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Is using a Pitching Machine a Good or Bad Idea?

HomeBlogsJack Perconte's blogIs using a Pitching Machine a Good or Bad Idea?
HomeBlogsJack Perconte's blogIs using a Pitching Machine a Good or Bad Idea?
Is using a Pitching Machine a Good or Bad Idea?
Author: 
Jack Perconte

Pros and Cons of a Pitching Machine

When it comes to using a baseball pitching machine, there are pros and cons. Many baseball players, coaches, and parents do not like using a pitching machine because it is not the real thing of facing a live arm. That reasoning is understandable. However, a batting machine can be useful for hand-eye coordination, timing, and bat control when used correctly. However, it will not generally change one's hitting mechanics. Using a batting tee and working with a trained hitting coach is best for improving the hitting fundamentals.

However, there are some instances where the batting machine is better than the real thing.

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Why you should consider using a battling machine?

I see many parents pitch to their baseball playing kids who just cannot throw the ball over the plate very often. The batter is not only in danger of getting hit by the ball, but they also get frustrated because they rarely get a pitch to hit. Understandably, the young player gets to the point of not wanting to practice. Another instance where the live arm is not as useful is when the batting practice pitcher cannot approach game type speeds. Many players are great batting practice hitters, but fail to hit in games, because they only see slower than game speed pitches.

In these instances, a batting machine is much more useful because they can be set up to throw consistent strikes and they can approximate game speeds for the age of the player. The drawback to using a pitching machine is that facing the same speed pitch may screw up a players timing. Additionally, depending on the type of pitching machine used, it can be tough to gain any rhythm and sense of timing. Because of those reasons, facing a live batting practice pitcher is best when they can challenge players accordingly and can change speeds accurately. As a result, batters learn to time various speed pitches indoor drills or outdoors.

 Pitching Machine

What are pitching machine used for?

Due to the strike-throwing consistency, the use of a machine can be very beneficial for young ballplayers who are still fearful of the ball. Using a machine that utilizes softer balls, no matter the size, like whiffle ball machines, can be especially beneficial to afraid players. 

Leagues should take into consideration using pitching machines for players after tee-ball. They should do this for at least a couple of years to help the players who are afraid deal with the fear factor and to speed games along. Often, at the 7, 8, 9-year-old ages, strike-throwing pitchers are few and far between, so games drag along with few innings played in the allotted time frame for games.

Other Pitching Machine Tips

Having said the above, having access to a Juts Lite Flite pitching machine is of great benefit to most ballplayers, as long as they know the best way to use them. People usually ask me how will a pitching machine help them. I tell them that if you manage to train with pitching machines, you will most likely be able to strike anything, whether it's from a pitching machine, a ball on a batting tee, or a live pitcher. Of course, that is easier said than done because having great hitting mechanics is not easy. As with all hitting, the ability to hit line drives with backspin in the direction of the pitch location is always the batting goal. 

It is good to keep in mind that the age of the player is important. The reason is that most pitching machines are set at about 45 to 50 feet from the batter. Therefore, that distance is comparable to the regulation distance youth players aged 7 to 12 compete in baseball games. However, that is a much shorter distance than teenage, high school and above players face in games, so the real speed reaction times differ for older players. That variation must be taken into consideration when you set speeds for each batter. Often, I recommend faster speeds for younger players and slower ones for older kids for that reason. Also, during the season's first practices, pitching machine speeds should be set at slow speeds and gradually increased as the season approaches.

