In practice for hitting.. Live or machine???

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Apr 7, 2014
10
0
We have a vast variety of drills for hitting just curious how many people/coaches use pitching machines on a regular basis? We all know hitting is a timing thing so I try NOT to incorporate to much machine work. I do not use my pitchers in practice to throw to my girls not wanting to risk injury. I just feel like when myself or the other coaches pitch we are just serving up meatballs and thats not helping the girls either. Just seeing what everyone else is doing.

Thanks!!
 

KCM

Mar 8, 2012
331
0
South Carolina
We use the machine but not regularly. We will break it out Sunday because typically Sunday is our batting practice day. We will start off with drills on T's, then Total Control weighted balls, soft toss, then machine in the cage and then live pitching on the field. Not sure about every one else but our machine is not dead on same spot over and over it floats some up and down the zone. Like I said we use but it is not the center of our practice.
 
Jul 16, 2013
4,659
113
Pennsylvania
We focus more on front toss (screen at shorter distance) but will use machines at times. Just like KCM, we try to move the pitches around in the zone with the machine. Our dimpled balls are getting older and some have small pieces taken out of them. With some practice you can learn to place a damaged dimple ball in the machine in such a way that you can somewhat control the direction it breaks. I still don't think it is as good as live pitching, but we do find their use helpful.
 
Apr 16, 2013
1,113
83
I have a Jugs and use it a good 5x a week with my DD. I simply can't throw hard enough and accurate enough, at the same time, to be good at pitching BP. I can choose fast, or accurate, but not both. LOL What I do is still use the arm action with my right arm, and release the ball with the left so it leaves the machine just as if it were leaving my hand. This keeps my DDs timing just as if it were a real person. It might not be 100% perfect, but it's as good as it gets.
 
Apr 5, 2013
2,130
83
Back on the dirt...
"...the players will not be able to catch up to the speed they see...."
Get closer with front toss.

"We don't use TCB balls, because of wrist issues and how it hurts some of the weaker girls' swings (creates chopping)."
I've never seen a weighted ball hurt a kid with the correct mechanics. In fact, I have not seen them hurt a kid at all but I'm only working with 8-13 yr olds.

"We have stopped using side toss, as it also hurts the girls' eye for hitting speed."
Side toss for me is just another form of tee swings with a moving object. It really seems to help set timing and help to hit a moving ball. I always follow all of it with front toss to bring it all together, at close range if needed.

I'm just a lowly dad with great interest in hitting.
 
Last edited:
Jan 24, 2009
617
18
We have a vast variety of drills for hitting just curious how many people/coaches use pitching machines on a regular basis? We all know hitting is a timing thing so I try NOT to incorporate to much machine work. I do not use my pitchers in practice to throw to my girls not wanting to risk injury. I just feel like when myself or the other coaches pitch we are just serving up meatballs and thats not helping the girls either. Just seeing what everyone else is doing.

Thanks!!

The first response was a really good answer and I'll add to it:
1. Do what NV and SMD said.
2. Stop 'just serving up meatballs.'

Live pitching by teammates is generally VERY un-productive and boring, with some risk as you mentioned. You want hitters to see live pitching? Schedule a scrimmage and make it a real game. This is better for pitchers, hitters and all positions.

Twins, what are you trying to accomplish?
 
Jan 17, 2013
414
18
Texas
I am a believer in pitching machines at least at younger ages to work on mechanics and to get a lot of reps in. If you are wanting to do batting practice and vary the speeds and location look at buying a Sling Pitcher. Plan on either buying the protective screen for it or us a soft toss screen. It will allow you to move the ball to all zones and even curves at time. You can also work with catchers with it , do pop flys, and other catching drills.
 

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