- Small-ball pitching machine for improving depth perception and honing hitting skills
- Uses 5-inch, 5-ounce polyurethane foam ball that's half the size of normal baseball
- Built of heavy-duty steel, with adjustable legs that simulate realistic delivery height
- Throws accurate fastballs and overhand curves, with simulated speeds up to 75 mph
- 25-ball manual or automatic feeder; also shoots fly and ground balls; 1-year warranty
Product Description
Runs on regular 110-volt AC or optional battery pack, manual and automatic feed...25 ball feeder releases ball every 5 seconds…adjustable legs for realistic height for both baseball and softball.Amazon.com Product Description
It's been said that the toughest thing to do in sports is hit a round ball with a round bat. Now you can hone your skills even further with the Jugs Small-Ball pitching machine, which tests your mettle with a ball half the size. By practicing against a 5-inch Jugs polyurethane foam ball, hitters learn to track the ball better from the release point to the impact zone, while simultaneously sharpening their mental focus. In addition, the Small-Ball machine helps hitters improve depth perception by forcing them to keep their head still and eyes level. And young hitters can learn the fundamentals of hitting without the fear of getting whacked by a real baseball.
The Small-Ball pitching machine is built of heavy-duty steel, with adjustable legs that help simulate a realistic delivery height for both baseballs and softballs. More significantly, the machine throws fastballs or overhand curves with uncanny accuracy, with simulated speeds of up to 75 mils per hour. Just load up the 25-ball feeder--which offers both manual and automatic feeds--and the mechanism will release a ball every five seconds. Plus, when it's time for fielding practice, you can adjust the machine to instead shoot fly balls and ground balls. Safe to use anywhere, including backyards, garages, or your chosen practice field, the Small-Ball pitching machine is popular among backyard players, youth leagues, high schools, and colleges.
The Jugs Small-Ball pitching machine operates on standard 110-volt AC power, but can also function on a separately sold battery pack. Other details include a free brook describing hitting drills, a portable design that weighs only 23 pounds, and a one-year warranty.
The Small-Ball machine throws a ball half the size of a traditional baseball. |
Specifications:
- Recommended age: 5 to adult
- Speed range: Simulated up to 75 miles per hour
- Speed adjustments: Dial
- Rechargeable battery pack: Sold separately
- Power source: 110-volt AC or battery pack
- Types of pitches thrown: Fastballs and curveballs
- 360-degree swivel: No
- Cover: Yes, optional
- Manual and automatic feed: Yes
- Video demonstration available: Yes
- Weight: 23 pounds
- Warranty: 1 year
Jugs Small-Ball Pitching Machine
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
I coach a ten year old baseball team and wanted a different type of pitching machine to use during batting practice. My theory was if my players could hit a ball this small with a bat this small, the regulation ball during the game would seem like a cabbage ball or something to them which in turn would produce more hits, in turn produce more runs. This pitching machine does exactly what I expected it to do. Everything I read about this machine in the description as well as the different reviews online was positive so I took a chance. The only reason I did not give this product a five star rating is due to the velocity of the ball launched from the machine. There are different settings for different things such as curve ball, fast ball etc. but no speed regulation knob or the ability to crank up the speed for those specific pitches. I thought that maybe there would be a setting to regulate the speed of the pitches but instead you can only regulate the speed of the pitch by selecting what type of pitch you want it to throw, such as the fast ball, curve ball, etc. Overall I am pleased with this product as it is very stable, very well constructed and quality made. It is also very portable from the house to the baseball field. I did not purchase the battery pack for this machine as they were pretty expensive in my opinion. Plugging it in works just fine for me where I use it so that is the route I went. I would recommend this product to anyone.
This is a quality, useful machine for any young baseball player who wants to improve their batting skills; although, I’d note my wife enjoys it, too.
It may be a good compromise, or first-step, for those interested in pitching machines but wary of the high-prices of “real-life” Jugs/ATEC machines, or wary of the poor quality of machines like those sold in stores (e.g. Dick’s Sporting Goods). I also have a “real-life” Jugs Combination pitching machine JUGS Combo Pitching Machine; but I consider this Small Ball machine to be more bang-for-the-buck; if for no other reason, it’s not limited to outdoor use.
The machine comes mainly pre-assembled & easy to use out of the box. It seems to be of good construction & may be moved around with minimal effort. It is recommended to be used 20′ from the batter; personally, I use it in our basement. The machine has 2 speeds each for 2 different pitches (i.e. fastball & curve).
It is suggested to use Jugs “Small Balls” in this machine. These are nice, heavier foam balls which can be bought in bulk for ~ $1/ball; you’ll need to buy some, because only a few balls come with the machine. (Note: the Jugs site has these balls in a useful bright yellow color). However, I was very pleased to find that this machine also throws the multi-colored Intech foam balls (also used for golf practice; Intech Range Bucket with 48 Balls) that I have. As a matter of fact, these balls are better for us than the Jugs Small Balls, because they are less likely to knock over household items & also come out a little slower (& thus are more hittable for my kids).
This is a very good pitching machine for confined spaces. I use it in my unfinished basement. The accuracy of the pitches is much better than the wiffle ball pitching machine that I own.
I did have a problem with the balls getting stuck. Jugs instructed me on the phone to sand the spinning wheels so they can grip the ball. After about the tenth time I sanded the wheels they started to work well.
I’m a high school baseball player, and i bought this so that i could take batting practice year round, even when I don’t have time to go to the batting cages. I set it up in my unfinished basement, and it works great. It shoots them fast enough for it to be a challenge for me. One thing that you should know is that it does not have a true speed control, just fastball (very slow), and advanced fastball (fairly fast from a short distance). If you’re serious about baseball I would recommend you buy an easton thunderstick along with the machine, as it has helped increased my hand-eye coordination and bat speed.
Get the bucket of balls as well because you will need them. My kids who are in little league have tons of fun with this. They never get enough of batting at games and practice so they hit with this a lot. We have not used the curve ball settings yet. We haven’t used the thin bat yet either.
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