MLB The Show 25 brings a significant new mechanic to batting called Ambush Hitting. It is a risk‑reward system layered on top of Zone Hitting. For players who want to advance beyond simply timing swings and reading pitches, Ambush Hitting offers a way to anticipate what the mlb the show stubspitcher might throw, make a guess, and get bonuses if the guess is good. If the guess is wrong, you suffer a penalty. Learning to use this feature well can make a big difference in offensive performance.

Ambush Hitting works by letting the batter predict whether the next pitch will come to the inside half or outside half of the plate. Just before the pitch is delivered the player moves the right analog stick left or right to choose which side they are “ambushing.” That choice is visually indicated by highlighting or shading on the plate indicator. If successful, several things happen: the Plate Coverage Indicator (often called the PCI) on the chosen side expands, meaning you have a larger window to make solid contact. The timing window also becomes more generous, giving more leeway against error. If you guess wrongly, the PCI shrinks, timing becomes tighter, and making solid contact becomes harder. So the system rewards awareness, prediction, and reading tendencies.

But Ambush Hitting is not just about guessing wildly. What separates good players from average ones is how they use data and context. For example, look at the count. Early counts (0‑0, 1‑0, maybe 2‑0) are safer to use ambush because the pitcher is less likely to throw a pitch way off the plate. If you are ahead in the count you often benefit more from guessing a side you believe is vulnerable for that pitcher or human opponent. On the other hand, in two‑strike counts or when behind in the count, pitcher can mix breaking stuff or off‑speed pitches in spots that bait swings. In those contexts ambush has more risk than reward.

Another key is pattern recognition. If you play against the same pitcher several times or in online multiplayer, or even in franchise or Road to the Show where a pitcher moves through many innings, you begin to see tendencies. Does that pitcher favor fastballs away early? Do they tend to work inside to righties? Do they use breaking balls to the outer half after two strikes? Observing pitch selection and location gives you clues. If many pitches are starting outside but breaking inside, or vice versa, ambush can catch those or profit from those tendencies.

Also important is plate discipline. Even when ambushing, you do not want to swing at everything. A good ambush guess and larger PCI still demands good PCI placement (within the strike zone) and decent timing. You still have to track the pitch. Overreliance on ambush or using it every pitch will erode discipline and lead to weak contact, swings at bad pitches, or popups and strikeouts.

Another dimension is matchup considerations. If your hitter has strengths in certain zones (hot zones, for example), or if their power/contact splits favor certain sides of the plate, using ambush in those favorable portions gives higher upside. Conversely, if the hitter is weak on one side, or you know your opponent likes to attack the other side, ambush may backfire.

Finally use ambush as a momentum tool. Successfully ambushing a pitch can shift the pressure onto the pitcher, force them to change strategy, or mix their patterns to throw off your expectations. Getting hits or deep contact early with ambush can swing an at bat, an inning, or even a close game.

In sum Ambush Hitting is one of the most interesting new features in The Show 25. It gives players who pay attention, plan, and adapt another edge. It is not mandatory, but when used wisely it can turn routine at bats into high reward moments. Learning when to gamble, when to wait, and how to balance risk and reward is what separates players who stubs out competition from those who stumble.