Best Baseball & Softball Pitching Machines in 2022

Last update: November 25, 2022

At what age should a pitcher throw a curveball?

A pitcher should throw a curveball around the age of 14. This is when the pitcher's arm is strong enough to handle the stress of throwing a curveball.

Can a pitching machine throw a curveball?

A curveball is a type of pitch in baseball that is thrown with spin so that it breaks, or "curves" as it approaches the batter. It is slower than a fastball and generally has more movement. The curveball is also known as a "hook" because of the way it breaks. A pitching machine can not throw a curveball. The machine can not impart the spin necessary to make the ball break. This is why most pitching machines throw fastballs and changeups.

Can a pitching machine throw different pitches?

Yes, a pitching machine can throw different pitches. There are machines that can throw fastballs, curveballs, and even sliders.

Can you switch pitchers in the middle of a battery?

You can switch pitchers in the middle of a battery, but there are some things to consider before doing so. The first is that the new pitcher must be warmed up properly before entering the game. Secondly, the new pitcher will likely be facing a different lineup of hitters than the previous pitcher, so it's important to make sure the new pitcher is prepared for that. Finally, the switch will usually require a change in the defensive alignment, so the team must be prepared for that as well.


Louisville Slugger UPM 45 Blue Flame Pitching Machine Review:


Never accept any reviews who claim that small modifications cause extreme variations. You can refine this to regularly go into the strike zone if you give the machine a little time to grow used to you. It can entail altering the distance from home plate or making a tiny change to the throwing arm's grip on the ball. And all it takes to change the horizontal position at home plate from 6 inches to one foot is a few tiny half-inch taps to the left or right on the back leg. I am by no means an expert in baseball, but I could see that my son simply needed more opportunities to practice at the plate in order to gain confidence during his little league games and to eventually get some hits (he went most of the season without a hit). We've only been using it for about a week, but already there is a noticeable improvement in his self-assurance and ball-handling skills. I've never been happier. And he couldn't, either.And last, I wouldn't let a kid under the age of 14 use this. The ball is thrown with a lot of torque and at a speed of over 40 mph. Additionally, pressing down on the pedal before the ball is released needs some weight and strength. Anyone who implies that a child as young as 8 or 10 can use this, even with an adult watching them, is asking for problems. At least with my children, they are aware that only mom or dad can use it since otherwise they would believe they can take it outside unattended.With that warning in mind, I believe this is an excellent teaching tool for any kid who wants to practice hitting balls much more than the average little league practice allows. Your youngster will progress from striking a maximum of a few dozen balls during a practice to hitting as many as they want for as long as they want. The only thing you'll find exhausting is starting your next bucket after gathering all the balls from the field and placing them in it. If my dad weren't getting fatigued from spending so much time in the scorching heat, my son could do this for hours! And throughout the summer, my son wants to do this every day. That's precisely how we acquired it.



Franklin Sports Baseball Pitching Machine - Adjustable Baseball Hitting & Fielding Practice Machine For Kids - with 6 Baseballs - Great For Practice Review:


Can't be beaten for the price. Although the device functions as intended, it is best used for batting practice only because it cannot throw hard enough to induce grounders or pop-ups. It uses two or four size C batteries, and I got around four hours of playtime out of it. I would suggest this, but just for young children learning the very fundamentals. The balls are made to not travel very far after being struck, which is excellent, but they are also very tough.My 6-year-old son was hit in the face by a terrible pitch, but he suffered no harm at all. very secureI have a 4 instead of a 5 because of two things:1. Pitching can be a little erroneous, but remember that a wiffle ball will be impacted by any breeze.2. Rather than relying solely on battery power, they ought to have included a 120v socket as a backup power source.



Jugs Toss Machine Review:


It was free 2-day shipping because I took advantage of a trial offer for Amazon Prime, and you can't beat that. I used it today after receiving it on Sunday (Monday). Simply because it lives up to expectations and performs what is claimed, I am giving it four stars. I alternated between using baseballs made of synthetic materials and real leather from Rawlings. They tended to be thrown in different spots because they were different kinds of baseballs, which was actually a good thing because you need to keep an eye on the ball. There is just about enough time to get ready in the five seconds between deliveries. You must be physically fit because it requires certain aerobics skills. I wish there was a method to change the gap between pitches, but you can always let one or two pass; there's no requirement that you swing at each pitch. The first place I took it was to a baseball field. I would walk out onto the field after hitting every ball, throw them all back in, reload the machine, and repeat the process. Fun was had by all. I believe that taking a natural stance is far better than using a T or tossing the coin to oneself. I'm satisfied with the buy overall. And this will be upgraded to five stars if it persists for a considerable amount of time and produces successful outcomes in the actual games.



