Pitching Machine Speed for Little Leagues

Pitching machines are useful for helping kids develop their swings, but they can also be dangerous if misused. It's important to know what exactly you need to avoid injury -- and purchasing the wrong equipment.

  1. Batter Up: What Little League Batters Need

    • I dare you to throw one inside.

      In Little League, it's recommended that the maximum speed of the pitching machine be at least 50 mph. At the next level of competition, 75 mph is suggested, so anywhere in between would be sufficient for the players to get the most out of batting practice.

    Speed: It's Not as Simple as the Number on the Box

    • A 70 mph pitching machine set up at the prescribed distance will appear to the batter as a 70 mph pitch; move it closer or farther away, and the the pitch will seem faster or slower. This is because the ball must travel less distance to the batter. A simple calculation can be used to manipulate the distance so pitches will appear to be different speeds.

    Safety: Protect Your Players

    • Machines that are too fast could lead to injury if a player is hit by a pitch. Some Little League pitching machines can be used with both standard baseballs and Reduced Injury Factor (RIF) balls. RIF balls play similarly to baseballs without hurting as badly in case of accidental impact. There are different levels of hardness, so coaches can choose the appropriate RIF ball to use.