There’s no better alternative to practicing if you want to master any criteria, whether in baseball or other sports. Being an impeccable player isn’t easy as you have to practice hard. And the first and foremost condition of practice has the right equipment at hand. If you are a baseball or softball player, you know how important it is to be a fantastic pitcher. As for the baseball or softball pitching practice, a pitching machine or soft toss machine would be your perfect companion.
Well, it’s impressive that you are already looking for the best pitching machine to improve your or your loved one’s skill in baseball. But, it’s not an easy task as there are tons of choices available in different brands and prices. If you are a beginner at these criteria, it would seem more difficult for you. But you don’t need to worry, my friend! I have already done the legwork for you, researched the market, and selected ten pitching machines depending on brands, durability, quality, and price. I suggest you go through this guide and shortlisted products to find the most suitable soft toss machine for you.
Types of pitching machines
Before proceeding to the section, let me inform you about the pitching machines available in the market. There are mainly four types of pitching machines available at the market. I have attached a short briefing of them.
Armed pitching machines
Most high school players and some professionals use these pitching machines widely. Alternating between baseball and softball, they can throw balls accurately straight at 25 to 85 miles per hour. These machines are not portable, which means they can’t be moved easily from one place to another.
Wheeled pitching machines
These pitching machines are trendy nowadays for their portability. By the name, you might understand that these machines come with wheels, making them easily transportable. The wheels are usually of rubbers. A motor in the engine, a steel frame was standing on the tripod and electronics that command the pitching direction and speed.
Spring-loaded pitching machines
Typically, these soft toss machines are suitable for youth or younger players because they lack versatility for various types of pitches. A partner, coach, or parents must be present during the practice if you buy one because the machines need manual operation. They need another person to pull the lever, and the spring then throws the ball.
Compressed air pitching machines
These pitching machines require a helping person to press the button during practice. When the partner presses the specific button, these machines push air through the devices. The force then allows the spring to pitch the balls. The compressed air pitching machines are also widely known for their high portability.
Let’s now have a quick look at the shortlisted products.
Franklin Sports MLB Kids Pitching Machine – POP ROCKET Kids Baseball Trainer
The first pitching machine I will review is a kid’s pitching machine. Franklin Sports is one of the top sporting goods manufacturers and has covered products from beginners to the pro level. This kids pitching machine is one of the citable youth products. Franklin Sports MLB Kids pitching machine comes in a pop rocket shape, which adds excitement to your child’s practice.
Tagged as Amazon’s choice, this fantastic soft toss machine has a five balls capacity feeder, which means you can load five balls at a time. Each ball pitches in every 7 seconds, which helps your younger ones to improve their hand-eye coordination. This pitching machine doesn’t require another pitcher or helping person as it automatically pitches the balls once you turn on the pop rocket. Besides, you are not getting only the pitching machine; instead, the Franklin Sports MLB Kids pitching machine includes five plastic baseballs one 24″ collapsible plastic baseball bat. This pitching machine kit has every piece of equipment your child needs during practice. Undoubtedly, you will find no second one similar to this for developing your younger one’s skills of hitting a moving baseball.
Key features:
- It comes from one of the reputed sporting brands that ensure high quality.
- Great enough for your child’s baseball practice to make them jump from tee-ball to pitching.
- Improve hand-eye coordination by hitting the moving baseballs.
- Automatically pitches into every 7 seconds, so you get enough time in between to reset the swings.
- It doesn’t require a pitcher or partner for practicing.
- Includes all the necessary equipment for practicing pitching.
Cons:
- Although the manufacturer has limited age between 9 to 12 years for this product, it is suitable for younger kids of 6-7 years old who are just starting the game.
Franklin Sports MLB Super Star 4 in 1 Pitching Machine
Franklin Sports has another great baseball toy pitching machine for your younger baseball fans. With the easy operating system, your little ones can effortlessly enjoy the game and learn basic hitting and fielding. Like any other professional pitching machine, this baseball toy also can adjust the angles for different pitching styles. You can access four hooks: grounders, pop flies, fastpitch, and soft toss. You only need to load the balls and turn on the device, and you are ready to watch your child having fun with his favorite sports.
