R.B.I. Baseball Strategy:
The key resides in the player ratings
The strategy for RBI Baseball revolves around a numbers game. This means the players rating abilities. To become a great RBI player you must learn these ratings. Not only will it help you use your team to the full potential, but in turn help you determine the strength and weakness of the opposing team. On every pitch there is little room for error to be made.
R.B.I. strategy #1: Win the arms race
Despite all the powerful batters and the small dimensions of Tengen Field, pitching rules in RBI. The best way to offset Nolan Ryan's fastball, or Fernando Valenzuela's wicked curve ball is to wear them out with high pitch counts. Each pitcher has a set stamina number and when he reaches that number, he wears down in a hurry.
Your best bet is take pitches and work the count as much as possible. Ideally you would like for the opponent to only get 4 or 5 innings from his starter. The starters typically have a stamina rating of about 40-45 pitches. The relievers have about 15. If you can get a reliever to come in during the 4th or 5th inning, you can bank on seeing some slow pitches from a tired arm late in the game. And when that occurs it becomes decidedly easier to plate some runs.
On the flip side, your opponent is trying the same thing. You have to be crafty on the mound, and conserve pitches. Shy away from powerful hitters, and challenge the weak bats in the line-up.
Your best bet is take pitches and work the count as much as possible. Ideally you would like for the opponent to only get 4 or 5 innings from his starter. The starters typically have a stamina rating of about 40-45 pitches. The relievers have about 15. If you can get a reliever to come in during the 4th or 5th inning, you can bank on seeing some slow pitches from a tired arm late in the game. And when that occurs it becomes decidedly easier to plate some runs.
On the flip side, your opponent is trying the same thing. You have to be crafty on the mound, and conserve pitches. Shy away from powerful hitters, and challenge the weak bats in the line-up.
R.B.I. Strategy #2: Know each batter's power number
The Batting line-ups page has all this information. Knowing each line-up's power numbers from top to bottom is critical. This is especially true when you are pitching. Be careful with the big bats and challenge the weak hitters. Keep the pitch count low and go after those weak hitters.
Also keep in mind that 64 bonus points are given to a pinch hitter in his 1st at bat. That's a hefty power bonus, turning even average guys into a real feared hitter. Dangerous power numbers start at around 875 and up. A player with merely an 830 power number turns into a pretty potent bat off the bench.
The line-ups page gives some pointers on who to start right away, and who to use late in the game for the power bonus when a rally is needed. Each team has some bona-fide power on the bench that's necessary to put in early.
Also keep in mind that 64 bonus points are given to a pinch hitter in his 1st at bat. That's a hefty power bonus, turning even average guys into a real feared hitter. Dangerous power numbers start at around 875 and up. A player with merely an 830 power number turns into a pretty potent bat off the bench.
The line-ups page gives some pointers on who to start right away, and who to use late in the game for the power bonus when a rally is needed. Each team has some bona-fide power on the bench that's necessary to put in early.
R.B.I. Strategy #3: Use a relief pitcher in a starters role
The relievers have limited stamina...usually around 15 pitches before they start to wear out. By starting the game with a relief pitcher, you raise the probability that he will be able to go 3 innings. Once they reach the stamina limit they start to lose speed and movement. As that occurs it's good for the pitcher to face some weak 7-9 hitters without his best stuff. In some cases the lead off batter doesn't have a lot of power, so he can face an additional hitter before being pulled.
Take this scenario into consideration. A reliever comes in during the 6th inning to face the 5-7 hitters. The next inning he faces the 8, 9, and 1 hitter. From there he will face the heart of the order as his speed and movement starts to go in the tank. That's fairly dicey to take on the big bats without his best stuff. In that scenario, its likely the reliever doesn't make it through 3 inning.
Take this scenario into consideration. A reliever comes in during the 6th inning to face the 5-7 hitters. The next inning he faces the 8, 9, and 1 hitter. From there he will face the heart of the order as his speed and movement starts to go in the tank. That's fairly dicey to take on the big bats without his best stuff. In that scenario, its likely the reliever doesn't make it through 3 inning.
R.B.I. Strategy #4: Use walks to your advantage
There's definitely a couple line-ups in RBI that are too formidable to expect your pitcher to go through unscathed. While this sounds somewhat contrary to strategy #1, its necessary at times. Putting a man on 1st prevents your pitcher from facing a powerful batter. It also sets up the possibility of a ground ball double play which happens quite frequently in RBI.
The key is to learn the players power numbers which can be found on the batting line-ups page. Then identify a few spots in the order for each team where walking a powerful batter to face a much weaker one is a possibility. In order to preserve pitches, its wise to try and hit the batter with the 1st pitch.
The key is to learn the players power numbers which can be found on the batting line-ups page. Then identify a few spots in the order for each team where walking a powerful batter to face a much weaker one is a possibility. In order to preserve pitches, its wise to try and hit the batter with the 1st pitch.
R.B.I. Strategy #5: Master the nuances of the game
This sounds pretty vague, but its absolutely critical. Practice defense! There's a lot of ground balls and fly balls that someone new to RBI baseball won't get to, that a regular player will track down with ease. Get used to how the defense works and you'll raise your game. It's easy to lose a game because of one ball you miss by an eyelash.
Practice the strong throw. Its a combination of hitting the directional pad and the A button at the exact same time. Your defensive player will throw the ball harder than usual. You'll need this skill when fielding the ball deep at short stop if you want to throw out a runner. This also helps out when your opponent is trying to stretch a single to a double. Also work with the cut off man. There's always a short stop or 2nd baseman just standing around. You can move him towards the base for a quick catch and throw from the outfield.
Make sure you can perform a run down. Its like getting a free out if you don't screw it up. RBI is a pitchers game and not giving up unnecessary hits and runs will make a huge difference.
Practice the strong throw. Its a combination of hitting the directional pad and the A button at the exact same time. Your defensive player will throw the ball harder than usual. You'll need this skill when fielding the ball deep at short stop if you want to throw out a runner. This also helps out when your opponent is trying to stretch a single to a double. Also work with the cut off man. There's always a short stop or 2nd baseman just standing around. You can move him towards the base for a quick catch and throw from the outfield.
Make sure you can perform a run down. Its like getting a free out if you don't screw it up. RBI is a pitchers game and not giving up unnecessary hits and runs will make a huge difference.
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