12" Balls

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Jun 14, 2018
172
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I don't know about most of you but I like to keep a couple dozen balls around the house so my DD can work on the tee or we can do drills with the net at the park. I also take them up to the indoor batting cages and put them the machine when she is struggling at the plate. With that said I am looking for 12" balls with a need for them in the next few weeks with 10u wrapping up. I have looked but was wondering if anybody had a great go to ball for the house or anything to stay away from because they don't last.
 
Jul 3, 2013
438
43
If just for tee and net work, get some used slow pitch balls. Do you have a Play It Again Sports near you? They usually have a bin of used balls. Ours sometimes has fastpitch balls, but always has plenty of the 52/300 slowpitch.

Or you could search the trees and bushes beyond the fences at your local slowpitch fields. I would find dozens at a time when I would do that.

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Apr 16, 2013
1,113
83
If you're going to use them in a wheeled pitching machine, just go ahead and start buying a collection of real leather balls. The cheaper ones with the fake leather will "burn" on the wheel and leave behind melted strips of itself over time. Otherwise, I'll let the other guys post up their finds. Just wanted to throw that out there. :)
 
Jul 3, 2013
438
43
The slowpitch balls have lower seams, which would probably work better in a machine as well.
If you're going to use them in a wheeled pitching machine, just go ahead and start buying a collection of real leather balls. The cheaper ones with the fake leather will "burn" on the wheel and leave behind melted strips of itself over time. Otherwise, I'll let the other guys post up their finds. Just wanted to throw that out there. :)

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May 16, 2016
1,024
113
Illinois
Stay away from the balls that are labeled under the Dick's brand at Dick's Sporting Goods. Those ball will be egg shaped after one session of tee work or batting practice. The only thing the Dick's branded balls are good for are playing catch, otherwise they are garbage. I buy Dream Seams at Dick's, and they are 33% off when you buy 12 or more and you can can use a $15 off $75 if you purchase in store.
 
Mar 1, 2016
195
18
Dudley thunder heat last a long time for tee work, soft toss, front toss, games, you name it. MacGregor X100 balls are really good, too. These have poly cores, not cork, and leather covers. That’s the key. You might also go to a college game and try to snag a foul ball. For some reason those college balls seem to last a while.

I NEVER put real balls through a pitching machine unless I intend to ruin the ball.


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Jun 14, 2018
172
28
Dudley thunder heat last a long time for tee work, soft toss, front toss, games, you name it. MacGregor X100 balls are really good, too. These have poly cores, not cork, and leather covers. That’s the key. You might also go to a college game and try to snag a foul ball. For some reason those college balls seem to last a while.

I NEVER put real balls through a pitching machine unless I intend to ruin the ball.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The whole idea behind the seamed balls on the machine is it is not always down the middle. To me it helps DD find the ball and adjust to it at real speeds without having a pitcher handy.
 
Mar 1, 2016
195
18
The whole idea behind the seamed balls on the machine is it is not always down the middle. To me it helps DD find the ball and adjust to it at real speeds without having a pitcher handy.

Totally understand. I’ve done that before. It just tears the leather up. You can turn a brand new game ball into a tattered old practice ball in one BP session. Then I found some machine balls that have seams. Jugs makes some, but Champion has some with “taller” seams. It was a pocketbook saver in the long run.


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marriard

Not lost - just no idea where I am
Oct 2, 2011
4,312
113
Florida
Bownet sells really nice 12" leather balls for $60 list.

If you can find a bownet rep you can generally get them down a few $$$. They have become the standard tournament ball here.
 

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