Best Pitching Machine 2023: Buyer’s Guide & Reviews

Deciding to invest in best baseball pitching machines is arguably the best decision that any baseball player who is keen on perfecting his skills can make. Since these machines can be quite expensive, it is therefore necessary to do detailed research and analysis of products to purchase depending on your budget.

Before you make the final decision, there are numerous factors you need to put into consideration so that you are able to make an informed decision. It is always a good idea to consider checking the qualities of the product you are interested in to ascertain whether the machine will suit your playing style.

COMPARISON OF TABLE OF OUR TOP RATED PICKS

REVIEW SECTION: THE BEST BASEBALL PITCHING MACHINES

Jugs BP3 Baseball Pitching Machine with Changeup

The quality of JUGS machines sells themselves.

Take the Jugs BP3 Baseball Pitching Machine, for instance. It is one of the hottest in the market – for good reason:

• Most parts are made of the durable cast aluminum
• 3-wheel construction to perform versatile pitching modes
• 9 different pitches from fastballs to changeups and to sliders, etc.
• RPM (no load) of 4500, along with the variable speed of 40 -90 mph
• Overall dimension: 72-inch height, 47-inch with, and 172-lb weight
• Unparalleled guarantee of 5 years

Generally, this baseball pitching machine is recommended for heavy-duty practices in which you have to play with various pitches.

The Jugs BP3 even supports 9 styles of pitches, including normal fastballs, split-finger fastballs, right- and left-handed curveballs, right- and left-handed cutters, changeups, and sliders. You can switch between the pitches by turning the dial.

Even better, there are 3-preset circuits to change from changeup to fastball modes and vice versa automatically – this is ideal for team practice, in which you can flexibly take the role of pitcher and hitter several times.

Also, you can adjust the pitch speed from 40 mph to 90 mph to fit your level and practicing purposes. All settings display is visual on the LCD screen. The remote control is available to change speeds at blinks.

We also appreciate the solid parts of aluminum and grip-tite tires. These high-quality materials ensure that the machines will not crack or chunk shortly.

Good overall, except for two major disadvantages.

First off, the machine is a bit bulky. Secondly, too many bells and whistles make the operation a bit complicated if you are a beginner.

Pros:

• Durable and reliable construction
• 3-wheel pitching style
• Different pitches gathered all in one
• Good performance close to a live pitcher

Cons:

• Bulky
• Too complicated for beginners or youth players

Read our full Jugs Pitching Machine Review here

Sports Attack (Junior Hack Attack)

Specially designed for younger baseball players who are interested in taking their batting skills to the next level. We found other great pitching machine options for youth ball players here.

The machine features a classy three-wheel design that allows players to follow the ball right from the feeding motion to release just as it was a live pitcher throwing the ball. This enables the players to prepare themselves well and stand in a ready stance in readiness to hit the ball after swinging. What is more amazing about this product is that in addition to enhancing a players’ hitting skills it also helps in streamlining timing and accuracy skills.

Ideal for all levels of baseball playing

There are arguably very few pitching machines that are designed for use by players of all levels of baseball. This Junior Hack Attack product is one of those products as it can be used for freelance practicing in the backyard, high school, college, youth leagues and even for professional baseball training. As such, the product is a perfect purchase for a family of baseball enthusiasts as it can be used by virtually anyone at home without any setbacks whatsoever.

Various ball throwing techniques

Do you want to polish your batting skills on ground balls, fly balls or even line drives? If yes then you should look no further than at this product. This is because the product is designed to throw fly balls, ground balls, pop-ups, fly balls and curveballs. In addition to this, you can set the product to throw balls at your preferred speeds and at different angles depending on the landscape of the pitch you are training on.

Portable and compact

For baseball players who love practicing away from home with their friends, this is the ideal pitching machine for them. This is because the machine features a portable design and can be folded into a compact size thus making it easy to fit the product even in a small car such as a Mini Cooper. Additionally, it is considerably lightweight and hence can be carried from one point to the other on the pitch without much hassle.

Considerable throwing speed

This Sports Attack prides itself on having a top throwing speed of 70+mph. Since the machine is used for different levels of baseball practice, the speed is variable to feature low throwing speeds for amateurs and high speeds for skilled players. The machine has a full 360-degree rotation feature that makes it easy to use the machine on different landscapes or terrains. Additionally, the rotation feature also enables the machine to throw different types of pitches; all thrown at different angles.

Pros:

• Pitching machine for everyone- With this product, you need not worry about buying another product for your kids to use for their pitching practice.
• The machine does not require assembly as it is ready to use right from the box.
• Features high-level safety standards hence ideal for use by kids and youthful players.
• Great product that is exceptionally reliable throughout its life.

