| It is a tough job trying to find a pitching machine | | | | machine uses the sling or catapult technology. It is |
| that is perfect for your ball players. There are so | | | | a bulky machine but extremely powerful. It can |
| many different components to these machines | | | | reach speeds up to 90 mph. The best part about |
| that it is almost like buying a new car. Do I want | | | | this machine is that it throws hard and does NOT |
| the one with the two wheels are the one with | | | | destroy baseballs like the wheel machines do. It |
| the automatic feeder? Do I want to spend what I | | | | also has a large basket to store the balls for the |
| have in my pocket for the machine or do I need | | | | automatic feeder. The only issue with this |
| to take out a bank loan? Buying a pitching | | | | machine is the price. You are looking at a ballpark |
| machine is serious business so lets make sure we | | | | figure of around $2,500 - $5000. |
| have enough information to make an educated | | | | The biggest issue I have with pitching machines is |
| decision. | | | | the balls that are used. I believe that you should |
| Different types of Pitching Machines | | | | only use real leather baseballs when practicing. I |
| There are many different types of machines for | | | | believe this because baseball is mostly about |
| many different purposes. You have the wheel | | | | timing and the body understands timing by reading |
| based machines that either use one or two | | | | the feeling or stimulus response of a certain |
| wheels to project the ball. You also have the | | | | kinetic movement of the body. When you change |
| compressed air machine to shoot the ball to the | | | | the feeling of the ball hitting the bat you change |
| target and finally you have the arm sling to launch | | | | the feelings sent to the brain. This in return will |
| the ball towards the hitter. To truly understand | | | | change the timing. So hitting rubber machine balls |
| which type is the better lets take an example | | | | all day long and then playing a game with leather |
| from each different type. | | | | baseballs, you are going to feel a little off. |
| Jugs pitching machine | | | | To understand this issue more lets get into |
| This pitching machine uses the wheel projection | | | | pitching machine balls. |
| system. Basically the spinning wheel projects the | | | | Pitching machine balls |
| ball to the target when the ball meets the spinning | | | | You have some different types to choose from. |
| wheel. It uses a short barrel like a gun to guide | | | | You have rubber dimpled balls, rubber replica |
| the pitch. Jugs machines have a one or two | | | | baseballs, plastic leather baseballs and real leather |
| wheeled system. Their price range is from $300 - | | | | baseballs. Of course the real leather baseballs are |
| $2,000 per machine. | | | | better but most of these machines listed will tear |
| Louisville slugger pitching machine | | | | them up quickly. This is very expensive. The |
| This machine is not much of a machine but more | | | | plastic leather baseballs would be the next best |
| like a tool. It works like a catapult or sling shoot to | | | | thing but because they are held together with |
| launch the ball towards the target. It must be | | | | string stitching just like real baseballs they too will |
| operated by someone to initiate the launch. The | | | | tear up. The rubber balls last forever but they are |
| benefit of this machine is that it requires no | | | | not fun to use when wet and they do not feel |
| electricity and it can throw many different pitches | | | | great on your hands. So if money isn't a factor, |
| and serve multiple purposes for baseball training. It | | | | use the real baseballs. |
| will not be able to launch the ball at high velocities. | | | | Finding the perfect pitching machine is an |
| The price is around $200. | | | | impossible task because if you do not spend |
| Zooka pitching machine | | | | enough you will more than likely grow out of it |
| This machine uses air compression to shoot the | | | | quickly and if you spend too much you will worry |
| ball towards the target. It only shoots the ball at | | | | that if your baseball player stops using it you will |
| speeds of around 65 mph from 60 feet. It can | | | | be stuck with an expensive machine that is taking |
| use battery power but is very limited. It is | | | | up space. |
| portable and easy to move around. The price | | | | This article may have been more confusing than |
| range is around $600 - $900. It also comes with a | | | | helpful but at least when you purchase this |
| self feeder. | | | | machine you will feel more educated about this |
| Iron mike pitching machine | | | | decision. |
| The ultimate of the pitching machine world, this | | | | |