MLB The Show 26: How to Use Custom Practice to Master the Sinker

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If you're trying to get better at handling the sinker in MLB The Show 26, the Custom Practice mode is a great tool to help you improve your skills. The sinker is one of the trickier pitches to hit, and knowing how to use Custom Practice to sharpen your reactions and timing can make a big difference in your performance. In this article, I'll break down the basics of Custom Practice and give you some solid tips on how to use it effectively to master the sinker.

What Is Custom Practice in MLB The Show 26?

Custom Practice is a mode in MLB The Show 26 where you can set up specific scenarios to work on different aspects of your game. You can choose the pitch type, location, speed, and even the batter you're facing. This allows you to focus on exactly what you need to improve, rather than just randomly playing through games or relying on training sessions that don’t quite match your needs.

Why Is the Sinker So Tough to Hit?

Before diving into Custom Practice, let's take a moment to understand why the sinker is a challenging pitch. A sinker moves downward and often tails toward the hands of the batter, which can be tough to track and adjust to. The movement isn’t as dramatic as some other pitches like sliders or curveballs, but it has a subtle dip that makes it harder to judge. On top of that, sinkers are usually thrown low in the zone, meaning if you’re not careful, you’ll either miss them or hit weak ground balls.

How Does Custom Practice Help with the Sinker?

In Custom Practice, you can simulate facing pitchers who throw sinkers consistently, allowing you to get familiar with their movement. The key benefit is that you can adjust the difficulty, pitch speed, and even the pitcher’s tendencies, which helps you fine-tune your response to sinkers. By repeatedly facing these pitches in controlled situations, you can learn how to time your swing better, adjust your plate discipline, and avoid chasing pitches that are low and out of the zone.

How Do I Set Up Custom Practice to Focus on Sinkers?

Setting up a practice session specifically for sinkers is easy. Here’s how you can do it:

Go to the Custom Practice Menu: From the main menu, navigate to the “Practice” section and select “Custom Practice.”

Choose Your Pitcher: Select a pitcher known for throwing sinkers (like Justin Verlander, for example) or pick a random pitcher who has a sinker in their repertoire. The idea is to face pitchers who can consistently throw that pitch to get used to its movement and break.

Adjust Pitch Settings: In the “Pitch Type” settings, make sure to select the sinker. You can choose to have the pitcher throw only sinkers, or you can set up a mix of pitches and include a lot of sinkers within that mix.

Set Pitch Locations: You can adjust the pitch locations, but to really work on the sinker, focus on the low and inside part of the zone. Sinkers often break down and in, so having pitches consistently in that area will help you refine your timing and reactions.

Select the Difficulty: Start with a lower difficulty if you’re new to hitting sinkers, and gradually increase it as you become more comfortable. The goal is to challenge yourself without getting frustrated, so be honest with your current skill level.

Set Other Options: You can tweak things like pitch speed, and whether you want a live pitcher or just the pitcher’s delivery without worrying about the batter’s outcome. This will allow you to focus solely on getting the timing down.

How Do I Practice Hitting Sinkers in Custom Practice?

Once you’ve set up your Custom Practice session, it’s time to start working on hitting those sinkers. Here are a few tips for making the most of your practice time:

Focus on Timing and Location: Sinkers drop quickly, so you’ll need to adjust your swing timing to account for the pitch’s downward movement. Pay attention to where the pitch is located, and try to adjust your swing accordingly. If it’s in the dirt, don’t chase it. If it’s in the lower part of the strike zone, aim to drive it with a level swing.

Use the Zone: Practice with the batting interface that you’re most comfortable with (whether it’s Zone, Directional, or Timing). The key here is to keep your eyes locked on the pitch’s release point and track the ball through the zone, adjusting your swing based on its movement.

Keep Your Swing Short: The sinker is often a groundball-inducing pitch, meaning if you swing too aggressively or with too much of an uppercut, you’ll likely pop the ball up or hit weak fly balls. Focus on making contact with a level swing, keeping it short and compact to drive the ball back up the middle or the other way.

Don’t Chase Low Pitches: One of the biggest mistakes players make when facing a sinker is chasing pitches that are too low. In the real game, this can lead to weak grounders. In practice, force yourself to stay disciplined and only swing at sinkers that are in the zone. This will help build your patience and help you recognize when the sinker is falling out of the zone.

Work on Your Reaction Time: Sinkers tend to have late movement, so you might need to practice your reaction time. Don’t rush yourself—get comfortable tracking the ball as it approaches, and when you see that downward break, react by holding off or making a controlled swing.

How Do I Know If I’m Improving?

After several practice sessions, you should start noticing an improvement in your ability to handle sinkers. Here’s how you can gauge your progress:

Better Plate Discipline: You’ll be able to spot sinkers out of the zone and lay off them more easily, reducing your chances of chasing low pitches.

Better Timing: If you’re consistently making solid contact with the sinker, you’re starting to develop better timing. You’ll notice that you’re not grounding out as often or whiffing on pitches in the dirt.

Improved Hits: As your skill improves, you’ll start to get better hits off sinkers, whether that’s hard contact through the gaps, line drives, or even pulling the ball with authority.

Can I Use Custom Practice to Improve My Sinker Pitching?

While this article is focused on hitting the sinker, Custom Practice can also help you improve your pitching. By setting up specific pitching scenarios where you throw sinkers, you can get better at locating this pitch and mastering its movement. This is especially useful if you’re trying to use a sinker as part of your pitching strategy.

Is There Any Way to Make My Custom Practice More Efficient?

Yes, there are a few tips to streamline your sessions:

Use MLB 26 Stubs No Ban to unlock additional content for better equipment or players that may help in your practice. While this doesn’t directly affect your practice performance, it can enhance your overall game experience by giving you access to more resources for training.

Replay Practice Sessions: After each session, watch your replay and analyze your swing mechanics, timing, and where you’re making contact with the sinker. This can help you identify areas to focus on for future practice.

Don’t Overdo It: It’s easy to get frustrated when you’re working on tough pitches like the sinker, so don’t feel like you need to practice for hours at a time. A focused 15-20 minutes is often enough to make noticeable progress without burning out.

Mastering the sinker in MLB The Show 26 takes patience and practice, but with the Custom Practice mode, you can target this pitch specifically and gradually improve your hitting skills. By setting up your sessions thoughtfully and working on your timing, plate discipline, and swing mechanics, you’ll soon see better results when facing sinkers in real games. Keep practicing, stay patient, and you’ll become a more dangerous hitter against one of the toughest pitches in the game.