If you’re a baseball player or coach, you know how important it is to have a reliable pitching machine. Whether you’re practicing on your own or with a team, the best baseball pitching machine will help you improve your swing, timing, and overall performance. But with so many options on the market, how do you know which one to choose?
When it comes to finding the best baseball pitching machine, there are a few things you should consider. First, you’ll want to think about the type of machine you need. Do you want a machine that throws only fastballs, or do you need one that can throw curveballs and sliders as well? You’ll also want to think about the speed and accuracy of the machine, as well as its durability and ease of use.
After researching and testing several models, we’ve identified the top baseball pitching machines on the market. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, these machines can help you take your game to the next level. In this article, we’ll break down the features of each machine and help you choose the one that’s right for you.
Best Baseball Pitching Machines
If you’re looking to take your baseball game to the next level, a pitching machine can be a great investment. Not only do they help improve your batting skills, but they’re also a great tool for practicing fielding and catching. In this roundup, we’ve compiled a list of the best baseball pitching machines on Amazon that will help you up your game.
Best Baseball Pitching Machine No. 1 – Rawlings Ultimate Practice Technology Baseballs
If you’re looking for baseballs to use with your pitching machine, the Rawlings Ultimate Practice Technology Baseballs are a great choice.
Pros
- These baseballs are designed to have a game-like feel, making them ideal for all baseball players.
- They are 3x more durable than a traditional baseball, so they will last through hit after hit after hit during use with a pitching machine.
- The manufacturing process creates uniformity of seams, cover, and ball weight, which results in improved consistency.
Cons
- The warranty return process can take up to 3-4 weeks, which may be inconvenient if you need replacement balls quickly.
- At the non-profit league level, the high price of baseballs can be a drawback.
- While the molded cover minimizes weight gain due to moisture, some players may prefer the feel of a traditional leather ball.
The Rawlings Ultimate Practice Technology Baseballs are a great option for players looking for durable, consistent balls to use with their pitching machine. These baseballs are designed to mimic the feel of a game ball, while lasting much longer. The uniformity of seams, cover, and ball weight ensures that each ball performs consistently, which is important for players looking to improve their skills. However, the warranty return process can take some time, and the high price of baseballs may be a drawback for some players and leagues. Overall, if you’re looking for a reliable option for your pitching machine, the Rawlings Ultimate Practice Technology Baseballs are a great choice.
Best Baseball Pitching Machine No. 2 – Franklin Sports MLB Kids Electronic Baseball Pitching Machine
If you want to improve your child’s batting skills, Franklin Sports MLB Kids Electronic Baseball Pitching Machine is the perfect training tool.
Pros
- The ball pitches every 7 seconds for improved accuracy and precision on the field.
- The angle of your pitch is adjustable, making it a perfect training tool for developing young athletes.
- Your child should ideally use a plastic baseball bat with this pitching machine.
Cons
- You should not use regulation baseballs or tee balls with this baseball machine – only use the balls included.
- The machine burns through batteries like there’s no tomorrow.
- Wiffle balls get stuck due to a minuscule size difference.
This pitching machine is an excellent way to encourage kids to practice batting skills. The flashing red indicator light shows when the ball pitches, making it easy to prepare in your baseball stance. The angle of your pitch is adjustable, making it a perfect training tool for developing young athletes. Your child should ideally use a plastic baseball bat with this pitching machine. The ball shoot can hold up to 9 balls, and this batting machine includes six white aero strike baseballs.
However, you should not use regulation baseballs or tee balls with this baseball machine – only use the balls included. The machine burns through batteries like there’s no tomorrow, so be prepared to replace 6 D batteries every 30 minutes. Wiffle balls get stuck due to a minuscule size difference, which can be frustrating.
Overall, if you want to improve your child’s batting skills, Franklin Sports MLB Kids Electronic Baseball Pitching Machine is a great investment.
Best Baseball Pitching Machine No. 3 – Furlihong 692BH Baseball Pitching Machine
If you’re looking for a versatile and portable pitching machine that can help you improve your batting accuracy, the Furlihong 692BH could be a great option.
Pros
- The smaller training balls used by the 692BH make hitting more challenging and can help improve your accuracy.
- The machine can be powered by both AC power and C batteries, making it suitable for indoor and outdoor use.
- The package includes 60 training balls, so you have everything you need to get started.
Cons
- The 5-inch circumference training balls used by the machine are much smaller than regulation baseballs, which may not be ideal for some users.
- The machine can have consistency issues at times.
- The basket on top can only hold up to 40 balls at a time, which may not be enough for some training sessions.
The Furlihong 692BH is a great option for those looking for a portable and versatile pitching machine. The use of smaller training balls makes hitting more challenging, which can help improve your accuracy. Additionally, the machine can be powered by both AC power and batteries, making it suitable for use both indoors and outdoors.
