For years now there has been a problem with certain players not attempting to steal. I noticed this with Mantle several years ago. I currently have a team with Willie Mays (18 SB/2 CS) and Ken Griffey Jr. (16 SB/1 CS). After 91 games neither one of them has even attempted a stolen base. They are both set on 3. Why won't they fix this?

Crank them up to #5 and see what happens then.

Part of my problem is I don't want a 1 thru 5 system, what does that mean? I want a system where my guys attempt to steal on B+ thru D- and sit tight on A- thru A+. Would that be difficult?

I believe the catcher's arm factors in to a baserunner's decision to attempt a stolen base.

You will just have to micro mange it then.

simply stated, setting your SBs at "3" means a given player will attempt to steal at a rate he did in real life, more or less. After 91 games, the players you site (with excellent success rates) should have at least tried 10 or so steals. Perhaps it's where you have them situated in the order. I also believe the catcher's arm factors into this. Are you "turning up the volume to 5" when you face a weaker armed pitcher?

I've run into similar problems with the '88 Kevin mcReynolds (21 SB/ 0 CS, 80 speed rating) who I've used twice. when batting down in the order, he rarely attempts to steal, even in situations I think would call for it. Moving him to the lead off (he is set to "5") has the SIM sending him more often.

My pitcher, Tex Hughson, was caught stealing in the last game. His RL totals are 0/0, and his base stealing was set to 1. Catcher's arm was A-. Does anyone know why this happened?

Was he picked off base?

Quote: Originally posted by believeit on 5/15/2010My pitcher, Tex Hughson, was caught stealing in the last game.  His RL totals are 0/0, and his base stealing was set to 1.  Catcher's arm was A-.  Does anyone know why this happened? 

Broken hit and run?

There are only 5 A+ arms in the whole league. You would think these guys would have at least tried a few times.

Another thing I would like to have more control over besides who is catching is who is batting. I don't want these guys to attempt a stolen base if Gehrig or Ruth is batting.

Maybe you just answered your own question. If the SIM factors in the hitter at the plate, and you have them batting in front of Ruth and Gehrig, perhaps that's why they're not trying.

Quote: Originally posted by Midge on 5/15/2010Was he picked off base?

Yep, he was picked off.

Mays is in front of Gehrig and Ruth. Griffey hits in front of Banks and Brett. I changed Griffey to 5 to see if that made any difference.

Quote: Originally Posted By redwingscup on 5/15/2010
simply stated, setting your SBs at "3" means a given player will attempt to steal at a rate he did in real life, more or less

True, but only given that in reallife an average catcher's arm is in the C+ to B- range. In an OL sim, players probably face an average of an A- to A arm. So, unless their SBA/100SBO isup over 20-30, they won't steal much.

Overall, I would rate this simulation as being much better than Strat-O-Matic, but there are certain areas of player control where Strat has the edge, this being one of them. Most of the issues we complain about could be addressed by simply having more boxes to check, giving us more control over the players. For example, when leading off an inning...or with a (Check box here) X speed rated runner on first, less than 2 outs...or with an (check box here) X rated catcher...etc. The controls we do have are OK, but there are many situations where our settings become what we wouldn't want. It isn't as if we don't know the possible consequences, say, of having a prolific base stealer set to 5 in the top of the ninth when we are down 2 runs, but we have to set things up for the top of the 1st, or for the more general welfare of the team.