This excellent pitching device will help your child improve their primary skills of pitching and fielding, and thus he can also grow interested in the sport, which will benefit him in the long run. You will get six plastic baseballs included with this unit; however, it can hold nine balls. Each ball tosses every seven seconds at 15 to 20 mph. This device is best used with plastic bats. It requires 4 C batteries to run, but they are omitted.
Key features:
- A perfect baseball toy pitching machine for the child aged 4 to 12.
- Automatically pitches balls every 7 seconds at speed from 15 to 20 mph. You can adjust the angles easily.
- Works on both hitting and pitching.
- Six plastic baseballs are included with the unit.
- Requires 4 C batteries to run.
- Lightweight and portable.
Cons:
- Included balls are way lighter than usual plastic baseballs.
SKLZ Catapult Soft Toss Baseball Pitching and Fielding Machine
One of the top products of SKLZ is the Catapult soft toss pitching machine. Aiming to develop your hitting accuracy and visual acuity, this unit provides you the benefit of practicing multi-skills. With this pitching machine’s help, you can work on both the offensive and defensive aspects, that too, without needing any partner. SKLZ is such a well-known manufacturer of sporting equipment that it hardly needs any introduction to athletes. They have been serving us with quality products for a very long time. So, you get the utmost quality on this unit too. The spiral ball funnel can automatically pitch the balls every 8 seconds. You get enough amount of time in between pitches.
This super fantastic unit features adjusting ball flight angle, height, and ball throwing distance. Additionally, the spiral ball funnel can hold eight regulation-sized baseballs. So, you can practice pitching and fielding in different styles and strategies. SKLZ Catapult soft toss device runs either on the provided AC adapter or 4 D batteries. Batteries are not included in the unit. The material used to manufacture the catapult is Polypropylene and ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), and steel to get a durable and long-lasting machine within the value.
Key features:
- Can develop both offensive and defensive aspects of the game.
- Works on hitting accuracy and visual acuity.
- You can adjust the height and distance. Suitable for beginners and professionals as well.
- She tosses regulation baseballs every eight seconds once you turn on the machine.
- It has the capacity of holding eight regulation baseballs at a time.
Cons:
- The machine motor wears in very little time.
- The balls included with the unit are flimsy, so you might use other balls.
SKLZ Lightning Bolt Baseball Pitching Machine
Another great device from SKLZ is the Lightning Bolt Baseball Pitching Machine. If you are looking for a high-performance yet lightweight and portable soft toss machine, check out this unit. Because of being so portable, you can practice anywhere with this device without any hassle of transportation. Even a high-end baseball pitcher will feel challenged while practicing with this machine.
This lightweight training tool benefits batters working on hitting accuracy, visual processing, concentration, and hand-eye coordination through focusing on pitched balls. It can hold 26 regulation dimensional baseballs or softballs at a time and 12 bolt balls. Once you turn on the device, the machine automatically serves these balls every five seconds. So, players get enough breaks for resetting their swings. The speed of pitching each ball is about 30 miles per hour, and you can also adjust angles for different pitching locations. You can run the device with the included AC adapter or 6 C batteries; however, the batteries are not included with this unit.
Key features:
- It helps to improve both your hitting accuracy and visual acuity.
- It also trains you on developing hand-eye coordination and concentration.
- Lightweight and portable.
- Compatible with beginners to experienced professional players.
- Holds 26 balls at a time.
- Includes a ball Shagger to keep the hops and 12 soft micro bolt balls.
- Automatically pitches the ball every five seconds at a speed of 30 mph.
- It has the feature of adjusting angles for different pitching locations.
- It runs on the included AC adapter or 6 C batteries.
Cons:
- Sometimes, it may become inconsistent at pitching.
BSN Bulldog Baseball or Softball Pitching Machine
Whether you want to practice single or with your team for the next big baseball or softball leagues, the BSN Bulldog was pitching machine would be your right training companion. The device manufacturer designed it lightweight and easily movable to continue your training anywhere whenever you get time. The wheels included are highly durable and eliminate air pressure issues. You can convert the heavy-duty legs for baseball or softball if we talk about stands. This unit can pitch 11″ or 12″ softballs and regulation baseballs. It offers a pitching speed of 30 mph to 60 mph, making the device highly compatible with beginners and experienced players. You can adjust the speed settings according to your game level.
