Power Pros Forum

This appears to be completely random in Season Mode. Is there any way to increase your players' motivation? It's pretty annoying when your starting pitcher is depressed.

I think the depression means that your pitcher is fatigued

The gray icon means they are resting, usually reserved for pitchers.

As for the whole point of their mood, I haven't really paid attention if it makes a big difference between a happy or unhappy player

Nope, unless you turn the mode off entirely, by giving yourself a HANDICAP that all players are in perfect shape (do the same for the computer or you'll be at a distinct advantage).

I don't know where they are in Season mode, but in Exhibition (Matchup), it's at the bottom of options just before you start the game.

I've noticed a huge difference. It's obvious when it's a pitcher. A fully rested pitcher but in a bad mood won't throw nearly as fast as he does if he's in a good one. Speaking of not throwing fast.... does it bother anybody else that you always throw at least a good 5 mph slower than your theoretical 'top speed' stat?

I wonder if there's a way to throw at your top speed but maybe use more stamina.... ahh well.

I'm not sure about what button you'd press in the Wii version, but on PS2, if you press X repeatedly after selecting the pitch and during the windup, you'll see the pitch location icon rotate as you press the button. that makes the pitch go faster/have more break.

Mood ("Form" per game manual) also affects hitting cursor size. I also think max mood cancels out negative abilities.

For example, a hitter with Free Swinger will usually see his hitting cursor shrink after 2 strikes, but when he's in tiptop mood (pink icon) the cursor size won't change. I noticed this with Brad playing Success Mode games.

If the game system has symmetry, I'm guessing being in the worst mood (purple) could cancel out the good abilities.

Only applies to Basic pitching mode, and yes it's the A button on the Wii.

i sugguest a lvl 7 drop curve its a nasty pitch

Just one more thing to add: on the Wii, you don't need to repeatedly press the button. If you want top speed, just depress the pitch button until the locator stops rotating.

to reach top speed in expert mode on the ps2, you must hold down the x button when you select your pitch (do not tap x and release). the pitch cursor will rotate rapidly counterclockwise. once it stops rotating, release the x button and prepare to tap it when your pitcher reaches his release point. if your pitcher's in a good mood, your 4-seamer should reach top speed.

Back to the original question - I'm playing as the Pirates, and LaRoche has been 'depressed' with that little purple icon for weeks now. I have been trying not to play him during that stretch...is it like a slump, where you should play him through it? Or should I leave him out of the lineup until he has normal motivation again?

IMO, pitchers need to be taken out early when low on motivation (and relievers given the day off).

Batters, well, some of them need to battle it out.

I play all my guys when they have bad motivation except for starting pitchers. I'm hoping that they get a good game and maybe their motivation will increase. Motivation really matters for the starting pitchers more than anyone else. I will usually skip the guy if he has the purple icon and the next guy in the rotation has a red icon.

Sanchez for the Mets has been blue for me most of April and purple for most of May and I can't get him to snap out of it. I had him throw just to a couple of batters trying to get his ERA down but he still gives up hits.

I've tried to get him to play through it and I have just put him on rest and he just won't snap out of it. I have played a different game with him and he was unhittable, but this game he gets pounded. Down to AAA for him, hopefully after some time he will snap out of it.