RBI Variations

[ultimate7]

This is not a very detailed analysis, just some thoughts that popped into my head while I was considering the differences between 1 SP and 2 SP curve style.  I'm not very familiar with Straight pitch or Slurve so if anyone wants to add anything that would be good. 
(I attached a text file with the same info for easy editing).  My analysis is clearly biased toward Curve 1 SP, so take it with a grain of salt


Straight Pitch:
*Positives
    -Easy to learn, new players can compete quickly
    -High Scoring Fun         
    -Good for recruiting new players
*Negatives
    -For competitive purposes, the game is likely all about the hitting, I'm sure fielding is important and some pitching strategy, but if you don't hit, you won't win
    -Not much strategy

Slurve
  *Positives
    -All pitches are hittable keep the game moving and with plenty of scoring
    -Like 1 SP more fielding & Baserunning opportunites    
  *Negatives
    -Less pitching possibilities

Anything Goes (2 SP)
  *Positives
    -Tight Pitching match ups were each pitch can make or break a game
    -Has many of the benefits of 1 SP though often to a lesser degree (Strategy exists, just less important)
  *Negatives
    -The game is all about pitching, if you pitch lights out, you will win fielding baserunning less important since it is less likely to get on base
    -Longer learning Curve   

Anything Goes (1 SP)
  *Positives
    -I really believe this style involves the most strategy, When to take pitcher out
    -I think all aspects of the game are utilized since there are more fielding and baserunning opportunities
    -Pitching strategy includes knowing how to conserve your pitcher (moreso than 2 SP)
  *Negatives
    -Longer learning Curve
    -Maybe possible to simply over tire out pitchers to the point that pitching becomes ineffective (I don't think this is true)
          

[BeeJay]

You have a positive of anything goes being "all pitches hittable," just so you know.  Also, I'm not sure if I agree with everyone saying that 2 SP requires less strategy than 1 SP.  They obviously result in different strategies, but I wouldn't say that one is better than the other.

[ultimate7]

Thanks BeeJay, edited it and the text file, that's what happens when you cut and paste.

[Gantry]

A good list so far, anyone have more comments about the strategy?  A few revisions and we should add it to the FAQ...

[Blyleven_No-No]

the highest positive for 1SP- anything goes- is that is the way the game was meant to be played.   Even if you don't play the 7 game series, it seems to be what the RBI gods want to see....

[Big Apple RBI Champ]

the highest positive for 1SP- anything goes- is that is the way the game was meant to be played.   Even if you don't play the 7 game series, it seems to be what the RBI gods want to see....

good point.  2 sp just makes no sense to me.

[ultimate7]

the highest positive for 1SP- anything goes- is that is the way the game was meant to be played. Even if you don't play the 7 game series, it seems to be what the RBI gods want to see....

This is simply your opinion, to claim it was the way the game was meant to be played is pretty questionable. 

[fightonusc]

If the RBI Gods did want you to have the ability to use the second SP during a game, they wouldn't have given you the option to select him. Whether or not you want to use that option is up to you.

[Nails]

I think he's referring to the fact that if you use 2 starting pitchers in one game, then advance to the next game without resetting the console, then you'll only have 2 relievers for the next game.   Therefore, he's assuming that the "RBI Gods" intended to have you learn to get through one game with only one starting pitcher.

[fightonusc]

But, keep in mind that the "RBI Gods" are also a bunch of Japanese guys and one "gaijin" who apparently didn't know a lot about baseball and really kind of rushed through the project...

Still, I know that as a kid, we would almost always play 2 SP and hit the reset button between games. That's the way most other people I knew played as well. Either way, it's a bit presumptous to assume that there is one way that RBI Baseball is "meant to be played". The fact there are so many variations is why it, not soccer, is truly "The Beautiful Game".

[Nails]

Still, I know that as a kid, we would almost always play 2 SP and hit the reset button between games. That's the way most other people I knew played as well. Either way, it's a bit presumptous to assume that there is one way that RBI Baseball is "meant to be played". The fact there are so many variations is why it, not soccer, is truly "The Beautiful Game".

I agree with you 100%.   Everyone has their own choice how to play the game.  There's no right or wrong way to play it.

[JoeDirt]

Also, for at least the sake of large tournaments, you have to hit reset in between games because there just isnt' enough time to have each match up be 3,5,7 games for each 3.5.7 game series...that, or, you'd only have 2 teams actually play most of the entire tourney (Bos, Det).

[TβG]

the way that RBI is meant to be played is on a warm summer afternoon with your buddy after playing outside all day. the sun begins to dip lower on the horizon.   you both run back to your house--because you have air conditioning.  you reach for that cool glass of lemonade mom just squeezed in the kitchen.  condensation beads of water have gathered on the outside of the glass and you wipe your hands on your shorts before you take the controller in-hand and select st. louis, cali, boston, or detroit.

that is how RBI was meant to be played.

[Blyleven_No-No]

LOL...I agree,      I am not saying that 2SP is the "wrong" way to play, but it certainly is not the most "natural" way to play.

If the RBI Gods did want you to have the ability to use the second SP during a game, they wouldn't have given you the option to select him. Whether or not you want to use that option is up to you.

This is true, you absolutely can use them both and then get them back in the thrid game of the series.  The thing is, I am not down with resetting the console after each game, I think it takes away from momentum in a series.  The reason there is a series option on the game without an option to save the game,  is because it is encouraged that you keep the console on and finish the series.

Personally, it is not a series to me if you reset the console.

[ultimate7]

Despite the fact that I think 1 SP is the best and the way I have almost always played, I still have trouble with the "most natural" argument

[Blyleven_No-No]

"Most Natural" means the way the game is "naturally" played.   

That is done without resetting the console, or even if you do want to reset the console for whatever reason, if you pitch both SP in the same game, you have only 2 relievers to use for the next game.   It's simple.

[ultimate7]

If you play more than 1 game at a time

[Blyleven_No-No]

true.  If you are just playing a single exhibition match, then it is just for fun anyway, therefore not a real competition, and I can see 2 SP being used.

[BeeJay]

I always thought the whole idea of the game was to have fun.  Some people have more fun using all 4 pitchers, some only 3.  There's nothing natural about it.

[Blyleven_No-No]

Dictionary.com defines "natural" as: 

Not altered, treated, or disguised: i.e. natural coloring


therefore, it is fine to use two starting pitchers, just so you know that if you are playing more than one game, you have only relievers available for the following game.