Cons:

• The product is quite pricey compared to other standard pitching machines.

Read our full Junior Hack Attack review here

Hack Attack Softball Pitching Machine by Sports Attack

The Hack Attack Softball Pitching Machine is another premium machine we want to introduce beside the JUGS BP3.

At first, take a brief look at the highlighted features:

• 3-wheel designs for variations of pitches and better feeding motion
• Portable design to carry effortlessly in any cars
• Different types of pitches from fastballs, drops, risers, to screwballs, or hitters with the instant head pivots
• 80+ MPH pitches and 250 ft. flying balls
• Recommended for both junior players and professionals

Now, get insight into some reviews from our practice tests and other consumers’ feedback.

Come to think of the overall construction, the Hack Attack Pitching Machine has quite a lot of components connecting solidly. Although it helps the tool operate smoothly, you might find it hard in the first place to assemble or unpack the machine.

If you are not familiar with the 3-wheel pitching tools before, you should have a professional mechanic install the machine for you. Also, read the manual carefully to find out how to start and set up the whole pitching machine.

Yet, once all parts are properly assembled, the machine works as well as an actual live-arm. By moving the head up and down and dialing to adjust between the pitch and strike zone, you can practice with powerful fastballs, right- and left-handed screwballs, drops risers, and more.

In addition, this can throw the ball for long distances (250 ft at maximum) thanks to the flexible throwing head. It pivots continuously in different directions to perform all fungo work.

Like other 3-wheel pitching machines, it is common that the Hack Attack Pitching Machine is a bit heavy.

Pros:

• Solid and heavy-duty design
• Work with both softballs and baseballs
• Supportive of long-distant pitches
• Precious and flexible ball pitches

Cons:

• Heavy and expensive
• Not very user-friendly installation

Read our full Hack Attack Pitching Machine review here

Phantom Pitching Machine – 2-Wheel Pitcher by Phantom Safepitch

You might not have heard about the Phantom Pitching Machine before because they do not advertise too much about their product, Not to mention, there is one and only item available.

Nevertheless, those using this machine give positive reviews on the quality-build and the unexpectedly good performance.

So, what to expect?

• An innovative 2-wheel pitching design
• Through both baseballs and softballs
• A portable weight of 65 lbs
• An US-made pitching machine
• 5-year limited warranty

Our team has tested the machine thoroughly and found out that this pitching tool is very mobile – the overall weight is only about 65 lbs, along with two portable wheels.

Secondly, the machine is flexible enough to use. Accordingly, it is minimized to motors and electronic parts for ease of transport and operation. You can switch from the no-leg softball pitching mode to the tripod baseball pitching mode in a matter of minutes.

The disadvantage, if we have to mention one, is the pitching styles. As an affordable two-wheel machine, Phantom Pitching Machine only throws fastballs, fly balls, and ground balls at the maximum speed of 70+ MPH. The advanced styles such as curveballs or risers are missed.

Anyway, still good at the price category.

Pros:

• Lightweight, easy to transport, and effortless to use
• Flexible construction to switch between softballs and baseballs
• Acceptable speed and overall performance
• Inexpensive price

Cons:

• No advanced pitches included

Mound Yeti (Two-Wheel)

The Mound Yeti Pitching Machine reigns as the best two wheel-pitching machines for amateur and professional baseball players. If affordability and pricing are your top concerns when shopping for these machines, you should look no further than at this product as it is considerably affordable than most other machines in its class. The product is ideal for the entire since it offers different functionalities for fielding and practice hitting.

Ideal for both baseball and softball

The Mound Yeti product comes with a micro-adjustment technology that allows players to alternate between baseball and softball practicing. You can also use the technology to make changes in the type, velocity, and location of the balls being thrown depending on your playing preferences. The best thing about the product is that you can also use it for both outfield and infield practice, the speed capability is between 30 and 90 mph.

Various throwing techniques

For players wishing to feel an authentic practicing feel and experience, the machine boasts of having several throwing techniques. These include sliders, fastballs, breaking balls, and knuckleballs. This unlimited functionality of the pitching machine makes it possible to simulate top-level pitching and gain classy batting skills like those of pro-players. You can set the product to throw fastballs up and in at different angles and velocities depending on the skills you are practicing or polishing.

Outstanding machine with an unmatched performance

Unlike other pitching machines that are susceptible to breaking down from time to time, this product guarantees to provide its users with seamless performance throughout its life. As such, you can rely on the product for all your training needs to perfect and polish your batting skills to the level you want.

