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Hi. First post. Love baseball. Live in Tukwila, WA. 39 yrs old.

I'm researching pitching machines for myself. I don't work. Am on disability. So I have free time. I'm researching the machines so I could go hit at real fields.

I would go by myself and sometimes with family and friends. And I think it'd be great if I met people who'd want to join me. I love baseball majorly and would love the exercise. I played up till HS as a pitcher and first baseman. In 8th grade I was considered one of the best first baseman around. Missed my freshman year in HS because I didn't know I could try out for Highline Highschool. I didn't go there buy went to a special school that was part of the HS. If I would have tried out I probably would have made Varsity every year. But missing my freshman year messed up my skills so from sophomore till I graduated I didn't make any team. Mostly just out of shape. Good physical shape just timing wrong and some other stuff was going on in my life. I was a good switch hitter. Natural lefty with more power from left center to right center. Pulled the ball much more right handed which I thought was odd. Throw left handed. I bat right handed in practice only though and always against right handed pitchers.

Sorry. Just a bit of background.

I have several real baseballs and a bat I paid $150 for many years ago. The bat though for some reason doesn't give me the ping sound as good as you hear in college baseball.

I don't know anything about pitching machines. I would like some features if possible at a budget of preferably $1000 and under.

Up to 80 mph but 70 mph is ok.
Gas powered or battery. Won't have a generator.
Auto ball feeder.
Work with real baseballs. If fake then as realistic as possible. Meaning not bouncy. Colored is good if it would be easier to see the ball in the field when I go get them.

I'm not sure what else since I don't know anything really.

I really so much appreciate any advice.
Joe
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 for about $3.100 you can get into a nice machine that will throw left and right handed curves and sliders and fastballs around 85mph. It has a 20 ball feeder but you will need an electrical source to run it. http://pitchingmachinesale.com...itching-machine.html

 

Jugs makes a machine that sell's for about $1100. I don't know of any gas powered units.

Last edited by The Doctor
Thanks. I'm talking $1000 at most. No way I'm going to take 3 or more years to save for that $ when just for myself. I don't care about anything special. Not curve etc. it's just for fun. I know a $650 one and $500 I seen. The cheaper going to 85 mph with curves etc. has battery for $329 extra but no feeder. Lite flight or something. Not sure. Seems ok I guess but I know nothing.

Buggs, you state that you are on disability.  That is important to your quest for a machine.  Without knowing your disability, most recommendations will be worthless.  Most of the machines are going to require the ability to lift a heavy object to set up the machine.  At least for ATEC and Jugs.  A used pitching machine might be your best bet and they can be found at places like Play it again sports.  Buggs, something else to think about without knowing your disability, is whether you are physically able to hit, pack, and hookup some of these machines. 

 

A suggestion might be to find a used ATEC Rookie machine but you would still have to find a small generator to run the machine unless you have access to electricity. 

Hi. Thanks for advice.
Mental disability not physical. Just enough to get in my way of some stuff in life. You wouldn't know anything is wrong unless you were around me 24/7 and knew I'd been diagnosed. Fortunately things are in my opinion minor but they add up. ADHD, Aspergers Syndrome, Tourette Syndrome, Anxiety, Depression. I do fine but not good socially sometimes. Not knowing what to say in certain situations.

Anyway I wondered about renting too. Id love to once for a couple hrs. The $650 machine I mentioned I saw was the Baseline Pitchine Machine I think.

I don't know anything about local leagues or anything that could help but have thought about that too.

Buggs:  I have done a lot of work with kids on the spectrum ... i recommend you look for a "one wheel jugs" that runs on electricity. there are a lot of these out there that are still in good shape. if you have a PA, he or she could set that up and throw balls to you and you would have hours of fun hitting.  try ebay or craigslist in your area... if you tell us what state you are in there might be someone on this message board who would know of someone who could locate a decent machine for you.

I'm 39 and serious so a Tee seems childish for me. I like the idea of going to fields. Getting my hit balls gives me exercise. Seeing where I hit is awesome. See if I can hit home runs in fields with fences. Go with friends sometimes. Maybe when I'm by myself people may see me and want to join me. Maybe be able to make friends that way. Maybe even rent it and I go with it.

Just some possible advantages I been thinking of.

I don't mean anything by saying that a Tee is childish. Just I'm a high end guy which in part is a little bit part of one of my mental disabilities.

I may be getting $1050 tomorrow.
The baseline machine for $649 looks ok. Up to 70mph. But no feeder and no way for me to power it.

Is a casey pro non 3G good for $1000? Someone local is wanting to sell it. But his picture shows one wheel and a tripod thing it stands on and when I looked at casey pro non 3G online they all had 2 wheels and looked different. No idea what is what. The retail I think the sellers says is $2200.

Of course I would love to try before I buy as suggested above.
Try these folks for resources: https://pssbl.com

Also, there at slow pitch softball teams in your area that are recreational and there are some that are much more competetive.  There are a lot of "retired" baseball junkies that opt to play recreational and competitive softball.   Try this:  http://forum.usssawa.com 
They have teams that come together based on interests and experience.  You might find a good fit.

Good Luck
Thank you all very much.

I may be coming into some money today. $1050. So I'm hoping I could find something.

I tried contacting a few local cages and training facilities but haven't heard from anyone in days. One tho got back to me and didn't help at all.

I have some questions I hope can be responded to soon.

Do I need something that goes to 70 mph to 80 mph or is slower ok? I would like 80mph but that's like in a perfect money no object thing I guess. I'm not sure how slow like 45-60 or 70mph is.
What about power? Battery and generator? Last maybe 2 hrs or so.
Real baseballs and fake.
Ball feeder.

So far I seen baseline put bing machine. $650. 70 mph. No feeder or battery. But I would think you can get them.

Heater something that has a feeder but no battery or generator. That's extra. About $500-$650 for this one. The heater one has a 30 day money back if I'm not satisfied.

I'm not sure about Jugs. I haven't seen one for real baseballs.

Any ideas for my budget?
Hi. Here's an update.
Zooka. Has built in battery, 65-70mph etc. www.zooka.com. They're about 45 minutes away from me! Wooooooo whooooooo!! I like everything about it. From the videos I've seen and their website info.

I'm curious for everyones input on this. Even if you never used it I'm curious.

And what else would be good for $1050 max with feeder and battery or generator. I know those be external probably.

Thanks.

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