Heater worth trying?

[Momo'sDad]

Does anyone have experience with the inexpensive Heater pitching machine? I'm looking for something to use in the backyard, and maybe occasionally for our team practice. The new Jugs machine is neatly priced at $1400, but I'm not quite ready for that level of investment.

 

[quincy]

I like the Louisville Slugger Ultimate Pitching Machine Blue Flame. $180 new, I got mine for @$70 used. I think that I will get most, if not all, my money back if I sell it.

It is spring loaded so no ball feed. Good news is no electricity or battery needed.

It is a little inconsistent so though it throws mostly strikes, it does throw balls too. So the batter needs to play attention and cannot grove their swing to a specific location.

 

[Momo'sDad]

I've never seen one of those in action. About how fast does it pitch?

 

[quincy]

45 MPH at highest setting, witch is plenty fast for the pitchers in our Leaque. 10U.

We have it set to 7 or 8 speed, out of 10, when we practice.

 

[Amy in AZ.]

Yes, to the Blue Flame and the http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MNfUNYD-Dw. I know 2 families that have the 2nd one. It looks like a toy, but it is great.

Also, my kids used and wore out a Personal Pitcher, that shot out plastic golf balls.

 

[hotcorner]

Ive used the heater for the last 2 years. Its rather cumbersome to lug to the practice field. It works well in the cage covered up for easy use. I especially like the feeder since it allows me to focus on the batters form. We're still hitting the 11' balls at 12 and 13yo. It wont lasy forever and im not sure ill get much when we're done but its provided good value fo me.

 

[Coach JV]

I had the displeasure of using a Heater a few years back.
For the same price, I replaced with a used Jugs. The heater was inconsistent and
very loud

 

[Momo'sDad]

Thanks for that feedback. I was hoping you'd tell me it was easily transportable to practice, as that is one of the considerations. I've never used anything other than the Jugs and love that machine, so I may have to break down and go for it. They do last forever and hold their value, but that initial outlay including battery or generator will be hard to swallow.

 

[starsnuffer]

Take 4 pitching lessons. It'll cost you less and it's much more easily transported

-W

 

[CPSBDad]

There are different Heater machines. The cheaper one is just that cheap. The machine will recoil each time it shoots a ball out. The tripod is wobbly which contributes to the recoil. Noisy too. The nicer Heater machines ( red painted ones ) are really good. Much sturdier legs. Made of metal vs plastic. My son's teammate has one and we've used it a few times.

I have the UPM and it's great to use. But recently I bought two Jugs machines. Got them off on craigslist for $600. Jugs liteflite and the Jugs Jr for softball, and +50 balls for both machines. The liteflite is very nice and you can get a battery to take it to the fields. I use the liteflite for popflies mostly, but some ground work occasionally--I can hit grounders no problem, but can't hit a consitently good high popfly.