It is undoubtedly a professional-grade device to help you hit the moving baseball accurately from different pitching styles. As the manufacturer claimed, this pitching machine runs on a 110 volt AC or generator 1/4 HP DC motor. However, you may also run this device with 5Ah batteries, which will give it about 2 hours of battery life.
Key features:
- Provides pitching speed from 30 mph to 60 mph. Players can adjust the speed settings.
- Lightweight and portable design makes the practice easy and fun.
- The power source is electric. It can run on 5Ah batteries also.
- Highly durable urethane wheels eliminate air pressure issues.
- Heavy-duty stands are convertible for baseball and softball.
Cons:
- A little bit more expensive than other pitching machines.
- Tears up standard balls.
Jugs Toss Machine
Weighing only 13 pounds, Jugs Toss Machine offers a high-end performance to both an offensive and defensive player. The manufacturer designed this pitching machine as lightweight and portable for softball and baseball players. It can hold up to 14 baseballs or ten softballs and is compatible with 11″ or 12″ softballs, baseballs, and different JUGS balls. But, this unit doesn’t come with balls; you have to buy them separately.
Once you command it, it starts automatically tosses a ball within every five seconds. On average, you can finish hundreds of swings in only half an hour with the help of this toss machine. Keeping the concern of convenience in mind, the manufacturer designed this product with an inbuilt rechargeable battery. So, you don’t need any electricity to run the device. Instead, the JUGS Toss Machines have a battery life of 8 hours at a stretch once you fully recharge the batteries.
Moreover, you can practice both offensive and defensive aspects of the game with this pitching machine’s help. You have the scope of work on your batting accuracy, hand-eye coordination, correct hitting fundamentals and faults, and fielding. The good thing is you don’t need a partner either to get your training done.
Key features:
- Players of any age or skill can practice with this toss machine.
- Portable and lightweight of only 13 pounds.
- You can also use this machine even at a narrower 10 feet by 10 feet.
- Improves both offensive and defensive drills.
- Automatically pitches balls every five seconds.
- You don’t need electricity for up to 8 hours of continuous use.
- Holds up to 14 baseballs or ten softballs.
Cons:
- 12″ dimple softballs can get stuck.
Louisville Slugger Black Flame Pitching Machine
One of the reputed sporting goods manufacturers is Louisville Slugger. The Louisville Slugger Black Flame Pitching Machine is one of their successors. Being a multisports training tool, this unit has obtained its quality since its production. Besides baseball and softball, tennis, cricket, volleyball, and soccer players also appreciate this device highly. Because of the interchangeable components, the Black Flame can pitch various types of throwing, including ground balls, fly-balls, and straight pitches. It can throw balls at speeds between 18 to 50 miles per hour. You can adjust the speed according to the player’s age and game level. Each ball is compatible with this device whether you practice with plastic, dimple, restricted flight, complicated, or softballs. You don’t need any batteries or an electrical cord to run this pitching machine. Manufactured in Taiwan, the Black Flame is one of the favorite pitching machines’ choices to mostly youth players for its portable, sturdy, durable, mechanical, and easy-to-use features.
Key features:
- Automatically tosses balls up to 50 mph.
- Interchangeable components make it convertible for throwing strikes to high fly balls or ground balls.
- Compatible with almost every type of balls, including plastic, dimple, restricted flight, hard and softballs
- No batteries or electrical cord is required.
- Easy to assemble.
- You can practice indoors and outdoor, both with the help of this device.
Cons:
- Not easy to transport because of the spike legs.
Franklin Sports MLB Electronic Baseball Pitching Machine
Are you looking for a great money value deal on a pitching machine? You might then have to look out for this fantastic Electronic Baseball pitching machine from Franklin Sports. Made with plastic material, this device is easily adaptable to both teenagers and adults who are a newbie to the sport; besides being lightweight for convenient portability, the manufacturer designed this machine. Hence, you have ease in adjusting the height of the device. That means you can practice different pitching styles with this single pitching machine.
This soft toss device tosses balls every seven seconds to let you work on accuracy and precision on the next swing. The ball shoot of the machine can hold up to nine balls at once. It is a beginner-friendly trainer tool specially designed for youth players, and I suggest using only aero hits plastic baseballs. You will get six white aero strikes plastic baseballs with the purchase. A unique feature of this device is the flashing indicator. It is a flashing red tiny light that shows when the ball pitches so that you can prepare for the hit. It runs on 6 D batteries.
