How to Make A Baseball Pitching Machine

Hitting a baseball is said to be one of the hardest things to do in all of sports. The exacting task is attained from constant repetition and complete dedication. But a father can throw only so many fastballs, and a coach has 15 other kids. The solution: Build a pitching machine. With spare parts and some ingenuity, you could save $1,000 and improve your swing. A baseball pitching machine delivers the right pitch every time.

Things You'll Need

  • Lawn mower
  • Drill
  • Metal drill bit
  • Screwdriver
  • Welding materials
  • Wheelbarrow tire (smooth surface)
  • 3" PVC piping
  • 45 degree PVC elbow
  • PVC c-clamps
  • 3 30" x 2" pieces of metal tubing
  • 1 20" x 2" piece metal tubing
  • 4-way connector
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Instructions

  1. Pitching machine

    • 1

      Obtain lawn mower with a serviceable engine, preferably from 1 to 2.5 hp. Drain all fluids from the lawn mower. Strip the mower, leaving engine, base, gas tank and wheels.

    • 2

      Remount gas tank. The tank will need to be rotated 90 degrees, so that it is situated upright.

    • 3

      Attach wheel to engine axle, assuring wheel rotates towards front.

    • 4

      Trim all excess metal and plastic from the lawn mower. This includes anything that would impede the ball being pitched from the tire.

    • 5

      Create the ball feeder. Cut 3" PVC into two 8" lengths and attach them to the 45-degree elbow. Using c-clamps, attach the ball feeder to the base of the lawn mower. It should be situated so the ball makes contact 2" to the rear of the tire.

    Base

    • 6

      Weld one end of the 20" x 2" metal tubing to the engine block. Choose a spot that distributes the weight evenly.

    • 7

      Attach the 3 30" x 2" metal tubing to the 4-way connector. You can use metal glue to avoid welding.

    • 8

      Attach the 20" metal tubing to 4-way connector. Align the machine, using the throttle to alternate speeds.