Perfect Practice: The Best Baseball Pitching Machine in 2022
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ATEC Casey Pro 3G Baseball Pitching Machine -
BSN Sport Baseball Pitching Machine -
Jugs BP3 Baseball Pitching Machine -
BATA Baseball Pitching Machine -
Iron Mike MP4 Hopper Fed Pitching Machine -
Buyer's Guide
A great pitching machine will help you become a better hitter by helping to improve your bat speed and coordination through repetition. There are many different types of machines available, including machines that throw real baseballs, practice balls, whiffle balls. Some machines can be adjusted for defensive drills, while others can throw a variety of pitches - fastballs, curveballs, and sliders, among other pitches, reaching speeds as high as 100 MPH. Most pitching machines use regular AC power (you plug it in), and many also come with a battery pack for easy portability and use. The criteria for a high-quality baseball pitching machine will be determined based on its ability to improve your skills as a baseball player. The effectiveness of the machine's primary purpose (pitching) will be assessed. Under this criterion, pitching velocity, and versatility of pitch ability will be assessed. Second, overall machine versatility will be taken into account. Third, ease of practical use will factor into the decision. Finally, the price of the product will break any ties associated with quality.
Our Top Five Pitching Machines for Training
ATEC Casey Pro 3G Baseball Pitching Machine - Best Baseball Pitching Machine Overall
The ATEC Casey Pro Pitching machine actually does everything. As an actual pitching machine, this machine can reach velocities of over 110 MPH, which is the fastest I have seen from a commercial consumer pitching machine. For reference, the fastest fastball ever recorded in MLB history is listed at 105 MPH. The machine has a simple pivoting and rotating mechanism that allows it to throw every kind of breaking ball, from sliders to knuckleballs, at varying angles and velocities. In terms of versatility, its relatively lightweight (30 pounds) and has wheels on the side that make the machine rollable, which means you won't have to carry it. It can be converted into a ground ball/fly ball machine as well. It's used around the country by college and professional baseball teams, lending credibility to its effectiveness.
BSN Sport Baseball Pitching Machine - Runner Up
The Bulldog Elite has all the features required of an elite pitching machine. It can deliver fastball and breaking balls at Speeds up to 95 MPH. It delivers curveballs and breaking balls, simulating both left handed and right handed pitching. It is light and portable, sporting side wheels for easy transport. And it is slightly lower priced than other elite models, making it an ideal candidate for someone looking for a top tier machine at a bit of a discount.
Jugs BP3 Baseball Pitching Machine - Honorable Mention
Click theThe JUGS curveball pitching machine is a common sight at most baseball fields. Used from little league through college. It is a versatile machine that throws more than just curveballs, although it is designed specifically with breaking balls in mind. It reaches speeds of 104 MPH, which is more than enough for players at all levels. It is capable of delivering both ground balls and fly balls, and is portable. It is a little heavier than some of the other models, and doesn't break down as easily as some of the others on the list. However in terms of it's upside, it is arguably the best and most dependable pitching machine or its purpose, which is improving the baseball player.
BATA Baseball Pitching Machine - Consider
The BATA has carved a niche for itself with a unique feature that no other elite model possesses. The BATA 2 Pitch 4 actually has two separate adjustment wheels that can be set to different speed and angle settings, allowing for the capability to throw two separate pitches (read: fastballs and curveballs) at an unpredictable rate. This makes the machine ideal for high level batting practice. As far as improving as a hitter goes, this machine cannot be topped. It is also versatile in its portability, as it is lightweight and has side wheels standard on elite machines. It is specifically made for pitching, so this machine is not the premier machine for grounders and fly balls. It is also listed at a very high price relative to other elite machines.