However, the smaller training balls may not be ideal for all users, and the machine can have consistency issues at times. Additionally, the basket on top can only hold up to 40 balls, which may not be enough for some training sessions. Overall, if you’re looking for a pitching machine that can help you improve your batting accuracy and is easy to transport, the Furlihong 692BH is definitely worth considering.
Best Baseball Pitching Machine No. 4 – Louisville Slugger Blue Flame Pitching Machine
If you’re looking for an affordable, portable, and versatile pitching machine, the Louisville Slugger Blue Flame Pitching Machine is a great option.
Pros
- Throws any type of ball, hard balls, fast pitch softballs, dimple balls, light flight, plastic and even soccer and volleyballs
- Throws hard balls from 18 to 45 mph with easy to adjust speed controls. And throws light flight and plastic balls up to 60 mph; Throws slowpitch softballs with up to a 12 inches arch
- Throws a level pitch to help teach proper swing mechanics. Extremely accurate for throwing strikes, fly balls and even grounders.
Cons
- Completely manual, needs no electricity or batteries and is light weight and easy to move from field to field, weighs less than 25 lbs.
- Great to set up to use for a variety of drills
- The official pitching machine of both Babe Ruth League and Pony Baseball and Softball
The Louisville Slugger Blue Flame Pitching Machine is perfect for those who want to improve their hitting and fielding skills. It can throw any type of ball, from hard balls to plastic balls and even soccer and volleyballs. It’s also incredibly versatile, with the ability to throw hard balls from 18 to 45 mph, light flight and plastic balls up to 60 mph, and slowpitch softballs with up to a 12 inches arch.
One of the best things about this pitching machine is that it throws a level pitch, which can help teach proper swing mechanics. It’s also extremely accurate for throwing strikes, fly balls, and even grounders. Whether you’re looking to improve your hitting or fielding skills, the Louisville Slugger Blue Flame Pitching Machine is a great investment.
The only downside to this pitching machine is that it’s completely manual, so it needs no electricity or batteries and is lightweight and easy to move from field to field, weighing less than 25 lbs. However, this also means that it’s not as powerful as some other pitching machines on the market. Overall, if you’re looking for an affordable and versatile pitching machine, the Louisville Slugger Blue Flame Pitching Machine is a great option.
Best Baseball Pitching Machine No. 5 – Franklin Sports Kids Pitching Machine
If you’re looking for a fun and easy way to practice your batting skills, the Franklin Sports Kids Pitching Machine is a great option.
Pros
- Adjustable pitch speed allows you to customize the speed to your liking.
- 3-angle adjustment makes it easier to accommodate your pitching needs.
- Comes with (4) compatible foam baseballs to put in the ball feeder.
Cons
- Requires 4 “C” batteries that are not included with the set.
- The balls provided do not feed into the machine automatically.
- Can’t use real baseballs, only the plastic ones that come with it.
This pitching machine is perfect for any young baseball fan. It’s easy to use and requires nothing else but a bat and room to play for hours and hours of baseball fun. The adjustable pitch speed allows you to ramp up or slow down the speed to 10, 15, or 20 mph so that you get the right speed every time. The balls pitch every 7 seconds, and the red light indicates the pitch release so kids are ready for the ball to come each time. The kids pitching machine features a 3 position angle adjustment making it easier to accommodate your pitching needs each time you play.
The Franklin Sports Kids Pitching Machine comes with (4) compatible foam baseballs to put in the ball feeder, which can hold up to 9 balls at once. However, it requires 4 “C” batteries that are not included with the set. The balls provided do not feed into the machine automatically, so you must hand feed the balls into the machine which defeats the purpose. Also, you can’t use real baseballs, only the plastic ones that come with it.
Overall, the Franklin Sports Kids Pitching Machine is a great investment for any young baseball fan. It’s easy to use, adjustable and comes with everything you need to get started.
Best Baseball Pitching Machine No. 6 – Franklin Sports Baseball Pitching Machine
If you’re looking for a fun way to teach your young baseball player how to hit and field, the Franklin Sports Baseball Pitching Machine is a great option.
Pros
- The adjustable angles make it easy to practice hitting soft toss or fast pitch, or work on fielding by adjusting the angle to practice ground balls or pop flies.
- This is the perfect toy for any young baseball fan, and it comes with six compatible plastic baseballs to put in the ball feeder which can hold up to nine balls at once.
- The pitching machine is battery operated so you can take it anywhere and practice your skills on the go.
Cons
- The accuracy of the pitching machine is not great, so it may not be the best option for more experienced players.
- The plastic balls that come with the machine are not very durable and may need to be replaced frequently.
- The machine may not be able to pitch balls hard enough for grounders or pop-ups.
