How to Find Pitching Machines

Taking batting practice with balls thrown by an actual pitcher is the best way to improve your batting skills in baseball, but you also can work on your swing by hitting against a pitching machine. These machines can be used indoors or outdoors and vary greatly in style, function and price. Because they are not sought by large numbers of consumers, many sporting goods stores do not stock them. Learning about pitching machines from sales websites can be daunting. Still, you can find the pitching machine you seek.

Instructions

    • 1

      Ask baseball coaches and players about products that suit your needs or those of your child or players. For example, you don't need a pro-style machine that can throw baseballs at 60 mph if you're coaching 10-year-old players. If you require a machine for a high-level player, look for one that can throw various pitches, including a fastball, slider and curve ball.

    • 2

      Browse retailers' and manufacturers' websites to familiarize yourself with products and price ranges. Find out how each machine is powered, how many balls it can throw per minute, how many balls it can hold, the type of ball it throws and how portable it is.

    • 3

      Visit sporting goods stores and ask sales representatives about pitching machines the stores stock and machines they can order. Some stores that specialize in baseball have batting cages in which customers can test different pitching machines. Try them.

    • 4

      Compare pitching machines available in stores with those you have found on the Internet. Because Web-based retailers ship items directly to you -- sometimes at no extra cost -- that may be a good option.

    • 5

      Get more opinions. Again, ask baseball players and coaches for their opinions of the machine you plan to buy. Search the Internet for reviews of the product. If the machine is reviewed favorably, you are ready to purchase it.