Pitching Machine Games

The pitching machine is a valuable tool used in a variety of baseball and softball drills. While professional teams usually opt for batting practice pitchers to help players warm up, a pitching machine is the device of choice for the majority of youth and amateur clubs. The versatility of a pitching machine makes it possible to stage a number of different games that help build players' skill sets in a fun environment.

  1. Home Run Derby

    • This competition pits hitters against one another to see who is crowned the home-run champion. Once the pitching machine is set to the desired speed and angle, each hitter is given a pre-determined number of "outs". Any swing that doesn't result in a home run is ruled an out. If the player hits a home run, he is awarded a point and his out total remains the same. In most competitions, players are allowed to take as many pitches as they like without swinging. Once the player has recorded his final out, the next hitter steps up until all hitters have competed. The one with the most home runs at the end is declared the winner. Some competitions will use elimination rounds, in which the top home-run hitters in each round advance to the next until a champion is crowned.

    Hitting Survival

    • This game is set up similarly to the home run derby. Each player takes a turn with the pitching machine, which is set to a low speed and simple angle. Players are given three pitches in which to record a "hit", considered any ball which remains in fair territory. If a player records a hit, he advances to the next round. A foul ball or miss counts as a "strike", with three strikes resulting in the elimination of the player. After each round, the pitch speed is increased, and the remaining players hit again. The last player to record a hit is the winner. Coaches may also opt to alter the angle of the machine after each round, altering the path of the pitch from a straight fastball to a curveball.

    Fielding Survival

    • This game uses the same premise as baseball survival. Players begin in a line, one behind the other. With the machine on a low setting, each player's task is to catch the ball cleanly in the glove without dropping or bobbling it. If the player is successful, he advances. If the ball is not fielded cleanly, the player is eliminated. At the end of each round, the machine speed increases and the remaining players start again. The final player to field a ball cleanly is declared the champion.

    500

    • This event awards points for different types of catches. With the competitors scattered around the field, a batter takes a pitch from the machine and hits it toward them. If the ball is caught in the air, a player is awarded 100 points. If it is snagged on a hop, the player gets 50 points. Any ball which bounces more than once or rolls to the player is worth 25 points. Zero points are awarded for any ball dropped or missed. The first player to earn 500 points is the winner. Often, the player who wins is given a chance to hit while the batter then takes the field.