Louisville Slugger Black Flame Pitching Machine Review:


This is something I bought for an 11U minor league squad. The blue flame that one of the assistant coaches had caught my attention. After doing some study, I concluded that gaining the black flame might be advantageous given its minor speed boost. The first thing I tried with the black flame was pop-flies. They are thrown fairly deeply and quite high. I probably hit them at a greater and deeper angle than I do during practice. I wasn't sure what to expect because I couldn't find many videos on it, but it will be a fantastic additional tool for regular practice.One thing to keep in mind is that the pop fly attachment that comes with the black flame is not normally shown in the online videos that demonstrate how to set it up for pop flys; they usually just show the blue flame. The pop fly accessory, which reportedly improves the throw and simulated hit, is included.



Jugs Small-Ball Pitching Machine Review:


Although I might add that my wife also likes it, this is a good, practical gadget for any young baseball player who wants to develop their batting technique.For individuals who are interested in pitching machines but are apprehensive of the hefty costs of "real-life" Jugs/ATEC machines or leery of the subpar quality of machines like those offered in stores (like Dick's Sporting Goods), this may be a decent compromise or initial step. I also own a "real-life" Jugs Combination pitching machine, but I believe the Small Ball machine offers better value, if only because it can be used indoors as well as outside.Most of the machine is pre-assembled and ready to use right out of the box. It appears to be well-built and is light enough to move around. Although it should be used 20 feet away from the batter, I personally use it in our basement. The device has 2 speeds for each of 2 pitches (i.e. fastball



JUGS Lite-Flite Machine for Baseball and Softball Review:


