Backyard Batter - Anyone Tried?

[JackB1]

This looks like a great soft toss machine. Very consistent
ball delivery since it works on gravity. Looks like it wouldn't break too easily either. I am looking to get a soft toss machine for the winter season/garage and this one caught my eye. I would think the one's like the Jugs or the Wilson have mechanism's that pop the ball up and those could malfuntion or break after time.

http://www.backyardbatter.com/

[Go Cardinals]

never even herd of it, sorry....

[StraightGrain11]

Looks a little like the "trampoline drills" I've seen Ichiro doing in some clips of his Japan days.

[JackB1]

related question.......anyone tried the Jugs or the Wilson or the Tossmaster
toss machines? Would u recomend?

[Stealth]

This looks like a great soft toss machine. Very consistent
ball delivery since it works on gravity. Looks like it wouldn't break too easily either. I am looking to get a soft toss machine for the winter season/garage and this one caught my eye. I would think the one's like the Jugs or the Wilson have mechanism's that pop the ball up and those could malfuntion or break after time.

http://www.backyardbatter.com/

That looks interesting. I would be interested to hear from someone who has it. I am not a big fan of the Wilson or Jugs soft toss machine. I like the fact that you can adjust the angle on this one.

[JackB1]

That looks interesting. I would be interested to hear from someone who has it. I am not a big fan of the Wilson or Jugs soft toss machine. I like the fact that you can adjust the angle on this one.

Have you tried the Wilson or Jugs models? If so, what didn't you like about the Wilson? My only problem with the backyard model is the size of it. I have limited space in my garage.

[wogdoggy]

this is just a ball feeder with a stand that bounces the balls back up..seems a lil pricey if your going to use it for soft toss only,now if you can incorporate it with your pitching machine thats not too bad a buy

[steve777]

I have the Jugs Soft Toss, I don't like and it plan to sell it this Spring.
It does not have enough power to get the ball high enough in my opinion, and I am forever trying to determine exactly where to stand to hit it solid.
I do have the Jugs Instant Screen, I like that and use it all the time to throw into to practice simply throwing.

I hear this soft toss machine is good, used by some pro teams:
http://www.quichands.com/index.html

This one looks very solid but they say you don't want sand and dirt
to get into it (i.e. limited places to use it), it is called teh Wheeler Dealer:
http://www.hittingworld.com/Wheeler_Dealer_Soft_Toss_Machine_p/ath-whd.htm

Anyone hear about or have Quichands or Wheeler Dealer soft toss machines?

[wogdoggy]

I have the Jugs Soft Toss, I don't like and it plan to sell it this Spring.
It does not have enough power to get the ball high enough in my opinion, and I am forever trying to determine exactly where to stand to hit it solid.
I do have the Jugs Instant Screen, I like that and use it all the time to throw into to practice simply throwing.

I hear this soft toss machine is good, used by some pro teams:
http://www.quichands.com/index.html

This one looks very solid but they say you don't want sand and dirt
to get into it (i.e. limited places to use it), it is called teh Wheeler Dealer:
http://www.hittingworld.com/Wheeler_Dealer_Soft_Toss_Machine_p/ath-whd.htm

Anyone hear about or have Quichands or Wheeler Dealer soft toss machines?

the wheeler is a nice unit but again its 329 dollars,,a few more bucks and you can buy a used jugs on ebay,,if you have the batting cage.theres only so much you can get from soft side tossing in my opinion

[JackB1]

I hear this soft toss machine is good, used by some pro teams:
http://www.quichands.com/index.html

Anyone hear about or have Quichands or Wheeler Dealer soft toss machines?

The Quichands looks very similiar to the Backyard hitter, only the ball is "falling" as you hit it as opposed to the Backyard Hitter where it pops up at you, like a real human soft tossing you.

Anyone tried the Wilson? I have read good reviews about it elsewhere.

[Coach C]

I bought the quichands for my 8 yo last spring. I have had to cut the vertical
pipe in order for the unit to sit lower so when the ball gets kicked it is closer to his strike zone.

The only issue that I have had with it is, if you use different manufactured baseballs and balls in various condition of use the roller, (that adjusts vertically controls the time interval of when the ball is released.) If a heavier or slightly worn down ball is behind a new ball they come out at the same time. Other than that it is something he can use by himself and has been a good investment.

[JackB1]

I bought the quichands for my 8 yo last spring. I have had to cut the vertical
pipe in order for the unit to sit lower so when the ball gets kicked it is closer to his strike zone.

The only issue that I have had with it is, if you use different manufactured baseballs and balls in various condition of use the roller, (that adjusts vertically controls the time interval of when the ball is released.) If a heavier or slightly worn down ball is behind a new ball they come out at the same time. Other than that it is something he can use by himself and has been a good investment.

Does it pop the ball "upwards" or is it a dropping motion?

[steve777]

How often does the Quichands allow 2 balls go around the same time?
That is dissapointing since was I already set on buying one this year.
Supposedly the Orioles and other pro teams use this device.

I however do like the whole drop and spring up the ball idea.

[steve777]

JackB1, from what I see in the website, the balls drops from gravity and
rolls down a steel slope, and the ball hits curved spring steel, and arcs
up and outward to hit.

I think the idea is sound, and it sounds very adjustable, at least for most.

[steve777]

If money is not an issue:

http://www.hitrunscore.com/at2346-atec-casey-soft-toss-ball-feeder.html

[Coach C]

Does it pop the ball "upwards" or is it a dropping motion?

Steve777 is correct. It does pop up/out.

[Coach C]

How often does the Quichands allow 2 balls go around the same time?
That is dissapointing since was I already set on buying one this year.
Supposedly the Orioles and other pro teams use this device.

I however do like the whole drop and spring up the ball idea.


When you load the tray up with balls, you adjust the height of the roller, the roller applies pressure to the ball underneath, higher the roller the less friction on the ball and the ball passes under faster. If you have similar balls, which it does come with (12) your fine and it's very consistent. If you load the tray up with a variety of balls (new, worn, out of round) and set the roller up for the first it will not adjust if a ball with a flat spot rolls down the tray and will pass under the roller right after the one before. So if you stick with a set of balls and set the roller for them it's very consistent. It breaks down easily and you can take it anyware. I would still buy one again.

[merdon133]

I have the Jugs Soft Toss, I don't like and it plan to sell it this Spring.
It does not have enough power to get the ball high enough in my opinion, and I am forever trying to determine exactly where to stand to hit it solid.
I do have the Jugs Instant Screen, I like that and use it all the time to throw into to practice simply throwing.

I hear this soft toss machine is good, used by some pro teams:
http://www.quichands.com/index.html

This one looks very solid but they say you don't want sand and dirt
to get into it (i.e. limited places to use it), it is called teh Wheeler Dealer:
http://www.hittingworld.com/Wheeler_Dealer_Soft_Toss_Machine_p/ath-whd.htm

Anyone hear about or have Quichands or Wheeler Dealer soft toss machines?

I had the quichands and sent it back 2 days after I got it, took way to long to get it right, then it wouldn't work correctly 6 out of 10 times, the foam wheel sucked and once balls are wet forget about it. As for the other one with the trampoline, seen one at a practice and it looked OK, but the ball doesn't always bounce the same, however you can use it to work on fore and back hand drills alone

[Drill]

If money is not an issue:

http://www.hitrunscore.com/at2346-atec-casey-soft-toss-ball-feeder.html

give me 3 grin

[bobinsd]

Why spend that much when you can get a "barebones" Personal Pitcher for $99.
I saw alisting in JR baseball Magazine.