Pros:

• Two in one machine as it can be used for both baseball and softball.
• Comes with adjustable leg stands to adjust the height of the machine to your preferences.
• Precise when using dimple balls
• Unwavering accuracy and performance throughout the machine’s life.

Cons:

• Powered by electricity hence its use is limited to areas with electric power or generator.

Jugs Junior – Pitching Machine

The beauty of this Jugs Pitching Machine is in its classy simplicity. While other pitching machines are designed with bulky frames thereby bringing an unnecessarily excessive weight, the Junior Baseball Pitching Machine from Jugs has a straight-forward design that cuts out a great deal of weight. This makes the product uniquely lightweight consequently making it expressly portable and mobile. The machine’s swivel design has a 360-degree movement for the player’s convenience depending on the pitch you are practicing on. The product is classically designed to throw balls in various movements including sliders, fastballs, and curves.

Precise speed 

One of the top highlights of this product is that it has a precise ball throwing speed. This goes a long way in enabling players to work on their batting speeds and hitting accuracy by having balls thrown at them at different speeds. The precise speed feature coupled with the machine’s digital readout display makes it exceptionally easy to use the product for all your batting practices. What’s more classy about the machine is that it has a patented delivery system that allows you to see the ball right from the machine up to when it makes contact with your bat.

Portable and easy to set up

Since the machine features a simple design, it is not only easy to set up but also portable. As such, you need not worry about moving the product from one point to the other especially if you practice away from home. You do not need to possess any special skill set to set up the product. The instructional guide that comes with the machine has stepwise instructions and guides on how to set up. Disassembling the product is equally effortless and takes a few minutes. However, care should be taken when assembling and disassembling as handling the product carelessly can lead to some of its parts breaking down.

Functional features

This Jugs Junior Pitching Machine throws 9†baseballs at speeds of between 15 and 60 miles per hour depending on the players’ preferences and settings. You can use the digital speed readout in the product to vary the speed to your desired specifications. The product is specially designed by youthful players aging between 8 and 15 years. Professional players and players in college leagues may not find the product useful in honing their batting skills.

You should care and maintain this product accordingly since like other pitching machines, it is bound to wear out with time. As such, you should maintain it in pristine conditions and service it regularly to ensure that all its parts are functioning optimally and in the best way possible.

Pros:

• Highly efficient with exclusive features and functionalities.
• The speed of the balls being thrown can be varied.
• Throws regular 9†baseballs and hence you do not need to purchase any special balls.
• Delivers precise speed

Cons:

• It is electricity-powered hence its use is limited to pitches with electricity connection or with generator power.

First Pitch (Two Wheel Curveball)

The features of this First Pitch Baseball Pitching Machine are unmatchable. The machine can throw all types of pitches imaginable including changeups, sliders, and fastballs. What is more amazing about the product is that it also throws complex balls like knuckleballs, screwballs and even curves. The product is a worthy investment since it can benefit all the members of a baseball team with the inclusion of infielders and outfielders. This product is able to attain professional speeds of up to 105 mph. This in turn makes it easy to polish your batting skills especially if you are practicing for a league or a major competition.

Swivel function

The incredible swivel function in this First Pitch Machine makes the product convenient and easier to operate than most other competing models. The swivel function in the machine is combined with a side-side adjustment that provides for tire angling for purposes of throwing different pitches. This comes in handy for players who use both hands for batting and are practicing for a major competition. Additionally, the ball turret feature in the machine makes it possible for the machine to throw both right and left-handed pitchers.

Strong frame construction

The frame in this First Pitch Machine is made from a strong metallic material that contributes greatly towards the machine’s firmness and stability when pitching balls. In addition to this, the frame comes with an anti-corrosion resistant material that allows for the use of the machine in wet weather without the machine rusting or corroding on its surfaces. The well-designed frame and overall construction of the product make it reliably useful for all batting and pitching practices.

Customized product

Another feature of this product worth mentioning is the fact that it can be customized to throw curveballs, knuckleballs, sidearm curves, sliders and fastballs according to the player’s settings and preferences. You can also vary the speed to suit your playing style as well as the type of practice you are doing. The top speed is reserved for pro players who have mastered batting perfectly and are therefore able to accurately hit balls thrown to them at high speeds. Ideally, the machine has all the power, accuracy and potential you need for practicing against different pitches and curveballs.

Powerful motors

This incredible pitching machine for pros comes with two powerful (1/3) motors that boast of having an outstanding capability of throwing balls consistently at high speeds. The motors are designed and developed in a way such that they cannot break down during practice thereby providing players with reliable service throughout the machine’s life. The most fascinating aspect about these motors is that they throw both traditional stitched balls and dimple balls. Therefore, if you have either of these balls, you can use them with the machine.