I dislike giving anything five stars since, in my opinion, everything can be upgraded, improved upon, or just plain made better. With this pitching machine, that most definitely IS NOT the case. I'll explain why this pitching machine is worth far more than its asking price of $399.99. For those of you looking at other models, I'll start by contrasting and comparing a pitching machine at a comparable price point. Then I'll discuss the advantages of the Jugs machine.A little background first. Prior to this model, I owned two different pitching machines. The prior 2 computers were all returned within 14 days of purchase. The Mattingly HitMan Pitching Machine was the most recent device I owned. This pitching machine's ball feeder and ability to throw curveballs, sliders, and other pitches made it a favorite of mine. The fact that each pitch on this machine was placed in a slightly different location was another feature I loved. For instance, if I set the pitching machine to aim belt-high down the middle, I may occasionally receive a pitch that was "straight down the pipe" while other times it might be a little higher or lower. Some of the pitches were extremely off-target and outside of the strike zone. That might not be to everyone's taste, but in my opinion it is a crucial component of any pitching machine. In my experience as a collegiate baseball player, developing an eye for pitches, for location, and for speed is far more important than simply going through the motions. Hitting the same pitch again may assist build some of the fundamental hitting motions. Depending on where the ball is pitched, the ability to make split-second adjustments is essential.Okay, so tell me why this was returned. Unfortunately, the ball feeder stopped feeding balls after only one week of use. I had to get in touch with the business since I'm not Bugs Bunny and I can't pitch to myself and hit the same ball. They may have been the friendliest customer service department I've ever worked with. I spoke with Linda Shaw particularly, and she was really understanding and helpful. The broken ball feeder was changed, and a new one was provided with 2-day shipping. I think it's quite elegant. Sadly, the second ball feeder failed to function even more quickly than the first, so I got in touch with the same person once more. I agreed when she pleaded for one more chance to make it right. Even better, they included a complimentary extra pack of the machine's balls (which cost $29.99 per dozen). Once more, really elegant. Unfortunately, the third ball feeder did not function, and because it was almost the last day for returns, I had to send the pitching machine back.In addition, the machine is constructed from parts that are both metal and plastic. The ball feeder, which has a small motor, is entirely composed of plastic. The legs and other metal parts appeared to be made of a lighter metal, perhaps a steel that was really cheap or strengthened aluminum? or a combination of the two? I'm not a metal worker, so I can't say for sure, but the metal used seemed at least somewhat robust.I was devastated as soon as I returned the thing. I had a small pitching machine, a full supply of wood and metal bats, and a mini-batting cage set up in my backyard. I couldn't afford one for $1,000, and it appeared that I would need to spend that much to get any machine built to a high standard. That is, up until I did a deeper dive into the Jugs Lite Flite Pitching Machine. The fact that you had to purchase the auto-feeder in addition to the pitching machine, which costs $399, for $219 plus delivery (or around $240), turned me off from it in the first place. That, in my opinion, was a colossal scam and an outrage. That's the main reason I initially went with the Mattingly machine.But after the Mattingly machine was returned, I thought, "Screw it; I'll try it anyhow, and if it's not God's gift to man, I'll just return this one too." I got this machine despite the ridiculous cost of the ball feeder, and boy am I glad I did. This computer is all you could possibly desire in a $399 model.1.) It is made of a visibly substantial amount of thick, long-lasting, high-grade steel that is quite hefty. In addition, this robust, heavy material makes up the complete machine. Never be concerned about such pieces deteriorating.2. The machine can throw curveballs and sliders with both the left and right hand.3.) A softball attachment is included with the machine! My 9-month-old daughter may one day wish to follow in her father's footsteps. This added bonus was fantastic.4.) This may seem inconsequential to some, but it also comes with a really handy carrying bag in case you ever wanted to take it to a field, a friend's house, or wherever.5.) The pitches themselves are both regular and occasionally variable. Consequently, the ball is generally in the same place each time (approximately 85% of the time) (varies by maybe an inch in any direction). The remaining 15% of the time, it throws the ball slightly off-target. Once more, I adore this feature. You can't really go into a rut, which keeps you alert and helps you refine your pitch location sense. The placement of the pitches does vary a little bit more when it is windy, but again, I don't mind or dislike that at all; in fact, I appreciate it since it improves my hitting.6.) I've never seen pitching machine balls as durable as these ones. Three of my balls were useless after after three weeks of use with the Mattingly machine. Unfortunately, it isn't because I hit the ball like Albert Pujols, despite my best efforts to claim otherwise. At that rate, I would have to spend $129.96 a year on ball replacements, or $2.49 per week on maintenance. That is somewhat disappointing. No problems whatsoever with the balls thus far.7.) It's simple to alter. This pitching machine is so much easier to adjust than the others I've tried, and I don't have to keep doing it. With past pitching machines I've owned, I had to modify the pitching settings after around 15-20 balls because the machines would shake so violently that they would jar them loose.8.) There are two ball alternatives. The bulldog balls and the lite-flite balls. This level of adaptability is a fantastic feature. We are therefore still in good shape.



SKLZ Catapult Soft Toss Baseball and Softball Batting and Fielding Trainer Review:


You must first acknowledge that this is NOT a pitching machine. A "soft toss machine" it is. The goal is to throw a baseball just high enough into the air so that you can catch it and pitch it to someone else or hit it with your bat. It does a good job of that once you accept it for what it is. We operate ours on batteries (an AC adaptor is included, should you have access to power nearby), and when the batteries are low, the trajectory doesn't change—there is just a longer gap between pitches.I discovered two issues with the device. Number one, someone needs to be there to keep it loaded because it can only contain 8 (or so) baseballs. Due to #2, that's not really a problem. The second is that the device keeps the balls ready to be loaded into the "tossing ring" by using gravity. Sometimes the baseballs don't load correctly and become stuck. Additionally, this implies that someone must be present to keep things moving.The use of actual baseballs and cost are the two greatest advantages. There is no need to purchase particular baseballs for the machine. We left after I purchased a pail of baseballs and softballs on Craigslist. The answer is no, the softballs do not fit. Oh well.With the kids, this has proven to be a ton of fun (which is safer than pitching for Daddy AND the kids). Simply make sure to use batting gloves to prevent blisters from developing from all the batting you can do.



