Gaming

Why Is It So Hard to Hit in MLB The Show 25?

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For both newcomers and seasoned veterans, MLB The Show 25 can feel punishing when it comes to one core aspect of the game: hitting the ball. Despite its polished graphics, refined mechanics, and extensive customization options, players frequently ask the same question: “Why is it so hard to hit in MLB The Show 25?”

You line up the PCI (Plate Coverage Indicator) perfectly, time your swing just right, and yet — pop-up. Foul ball. Weak grounder. Sometimes you whiff entirely. Whether you’re playing offline Road to the Show or grinding Ranked Seasons in Diamond Dynasty, the frustration is real.

1. The Game Prioritizes Realism Over Accessibility

One of the main reasons hitting is difficult is because MLB The Show 25 is built around simulation-level realism. This isn’t an arcade baseball game where every pitch is hittable or where timing alone determines success. The developers strive to reflect the real-world challenge of hitting a baseball, and that means failure is frequent — just like in Major League Baseball.

Real-world perspective:

  • In MLB, a .300 batting average is elite. That’s a 70% failure rate.
  • The Show mimics this by making solid contact a reward for perfect timing, precision, and pitch recognition.

If you’re used to more forgiving sports games, the steep learning curve of The Show can be jarring.

2. Pitch Speeds Are Unforgiving

Pitch speeds in MLB The Show 25 can feel blisteringly fast, especially online.

  • On Hall of Fame or Legend difficulty, even a 92 MPH fastball can feel unhittable.
  • Online lag and input delay can make timing even more inconsistent.
  • Elite pitchers with high velocity and deceptive animations (like Spencer Strider or Gerrit Cole) make it harder to read pitches.

Additionally, pitch speeds scale depending on your monitor or TV setup. A 120Hz gaming monitor will display pitches more smoothly and give you a critical edge in reaction time compared to a 60Hz TV.

3. The PCI System Requires Mastery

The Plate Coverage Indicator (PCI) is the most important — and often most misunderstood — tool in the game. It’s a dynamic reticle that represents where your swing will make contact with the ball.

Why it’s hard:

  • The PCI is small for average players and shrinks even more on higher difficulties.
  • Moving the PCI manually while simultaneously timing your swing is a multi-step process.
  • Each hitter has different attributes affecting PCI size and speed — meaning consistency is difficult.

Types of PCI input:

  • Zone hitting (manual control) offers precision but is the hardest to master.
  • Directional hitting is simpler but less accurate and customizable.

Most top players use zone hitting, which has a high skill ceiling but also rewards mastery with better outcomes.

4. Feedback Doesn’t Always Reflect Performance

One of the more frustrating aspects of The Show is when perfect timing and PCI placement still lead to weak results. You might see feedback like:

  • Perfect/Perfect → Lineout
  • Good/Good → Double play
  • Early/Okay → Home run

This inconsistency is due to the game’s underlying hit outcome algorithms, which factor in:

  • Player attributes (e.g., contact, power, vision)
  • Pitch type and location
  • Ballpark dimensions
  • RNG (random number generation) elements

While MLB The Show 25 claims to have improved hit consistency, many players still feel that “Good” doesn’t always mean “good enough” — especially online, where input lag can skew timing feedback.

5. Online Play Makes It Even Harder

If you find hitting harder in online modes, you’re not imagining it. Factors that make online hitting more difficult include:

  • Lag or latency, especially in peer-to-peer games
  • Opponent pitch tunneling (disguising pitch types and locations)
  • Players spamming meta pitches like sinkers, cutters, and out-of-zone sliders
  • High-ranked players mastering pitch sequencing and release timing

Even with strong internet, the frames per second and input delay can create just enough friction to throw off your swing.

6. Pitchers Have Gotten Smarter (and Scarier)

MLB The Show 25 introduces AI improvements and new pitching animations that give pitchers more tools than ever. They hide arm slots better, use deceptive release points, and hit the corners with accuracy.

In Diamond Dynasty, users build meta teams with relievers who throw 102 MPH with sinkers and sliders that disappear — making it nearly impossible to square up consistently.

How to Improve Your Hitting in MLB The Show 25

If you’re struggling to connect at the plate, here are several tips to help:

1. Lower Your Difficulty (Offline)

Start at Veteran or All-Star to learn timing and PCI placement. Build confidence before moving up.

2. Use Custom Practice Mode

  • Load up Custom Practice with specific pitch types and pitchers.
  • Focus on tracking pitches rather than just swinging.
  • Practice against outlier fastballs, sliders, and low off-speed pitches.

3. Use a Gaming Monitor

If you’re on console, upgrading to a low-latency, 120Hz monitor can drastically improve reaction times and reduce input lag.

4. Adjust Your Camera Settings

Many players use:

  • Strike Zone 2 or Strike Zone High for a better view of the ball
  • Zoom and height adjustments for clearer pitch tracking

5. Stay Disciplined

  • Don’t swing at the first pitch unless it’s right in your zone
  • Learn pitcher patterns — players tend to repeat tendencies (high fastballs, low sliders)
  • Take pitches early in the count to get into favorable situations

6. Upgrade Your Lineup Strategically

In Diamond Dynasty or Franchise modes, build a lineup of hitters with:

  • High Contact and Vision
  • Balanced left/right matchups
  • Good Clutch rating for late-game at-bats

Final Thoughts

Hitting in MLB The Show 25 is hard — by design. The game mirrors the real sport’s complexity and unpredictability, which means success at the plate requires a combination of timing, mechanics, and strategy.

To recap why hitting feels so difficult:

  • The game emphasizes realism over arcade simplicity
  • Pitch speeds and pitching AI have evolved
  • PCI mechanics demand precision and consistency
  • Online factors add variability and challenge
  • Feedback isn’t always intuitive, making improvement feel elusive

But with the right tools, practice, and mindset, you can improve. Focus on fundamentals, learn your opponents, and keep grinding. Because just like in real baseball, failure is part of the game — and that next big hit is always just one swing away.

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