Pros:

• Uses regular baseballs and hence you do not need to invest in any special balls for the pitching machine.
• Easy to set up and use. This product does not require players to possess any special skills to set up or operate it.
• The machine has amazing pitching speeds with a top speed of 105mph
• Comes with a one of kind digital speed readout and is safe to use even for kids and youthful players.

Cons:

• The performance of the machine is limited to an electric power supply or its equivalent.

When shopping for the best baseball pitching machines to invest in, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with the different types and classes of machines available in the market. Ensure that you only settle for machines that will be beneficial in helping you to refine your skills. In addition to this, you may want to stick to high-end machines from reputable brands. This is because these products are known to have unrivaled performance, limitless functionality, dependability and ultimate durability. Avoid purchasing cheap quality brands as they may turn out to be quite expensive in the end. If possible, purchase all-round pitching machines that can be used by players on different levels including amateurs and professionals.

Read our full First Pitch Pitching Machine review here

BEST BASEBALL PITCHING MACHINES: THE BUYER’S GUIDE

How To Choose A Baseball Pitching Machine?

Whenever you intend to buy something, check the buying guide first so that you can spend your every penny in the right place.

And, here come some things to consider about the pitching machines.

#1. Arm style vs. wheel style

Although wheel pitching machines become more and more popular due to their portability and ease of use, many people might still be familiar with the traditional arm-style machines.

Then, we recommend you to make a move now. Arm-style machines fail to throw balls in variations of pitches except for consistent fastballs right down.

Not to mention, those machines are heavy and pricey.

That’s why. In this post, we focus on wheel-style pitching machines. However, you can compare the differences in detail here.

#2. Single wheel vs. two/three wheels

One-wheel machines can only throw fastballs rather than support much movement on the ball. Beneficially, single-wheel pitching is often cheaper and more portable.

Two-wheel machines throw balls faster and at different speeds because the wheels spin independently from each other. As a result, two-wheel devices provide more consistency and accuracy. Nonetheless, they are more expensive.

You can even go for 3-wheel baseball pitching machines if you want to challenge yourself with difficult skills such as right- and left-handed breaking balls, knuckleballs, or split fingers, etc.

#3. Weight of Machines: Portable vs. Not

The portable machine is ideal for individual use, and for youth players who do not have many skills. The lighter is often easier to operate and with fewer wheels. Sometimes. The compact machines come in cheap and non-durable materials.

Meanwhile, heavy baseball pitching machines are recommended for heavy-duty pitches. They also often have more wheels and are crafted with solid materials. We recommend heavy-duty machines for professional players.

#4. Baseball Pitching Machine vs. Versatile Pitching Machine

Which are you specializing in: baseball bat or softball bat, or both? – Then, you must also choose the pitching machines accordingly.

Take the pitching machine for family, for example. Your son might prefer baseball, while your lovely daughter often opts-in fastpitch softball. In that case, choose a machine that holds both baseballs and softballs. Alternatively you can make your own pitching machine.

#5. Warranties

If you want to invest in a baseball pitching machine for long, you had better care for the quality build and also the warranty policy rather than the price only.

Remember that unexpectedly cheap stuff often does not have reliable back-up warranties. Thus, the best practice is to choose branded products like some we introduced you right above.

How To Use A Pitching Machine?

If you do not use the pitching machine before, don’t worry. Some machines are a bit tricky. However, it is not too hard to get familiar with the tools as long as you follow the user guide, we promise. You can refer to the tutorial video by eHowSports.

Also, we cover some safety requirements and operation tips down below:

• Only plug in the machine until you complete the assembly and settings as in the manual
• Protect yourself against electrical shock by not contacting with pipes, fences, enclosures, and grounded surfaces
• Clear up the operation area from clutter like loose balls or stuff
• Use the right balls and extension cords recommended
• Put on batting helmets and safety glasses while the machine is rotating

Where To Buy A Pitching Machine?

For short, you can buy the baseball pitching machine online or offline.

In particular, you can:

• Go to brick-and-mortar electrical stores or baseball equipment stores in your areas
• Contact the distribution agencies of the manufacturer
• Shop on official websites of the manufacturer
• Buy on Amazon, eBay, and other marketplaces

FAQs ABOUT BASEBALL PITCHING MACHINES

What Is The Pitching Machine?

The name might already suggest.

A pitching machine is an electric tool that pitches a ball – normally the baseball, automatically to a batter in different styles and speeds.

There are several types, including baseball, softball, for youth players, for adult players, or the combination of both.

