Suppose you want to get better at baseball and practice your batting. If so, a pitching machine could help. However, there are so many to choose from that it can be challenging to decide. This article reviews five of the best baseball pitching machines, so let’s take a look at what’s on offer.
Our Top Picks
Best Baseball Pitching Machine: Reviews
Louisville Slugger Blue Flame Pitching Machine
This first model is a simple and affordable baseball pitching machine because it is manual and doesn’t require any power or electricity. This also makes it very portable. It weighs less than 25 pounds, so you can easily take it to any field or practice area. However, being manual means that someone has to operate it.
One feature is throwing a level pitch that can teach proper bat-swinging techniques. It can also pitch grounders, fly balls, and more. In addition, it can throw all types of balls, even soccer, and volleyballs.
However, it can pitch hard balls up to 45 mph for baseballs. It can throw lighter balls at up to 60 mph. For softballs, it can throw up to a 12-inch arch. Finally, it is worth noting that the machine is made of durable metal.
Pros
- Requires no electricity
- Can throw all sorts of ball types
- Easy to operate
- Easy to adjust the pitch type
- Lightweight and portable
- Durable and stable
- Affordable
Cons
- Requires human power
- Tends to shift position with each pitch
Jugs BP1 Baseball/Softball Combo Pitching Machine
Here we have a high-end and professional-quality pitching machine. It might not be cheap, but the pros would use this. What’s really cool is the digital readout display that allows you to control the speed of the pitch within one mile per hour.
This unit can throw both softballs and regular baseballs. It can pitch up to 70 miles per hour and as slow as 1 mile per hour. The delivery system is designed to see the ball 100% of the time. It features a swivel base for 360-degree movement and can be easily adjusted for straight pitches, pop flies, grounders, and everything in between.
Keep in mind that this requires 110 volt AC power to function. You can also purchase an inverter generator or the appropriate battery pack. Moreover, most of the unit is made with very durable metal, which should last for years.
Pros
- Professional quality
- Very durable
- Can handle any pitch type
- Digital readout and speed adjustment
- Ideal for softballs and baseballs
- Patented “always see the ball” technology
Cons
- Expensive
- Very heavy
BSN SPORTS Bulldog Baseball/Softball Pitching Machine
If you are looking for a mid-range pitching machine that isn’t too expensive, this is a good one to consider. It comes with a great mix of adjustability, durability, and portability, all for a fairly reasonable price.
One of the standouts is how this unit is very lightweight. It’s designed a bit smaller and lighter than a regular pitching machine which makes it easy to set up and adjust, not to mention portable.
It also comes with heavy-duty legs that are specially designed for maximum stability. These legs can also be adjusted to work for both softball and baseball pitching.
Keep in mind that this machine can throw baseballs and softballs 11” and 12” in diameter. The unit can be easily adjusted for speed, with a range of 30 to 60 miles per hour. You can power this pitching machine with a 110 volt AC outlet or a 1/4 HP DC motor (generator).
Pros
- High-quality build
- Stable and adjustable legs
- Portable and lightweight
- Good speed range
- Easy to adjust
- Reasonable price
- For both softball and baseball
Heater Sports Deuce Curveball Machine
This is called a curveball machine, but it is more than that. This machine is designed to throw curveballs, grounders, pop flies, and fastballs. Simply adjust the pitching head. Also, remember that it can throw real leather baseballs and pitch machine baseballs.
This pitching machine is straightforward to adjust for speed and can throw up to 95 miles per hour; the minimum speed is 15 mph. It is really cool that it comes with an auto feeder that can hold up to 12 balls; technically, it can be used by a single person.
In pitching intervals, you will get one pitch every 8 seconds if using the auto feeder. The Deuce is made of very high-quality materials, mainly metal, and it’s pretty thick, so you don’t have to worry about durability.
On that same note, the metal legs are also well-spaced and provide more than enough balance and traction.
This might just be the best unit on the list today because it’s durable, stable, can throw many pitch types, and has the auto-feed. In addition, it has fully protected and covered housing to ensure maximum safety and longevity.
Pros
- Very high quality build – professional quality
- 12 ball feeder included
- Great speed range
- Many pitch types
- Very stable
- Doesn’t move around while in use
- Adjustable legs
Cons
- Quite heavy
- Expensive
Franklin Sports MLB Electronic Baseball Pitching Machine
If you need a small pitching machine for your kids to use at home, this is a good one to consider. It does not have legs and simply sits on the ground. However, it does have a broad base, so it’s pretty stable.
However, this machine is designed to be used with lightweight plastic balls, and it comes with 6 lightweight plastic balls. You should not use regular baseballs with this machine – it’s not powerful enough to throw regular baseballs.
It comes with an automatic feeder that pitches one ball every seven seconds. The height of the pitch is adjustable, so it can grow as your children grow.
Pros
- Affordable
- Lightweight
- Portable
- Great for practice
- Ideal for kids
- Height adjustable
Cons
- Not for professional use
- Children’s practice only
Conclusion
The best pitching machine on our list is undoubtedly the Heater Sports Deuce Curveball Machine. It’s a high-end machine that can do everything a player needs to practice their skills.
Thanks for stopping by ~Jeremy