In my experience, the Franklin Sports Baseball Pitching Machine is a great way to help young players learn the basics of hitting and fielding. The adjustable angles make it easy to practice a variety of skills, and the included balls make it easy to get started right away. However, more experienced players may find the accuracy of the machine to be lacking, and the plastic balls may not hold up well over time. Overall, if you’re looking for a fun and easy way to teach your young player the basics of baseball, the Franklin Sports Baseball Pitching Machine is a great option.
Best Baseball Pitching Machine No. 7 – Furlihong Pitching Machine
If you’re looking for an affordable and portable pitching machine for your baseball or softball practice, the Furlihong Pitching Machine could be a great option.
Pros
- Provides a wide range of adjustment from speed to angle of the two side wheels for all types of pitches – including fastballs, curves, and sliders.
- Runs on 4 D batteries (not included) or with the provided 6V AC adapter, making it portable and versatile.
- Comes with quality polyurethane plastic dimpled balls that are sting-free and won’t dent bats, specifically designed for pitching machines.
Cons
- Can not use regulation baseballs. Extra dimpled balls available at our amazon brand store.
- Equipped with delay protection, so you need to wait a few seconds after the machine is turned on. And then the ball will be launched.
- Not suitable for high-level players.
The Furlihong Pitching Machine is a great option for beginners and low-level players who want to improve their hitting and fielding skills. It’s easy to operate and adjust, making it perfect for players of all ages.
The machine runs on both batteries and AC power, so you can use it anywhere, whether you’re practicing in your backyard or at the park. The polyurethane plastic dimpled balls that come with the machine are safe and won’t damage your bats, making it a great option for younger players.
However, the machine is not suitable for high-level players who need to practice with regulation baseballs. Also, the delay protection feature may be a bit annoying for some players who want to practice continuously.
Overall, if you’re looking for an affordable and portable pitching machine for your baseball or softball practice, the Furlihong Pitching Machine is definitely worth considering.
Buying Guide
When it comes to buying a baseball pitching machine, there are several factors to consider. Here are some things to keep in mind:
Type of Pitching Machine
There are three types of pitching machines: wheel-style, arm-style, and compressed air. Wheel-style machines are the most common and are great for beginners. Arm-style machines are more advanced and can simulate different pitches. Compressed air machines are the most expensive and can throw the fastest pitches.
Pitching Speed and Variety
Consider the speed and variety of pitches the machine can throw. Some machines can only throw fastballs, while others can throw curveballs, sliders, and more. Make sure to choose a machine that can throw the types of pitches you want to practice against.
Portability
If you plan on moving the machine around frequently, consider its weight and size. Some machines are lightweight and easy to move, while others are heavier and require a trailer to transport.
Power Source
Pitching machines can be powered by electricity, batteries, or generators. Electric machines are the most common and require an outlet to operate. Battery-powered machines are more portable but require frequent recharging. Generators are the most powerful but are also the most expensive.
Price
Pitching machines can range in price from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. Consider your budget and choose a machine that fits within it.
Warranty
Make sure to choose a machine with a good warranty. Look for a warranty that covers at least a year and covers any defects or malfunctions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some of the top-rated pitching machines for home use?
If you’re looking for a pitching machine for home use, some of the top-rated options include the Jugs Small Ball Pitching Machine, the Heater Sports PowerAlley Pro Real Baseball Pitching Machine, and the SKLZ Catapult Soft Toss Pitching Machine. These machines are designed to be easy to use and provide consistent pitches for practice.
What are the differences between 2 wheel and 3 wheel pitching machines?
Two-wheel pitching machines have two wheels that spin to throw pitches. They are generally less expensive than three-wheel machines and are a good option for beginners. Three-wheel pitching machines have an additional wheel that allows for more control over pitch speed and spin. They are typically more expensive but offer more advanced features for experienced players.
What are the advantages of using a professional pitching machine?
Professional pitching machines are designed to simulate game-like conditions, providing players with a more realistic practice experience. They also typically have more advanced features, such as variable speed and spin control, allowing players to work on specific aspects of their game.
What are some of the best softball pitching machines available?
Some of the best softball pitching machines include the Jugs Softball Pitching Machine, the Heater Sports Softball Pitching Machine, and the BATA-2 Softball Pitching Machine. These machines are designed specifically for softball and provide accurate and consistent pitches.
What should I consider when buying a pitching machine for a 6 year old?
When buying a pitching machine for a 6-year-old, it’s important to consider the machine’s safety features and ease of use. Look for machines with safety guards and slow pitch speeds. Machines that are easy to set up and operate will also make it more enjoyable for your child to use.
What types of pitching machines do professional baseball players use?
Professional baseball players use a variety of pitching machines, depending on their specific needs. Some popular brands include Jugs, ATEC, and BATA. These machines are designed to be durable and provide accurate and consistent pitches for advanced players.
