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Product Features
- 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
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.
Customer Reviews
Useful machine for indoor hitting practice, 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).
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).