Key features:
- Lightweight, and you can also adjust the height.
- Serves balls in every seven seconds.
- It can hold up to nine balls; however, you get six aero strikes baseballs with the unit.
- The manufacturer installed a flashing indicator to indicate the pitching.
- Great device for improving hitting accuracy.
Cons:
- The packaging is not satisfactory to many people.
JUGS Lite-Flite Machine for Baseball and Softball
The JUGS Lite-Flite is one of the popular pitching machines available now. Since it came from a manufacturer renowned for its product quality and customer satisfaction, they enhanced their commitment through this fantastic product. Having a warranty of 2 years, it is very light and offers portability also. That means you are getting a durable yet lightweight machine for your training.
This Lite-Flite machine offers convertible pitches of baseball and softball. Due to the exclusive switch-and-play knob, you can quickly change the game style from baseball to softball. It can also deliver pitches like big leagues and adjusts with pitchings, such as fastballs, curves, and slides. This trainer tool gives you 360 degrees of versatile pitching styles because the swivel-design base casting of this product lets you practice with fly-balls, ground balls, and pop-ups. Besides the hitting accuracy, you are getting to train in fielding also. Although this machine has a single ball pitching feature, a multi-ball feeder can practice pitching with various balls. Single ball pitching is highly recommended for beginners. If you want to practice with the multi-feeder, you have to buy that separately.
Jugs Lite-Flite is compatible only with poly balls or lite-flite balls. These plastic balls let you practice without the fear of getting hurt while training. However, if you want to practice with regulation baseballs, it can damage the machine.
Key features:
- Tosses balls at speed up to 85 miles per hour from 25 feet.
- Throws 11″ or 12″ Lite-Flite softballs, Lite-Flite baseballs, and the JUGS bulldog poly-balls.
- The powerful motor of 1/8 horsepower 1.3 amplifiers.
- Serves every type of pitching, including fastballs, left- and right-handed curveballs, and sliders.
- Lightweight and portable.
- Have a two years limited warranty.
- Quick change design lets you switch the pitching style from baseball to softball.
- Hit the breaking pitch without the fear of being hit.
- Swivel design provides versatile angles for fly balls, pop-ups, and ground balls.
- Compatible with beginners and professionals also. Players from age 8 to adults can easily get trained with this trainer tool.
Cons:
- It runs on electricity. However, you can use rechargeable batteries by buying them separately.
- I can’t perform with regulation baseballs and softballs.
Louisville Slugger UPM 45 Blue Flame Pitching Machine
If you find the best of best professional-grade pitching machine that fits the budget, Louisville Slugger has introduced this UPM 45 pitching machine only for you. I am forced to put this product on the top for its high-quality performance, super durability, portability, and other intelligent features because there is no other second alternative to this. Players aged six or more can efficiently train themselves with this UPM 45 trainer tool. This complete manual tool doesn’t need any electricity to run and weighs only 25 pounds, letting you move it around effortlessly.
The UPM 45 is compatible with balls such as hard balls, fast pitch softballs, dimple balls, light flight, plastic, and even soccer and volleyballs. If you use light flight balls for practice, you will get the highest pitching speed of 60 mph, decreasing from 18 to 25 mph for the hard balls. It also benefits you by teaching different sewing techniques. This fantastic tool can get accurate strikes, fly balls, and even grounders. Whether you are working on catching skills or performance on bases, infield or outfield, single or team, beginner or experienced, this UPM 45 is perfect for all players above age six. Made from metal, it offers extreme durability.
You can practice multisports with this trainer tool. Key features:
- Throws a variety of balls.
- It can serve hard balls at speeds from 18 mph to 25 mph. However, the rate increases up to 60 mph for plastic light flight balls.
- It has an angle-adjusting option to let you practice on all kinds of pitches.
- Convenient assembling and storing.
- I need no power to run as it is entirely manual.
- Compatible for beginners to professional baseball players.
Cons:
- Holds one ball at a time.
- You need a partner while practicing.
Buying Guide
Now that you have all the ten top options of pitching machines near your hand, which one do you should? For that, you need to consider some factors. Some specific factors determine the particular option you should pick. Before purchasing your next or first pitching machine, let’s look at those vital criteria to look at.
