Are the redbirds better than we think?

[Black_Thing]

You all know that I am biased.  However, I have been playing with the Cards the last few days just to mix things up.  I've also been winning.  I'm playing against fairly experienced RBIers, and I have been winning fairly low scoring games using the straight pitch method.  This Cardinal team ain't all that shabby when Morris is subbed for Herr, and Lindeman is brought in for Ford.

I hit 12 dongs in one game with these turds.  However, I just lost my last game 9-5 against the Sox.  When you use St. Louis, there is always a chance that they won't hit the long ball enough.  Plus, Tudor keeps the ball in the park even using straight pitch.  This afternoon Tudor went 8 innings for me against Detroit and only gave up 4 runs.

[Gwynn3k]

hitting 12 homeruns with the redbirds should be a world record...   they have speed, solid pitching and defense... after that they are lacking.  

[GDavis]

I think teams like Stl and Hou are underrated.  These two teams have incredible team speed.  I always keep T. Herr in because when he gets on he can steal 2nd everytime.  As for Houston, if you pinch hit for walling, ashby and reynolds, then every player except for GDavis has stolen base potential.  In low score curve pitch games, speed can be the difference.  There's also great pitching on both teams.  Ryan and Tudor are studs.

[Gantry]

Our style of RBI leaves teams like Hou and Stl by the wayside.  They don't have enough power to win games.  Twelve homers is a slightly below-average 9 inning total in our games.  I do think Stl is a decent team away from the big3 though, they can pull out victories.  Houston however is hopeless in straight pitch...

And no offense to you GDavis, but nobody on Houston has stolen base potential if you know how to throw with the catcher.  If the pitcher isn't horribly slow, there are only 4 or 5 players in the game who can consistently steal...

[Burnzky]

       Every team has its good areas and bad areas.  Like Black_Thing said, they have good speed, pitching, and defense, but only in curve pitch i think.  In curve pitch any team has a chance.  But i dont know how they cards won in a straight pitch game, straight pitch eliminates pitching right away.

[Gwynn3k]

i agree with gantry that stealing bases is no longer an option.  in our games, the only guys that can steal bases are coleman and raines... everyone else is usually cut down.

[GDavis]

Is there a technique for getting better throws from the catcher?  I've never been aware of it.

[Gantry]

It's a quick Down-and-A press right when the screen changes.  The throw should be basically a grounder, barely skimming over the ground...

[GDavis]

Oh, so you're actually throwing to home and it skips its way to 2nd.  Very interesting, I can't wait to whip that trick out on my friends.

[Gwynn3k]

that is the way i have done it for years gantry, now you have given pines my secret... thanks a lot.   the other way to throw it is to wait a split second after receiving the pitch and then push up and a quickly.

[Burnzky]

thanks gantry, been trying to get that one out of joe for years

[Gwynn3k]

i am amazed that it took you guys that long to figure it out.  pines is going to kick himself when he realizes how easy it is.

[bluto]

My first post:

I feel ya on the cards bein competitive, i runruled an experienced player one time in like 6 innings scoring like 20+ runs.  Part of it might have to do w/ the lefties they have.

[Gantry]

Welcome to the forums bluto!

As I found out in my curve games, lefties are still the bomb.  In our second game where I was Cali and won 4-2, I don't think I got a single hit with a righty.  All Wilfong and Potatoes....

The Cards did beat me in a curve game when I was MN.  Vince Coleman went yard and Jim Lindeman hit a game-typing, 2 out, bottom of the 9th dinger off of senor smoke.  Terry Pendelton won it on a dinger in the bottom of the 11th.  They aren't too bad in  curve, at least from what I saw....

[Gwynn3k]

as you will learn with more experience in curve style, changings speeds while mixing up location, i.e.  inside and outside, is the most effective way to pitch... with brnger, his fastball is good but hitters will tee off if you dont change speeds.  

[Dill]

True story about changing speeds.  I throw a bunch of BP fastballs, going inside and out.  And when you mix in a fastball and a knuckler every once in a while, it can really throw the batters off.

[Russell Cox]

Ahh, all the jibber-jabber about RBI....What a refreshing sign that Ribbie is still being played frequently by true lovers of the game.  I do however have a problem with the majority of people on this forum...you are amateurs when it comes to really knowing the greatest Nintendo game of all time.  I mean all the talk about straight pitch?  Who plays straight pitch?  That isn't real baseball...I mean if you ain't willing to play w/ the big dogs, get on the porch w/ the puppies.  I can understand if you want  to have a quick game of homerun derby...and that is exactly what it is when you play straight pitch.  It's not hard to hit a pitch when you know exactly where it's going to be and then fire away on the 'A' button.  It's all about having your fun, but you outta try playing the game like it should be played.  IE: ever tried playing a 2-player 3-game series where you're forced to use only 1 starter/game?    This is actually where a little 'managing' and strategy comes in to play.  Everyone knows the pitchers get tired if you continually throw heat, so it forces you to use other means to get outs.  We've had some classic games at 'del casa 1614'...a 1-0 no-hitter that went 15-innings...many extra-inning games that ended with a blast over the center field scoreboard because no pitchers were left and the last one was throwing sub-20mph.  Anyhoo, enough of my jibber-jabber...try out some of these and you'll learn to love the game even more...RC

[Gwynn3k]

russell, the majority of us do play that way...  it is just gantry and the dee-nee gang that remain in the straight pitch mode...  i agree with you in that the one starter rule greatly enhances the game, adding strategy like a national league game...  definately superior baseball.

[Black_Thing]

I believe straight pitch is more amusing.  I usally beat the shit out of most people in straight pitch, so there is definitely strategy involved.  It isn't as easy as pressing 'A', trust me.  I also enjoy a curve pitch match-up, and can hold my own at that as well.  I have trouble believing that you are an RBI Jedi if you have games going into the 15th inning on a regular basis with only 3 pitchers.  You should be knocking that shit yard well before that point.  Don't fake the funk on a nasty dunk.

[SA]

as specified by R Cox, straight pitch is the ONLY way to go.

Ashby will gun down Coleman just about every time.  Carter and Ashby both have guns behind the plate.  as specified in this thread, it is very tough to steal a bag off an experienced player.  the steal function is better utilized in a hit and run or bunt situation.

of course you "AL'ers" playing gorilla-esque straight pitch probably wouldn't be bunting too often.  

lead off man on 2nd...bunt?

hell yeah...every time.

anybody have thoughts on the intentional pass while playing RBI?  truthfully, I utilize this strategy often (as well as pitching around guys).

the only way to play baseball is to play smart baseball.