Franklin Sports MLB Electronic Baseball Pitching Machine – Height Adjustable – Ball Pitches Every 7 Seconds – Includes 6 Plastic Baseballs Review:


Although I appreciate the machine, the included balls need to be improved because they are not very excellent. I purchased the device with the intention of using it to practice the tennis volley, which is quite similar to using it to practice baseball striking. When I initially started using it, balls were moving at a spread of about three feet in height and width at a distance of around twenty feet. For my intended use, this seemed a little excessive, and I began to question if the issue lay with the machine or the balls themselves. The large spreads I was experiencing could be explained by the hard and soft spots I could feel when pressing against the balls with my thumb. This is because the two spinning rotors on either side of the ball would produce varying amounts of friction depending on whether one roller hit a hard spot and the other hit a soft spot. To find out why there were hard and soft regions on one of the balls, I sliced it in half. I discovered that the plastic shell's thickness ranged from 2 to 1, which suggests to me that there was insufficient quality control throughout manufacturing. It was undoubtedly more difficult to indent when I pressed where the shell was thicker than it was in the narrower section. I came to the conclusion that the balls, not the machine, are to blame.I got the "Jugs Poly Baseballs" from Amazon for $19.99 per dozen to test the machine performance with both types of balls after reading about the feedback on several ball varieties that seemed to be compatible with the Franklin machine. The jugs balls were superior on every count, according to measurements I took of their size, weight, and how high they would bounce when dropped from 60 inches onto concrete. The bounce was 15% better, and the flight spread was half as much. The jugs are significantly larger and slightly heavier (0.8 vs 0.7oz) for better wind stability (2.86 vs 2.78 in diameter). The machine's lifespan may be increased by the somewhat greater size, which could compensate for roller wear. The primary benefit of using the Jugs balls, though, is the appreciable boost in speed and range. If you decide to get the machine, I strongly advise updating the balls.



Heater Sports Baseball Pitching Machine for Kids, Teens, and Adults, Includes Automatic Ballfeeder Review:


You need Adobe Flash Player to view this video.Download Flash Player.When I called the company, they provided excellent customer service and sent me a new one, which works perfectly!!!!! Excellent ball thrower at an excellent cost!!!!! Move the machine closer to you, and anyone who claims it doesn't toss quickly enough is mistaken. My response time and speed are the same at 25 feet as they are at 85 mph.



Franklin Sports Kids Pitching Machine - Plastic Baseball Pitching Machine for Kids Batting Practice - MLB Power Pitcher with Adjustable Speeds Review:


For my 5-year-old grandson, I ordered this. It was a huge success. It was instantly played with by him and his two brothers (ages 13 and 14) for numerous hours over two days. Considering the price, it is well crafted and easy to set up. As it is lightweight and naturally shifts, it is crucial to establish it on a sturdy basis because the aiming changes slightly with each pitch. Although it isn't ideal, it performs admirably given the cost. Although there doesn't seem to be much of a difference between the three speeds, the low speed isn't too rapid for a 5-year-old. Put something under the back legs to lower it a little bit since the pitch height adjustment does not go low enough for a 5-year-old. Alternatively, one can manually aim it, as we did, and then aim pitches to various plate locations. It's very enjoyable. For youngsters 12 and up, it's probably too simple. The fact that it only includes 4 balls and that more balls are way too pricey for what they are is my greatest gripe.


Can you use regular baseballs in a pitching machine?

If you want to use a regular baseball in a pitching machine, you need to make sure that the machine is designed for that size ball. Some machines are only able to accommodate smaller, softer balls. If you're not sure, it's always best to consult the manufacturer's guidelines.

Can you use softballs in a baseball pitching machine?

A softball pitching machine can be a great tool for softball players to use to improve their batting skills. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when using a softball pitching machine. First, the machine must be able to accommodate softballs. Second, the machine must be set up correctly so that the ball is pitched correctly. Third, the player must be able to hit the ball off the pitching machine.

Do pitching machines help your hitting?

Pitching machines can help your hitting by giving you the ability to see different pitches and how they move. This can help you learn to hit different types of pitches. Pitching machines can also help you work on your timing and improve your hand-eye coordination.

Does baseball and softball have the same equipment?

No, baseball and softball have different equipment. Baseballs are larger and softer than softballs. Softballs are pitched underhand, while baseballs are pitched overhand. Softball bats are also shorter and lighter than baseball bats.

How fast is a 70 mph softball pitch in baseball?

A 70 mph softball pitch in baseball is considered to be a very fast pitch. In general, most major league pitchers can throw a fastball between 90 and 100 mph. So, a 70 mph softball pitch is considered to be well above average in terms of speed.

What does MLB do with old baseballs?

When a baseball is used in an MLB game, it is removed from play and replaced with a new one. Once a ball is removed from play, it is sent to the MLB headquarters, where it is kept in storage. The MLB has a large collection of old baseballs, which are occasionally used for special events or displayed in the Baseball Hall of Fame.