Moreover, as we mentioned earlier, you can choose either arm-action machines or circular-wheel machines. The arm-style ones will pitch the ball overhand and towards the hitter. The wheel-style ones – in a vertical or horizontal fashion, support various pitches to get you familiar with different practice scenarios.

We recommend the pitching machine for practicing purposes because it helps you to improve timing, hand-eye coordination, and bat control.

We cover the history of the pitching machine in detail here.

What Are The Good Brands Of The Pitching Machine?

You do not need to break the bank to buy a pitching machine – there are many affordable choices available. However, you also should not pay too cheap for a quality machine.

Better safe than sorry, go for the following brands:

JUGS

Since its introduction in 1971, JUGS has been leading the market in terms of pitching machines for baseball and softball.

From basic straight-down balls to advanced sliders or curveballs, JUGS can still provide you with suitable machines.

With JUGS pitching machine, you can expect to develop hand-eye coordination and muscle memory.

Louisville Slugger

Whenever you want to find equipment or accessories for baseball matches, you can go to the U.S-brand Louisville Slugger.

This company has over 135 years of experience in introducing baseball bats, grips, gloves, pitching machines, etc. for both fastpitch and slowpitch purposes.

Franklin Sports

Founded in 1946 by two brothers of the Franklin, this big brand of sports accessories has brought many innovative products to the market.

Moreover, the company also cooperates with other well-known brands to strengthen its consumers’ experience.

Sport Attack

For automatic pitching purposes, the Sport Attack only introduces two products with similar features – the Hack Attack and the Junior Hack Attack. However, the performance is really good that the brand becomes popular among baseball players.

The Sports Attack promises to provide machines which are accurate, velocity-adequate, and fungo-capable. The Hack Attack we reviewed above is a particular example.

Are Pitching Machines Good For Batting Practice?

Yes, they are.

• You can practice all alone

Baseball is a team sport, of course. However, when you want to practice but your teammates, for some reason, do not have time, then a portable pitching machine is a perfect choice.

Most machines come with a batting cage and a netted area. Also, some can be set to pitch the ball automatically. All you need is to focus and hit balls at different styles and speeds.

• Get rid of the fear of hit

Many young batters are worried about being hit by the balls, especially when they are inexperienced.

If you feel the same or know anyone who does. Introduce them to the pitching machine, by which they can be comfortable in front of the batter box and swing at consistent strikes.

• Muscle memory will be improved

The more you practice with different ball styles, the better your reaction and muscle are. Even better, your whole body mechanics are significantly enhanced, from your swings, your balance, your hips, and the hand-eye coordination.

• The timing and bat control will be also better

Every batter knows how important timing is. Fortunately, few of us have the timing ability in nature. Practice makes us better.

Using the pitching machines, though not as good as the real arm, can help us indicate how fast a ball can fly and set the velocity to that speed.

However, the pitching machine can not replace the live pitching. Thus, you should gather your team for a real match and apply improved skills.

We go into the debate of whether they are good or bad in detail here.

Can You Rent A Batting Machine?

One more time, yes!

If you play baseball for fun or you just need to practice baseball occasionally, then buying a pitching machine seems unnecessary.

The good news is, there are several renting services available so that you can rent one for family or team gathering.

Simply put, just go to Google and search “pitching machine for rent†and pick up one choice at your convenience.

Just to name a few: Chase Sports Specialists or The Baseball Zone.

Can A Pitching Machine Throw A Curveball?

A curveball is hard to predict, yet it can make a better score. Hence, you should still practice it in advance.

Hilariously enough, some pitching machines do support curveballs.

Typically, curveball baseball pitching machines feature 2 or 3 wheels, from which the machine can throw more effectively and independently.

Just for your note, those machines are also often pricey.

What Age Is Machine Pitch Baseball?

Do you mean the old players? Then, here are some keynotes:

• Players at the age of 4 should learn basic fundamentals of baseball skills including running, throwing, catching, and hitting from a “T†place.
• For 5-or-6-year-old children, they should keep learning the basic skills with their own coach. However, the time of games is longer.
• 7 to 8-year-old players start to be introduced to a higher-speed hitting. In such cases, a 34-mph or 36-mph pitching machine might be in use. All players will play defense with sides exchange for continuous batting order.
• Players at the age of 9 or 10 will practice with player pitchings.
• 11 to 12-year-old children will start playing under the government of Little League rules.

Related Posts You May Be Interested In:

• Best Pitching Machine For Youth

In Summary

When shopping for baseball equipment and gear you may not instantly think of a pitching machine. However, if you are serious about increasing your skill level then they are well worth the investment and comparing the best pitching machine brands can be a good place to start.