Are Pitching Machines making bad hitters?

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Aug 5, 2016
26
0
My DD has very good contact when hitting from live pitchers. In the last two seasons, she have struck out probably only around 6 times. >.400 batting average, she hit the most doubles and one of the highest in extra bases hits on her team. She also have sound swing mechanics.

However, when batting with a hitting machine, she can't hit the ball or barely hit the ball. When she hits the ball well out of these machines, her mechanics are way off.

As the coaches simulate the act of pitching by swinging their arm before the put the ball in the machine, my DD is already winding up for te swing. But then there is a delay from where they complete the arm revolution, they put the ball in the machine and the machine actually throws the ball (which most of the time is setup at very high speed). So my DD is sitting there just waiting like in pause. Then when the machine throws the ball, it throws it so fast that she doesn't have time to react. By stopping the momentum, she have to start the swing from that paused position.

Last time the machine was used during practice on her new team, she did very bad and was embarrassed as she wants to make good impression with that new team.

I told her "you are really having issues with the machine" to which she replied "the machine throws my timing off and I don't know how to handle that yet". After hearing that, I started to do some research and found this, who confirmed my suspicion:

Girls Softball Drills: Pitching Machines Make Bad Hitters - Hubie Magic Hitting Academy

Have any of you experienced the same issues?

I told my DD that she should talk with the coach, because they are using these machines frequently, and to tell them that her timing and momentum gets completely thrown off sequence when the machine is used. And to explain why, and see what they have to say. However, not sure if that is the right approach.

Any counseling on this would be appreciated.


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Jun 11, 2013
2,619
113
There are some good uses for pitching machines such as simulating faster speeds, good for bunting practice,etc.

I don't like them. We had a kid on our HS baseball team that would hit 6 out of 10 out with a machine. He couldn't hit a ball off live pitching

I think the balls drop different than off a pitcher. There is no spin to pickup and if the machine is good the location is fixed. It may be higher or lower but the player can just adjust to where the pitch is going to be in their stance versus have to adjust as the pitch is on the way. It's certainly better than soft toss and nothing, but I think front toss is much better and of course live pitching assuming you have good pitchers.

For the really good hitters it doesn't hurt, but I would throw our our if HC let me.
 
Feb 17, 2014
551
28
My DD is like yours. Can't hit out of them to save her life. I've seen the opposite too. Girls who can rake when hitting off a machine but strike out 90% of the time against live pitching.

Best use for a pitching machine I've found is for flyballs. I've even used them for throw downs from home to bases or have it throw balls in the dirt at the 1B.
 
Aug 24, 2011
161
0
My DD has very good contact when hitting from live pitchers. In the last two seasons, she have struck out probably only around 6 times. >.400 batting average, she hit the most doubles and one of the highest in extra bases hits on her team. She also have sound swing mechanics.

However, when batting with a hitting machine, she can't hit the ball or barely hit the ball. When she hits the ball well out of these machines, her mechanics are way off.

As the coaches simulate the act of pitching by swinging their arm before the put the ball in the machine, my DD is already winding up for te swing. But then there is a delay from where they complete the arm revolution, they put the ball in the machine and the machine actually throws the ball (which most of the time is setup at very high speed). So my DD is sitting there just waiting like in pause. Then when the machine throws the ball, it throws it so fast that she doesn't have time to react. By stopping the momentum, she have to start the swing from that paused position.

Last time the machine was used during practice on her new team, she did very bad and was embarrassed as she wants to make good impression with that new team.

I told her "you are really having issues with the machine" to which she replied "the machine throws my timing off and I don't know how to handle that yet". After hearing that, I started to do some research and found this, who confirmed my suspicion:

Girls Softball Drills: Pitching Machines Make Bad Hitters - Hubie Magic Hitting Academy

Have any of you experienced the same issues?

I told my DD that she should talk with the coach, because they are using these machines frequently, and to tell them that her timing and momentum gets completely thrown off sequence when the machine is used. And to explain why, and see what they have to say. However, not sure if that is the right approach.

