Defensive Tactics
After you have selected your pitching tactic, the tactics button
array will switch to allow you to position your infield.
Normal defense
Select Normal defense to give the
infielders the best opportunity to reach ground balls and make
double plays.
Infield in
Select Infield in to bring all four
infielders toward home plate. This strategy gives the defense a
much better chance to throw out a runner who tries to score from
third on a ground ball. It also provides for better defense on
bunts to first and third.
However, it increases the chance that a ground ball will go
through the infield for a single, and reduces the chance for double
plays at second base by taking the second baseman and shortstop out
of position.
In at the corners
Select In at the corners to bring the
first and third basemen toward home plate, so they can better
handle bunts in their direction and increase their chances of
throwing out a runner at the plate while keeping the shortstop and
second baseman at double-play depth. This defense increases the
chance that ground balls toward first and third get through for
hits.
Guard lines
Select Guard lines to have the first
and third baseman play at normal depth but much closer to the
baseline than normal. This strategy reduces the number of ground
balls down the line that go for doubles and triples in the corner,
but increases the number of singles hit through the hole.
This strategy is most commonly used in the late innings of a
close game, when a double or triple might win the game, but a
single may not.
Hold runner
Select Hold
runner to have the first baseman stay on
the bag to keep a runner close and reduce his chances to steal
second or take an extra base on a hit. When there is a runner on
first and second base is open, DMB assumes you want to hold the
runner close at first. However, ground balls between first and
second are more likely to go through for hits.
Play behind runner
Select Play behind runner if your
first baseman is currently holding the runner close but you want
him to ignore the runner and play at normal depth.
This tactic is most commonly used when
the runner at first is not a threat to steal or if the defensive
team is ahead by a comfortable margin and it is more important for
the first baseman to be able to reach ground balls than it is to
prevent a steal of second. The offense's chances of a successful
steal increase when the defense plays behind the runner.
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