Apparently on Jackie Robinson Day (April 15) in Franchise, all the players wear #42.  Wow.

I was reading some tips on how to NOT be such a hacker, because even with the pitch speed slider turned all the way down and the pitcher strike frequency slider down a click or two, I'm still flailing away up there.  If the object of the game was to take strikes and swing at balls, I would probably be king.  Anyhow, do you use Guess Pitch?  I always used to until someone suggested not to use it at all, and just rely solely on your eyes instead of guess hitting.  Since I did that, I've gotten a LITTLE better (granted, it's only been one game).  I faced Greinke in my second game, and I think I whiffed 7 times during the game.  Still pretty horrible, but I think that's half of what I had against Carpenter, and Greinke's curve ball is sick.

Also, what level is everyone playing?  I'm on Veteran for everything, because I can't bear the shame of playing on Rookie, and I'm losing, but not getting blown out.  That suggests to me that I'm at the right level, but I just need to learn how to draw a goddamn walk.  Also, what batting cameras are you guys using?  I'm using Catcher 5 now.  It's really low and a lot like 2K's camera, which is one of the few things it did really well.  I'm using the broadcast cameras for both fielding and pitching, because it looks fucking awesome.

This game plays REALLY well out of the box.  The only two sliders I've touched were the ones above.  And you guys know I'm a 2K apologist, but The Show's pitching is now WAY more fun.

Oh, and has anyone started RTTS?  I got drafted as a first baseman to the Red Sox.  Because that's a position they desperately need to fill.  On the plus side, I'm hitting the ball really well in limited playing time.  I couldn't hit for shit in last year's version.  The new points system is awesome.  Instead of giving you those arbitrary goals, you earn points based on things like the quality of at-bats.  Also, playing as a 1B, it's a lot more challenging to try to figure out whether I should be making an attempt to field a batted ball, or whether I should be covering the bag.  Good.  Times.

If it's also on the iPhone (I have the Android version), WordFeud is just Scrabble, but it's fun, and you can play with friends.

I could never get into The Show as much as everyone else seemed to, because the controls felt boring and outdated to me.  Not any more.  This game is ridiculously awesome.  I liveblogged my first game here.  Read it again, TDubbs, you chode.

Yeah, very meh.  But that's the first time Chang's overacting buffoonery has actually been appropriate.  So, yay?

Agreed.  She's super-hot, but she's part of the problem.  She can't act for shit.

Thank GOD Chang didn't end up a part of the study group.

Really?  Because I think this shirt is so hilarious, it should come with a built-in spit-take bib.



Ryan Dempster reads The Heckler.

I hope someone texted Gordon Wittenmyer!

This seems appropriate here (or anywhere on Desipio).  I'm putting it as my avatar, so when SKO steals it ten seconds later, here's the proof it was mine first.

I agree.  And Archer is one of my favorite characters ever.  Plus, Jessica Walter is fantastic.

I didn't watch Bob's Burgers this weekend, but I knew from the commercials that I had heard the main character's voice before.  Turns out, it was Archer.

Yeah, this show rules.

DPD.  Here's a pretty good preview and summary of the new features, including a look at the new pitching meter.

They probably don't qualify as historical fiction, but I don't feel like starting a new thread.  Anyhow, Pillars of the Earth and (so far) World Without End by Ken Follett are both excellent.  The Pillars mini-series was meh, but Swearingen was in it.

No one is hyped about this game yet?  My biggest complaint about The Show was that they were using the same control system as MVP 2005.  It was just...boring.  This year, they're adding analog controls.  They're wisely only including them as an option, though, so button-pushers will still be happy.  Plus, the overhaul to RTTS sounds awesome.

Also, Karros is replacing Hudler in the booth.  Awesome.