General Description - From this page, you may set the pinch hitting hierarchy the manager uses during the game. For instance, if Gomes is batting and your team is behind by 1 in the 9th (which meets your managerial settings for a pinch hitting situation), the manager will scan the hierarchy to see if any the next available player is offensively superior for the situation and should enter the game. Before the regular season starts, users will only be able to change their hierarchies for Spring Training Squad rosters.

Level - Users may select the level at which to set a hierarchy. Levels from the dropdown menu include Majors, Triple-A, Double-A, High-A, Low-A and rookie ball teams.

View - Users may select the type of individual statistics or ratings to view. Types in the dropdown menu include regular season, playoff, spring training and last season's statistics. Regular, playoff and spring training refer just to the current Hardball Dynasty season, so only completed games from this season will be included in these statistics. Last season refers to the previous Hardball Dynasty regular season. The statistics listed are just for these players at the level selected. Current and projected ratings refer to a subset of player ratings applicable to player rest (for a full list of ratings, click on the player for his Player Profile). Current ratings are the values from 0-100 that represent a player's ability for the category at this time. This is what is input into the simulation engine. Projected ratings are an approximation of a player's highest possible rating in the category. The accuracy of these ratings is directly linked to the franchise's advance scouting budget. Scrolling over each ratings icon will indicate the rating category. After selecting Level and View, please click 'Go' to begin setting hierarchies.

Pinch-Hit vs. RHP/Pinch-Hit vs. LHP - Below each option are the three situations in which one can pinch hit against a right-handed or left-handed pitcher. Generally, it is better to utilize left-handed batters versus right-handed pitchers and vice versa, but a better indication of this can be seen in a player's ratings. To change the hierarchy for a specific situation, please click 'Edit' under the situation. You may then select players from the dropdown and place them in the order you would like. It is important to remember to rank everyone, because this will be used for every pinch-hitting situation and one can never predict exactly who will be on the bench. After ranking each position player, click 'Save' to save the hierarchy for that situation.

Late/Close Need Power - Late and close signifies that game is in the seventh inning or later and within three runs. There are many circumstances in which a power hitter is more valuable than a contact hitter. For instance, down one run with no one and one or two outs a manager would like to bring in a hitter capable of tying the game with one swing.

Late/Close Need Contact - Late and close signifies that game is in the seventh inning or later and within three runs. There are many circumstances in which a contact hitter is more valuable than a power hitter. For instance, down one run with two men in scoring position and two outs a manager would like to bring in a contact hitter with a high likelihood of getting any hit to at least tie the game if not go ahead by one.

Other - Situations that are not late and close but call for a pinch hitter will use the Other setting.

1-X - Each hierarchy can be set up to the number of positional players on the roster for this level.

Show Recs - Clicking 'Show Recs' will utilize an algorithm based on situation, offensive ratings, primary positions, and secondary positions. This will generate the recommended hierarchy based on the data available (which is based on your franchise's Advanced Scouting Budget and any modified position assignments). To save the recommendations, please click 'Save Recs.'

Clear All - Clicking this button will clear your hierarchies so that you can start anew.

Statistics/Ratings Table - This table should provide help in figuring out who goes where in the hierarchy. Current Ratings are used for recommendations.

Additional information :Player Ratings | Player Statistics | GM Basics | Guide | Manual