Portable pitching machine 11/12 yo recommendation

[losgadas]

I would like receive any feedback, recommendations and/or opinions to acquire/use a portable pitching machine that I could use for a 11/12 yo baseball team. If it could be used for pitching, ground balls and fly balls would be a plus.

thanks in advance

[Jake Patterson]

I would like receive any feedback, recommendations and/or opinions to acquire/use a portable pitching machine that I could use for a 11/12 yo baseball team. If it could be used for pitching, ground balls and fly balls would be a plus.

thanks in advance

I have found the two wheel Juggs machine best. It's expensive but very multi-purpose.

[wogdoggy]

I have the bata 2 wheel its lighter than jugs uses a different wheel type,,,and have had zero problems with it..the jugs is a great machine as well as jake said..the best part about buying either is the RESALE value holds up..

[bbjunkie]

If you don't plan to use if for any higher age group, the single wheel jugs machine does pretty well for quite a bit less money than the double wheel. The top speed is about 52mph and you can't do breaking balls with it. If you want to work on higher speeds, just move the machine closer. However, the double wheel is a great machine.

[losgadas]

The suggestions above sound great! however, I was leaning more towards the Zooka portable pitching machine or Personal Pitcher machine (wiffle balls only).

The reason for this is, that I already have alot of equipment to carry, which is heavy; and, I would probably have to carry an additional 110V power generator.

With the Zooka and the Personal Pitcher Machines, the battery is not heavy, the equipment isn't heavy, and the price is very reasonable.

However, not sure if these machines are really any good for 11/12 yo or if they are a waste of time.

Please let me know your opinions. Thanks Again!!!

[wogdoggy]

this year they are 11 and 12 next year they get bigger,,are you still going to be the coach? Ive had mine for about5 yrs now and my kids have used it their whole youth..ill sell it for 8-- on ebay when its over..investment less than 100 a year..

dont know much about the zooka but being air powered it probably can only do so much,,what haoppens to the seals on the machine? id go with the wiffle for minimum investment,,if your going to by a sub par machine pick the least expensive one.especially if its only batting practice..

[rocko]

I like the Ultimate pitching machine. http://www.ultimatepitchingmachine.com/ebayvideopage.html


It looks like Sports Authority sells a knock-off of it also.

It is real easy but I use it just for pitching. It throws up to 42 mph, so I move it closer to the plate if need more speed.

for $150, it is worth it. No cords as it is spring loaded.

[bbjunkie]

The reason for this is, that I already have alot of equipment to carry, which is heavy; and, I would probably have to carry an additional 110V power generator.

You're right. Our LL field has no electricity, so we keep the machine in a shed onsite and I bought a "portable" generator several years ago. "Portable" does not mean light. Loading and unloading before every practice is annoying, but we find it worthwhile.

[EdmondsFan#1]

I have a question... is there any pitching machines that can get up to 90 mph?

Because all the ones I see that are being advertised can only reach 55 mph tops it seems.

[wogdoggy]

only with REAL BASEBALLS..juggs beta

[Sparksdale]

Ok, here is where all of you will think I've lost my mind but I highly...HIGHLY recommend this machine. It's called the mound monster I bought it at my local Dick's Sporting goods but I found this link via google.
http://www.baseballtips.com/moundmonster.html

I swear by this machine. My boy has been the best hitter on every team he has played on and I firmly believe that one of the reason's he is such a good hitter is because of this machine. It pitches plastic balls that dance all over the place. Take my word for it, if you can hit these plastic balls going 40or 50mph all the while dancing all over the place you can hit anything. It really helped my boy develop bat speed but I think the most important thing is that it forced him to watch the ball thus increasing his hand eye coordination.

This machine isn't great for practice because you can't use it for grounders or pop fly's. But it is great for a personal hitting machine and it doesn't cost much.

I would love to have a jugs but frankly I can't afford it. Even if I had a jugs I couldn't use it in my backyard but I can use the monster in my backyard and don't have to worry about breaking window's or anything. Another thing that is good about it, especially for younger kids, is the kids aren't worried about getting hit with the ball. It takes the fear factor right out of hitting and lets the kids concentrate on hitting.

Anyway, that's my .02. I actually consider this pitching machine a secret of mine. My boy couldn't hit a basketball with a bat but once I bought this machine it changed his hitting 1000%. Every year he has played ball he has lead the team he played on in batting average and homeruns.

Sparks

[Chris O'Leary]

I would like receive any feedback, recommendations and/or opinions to acquire/use a portable pitching machine that I could use for a 11/12 yo baseball team. If it could be used for pitching, ground balls and fly balls would be a plus.

FWIW, last year our league bought a number of single wheel pitching machines (I think they were Juggs machines) and they were terrible.

[jbooth]

I have a question... is there any pitching machines that can get up to 90 mph?

Because all the ones I see that are being advertised can only reach 55 mph tops it seems.

My Juggs two-wheeled "curve ball" pitching machine throws 92mph fastballs.

[BallCoach06]

If you have access to a decent sized indoor area (racquet ball court, gym, larger garage, etc.), I would recommend a Granada Machine. Great machines. Probably wouldn't be able to use them for ground balls though.

[Drill]

I have seen really good batters timing get messed up with pitching machines

[baseonegoal]

We have two Jugs machines which are the two wheel type. We have had them for at least 10 years. They have been used alot. They are used to pitch in our minor league some, also for on field batting practice. They are also used in the batting cages. All ages from 7 to 16 use them. They are a great dependable machine. We never had a problem. All we have had to do is add air to the tire's. We have pruchased a Heater Pro which has a single wheel. We are going to try it in the batting cages for the Little League major group. Single wheel, throws baseballs and all type of ball. Has anyone used these before?? What did you think?