Baseball pitching machines are an excellent tool to improve the baseball and softball skills of almost any player. There is no better way to practice hitting than to swing at balls coming at you as if they were pitched - and since most teams don't have someone who can spend an entire practice throwing fast, reliable pitches, the best solution is usually a quality pitching machine.

Pitching machines come in a number of varieties, with cost, portability, baseball or softball, pitch speed and pitch type being the major differences between them.

Portability: Many pitching machines require standard 110 volt power for their machines. To run these machines you must either have power near your practice facility, or a gas powered generator to power your machine. If this is not an option, you can use battery operated machines, or even manual machines that use springs to pitch the ball.

Pitch Speed: Depending on the age of your players and your league, you may not need a machine that pitches balls 50mph and above. If this is the case, you won't have to spend as much money on your machine. If you are playing college level ball or above, you will need a machine that can pitch at least 85 mph.

Pitch Type: Some pitching machines throw just fastballs, while others can throw curves, risers, sliders and more. Do you need a pitching machine that throws curveballs? Do you want to be able to practice hitting a slider?

Baseball or Softball: Most machines are either baseball or softball specific, while some can pitch both. If you think you may need your machine for both sports, it may be best to buy a machine that can handle both rather than ending up buying two machines.

Cost:Pitching machines range in price from under $200 for manual spring pitch machines, to over $2,000 for high end pitching machines that can throw over 100 mph!

JUGS Lite-Flite Machine throws only JUGS Lite-Flite and Poly balls. It can simulate left and right handed curveballs, sliders, and fastballs. It operates with a regular 110 volt AC or Optional Rechargeable Battery Pack and can be used indoors or outdoors. It has a starting cost of $375.00.

JUGS MVP® PITCHING MACHINE has a digital readout and a speed range of 15 to 52 mph. It throws pop-ups and fly balls. It has a limited 5 year guarantee and starts from $895.00.

JUGS SOFTBALL MACHINE throws straight balls, risers and drops for fastpitch teams, and perfect arching tosses for slowpitch teams. It can throw at a speed range of 15 to 60 mph. It has a swivel design base which allows a 360° movement for fly balls, pop-ups and ground balls. It has a 5 year guarantee and retails from $1095.00.

JUGS JR.TM PITCHING MACHINE BB/SB can pitch fastballs, slowpitch or fast pitch with a speed range of 15 to 60 mph. It has a digital display with you can use to get the exact mph you desire. It is guaranteed for 5 years and cost from $1145.00.

JUGS SUPER SOFTBALLTM PITCHING MACHINE has a digital readout and a speed range of 20 to 70 mph. It has a swivel design base which allows a 360° movement for fly balls, pop-ups and ground balls. It has a 5 year guarantee and retails from $1,395.00.

JUGS 101TM PITCHING MACHINE has a dial-a-pitch and dial-a-speed features. The speeds can range from 30-90 mph. It can throw overhand fastballs, overhand curves and split-finger fastballs. It has a 5 year guarantee and retails from $1645.00.

JUGS CURVEBALL PITCHING MACHINE has a patented "gooseneck" design which provides full range of movement to adjust for all types of pitches, including fastballs, curves, sliders and split-finger fastballs. This machine has a speed range of 20 to 104 mph and is guaranteed for 5 years. The cost is in the range of $1750.00.

JUGS COMBINATION PITCHING MACHINE™ throws baseballs, softballs, and tennis balls with a speed range of 20-104 mph. It has a patented "gooseneck" design which provides full range of movement to adjust for all types of pitches, including fastballs, curves, sliders and split-finger fastballs. Its swivel-design base casting provides 360° movement for fly balls, ground balls, and pop-ups. This machine retails from $2095.00.

BATA Pitching Machines

BATA Starter Baseball Pitching Machine is good for beginners. It can use real or dimpled baseballs or safety balls. It was a speed range of 50 mph and an adjustable height feature. This BATA machine costs about $649.00.

BATA-1 Pitching Machine runs on a 110 AC and is available for Baseball/Softball or Combo. It has a limited warranty of 5 years. The approximate cost for the BATA-1 Baseball is $990.00, BATA-1 Softball $ 990 and the BATA-1 Bb/Sb Combo $1060.

B-1 Curveball Pitching Machine has a swivel base which enables you to throw left-hand, overhand, right-hand curves, or left-hand, right-hand sliders and fastballs. It has a maximum speed of 70 mph and has a limited 5 year warranty. The cost for the B1-Curveball Baseball is $1250; B1-Curveball Softball $1250 and the B1-Curveball Bb/Sb Combo $1320.

BATA-2 Pitching Machine throws a variety of pitches, grounders and flies at a speed range of 25 to 100 mph. It has a 3-way swivel head and throws real baseballs or dimpled balls. The BATA-2 runs on a 110 AC and has a 5 year limited warranty. The cost for the BATA-2 baseball is $1700 the BATA-2 softball $1700 and the BATA-2 Bb/Sb combo $1770.