Hold Runner. Does it ever work or just let people hit doubles?

[Ivo Shandor]

^^^^ Edit: Just tried it again as we speak and yet another double! LOLOLOL
Edit #2 Tried it 4 batters in a row after that just for fun... 2 walks single double What the hell is hold runner?

[Mountain Man]

I think it's a quick pitch that doesn't give the runner time to steal, although I'm not sure of its strategic effectiveness as a pitcher rushing his windup is probably less likely to throw a good pitch.

[Twelvefield]

Hold Runner, according to the manual:

The pitcher concentrates a bit more on the baserunner(s), speeding up his delivery of the next pitch. This option results in a slightly weaker pitching performance, but a slightly greater chance to pick off a runner. (Available only when one or more runners are on base.)

You're using too small a sample size. My guess is that your pitcher may already have a low rating at his position, so calling for HR won't help. You need to test across a variety of pitchers, not just batters.

HR, does it work? I haven't used a large sample size either. I'll only use it if my pitcher has a very high position rating and very high stats. I'd prefer to use it against a base-stealer who isn't all that fast. Since all those things are rare in combination, I rarely use HR. I suppose HR might be a more attractive option if your first and second basemen are weak fielders and your catcher has a poor arm. Why? With a weak catcher, you can't do pitch-outs (with a strong pitcher+catcher, they are effective as long as the base-stealer runs) and with weak fielders you risk errors when the ball is thrown away in a pick-off attempts. At least with HR, you mostly depend on only one player, the pitcher.

When I do use HR, I've never caught anyone stealing that I recall, otherwise it seems normal enough.

If I am worried about a base-stealer on first and the batter is strong, and the on-deck player is weak, I'll just bean the batter and try for a double play with the ground-ball hitter. I don't like giving up bases, but I do like the chance of sending someone good to the hospital. Too much Tony La Russa Baseball in my formative years, I guess.

[Ivo Shandor]

I used it from time to time before last night. It always gave doubles! LOL

[Twelvefield]

I just used it to see what would happen, I gave up walks. I should have taken my own advice! Players don't get injured on walks.

[Ivo Shandor]

LOL It seems like a useless option. I'd rather pitch to contact and hope for a DP