subject: Tips For Selecting The Right Pitching Machine For Your Little League Child [print this page] Choosing the best baseball pitching machine for your child is an important task as a parent. If you aren't familiar with the large variety of machines that are on the market today, it is practically impossible to determine which one is the right fit for your child.
Pitch Speed
One of the most important things to consider when selecting a baseball pitching machine is how fast it throws. Pitching machines can pitch from as slow as 15 mph, all the way up to over 100 mph. And most have a wide range of speeds that can be selected in different intervals, usually of 10 mph. It is important to select a machine that has a decent range that fits the needs of your child. Little League pitchers pitch anywhere from 40 mph up to 65 mph. So a nice fit would be a machine that pitches in this range. Be sure to buy a machine that your child can grow with.
Type of Balls
The type of balls used in the pitching machine is another important consideration. Baseball pitching machines now days can throw real leather baseballs, dimpled pitching machine balls, or foam "lite balls". Luckily, there are machines that can throw all of these kinds. But there are still some machines that are limited to one specific kind. Being a parent, you need to consider the safety of your child. If you think the hard dimpled pitching machine or leather baseballs could possibly hurt your child, someone else, or cause damage, then maybe the foam balls are a better choice. The foam balls don't give a totally realistic behavior coming out of the pitching machine, and behave differently than a real ball when they are hit. But they are safer and usually less expensive.
Portability
Portability of the pitching machine is a great feature to have also. Being able to take it with you to games and practice is a desirable feature. The type of power the pitching machine uses can help determine how portable the machine is. Some machines can run on a battery and these are the ones that would be easiest to cart around to different areas of the filed or backyard. If it is powered by a cord and outlet only, then taking it very far without a lengthy extension cord could present some problems.
Accuracy
Accuracy is an important thing to consider, especially when you are sticking your child in front of a pitching machine. You should always read the manufacturer reviews and customer testimonials when considering this aspect. The best bet is to buy from popular brand name companies since they tend to have the best reputation and customer service.It's also important to keep in mind that the setup of the machine affects its accuracy. Sometimes simple adjustments can be made to correct small discrepancies in accuracy.
Protection
If you intend to use this pitching machine in the backyard or anywhere outdoors, then you need to consider whether or not to invest in an outdoor batting cage or other type of netting for protection. This decision will be based entirely upon each individual circumstance, and how close you are to other structures or people. However, the safest answer is to put up some type of barrier to prevent harm to others (even foul balls), and other property damage. To protect the machine itself, there are safety screens you can place in front of it to keep it from being damaged by batted balls. It is best to error on the side of caution, as the most important factor is the safety of your child and others around you.
These tips are the most important to consider while looking for the perfect baseball pitching machine for your child. Use them, and really concentrate on the needs of your child, and you will certainly find a pitching machine that they can grow with and enjoy for years to come.
