The Best Pitching Machines for Baseball and Softball 2021

Looking for the best pitching machine for baseball and softball batting practice? Many players from beginners to professionals rely on pitching machines to practice their swing and timing.

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Reasons to Buy

✅ Works with both baseballs and softballs
✅ Solid steel construction for durability and reliability
✅ Easy set up and tear down with removable legs
✅ Adjustable pitching dial from 20 MPH to 50 MPH
✅ Adjustable legs provide realistic pitches for baseball and softball

Reasons Not to Buy

❌ You need pitches faster than 50 MPH

Sample buyer review: “I bought this machine one year ago for my teenage son. I was no longer able to bring it in BP and decided to buy this machine. We use it multiple times a week all year long and it has cycled thousands of pitches. We set it on 50MPH from typically 36′-40′ away to produce 70’s-80 MPH reaction time. We also bought the yellow jugs balls which are much more accurate and durable. Do not use leather balls with this machine. Also make sure the balls are dry as well as the wheel. Do not use it if any moisture is on the balls or on the wheel from rain. Otherwise, it will deliver wild pitches. I clean the balls (water and rag) regularly and also use sandpaper to remove dirt off the wheel for regular maintenance. If we are working out and there is dew or moisture on the grass I bring a towel to dry them off before I use them again. We have space outback so I can carry the machine into position. It is a little bit heavy but definitely moveable for most adults. You can also remove the legs easily to pack in the trunk and take to practice. There is a slight learning curve on how to dial it in for strikes but once you get the feel of the machine you can set up quickly. It is fast and easy to get it to throw strikes once you play with it a little bit and learn how to set it up for best accuracy of pitches. There is an easy to use up and down tool and on occasion needs to be adjusted slightly. My son and I both see great value and he is now a HS player and competitive summer league player and we still use it all the time. This machine is a great value. Yes, it is an investment but after one year I decided to write this review as we both really like this machine. We also invested in a long and durable extension cord for power and a net to protect the pitching machine feeder. Just a few other ideas to consider…” Read more reviews from Amazon.com

Reasons to Buy

✅ Pitches regulation size and weight baseballs and 11” or 12” softballs
✅ Speed adjustment for pitches between 30 and 60 MPH
✅ Users have said the metal guard at the pitch exit point is a nice touch as it protects the machine from comebackers
✅ Rapid deployment when swapping between baseball and softball pitching

Reasons Not to Buy

❌ Some users have mentioned that their balls are dirty after use and covered with black marks from the rubber wheel
❌ The rubber wheel is expensive to replace, after several years of use it may be more economical to replace the entire machine instead of the wheel

Sample buyer review: “Good little machine. Portable. Straight-forward and easy to use. I play in a men’s fastpitch softball league and we needed something to practice with. At proper distance, its quick but not quick enough so we just moved it forward a few feet and it did the trick. I recommend using the “fake” (pitching machine) softballs for always accurate pitches. If you use game softballs, they will shoot out quicker but are not predictable. Overall, very happy with this purchase.” Read more reviews from Amazon.com

Reasons to Buy

✅ 12 ball automatic feeder allows for batting practice to take place without the help of another person
✅ Pitches balls every 10 seconds
✅ Tilt adjustment throws line drives, fly balls, grounders, and pop-ups
✅ Pitches lite balls up to 80 MPH
✅ Battery pack (sold separately) means you can have batting practice anywhere

Reasons Not to Buy

❌ Some users report that the machine will sometimes throw wild pitches when using real baseballs because the seams
❌ Real baseballs may be scuffed, torn, or destroyed after a few cycles through the machine

Sample buyer review: “This pitching machine is excellent. Its the best investment I’ve ever made. Not only does my 15 year old grandson love it, he reports that its everything he wanted in a pitching machine. He feels it has really help to improve his hitting skills. He’s out there slugging away for hours. And his 12 year old sister is hooked on it too! Really worth the $$$$.” Read more reviews from Amazon.com

Reasons to Buy

✅ Throws fastballs, curves, knuckles, split fingers, and sliders allowing for a full range of practice pitches
✅ The machine weighs only 65 pounds and has wheels for easy portability, it is easy to set up and tear down and fits into even the smallest cars
✅ Great for all types of fungo practice
✅ Total vision means you can see the ball from load to pitch developing better timing and hand-eye coordination
✅ Users report that the machine is ultra-quiet
✅ Comes with a five-year limited warranty

Reasons Not to Buy

❌ Some users of this machine report that synthetic leather balls with gum up the machine making it a pain to clean

