defensive player is, for some reason, not available.

Come to think of it, along with an improvement in the defensive replacement function, I would also like a checkbox that says, don't take this guy out, ever, no matter what, never, under no circumstances

Stan is fast enough 1-14, a decent defender, and the best hitter on my team. And bullet-proof.

My teams usually have no shortage of underachievers who would be better prospects for a double-switch.

[Ragnarokpc]

What did he do to remove Musial? Was it a double switch or something? Because I know there are those "Don't pinch hit for" buttons . . . but otherwise, I don't know of a way to prevent a guy from being pulled.

the "Remove for Defensive sub with the lead" thing isn't just to improve defense, it's to prevent a star from being hurt. That's why he'll make the Defense at 1B worse, he thinks you want to protect McCovey. Of course he doesn't get that if he's removed Musial, then the defense is just gonna get worse. I don't know what to tell you though . . . it may be better to uncheck the box for McCovey and have the switch happen less often, than to have him remove McCovey for a worse fielder, then end up in extras without that bat in your lineup.

[danielz]

[quote:ceb0f869f4="PotKettleBlack"]
As to PH, HAL doesn't like to PH for core of the order guys.[/quote:ceb0f869f4]

I have Ray Knight batting 8th against lefties.
Thru 30 games he has 21 atbats against lefties
and 16 atbats against righties.

He is listed as avoid RH pitchers
I have Phil Weintraub listed as my pinch hitter vs. RH pitching

Thru 30 games Weintraub has ZERO atbats

This computer program doesn't work very well.

[Valen]

What order do you have the defensive replacements set in. That is crucial, order and position. For example only 1-2 and 3-4 double switches will be done and even then only if in right order which is backward from what I would have intuitively thought.

I think your #1 should be the LF replacement for Musial. Then #2 should be your musial for first base substitution.

[The Last Druid]

Anyone with examples of successful double switches by HAL that conform to how you set your defensive replacements up for this purpose?