How Much Money Should I Invest in My Pitching Machine?
There are quite a few different pitching machine models and they come at a serious wide price range. Pitching machines can range from $200 to $2,500. Aside from indoor practice machines and recreational (backyard) pitching machines, most coaches and parents elect to buy a machine that will most closely simulate pitches the ball player might find in the game. Machines favored by coaches and youth programs generally start over $500 and represent a substantial investment.
Whenever you start to judge how much you intend to choose pitching machine, there is to consider. You will need to ensure you get the proper machine for your requirements to be able to maximize the usage of it. The fee is driven by the features the device has and also the durability of the machine. You will need to be sure the pitching machine fits your preferences and additionally you need certainly to take into account how long do you think you is likely to be using it.
In deciding which features you want on your pitching machine it is essential to think about age the little one or children that are going to use the machine and the positioning you is likely to be using the machine. As kids start to have older they’ll see more advanced pitches and having a pitching machine that will throw these pitches could be a great benefit. Getting lots of repetition on a pitching machine on the advanced pitches could be a great benefit to a new hitter understanding how to hit breaking balls
What do the features on the device add to the cost?
It is essential you select what features you want on a pitching machine before you decide on it. You have to think about what types of pitches it must throw, how fast it must throw, and how to regulate the speed / pitch type. Once this has been determined, you can consider additional features and accessories that will also impact the price of the machine.
An individual wheel pitching machine will throw fastballs only, and come in many different top end speeds (depending on the brand and model). You can purchase a top quality fastball machine that pitches real baseballs at speeds up to 70MPH and comes with a good 5 year warranty for less than $650. With a premier end speed of 70MPH, this machine will grow together with your players through the ages of 14 or 15 years of age and makes a good machine to coach on during their early developmental years. If you need more speed, you will pay more, but the device may have an extended useful life as your player develops. Fastball pitching machines range in price from around $650 up to significantly more than $1,500.
If you need a machine that will throw curveballs as well as fastballs, the price of the device jumps up to between $1, 500 and $2,500. That’s quite a bit greater than a single wheel fastball machine, but as your player advances through senior school and into college, they’ll be seeing lots of different pitches… and to numerous coaches and parents, the investment in a two wheel pitching machine is essential.
Additionally, the control box and how you add / determine the pitch type could add between $100 and $500 to the fastball or even a breaking ball machine. Machines with simple variable speed potentiometers (dials with numbers to them that helps you determine the speed that the wheel spins) are probably the most affordable options, but supply you with the least amount of control of the machine. Proprietary control systems such as the JUGS Dial-A-Pitch offer more precise control of the pitch speed and type, Anix Valve USA but could cost a couple of hundred dollars more compared to entry-level machines. Dial-a-pitch, micro adjustments, and machines that will program a whole sequence of pitches are the top machines while they simulate most accurately live pitching. Programmable machines are also available, but can be cost prohibitive to small teams and youth programs. This feature can be extremely very important to a college program or if the device is going to be employed by numerous coaches (versus only a few individuals), however this feature comes at a premium cost.
Additional features including the capability to swivel the device 360 degrees and a vertical pivot for fielding drills, in addition to combo baseball /softball machines can and will play into the price. Location of where you are likely to use the machine is essential as not all of the features can be utilized if the device is going to be found in a batting cage. A machine that’s vertical pivot for defensive drills (fly balls and ground balls) will not be useful in a batting cage. There would be you should not spend the excess money with this feature when it is solely likely to be found in a batting cage, however the addition of the features impact the cost less compared to “big three” factors of Pitch Type, Pitch Speed, & Pitch Control.
Question 2: The length of time do I would like this machine to last?
This appears like a silly question to ask because so many people would say I would like probably the most durable machine that’s available. However it’s just as much to do with “lifetime value” as it does with durability. Most respectable machines over $500 have extended warranties (typically 3-5 years) and are developed to last. For older players (teenagers and above) the warranty is crucial, while the play is more aggressive and they are going put plenty of wear and tear on them.
When determining the “lifetime value” of a machine, you just need to do some simple math. The length of time will the ball player or team use the machine before they out grow it?
Here are a couple of examples:
If you purchase a $650 FirstPitch Baseline fastball pitching machine for your 12 year-old player, he may only get someone to 2 yrs of good use out from the machine before he advances past its capabilities. At 13 or 14 he will need to start practicing for faster pitches and a greater selection of pitches. At $650 over 2 yrs, it represents $325 per year of use.
It if you had been to spend one more $175 to upgrade to a Firstpitch Original fastball pitching machine, you would nevertheless be obtaining a “fastball only” single wheeled pitching machine… however that extra $175 buys you an additional 10MPH and another year of development. If this machine would last your player 3 years in place of two, it would represent $275 per year value instead of the $325 value of the low end machine.
Let’s extend that logic to a high end machine which is together with your player through senior school and into college. If you had been to invest over $1,500 on a high end Curveball Pitching Machine From FirstPitch that pitches breaking balls in addition to fastballs at speeds over 100 MPH, this machine could conceivably be employed by your player for 6 to 7 years. At 6 years (and a $1,500 initial investment), it would represent the most effective value yet at $250 per year of use.
It all hangs how much you intend to invest, and for how long the device is likely to be in service. Upgrading the device every couple of years as your player develops is unquestionably an alternative, however may well be more expensive in the long run.
However if the pitching machine is for a kid sometimes it is better to buy a entry level (less durable) machine and save the cash before you know the commitment level of the child. If the little one is simply beginning in baseball or softball it may be best to buy a less costly (and durable) machine to test to be sure the commitment level is there. They’re still excellent for working on mechanics and throwing batting practice, however they tend never to last as long as they are not built as solid. This could be a better decision if the little one decides to not pursue the game long term. Additionally in the event that you save considerable money on the low level machine and the little one decides to pursue the game you can always upgrade to a more durable machine down the road. These machines could cost as low as $200 and can around $500… however if you’re considering a $500 machine, it might be time and energy to evaluate spending an additional $150 to get into an individual wheel fastball machine that will represent a tougher life time value because versatility and expected longevity.
There a quite a few various kinds of pitching machines and brands on the market, it could be an overwhelming decision to make. Like some other major purchase you are making you need to go in with a budget dollar amount in mind. Most websites have ways to filter pitching machines by budget range, after you done that in your allowance range you’ll need to review in more detail the machines to be sure they have the functionality you need. You don’t want to overspend to have features you won’t use, however you’ll need to think about investing in a pitching as an investment and you’ll need to spend enough money to ensure you can get maximum usage out of it.
