Baseball & Softball Pitching Machines

The Right Pitching Machine for You

If you plan to use your pitching machine for Little League or Youth League players, make sure the machine accepts Reduced Injury Factor (RIF) balls. You may also want "dimpled" or "sting free" balls for players who use dent-prone aluminum bats. The specs in each item listing will tell you which type of ball to use with the machine.

• Beginners: A beginner tossing machine gently tosses balls at regular intervals and at fixed speeds as low as 10 mph. Kids can practice their batting drills with ease and parents can take the lightweight, compact machine anywhere.

• Youth League: For safe, reliable pitches look for a single-motor machine that accepts RIF balls and has a maximum pitch speed of 60 mph or more. Some models may have transport wheels for portability while others can fit into a moveable cart. Before buying a cart-compatible model, make sure the machine comes with the cart or that you can find a compatible cart on eBay.

• High school, college, pro: For high school ,college or professional use you want fast pitches and variety. Look for a machine with pitch speeds of 90 mph or more, two wheels, dual motors, and a lot of pitching options. Keep weight and portability in mind if you need to move it. Most machines can throw left, right, curveballs, fastballs, and sliders. Models that have a 360-degree swivel head even allow you to toss to different parts of a field without moving the machine. When used with a vertical pivot, your pitching machine can produce fielding pitches such as pop-ups, fly balls, and ground balls.

• Softball: Simulate fast and slow-pitch underhand throws with risers and drops. Some softball pitching machines also handle baseballs.

Lightweight, highly portable pitching machines typically hold fewer balls than stationary, larger pitching machines. When reading item listings, look at how many balls a machine can hold. If you don't mind regularly refilling the ball carriage or will have a companion when you practice, don't worry about capacity. Consider buying a pitching machine and additional feeder if you plan to spend a lot of time practicing by yourself. Small feeders usually hold 20 baseballs or 16 softballs and larger feeders can hold up to 80 baseballs. Players who plan to use the pitching machine solo should also look for a model that supports or includes an in line switch. The small box sits at a your feet and allows you to turn the machine on and off from the batter's box.

Baseball & Softball Pitching Machines

Popular and portable wheel-operated pitching machines sit on a steel frame mounted on a tripod. They use one or two wheels (made of hard rubber or air-filled pneumatic tires) to rotate a ball and project it toward a batter.

• One wheel: Inexpensive single-wheel pitching machines throw straight fastball pitches between 25 and 75 miles per hour (mph). Some models also throw curveballs and can change the direction a wheel spins to simulate both right-handed and left-handed pitching. They usually weigh between 30 and 60 pounds. Casual users only need a single-wheel pitching machine with a single motor.

• Dual wheels: With pitch speeds ranging from 25 to more than 90 mph, dual-wheel pitching machines can throw almost any pitch and often features a swivel head that allows the machine to project balls at different angles. They usually weigh 60 to 150 pounds. Players who plan on using the machine a lot to improve their game will want a two-wheel pitching machine with a dual motor and a variety of features.

Power & Portability

A motor (or dual motors) powered by a 110-volt A/C power propels the spinning wheel(s). Total motor power, measured in horsepower (hp), determines the maximum pitch speed a machine can produce. Basically, as hp increases, the number of wheel revolutions per minute increases, and pitch speed increases. Users control pitch speed and direction via adjustment knobs. Make sure you can change the spin direction of the wheels to simulate right-handed and left-handed pitching.

Heavy machines can remain stationary and plug directly into a power source. However, if you want to transport your pitching machine from your backyard to the playground, practice facility, or field you'll want a lightweight model with removable legs or transport wheels. If you don't plan to set up next to an AC outlet, make sure your pitching machine has a battery pack or works with a generator . Ask a seller what type of generator you should use with a pitching machine before you buy.

Pricing

New pitching machines can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars for a basic portable machine to a few thousand dollars for a heavyweight machine. Expect to pay more for a highly-portable pitching machine than you'd pay for a bulkier machine with comparable features. Also know that a pitching machines packed with features will cost more than models with fewer features. Since you'll likely only buy one pitching machine, look for the features and portability you want when evaluating item listings.

Find Baseball & Softball Pitching Machines

• Keywords: Keywords can quickly help you narrow down your choices. Type the words you want to find into the Search box to find listings that match your specifications. For example, if you want a machine appropriate for Little Leaguers, type the keywords "little league" (without quotation marks). Check "Search title and description" to expand your results. Visit eBay's Search Tips page for more advice about searching with keywords.

• Let sellers help: A good item listing should include information about the pitching machine's weight and features, the name of the manufacturer, and a clear picture. If you want to know about information not included in a listing, email the seller your question by clicking "Ask seller a question" under the seller's profile.

Buy With Confidence

Know your purchase
Carefully read the details in item listings.

• Figure delivery costs into your final price. If you spend a lot of money, make sure the seller will insure the item when it ships.

• If you want more information, ask by clicking the ask the seller a question link under the seller's profile.

• Always make sure to complete your transaction on eBay (with a bid, Buy It Now, or Best Offer). Transactions conducted outside of eBay are not covered by eBay protection programs.

• Never pay for your eBay item using instant cash wire transfer services through Western Union or MoneyGram. These payment methods are unsafe when paying someone you do not know.

Know your seller

Research your seller so you feel positive and secure about every transaction.

• What is the seller's Feedback rating? How many transactions have they completed? What percentage of positive responses do they have?

• What do buyers say in their Feedback? Did the seller receive praise?

• Most top eBay sellers operate like retail stores and have return policies. Do they offer a money-back guarantee? What are the terms and conditions?

Buyer protection

In the unlikely event that a problem arises during your transaction, eBay and PayPal are there for you.

• Pay safely with PayPal: PayPal enables you to pay without the seller ever seeing your bank account or credit card numbers. In fact, PayPal protects buyers 100% against unauthorized payments from their accounts. Plus, with PayPal Buyer Protection, your purchase can be covered up to $1,000.

• eBay Security & Resolution Center: Visit the Security & Resolution Center to learn how to protect your account and use eBay's quick and efficient resolution tools.

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