As a high school baseball player, there are several ways you can step up your game. However, if you are interested in becoming better at hitting, a pitching machine is one tool you should have handy. Although using a pitching machine is not the only way to get better at hitting. Nonetheless, it is a tool that gives you the freedom to become better at hitting while practising alone.
There are lots of top quality pitching machines in the market and this could make it quite difficult to get the right one for your level or age.
If you have gathered some experience with buying pitching machines for high school baseball players, you might not go through a lot of struggle. However, if this is not the case for you, you do not have to worry. You are on the right page. Contained in this article are the best pitching machines for high school baseball.
What is a Pitching Machine
A pitching machine is a tool that was designed to help baseball players train alone. It goes a long way in helping players up their batting abilities without the need to practice with an actual pitcher. It is simply a machine that does the job of a pitcher.
Can a Pitching Machine Help a Baseball Player Prepare for a Pitcher?
There is a lot that a pitching machine can do when used for a long time during various practice sessions. When used rightly, a pitching machine can help with muscle memory, stances, and footwork. That’s not all. It will go a long way in helping you improve on your batting skills and get ready for a real game.
Since itching machines can be adjusted to throw balls faster, you can use them to prepare like you are working with various pitchers.
How Much Power Do I Need to Use a Pitching Machine
The average pitching machine can function on 110vAc/1000 watts. The implication of this is they can work with virtually every source of electricity. They can also be comfortably powered by generators. Regardless of the fact that pitching machines can be plugged into any power source, you have to know what the recommendations of their manufacturers are before going ahead to use them.
Are Pitching Machines Only Good for Hitters?
No, you do not have to be a hitter to make use of a pitching machine. Fielders can also benefit greatly from training with a pitching machine.
Best Pitching Machine for High School Baseball
Below is a list of the best pitching machines for high school baseball you’ll ever find;
This product might be strongly associated with baseball players still in high school. However, it can do more than just help players that are looking to up their hitting skills in the game of baseball.
With this machine, you can comfortably build both hitting accuracy and visual acuity. Furthermore, it can be used in improving the defensive, as well as the offensive aspects of baseball. Additionally, you do not need to be around electricity to make use of it. It can be powered by electricity. However, if you are far from a source of electricity, you simply need to turn to batteries as it makes provision for this.
Features
It weighs 4.25 pounds
It measures 13.9 by 9.6 by 7.1 inches
Pros
It offers value for money
It helps with accuracy
It helps in improving footwork.
Cons
It is quite pricey
Verdict: This is not a good enough device for anyone that is on a budget.
Where to buy from
The best place to get this pitching machine is from Amazon. They’ve got this machine at the best price.
This machine was designed to be used by young baseball players at different levels. It can comfortably hold up to nine balls and can be set to throw balls at up to four angles. You do not have to get this baseball for just hitting. It can also be used in fielding. All you need to do when moving from hitting to fielding is to adjust the angle at which the ball is launched. That’s not all. You are free to make adjustments to the height of the machine. This way, you can go from hitting to fielding very conveniently.
Features
It features adjustable angles
It is battery powered
It weighs five pounds
It measures 19 by 18 by 44.5 inches
Pros
It can be assembled very easily
It offers value for money
It helps with accuracy.
It is versatile
Cons
Its battery is not very long-lasting
Verdict: This is not a device that you can use for long and intense training as its battery might run out in the middle of a practice session.
Where to buy from
The best place to get this pitching machine is from Amazon. They’ve got this machine at the best price.
This machine was designed to improve accuracy among high school baseball players. It is a great tool for anyone that is focused on improving their batting skills. It is not a machine that will take you unawares. This means you do not have to be an expert at batting to train with it. Before it pitches a ball, this machine gives you a signal. This signal is a red flashlight. When you see this light, you can prepare for a pitch. This way, you will not be dealing with any surprises.
This machine comes with an adjustable height. The implication of this is it can be used very comfortably by players on various levels and of different heights. It also gives young players the room to try out several batting styles and angles.