Sample buyer review: “In the last two weeks i ordered this machine. I had been using the Jugs Jr before. I have two sons that I coach ages 11 and 9, both play little league and travel ball. The biggest issue I had with the Jugs Jr is that the machine always need to be reset every few pitches or so, and it takes up my whole trunk of my SUV. (not to mention throwing my back out trying to load it in there). It’s only $800 more than the Jugs Jr. #1 great thing is portability, it fits nicely in my trunk with plenty of room to spare ( i need room for the rest of the baseball equipment, balls, bags, etc). I bought a Honda eu2000i generator and it works perfectly. So now I can carry around generator and machine and set up anywhere i like. Set up is good to go in under 5 minutes (including generator). Very easy to transport on and off field, as long as the surface is flat. The wheels are not off road tires so if it is bumpy, best to have a portable wagon with you or be prepared to carry it. They say the average little league fastball setting is top wheels speed 4 for both and bottom wheel speed 7. My older son can handle faster than that, but for my team practice 4,4,7 seems to be good batting practice for my younger sons team. This thing throws knuckles and curves which can be done on the fly. Also, with the Jugs I was always having to move the legs to line up pitches. Once the Junior Hack is set up, if you want to go inside or outside, up or down there are levers for that. So a pitch could be high and outside in 5 seconds change time. Totally awesome feature. I haven’t used it for grounders and fly balls yet but I will update later and let you guys know how it goes. PROS- Extremely portable, throws up to 70+ MPH, knuckles, curves, change pitch location easily (no kicking legs!). CONS- Haven’t found one yet” Read more reviews from Amazon.com

Reasons to Buy

✅ Automatic ball feeder holds up to 26 practice balls at a time making solo batting practice a breeze
✅ This compact and lightweight pitching machine is easy to set up and tear down
✅ Pitching angle is adjustable for different practice locations
✅ The machine can run on batteries making it super portable
✅ Detachable shagger makes for easy ball collection

Reasons Not to Buy

❌ Only works with soft practice balls
❌ Pitching speed cannot be adjusted
❌ Users report that the machine is loud

Sample buyer review: “I am beyond satisfied with this purchase. My son uses it every day. It’s completely portable amazing quality and durable for the money paid. it’s great if you need to work on keeping your eye on the ball and waiting on the pitch. Some of the cons are that it is a set speed you do have to maneuver it a little bit to find the right spot. Also, I suggest purchasing C batteries and extra balls, you’ll need them. My son is 13 you and please major baseball and he loves this machine, it’s great to fill in the gap’s when we can’t get to the cages.” Read more reviews from Amazon.com

Because there are so many types, brands, and styles of pitching machines available, it is important to understand the differences before making a purchase decision. Here are some of the things you will want to consider before buying a pitching machine.

Things to Consider When Buying a Pitching Machine

Pitching machines are vital pieces of training equipment that every level of player can benefit from practicing with. There are some factors to consider before making the decision to buy a pitching machine. Things like price, skill level, portability, and warranty may all play a role in deciding the best pitching machine for you, your kids, or your team.

Pitching Machine Price vs Value

The most expensive pitching machine might offer an amazing batting practice, but it might not be the right choice for you. When you are assessing the value of a pitching machine, consider how often it will be used, the skill level of the player using it, and the machine’s warranty. Take these three factors and create a budget based on them.

Pitching Machine Portability

Where is the machine going to be used? Will it be transported to the practice area or will it be set up in one location all the time? Portability is an important factor to consider when buying a pitching machine as some machines are much larger and harder to move than others. If you plan on moving the machine around a lot, consider purchasing a lightweight machine that comes with wheels or offers easy set up and tear down. You can do your research on the portability of a pitching machine by watching videos of the set up on YouTube.

Team vs Solo Practice Sessions

Pitching machines that need to be used for solo practice require an automatic feeder. Pitching machines with automatic feeders offer rapid strike practice and are ideal for use when another player or coach is not present. If you want to be able to hit a lot of balls rapidly than an automatic feeder is a solid choice. Some machines do not come with an automatic feeder but offer them as an accessory that can be purchased separately.

Player Age and Skill Level

Some of the most robust pitching machines can throw virtually any type of pitch including curveballs and breaking balls at 80+ MPH. Little league players are probably not hitting 80 MPH fastballs, so they don’t need the most expensive or the fastest pitching machine available. The skill level of the player should always be considered to help decide what features are important in a pitching machine and which are not.

Final Considerations

A pitching machine, while useful, is not the cheapest piece of training equipment. Before making your purchase, take into consideration budget, warranty, age and skill level, and portability of the machine.

With proper research, your new pitching machine will be a solid training investment and should yield fantastic results. We have compiled a list of all the best pitching machines for 2021. If you want to train to be the best hitter on the team, these machines will help you get there.