Friday, June 12, 2009

What is a Pitching Machine?

A pitching machine throws baseballs to a batter so he can work on becoming a improved hitter. Baseball players from the high school ranks on up to the pros use pitching machines for batting perform. Batting cages are also available at many recreational facilities all over the United States. After a batter deposits a token, the machine will toss a pitch about every 10 seconds. These cages are designated with speeds equipped for everyone from slow, medium, fast, to major league--where the pitching machine delivers a ball at approximately 90 miles per hour (40 meters per second).

During live batting practice, a pitcher or coach will throw baseballs to hitters who swing their bats at the thrown balls. Live batting practices is used to addition the use of the pitching machine and give hitters the feel for live pitching. Pitching machines have higher to the point where they can throw not only fastballs, but curveballs, sliders and screwballs as well.

Pitching machines appear in a variety of styles. Though, the two most popular machines are an arm action machine and a circular wheel machine. The arm action machine simulates the delivery of a pitcher and carries a ball at the end of a bracket, much similar to a hand would. The arm action machine then delivers the ball in an overhand action. The circular wheel machine contains one or two wheels that roll much like a bike tire. The wheels on these machines are typically set in either a horizontal or vertical fashion. With a circular machine, a ball shoots out towards the hitter once it is fed into the wheel or wheels.

The use of pitching machines allows baseball players the chance to get batting practice on their own. Most batting machines are set up in a batting cage, a netted area that will control the balls after they are hit. The cost of pitching machines varies significantly.

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