4 Minutes, 4 Key Decisions

• Key Decision 1: Sport
• Key Decision 2: Ball Capacity
• Key Decision 3: Pitches
• Key Decision 4: Power Supply

 

Key Decision 1: Sport

Because baseball and softball each use different pitching styles, it’s important to get a pitching machine that’s appropriate to your sport.  Whether you’re an experienced athlete or simply practicing to play on your local neighborhood team, choose a batting machine that will help you refine your swing according to what you’ll face in an actual game situation.

Baseball – Baseball pitching machines are designed to pitch baseballs and accommodate for the typical distance between the pitcher’s mound and the batter’s box.  When used properly, these pitching training aids can help refine your swing and timing between pitches.

>> View Baseball Pitching Machines

Softball – Softballs are smaller and harder than baseballs, and they’re generally delivered with an underhand throw.  Softball pitching machines are specifically designed to release underhand softball pitches and to account for softball’s typically smaller playing field.

>> View Softball Pitching Machines

Combination – While most machines can be categorized as designed for either baseball or softball, combination pitching machines accommodate both styles of pitching.  These pitching machines are ideal for local leagues and other commercial training establishments that serve a variety of users.

>> View Combination Pitching Machines

 

Key Decision 2: Ball Capacity

The more people that will be using pitching machine, the more softballs or baseballs the batting machine needs to hold so that it can keep batting practice moving at an efficient pace.  Once you know what type of pitching machine you need, choose which ball capacity is most appropriate.

>> Under 10 Balls

>> 10 to 20 Balls

>> Over 20 Balls

 

Key Decision 3: Pitches

Advanced pitching machines will be able to mimic one or more specific types of pitches to simulate real-world pitching situations.  To truly refine your batting style, choose a machine that serves a variety of pitches such as fastballs, curve balls and so forth.

>> View Fastball Pitching Machines

>> View Slider Pitching Machines

>> View Curveball Pitching Machines

>> View Change-Up Pitching Machines

>> View Soft Toss Pitching Machines

 

Key Decision 4: Power Supply

The more power your pitching machine has, the faster it can launch a pitch and reload for the next round.  However, if your particular skill level and goals require a slower speed, a pitching machine with less power may be more appropriate.

Battery – Pitching machines that run off of a battery provide a nice compromise between power, versatility and portability.  Battery-powered pitching machines are typically lightweight, easy to roll into place and, depending on the model, able to deliver various pitches.

>> View Battery-Powered Pitching Machines

AC – These pitching machines are highly popular, especially for large groups and those who need their practice pitches delivered with greater speed.  Although they need to be constantly connected to a power source, AC-powered pitching machines typically include a greater number and variety of pitches.

>> View AC-Powered Pitching Machines

Manual Loading – Manual loading pitching machines use a spring action to reload the ball into the launcher.  Although they may lack the versatility and speed of high-powered machines, these pitching machines are typically highly portable.

>> View Manual Loading Pitching Machines