Player’s level: It’s indispensable to know if the player is a professional or beginner. Professional baseball or softball players also have a massive demand for pitching machines as they need to learn new strategies every other day. For beginners to the sport or who want to play non-professionally, their training requirements are not similar to professionals. There are also pitching devices available, especially for beginners or professionals.
Ball type: If you went through the briefings of all the ten pitching machines above, you might realize that not every toss machine is compatible with all kinds of balls. Instead, some devices are compatible with only plastic aero strikes or specific branded balls, whereas some are compatible with regulation balls. Usually, professional players don’t prefer practicing with plastic baseballs or softballs. If you are a beginner, take the game for fun, and learn hitting techniques, you can go for the machines to run well with plastic balls. It eliminates the chance of getting hurt during practice.
Design and portability: These criteria must be fulfilled for any purchase. It wouldn’t be beneficial for you if the machine is not portable. It’s pretty normal to move the device from indoor to outdoor. So, you must have the comfort to transport it without any tensions. As far as the design, you will get various methods of toss machines; most pitching machines fall in the four categories discussed earlier.
Adjustability: Adjusting the angles, speed, and distance of pitches is one of the great features of an outstanding toss machine. Almost every pitching machine that is friendly with professionals has this feature available. If you want to practice variations of pitching styles, get mastered on both the hitting and visual acuity, then look for a device with the adjustability option.
Power source: You also should check the power source of your particular pitching machine. A pitching machine runs either on battery power or electricity or manual. Most practice areas have electricity, but you should go for the units compatible with battery-powered besides electricity. Manuals pitching machines also have their benefits. Those thinking about using a generator in the practice area should be aware of the generator’s noise that can cause a disturbance.
Tires of the machine: Tires of the pitching machine are as essential as other parts of the device. You will find two types of tires available for the tool: pneumatic tires and solid tires. Machines with pneumatic tires are most preferable for the practice.
Multi-ball feeder: Some machines do not have a multi-ball feeder to hold one ball at a time. With a multi-ball feeder, a pitching machine serves a particular number of balls in a certain amount of time. Whether the device would have a multi-ball feeder option or not depends entirely on your preferences. Of course, you have plenty of both options available in the market.
Pitching speed: Now, it’s something vital when you proceed to purchase a toss machine. A beginner player wouldn’t feel comfortable with a high range of pitching speed, right? Similarly, an experienced baseball pitcher wants a better pitching speed providing a machine to develop his skills. You should check the pitching speed of the particular device and determine if the rate is suitable for the player or not.
Accessories: Nowadays, a pitching machine doesn’t come as a single unit; instead, it has other necessary accessories within the package. In easy words, some pitching machines come as a pitching kit. These kits include baseballs, batteries or power adapter, a multi-ball feeder, a flashing indicator light, sometimes a plastic bat for the kid’s unit. Typically, those who intend to gift a pitching machine to someone, especially kids, would prefer kits that come with every necessary accessory. If you are looking for a pitching machine for a serious practice session, I highly recommend quality with some additions.
Brand: Different brands of sporting goods are producing pitching machines. It is normal to have a specific preference for a brand. Which brand you will choose for the purchase is up to you. Nevertheless, whatever the brand may be, I suggest not to compromise with the quality.
Quality and durability: These two factors depend on each other wholly. Typically, durability determines the strength and longevity of the product. A durable pitching machine has been demanded at all times. Before purchasing, make sure you are spending money on some quality products worth your hard-earned money.
Price: Price or budget sometimes hinders the purchase of our chosen products. Depending on the device’s type, size, and quality, various price ranges are available in the market. I would not recommend a beginner to spend a hefty amount on a pitching machine and then repent. Rather than you can spend money depending on the level, you are playing. Naturally, professional players need to invest more than beginners in pitching machines with advanced features. But, an average and decent quality featured product would be sufficient for a beginner or non-professional.
Wrapping it up, I wish you to break the legs at the practice ground with your next pitching machine! Hopefully, if you follow the guidelines above, you can make a wise decision regarding purchasing your pitching machine. I have designed this product list keeping in mind every type of player. Whether you intend to gift a pitching machine toy to your younger for growing skills on their favorite sports or you want to get mastered on every pitching style for your following big leagues, you will find the suitable toss machine from the shortlisted devices above.