Features
It measures 10.2 by 9.1 by 14.3 inches
It weighs 1.38 kg
Pros
It is affordable
It offers value for money
It can be adjusted
Cons
It is not very durable.
Verdict: This might not be the perfect product for young baseball players that are advanced beyond their years.
Where to buy from
The best place to get this pitching machine is from Amazon. They’ve got this machine at the best price.
Buyer’s Guide for the Best Pitching Machine for High School Baseball
Buying a pitching machine for high school baseball might seem like an easy thing to do for a baseball expert. However, it might be the exact opposite for a high school student that plays baseball. As a high school student looking to buy a pitching machine for baseball, you might not struggle if you let a [professional do the shopping for you. On the other hand, if you decide to do the shopping on your own, the truth is you will deal with some form of struggle.
In as much as it is common knowledge that buying a pitching machine for high school baseball might not be easy, there are factors that you can depend on if you want to always buy the right pitching machine for high school baseball. Some of these factors are;
Power
The many baseball pitching machines in the market come with different power systems. While these various power systems are great, they are best suited for different situations. This means you should have an idea of the location where you will need to use the machine. This way, you will not struggle to discover the system that is most ideal.
If you fall into the category of people that have to spend a lot of time practising in a place where there is no access to power, you will do well to get a machine that is either spring-loaded, operated manually, or battery powered. Furthermore, if you plan to have long and intense rehearsal times, you will have to get a machine that has a huge output capacity. This way, you can go on with your practice without any disruptions.
If you will always have access to electricity in your area of practice, then, you might want to settle for a pitching machine that is electric-powered. With this type of machine, you do not have to worry about its power running out. Also, you can use it for very long periods.
Portability
The portability of a pitching machine is not a factor that can be swept under the carpet. The reason for this is you will always have to move it from wherever it is kept to your practice venue.
Some pitching machines are heavy and difficult to move around. Others, however, are portable and do not require a lot of effort to be moved.
In as much as lots of professionals might do well with heavy machines as they might not have to always move them around, the same cannot be said for high school students. As a high school student that will always move their machine from one point to another your best bet is a portable machine.
Adjustability
The various pitching machines in the market have different features. Some are really amazing, others, not too amazing. While the average high school baseball player might be interested in getting a pitching machine with so many features, one feature that should not be overlooked is adjustability.
You might always be tempted to settle for a pitching machine because it is strongly associated with powerful strikes or can cover far distances. These are not bad reasons to want to get a pitching machine. However, these factors should not be placed ahead of adjustability.
You should get a pitching machine that can be used regardless of what your needs are the time are. Furthermore, you should get a pitching machine that gives you the freedom to make adjustments to its speed. When you get a machine that gives room for adjusting its speed, it can be used comfortably by players on different levels.
Consider Your Skill Level
While shopping for a pitching machine, you will need to get one that is good for your level. If you make the mistake of getting a pitching machine that was made for players on a lower level, then, it might be difficult for you to have successful practice sessions. Additionally, if you get one that is for a level beyond yours, you might struggle to use it and practice for you might become too burdensome.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Fast is a Pitching Machine Supposed to Throw
Pitching machines can be set to throw at different speeds. So, the speed it throws a ball at is dependent on what you want. However, if you want a pitching machine to throw a ball at a speed of 100 miles per hour, it can get this done conveniently. Furthermore, if you want a pitching machine that can throw a ball at the speed of 100 miles per hour, you will need to settle for one that was built to throw balls at this speed. If you are unable to get a pitching machine that can throw a ball at 100 miles per hour, you can get others that were built to throw balls at 80mph, 70mph, or 60 mph.
Can a Pitching Machine Help in Improving Accuracy?
There is a lot that a pitching machine can be used in achieving. However, generally, lots of coaches opt for pitching machines when looking to improve the accuracy of their students.
Conclusion
A pitching machine might be compared to simulators that are used in other sports. However, unlike simulators that have a broad range of functions, it is focused on basically one aspect of training for a baseball player.
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