Necessary Pitching Machine Pointers

  1. Have all players wear a batting helmet when using any ball other than a whiffle ball, no matter how accurate the machine is. I have seen injuries occur from fouled-off balls, especially off the top net, as balls come back down to the player's head and face area. Batters should consider using their non-game bat for most of their time with a batting machine if they plan on using hard balls. Bats have a limited lifespan, so they may wear out quickly if used with a pitching machine too often.
  2. If the distance from the machine to the batter can be altered, consider setting the distance to approximate the correct game distance.
  3. A coach should set a marker down that marks the first and third baselines, so batted balls are fair or foul balls. Of course, hitting outside on a ballfield makes the markers
  4. Have the coach and the batter look at a pitch or two before getting into the batter's box to get a feel for it and to ensure the machine seems safe.
  5. It is always best to change the speeds of pitches as often as possible. The biggest drawback to pitching machines is it throws the same speed pitch after pitch. That action is not game-like, and players get locked into hitting only that speed. Timing can be thrown off for a long time when facing only one speed. If changing speeds is difficult like at paid batting cages, go with slower speeds at first to make sure players don't get too jumpy and quick. As mentioned above, this slower rate is most important when the distance between batter and pitching machine is shorter than the game distance.
  6. Have players widen their stance at first and hit with no stride until they get a feel for the speed and timing of the release point.
  7. As mentioned previously, any time the speed can be altered after ten or fifteen pitches, it is worthwhile and the best use of batting practice.
  8. With machines that are very accurate, batters should move around in the batter's box to get different pitch locations to practice. For example, moving away from the home plate will give them the outside half pitch, and moving closer to home will provide the inside pitch, but hopefully not chin music like they might see in a game.

Also, players can move up in the box towards the machine to get slightly higher pitch locations, etc

Which is the best pitching machine?

There is no simple answer to that question. Because there are expensive baseball tools, you have to consider if the machine will last and that players do not outgrow the device too quickly. Many good pitching machines exist in the marketplace and finding the one that best suits one's needs and budget takes research and time. People should consider the age of the players and the location they will use the machine. 

Portability is an important factor for some, whereas some teams and players may only need the pitching machine in one location. Costs are variable, and they depend on how sophisticated is the machine you want. Some newer devices can throw curveballs and other non-fastball pitches. However, those will be more expensive but more useful as players age. There are also non-hardball machines that may be more practical for younger players and when a batting cage is not available. 

Many batting machines have been around for many years and are still reliable. The Atec pitching machine, the Louisville Slugger pitching machine, and the Jugs pitching machine are the ones that come to mind. Many newer designed ones are now available and worth checking into also. 

Another advantage of using a pitching machine is that you can move it to other areas for baseball practice. They are good at throwing fly balls, line drives, and even groundballs. A downside to using real baseballs with most machines is that they may wear the balls out quickly as the seams tear apart going through the machine.

Frequently asked Pitching Machine Questions

1. How do I choose a pitching machine?

There are many pitching machines available, and some of them have multiple options when it comes to pitching. To get the best one for you, consider what your needs are. If you need to move a lot, get a portable pitching machine. Also, if you need more speed, some machines can go for more than 75 mph. Also, don't forget to check for additional features. They will most likely come in handy. 

Take the feeder as an example. It will deliver balls directly into your pitching machine, and it will speed up the process and ease up the training. Also, it makes training by yourself possible, with some disadvantages if you plan on training outside. 

You can counter one of the disadvantages of training outside if you have a whole team. Because, like that, you can assign team members to run after the baseballs. After all it is good exercise

2. How fast do pitching machines go?

Traditional pitching machines can reach a pitch speed of around 60 mph and an exit speed of 102 mph. However, there are also pitching machines that can reach 90 mph, yet the exit speed will reach around 106 mph.

3.Can you use a softball pitching machine for baseball?

There are pitching machines that can throw softballs and regulation balls. However, manufacturers do not recommend using regular baseballs, and they advise you to use the ones made for your pitching machine. They are not durable, and besides that, they will damage the wheel of the pitching machine. Also, after some time, the balls will not be able to be gripped by the machine properly. Another disadvantage is that you might end up damaging your bat. Keep that in mind, and consider using a training bat instead.

 Pitching MachineGet them Here

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About Jack Perconte

After playing major league baseball, Jack Perconte has taught baseball and softball since 1988 and offered valuable coaching training too. He has helped numerous youth players reach their potential, as well as having helped parents and coaches navigate their way through the challenging world of youth sports. Jack is one of the leading authorities in the areas of youth baseball training and coaching training advice.

All Jack Perconte articles are used with copyright permission.

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