Iron Mike MP4 Hopper Fed Pitching Machine - Best Baseball Pitching Machine
What makes this machine great is its ability to simulate a real pitcher. The Iron Mike MP4 is the only machine on the list to feature an arm-style pitch delivery system. This feature allows for the most game-like situation practice of any machine. It also is fed by a 'hopper' which eliminates the need for another person to stand and deliver the baseballs into the machine. The downside is its versatility - the Iron Mike only pitches, and designed to remain in one location, limiting portability. This is not the machine for everyone, but serves its own purpose of game simulation pitching better than any other machine on the market. The Iron Mike also comes at a high cost, which is to be expected of top tier pitching machines.
Buyer's Guide
Baseball is a popular sport that’s loved by people from all over the world. But unlike other popular sports like basketball and soccer, it isn’t as easy to practice baseball. Typically, you need at least one other person to practice many of the drills and exercises involved in training.
That’s where baseball pitching machines come in. Baseball pitching machines essentially serve as a pitcher and throw balls consistently enough for you to train even without a second person. They can also be used to consistently throw a ball a certain way, which is perfect for training other players.
What Is a Baseball Pitching Machine?
A baseball pitching machine is a device that pitches a baseball, softball, or another ball through the use of mechanical energy. The device can either be powered by spring tension or electrical energy.
Why Do You Need a Baseball Pitching Machine?
It lets you practice on your own
Practicing baseball can be difficult without a second person. This is especially true if you’re practicing your swings - if there’s no one to throw the ball, then you can’t really practice your accuracy. With a baseball pitching machine, you don’t even need to find a volunteer - simply place the machine in front of you, turn it on, and get ready!
Consistent, sweat-free throws
Training baseball can really rack up a sweat - and if you’re a coach, it can be difficult to have you or your team members throw consistent pitches without getting tired. With certain baseball pitching machines, you can get consistent throws that always follow the same trajectory. It’s great if you want to let your team practice without human error getting in the way.
Things to Consider When Buying a Baseball Pitching Machine
Remember these factors when choosing a baseball pitching machine.
Accuracy
Even though it’s a baseball pitching “machine”, many of these machines are far from accurate. In fact, you’ll find that the throws often won’t end up in the same space all the time, especially if you’re using cheaper models. This can be a problem if you’re trying to practice a certain type of pitch, as opposed to just trying to hit the ball in the first place.
Some pitching machines try to remedy this by allowing you to adjust the angle of the device, but this isn’t always effective, as the accuracy can still be a problem. You either want spring-powered pitching machines designed for the accuracy or high-quality pitching machines that can pitch consistently and at a high rate. With added accuracy comes a higher price, but it’s worth the extra cost if you want better training.
Power source
Baseball pitching machines can work using springs or with electric power. Spring-powered pitching machines have the advantage of being completely tech-free - you don’t need to plug it in anywhere, nor do your risk damaging any electronics if it gets hit by a stray ball. Unfortunately, these machines do also require you to put a bit of manpower in every throw.
Electrically powered pitching machines sacrifice accuracy and consistency for power, speed, and an automatic touch. You can feed multiple balls in these machines, so you don’t need to lay a finger until the machine runs out of balls. However, don’t expect to have any sort of meaningful training other than practicing hit accuracy with these machines, as they can only throw one way.
Price Range
You’d be surprised by how affordable pitching machines are these days. The cheapest ones cost only $25 or so per unit, which is very cheap compared to other, larger models. Of course, these machines are not very consistent, but they get the job done nonetheless.
If you want accuracy or speed, then prepare to invest a lot more money. You’ll typically be spending $120 or more on a baseball pitching machine of good quality.
People Also Ask
Are pitching machines useful?
Baseball pitching machines have their ups and downs. While they cannot teach aspects such as timing, for example, they can definitely improve one’s hit accuracy if they’re just starting to learn the sport.
Why are baseball pitching machines difficult to use?
Pitching machines aren’t like humans, and therefore have no prerelease action to them. Some units indicate when the ball is about to be thrown, but for the most part, it’s different compared to an actual pitcher, which can throw people off.