Any counseling on this would be appreciated.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm not a fan and rarely use them but one thing I do to help a bit with timing is do the arm circle with a ball in my right hand but place the ball in the machine with my left hand as my right arm starts its descent. Cuts down on the lag time.
 
Feb 17, 2014
7,152
113
Orlando, FL
The premise is laughable. I challenge you to find a single MLB, NPF, NCAA team that does not utilize hitting machines. A hitting machine is only a tool. Saying hitting machines make bad hitters is like saying a hammer makes a bad carpenter. What makes a bad hitter are poor coaches/instructors that do not know how to properly utilize the tool.
 
May 17, 2012
2,804
113

This isn't research and it is coming from someone that wants to sell you something.

I haven't found many players that can hit 50 MPH pitching but can't hit 50 MPH pitching machine. I have found players that struggle with the increased speed of pitching machines (and then say they can't hit pitching machines in general). The increased velocity of a pitching machine tends to point out flaws in the swing.

it's just a tool. As a coach I am always concerned with players that say, "I can't hit off a machine". If it is done properly there should be little difference over time.
 
Aug 5, 2016
26
0
The premise is laughable. I challenge you to find a single MLB, NPF, NCAA team that does not utilize hitting machines. A hitting machine is only a tool. Saying hitting machines make bad hitters is like saying a hammer makes a bad carpenter. What makes a bad hitter are poor coaches/instructors that do not know how to properly utilize the tool.

Thank you for your comment. This is precisely what the article refers to. The proper use of the tool. It is highlighting the bad use of the tool.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Aug 5, 2016
26
0
This isn't research and it is coming from someone that wants to sell you something.

I haven't found many players that can hit 50 MPH pitching but can't hit 50 MPH pitching machine. I have found players that struggle with the increased speed of pitching machines (and then say they can't hit pitching machines in general). The increased velocity of a pitching machine tends to point out flaws in the swing.

it's just a tool. As a coach I am always concerned with players that say, "I can't hit off a machine". If it is done properly there should be little difference over time.

I did research (call it what you like.. google search, all fine with me.. semantics), and found the article I'm referencing, as well as many other articles.... this is the one that caught my attention and it makes sense.

I don't think we are disagreeing on this, as the way the tool is being used (like you said) is what causing my DD to be off her swing mechanics. I agree the title of the article is misleading but the content clarifies that this is a result of how the tool is used.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Mar 28, 2013
769
18
What makes bad hitters is coaches that don't know when to shut up, coaches who put zero effort into the mentality of stepping in the box and focusing on what you are going to do vs what you are not going to do.I have always used the machine and gotten great success. but not to teach mechanics run my yap but to focus on what it feels like to be loose and relaxed allowing your muscles to be quick then they imprint very quickly that you don't have to swing for the fences to crush the ball. they learn what it Feels like use the lower half. then they realize they can put a bat a most anything. also Hitting 200 lite flites 3 times a week it like a weight lifting program. Last but not least if you cant put a bat on a jugs pitch once you get the the next level you'll be a sucker for the low rise or anything high in the zone. when every pitcher throws a sort of drop you can get away with dropping you hands. a pitching machine due the spin it produces wont let you do that.

PS If your coach is putting the ball that is in his hand into the machine while simulating a pitch he needs a tutorial on how to use a machine.
 
Nov 29, 2009
2,975
83
As the coaches simulate the act of pitching by swinging their arm before the put the ball in the machine, my DD is already winding up for te swing. But then there is a delay from where they complete the arm revolution, they put the ball in the machine and the machine actually throws the ball (which most of the time is setup at very high speed)

Your coaches are doing it wrong. You hold the ball in the chute with the left hand and use the right arm to simulate the pitching motion. When the arm comes down and thru the bottom of the circle you push the ball down the chute at the same time. That gives the hitter the semblance of a pitching motion without the pause while trying to put the ball into the chute.
 

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