REAL BALL MACHINES
Leather baseballs & softballs - Machine Pitch Dimple Balls

When you choose a machine-only purchase from us, it does not include balls.
Real ball machines (either softball or baseball) will throw real leather balls or machine pitch dimple balls (we call 'em 'dimples').

We do not offer leather baseballs, as they are always available locally and frankly, why pay the shipping if you can just go to the store and readily buy what you need!

We do offer PRO QUALITY machine pitch dimple balls by the dozen and really prefer them for pitching machines. The advantages of dimples are many and the downside does not exist.provided you use the quality that we carry.

LIGHTWEIGHT BALL PITCHING MACHINES
Foam Ball, Wiffle Ball, Poly Ball

Our HIT STREAK Machine throws a foam-type ball that weighs about half of what an official ball weighs. The kits include 6 balls. I would additionally purchase an amount you will need (see below) plus extra dozens to keep stored for the inevitable future use. We can ship additional dozens of balls to you at a later date, but there usually is a slight savings at time of purchase If you need 'em, buy 'em with your machine and/or batting cage!

Our PERSONAL PITCHER Machine throws golf ball size wiffle balls. We include 2 - 4 dozen with each machine-only purchase, depending on which model you choose.

Our MOUND MONSTER Machine throws baseball-size polyballs (these are essentially wiffle balls without the holes). We include 16 balls with the machine and 24 when you purchase the machine with auto-feeder.

NUMBER OF BALLS YOU WILL NEED
There are two items to keep in mind:
1.  Age and skill level of the player
2.  How much bending over do you want to do?

Keep in mind that a hitter will comfortably swing every 6-7 seconds. This allow for 8-10 swings per minute.

YOUNGER PLAYERS
For training an individual younger player (up through age 10)... 1-2 dz is fine.

This allows for needed breaks in time. Too many swings without a break will be counter-productive. Young players get tired quickly allowing their bat to feel "heavy"! The player may then "lose" proper mechanics, consistency and power.

Note:
You will be picking up balls for every 2-4 minutes of hitting

We recommend that you add 1 to 3 dz extra balls to be stored for future needs. Base it on budget and your willingness to shag or pick up balls frequently.

REMEMBER, IT MAY TAKE 3 GOOD SWINGS TO OVERCOME ONE BAD SWING!
So, it becomes a matter of quality swings, not just quantity!

OLDER PLAYERS
For training an individual older player (up through adult)... 2 - 4 dz is fine.

Swinging 2-4 dozen times between breaks isn't unusual, expecially for ages 15 & up. However, use common sense and know your player's abilities and strengths. Quality players take quality swings. Take breaks where appropriate!

We recommend you add 1 to 4 dz extra balls to be stored for future needs. Base it on budget and your willingness to shag or pick up balls frequently.

REMEMBER, IT MAY TAKE 3 GOOD SWINGS TO OVERCOME ONE BAD SWING!
So, it becomes a matter of quality swings, not just quantity!

TEAM USE:
Balance your individual team's needs by considering your player's age group up through age 10, age 11-13, and age 14 and up. The difference here is that time really does add up when you have to pick up balls between each hitter and you have 12+ hitters.

Think in terms of 8 swings each minute for younger players and maybe 10 swings each minute for older players. We include 15 balls with each of our kits. This means you will be stopping to pick up balls every 2 minutes at best. As they say...DO THE MATH! And don't forget to add in the time it takes to shag or pick up balls either in a cage, backyard or ballpark.

NUMBER OF SWINGS A PLAYER CAN TAKE
Personally, I think much, but not all of this is based on skill level. Of course the player's age should certainly govern these decisions, in general.

I've seen kids play pick-up basketball games for hours. Football too. But most players can't go full out every play or every possession after awhile. Sometimes you just have to take a break. It is no different with hitting. A player can hit a few hundred balls, but it only makes sense to take breaks to make every swing count.

REMEMBER, IT MAY TAKE 3 GOOD SWINGS TO OVERCOME ONE BAD SWING! So, it becomes a matter of quality swings, not just quantity!

Coach JP