Not a dork, Stephanie. I want a Finch Windmill.
Anybody remember, or use, the old Johnny Bench batting machine? Basically same as this Jeter thing made of rubber bands rather than high-tech stuff : >
I used to hit off it all the time as a kid (this is in the 70s, btw), and loved it!
I had a softball coach tell me a few years ago not to use these kinds of wrap around tools, the ball path was wrong or some thing. But I bought one of the kinds that tie to a basketball pole and use it for fun (my kids don't use it that much -- I like to bang away at it in the driveway). I forget the name of the thing, but it's a lot cheaper than $180 : >
Are these things good training aids or not?