Best Pitching Machines in 2022

The first pitching machine on our list is the Louisville Slugger UPM Pitching machine, also known as the ultimate pitching machine. With this pitching machine, you can throw all kinds of balls, be it fast pinch softballs, hard balls, dimple balls and even volleyballs from 18 to 45 mph with speed controls that are easy to adjust. For balls that have a light flight such as plastic balls, the UPM throws them up to 60mph, with softballs being pitched with up to a 12 inches arch. This makes the UPM a great machine to set up for a variety of drills.

The Louisville Slugger is the official ball pitching machine used by Pony Softball and Baseball, as well as the Babe Ruth League, and has been authorized by other teams participating in the American Youth League. Since it helps players develop a sharp muscle memory without their coach losing his arm, the UPM is used by coaches around the world to teach players the proper swing mechanics and also help them improve their accuracy at throwing fly balls, strikes and grounders. This is a purely mechanical machine which doesn’t require the use of electricity or batteries. This also makes it a lightweight and easily portable device, which can be moved all over the field or from one track to another. 

Pitching doesn’t always have to be serious work. It can be made fun and exciting. One way to make your pitching drills more enjoyable is by using the Franklin Sports MLB Baseball Pitching Machine. This is the best pitching machine for young and budding players and hitters, as it uses fun to develop their eye-hand coordination. With six plastic baseballs included in each set and its adjustable height, the Franklin Sports MLB pitches balls at ten-second intervals without the use of batteries.

This portable pitching machine is a suitable gift to give anyone! From toddlers to teenagers, and even to adults! It is the perfect machine for father-son activities or a severe youth league training drill where the coach is saved from the risk of injury. This machine is recommended by various coaches and parents, as it offers them immense value for their money. It doesn’t require to break the bank, and yet, its quality, functionality and durability surpass most of its competitors. Sometimes, a ball may veer off about a foot or more to the left or right, and this is great when training kids because, in real life, not all pitches are made correctly. This teaches them to be confident in their hitting and also helps them develop as both kids and athletes.  The speed of every pitch is perfect for young children who are just beginning to learn the skill of hitting and can also be used to train players on how best to catch, as the balls aren’t pitched so hard that they may hurt anyone eyes.

Another inexpensive option for Franklin Sports, the MLB Super Star pitching machine is an excellent choice for anyone looking to practice their hitting, fielding and pitching responses. It’s versatile and can be not only height adjusted but also angled to simulate the delivery of different style pitches including soft and fastballs, ground balls and pop flies. With a stable tripod style base, it won’t topple over and should remain stable throughout those practice sessions.

The unit features a telescopic feeder that can hold up to 9 balls simultaneously. 6 white Aero-Strike balls are provided when you purchase this Franklin Sports kit but please note that the bat and glove are sold separately. It’s highly recommended for younger players and is suitable for ages 5 up to 15 so has plenty of room for progression and can be a fun way for all the family to hang out in the backyard or at the park. Kids will very quickly learn hand-eye coordination skills as well as improve their confidence and build upon their batting skills. With this Franklin super batter and fielder kit, they’ll be ready for anything when game day comes.

Another lightweight yet profoundly efficient pitching machine for up-and-coming hitters is the JUGS Lite-Flite machine. Recommended for children aged eight to adult players, the JUGS pitching machines can simulate speeds of up to 85 mph and is compatible with the JUGS Bulldog polyballs, Lite-Flite baseballs and the 11 inches to 12-inch Lite-Flite softballs, which are sold separately. It is worth noting that any other ball used may cause extensive damage to the machine. The JUGS machine can also throw sliders, fastballs and all kinds of curveballs. This softball pitching machine comes with a swivel-based design that provides fly balls, pop-ups and ground balls with a 360-degree versatility.

If you’re looking to hone your swing, the JUGS machine is the ideal option for you as it buries your fear of being hit while it teaches you how to hit sharp-breaking pitches. You can also practice your defense skills on the field or in the comfort of your backyard. This machine has other exciting features such as its ability to be used both indoors and outdoors, its quick-change design that helps you adjust the device from softball to baseball in a couple of seconds, a portable design and its “always see the ball” system.

The Black Flame from Louisville Slugger is the ultimate versatile and portable pitching machine, capable of throwing a wide assortment of balls with speeds up to 50mph. With no batteries or electrical power source required to operate, it’s easy to transport from one practice location to another, making it the perfect choice for coaches of youth baseball or softball teams. It’s compatible with plastic, dimple, hard, and softballs. Whether you have a budding tennis, cricket, soccer, softball, or baseball player at home, this Black Flame can help put them through their paces to hone and perfect their accuracy and delivery.

Portable, lightweight, and accurate, you can use the Black Flame both indoors and out. It’s easy to assemble, simple and effective to use and is a popular choice with many major and minor youth leagues throughout North America. With interchangeable components, you can effortlessly switch from high flying balls to long balls then back to throwing strikes, quickly building your players confidence and batting skills.

The BSN Bulldog pitching machine makes pitching look so fresh and comfortable. Get your batters and all other players ready for their next big game by training them with this durable machine which has its settings converted from softball to baseball, and also features durable wheels designed to eliminate air pressure issues. This machine throws balls between 30 to 60 mph and aids in holding lengthy batting practices without the need to wear pitchers. Its pitch speed has been set by manufacturers to simulate a variety of pitches to help develop the confidence of players before when they get to step into the batter’s box.

With its overall lightweight, the BSN Bulldog machine is extremely portable and comes with different speed settings, making it suitable for both hitting professionals and those who are just learning the basics. This automatic pitching machine is compatible with 5Ah batteries, which can run it for over two hours. Move your pitching machine around with ease and enjoy the many benefits it brings to your next practice session on the field. From excellent hitting skills to improved hand-eye coordination and relaxation of use and portability, the BSN Bulldog pitching machine is one excellently designed pitching equipment recommended for all baseball and softball league players, coaches and parents. If you like practicing baseball, be sure to also check out our guide to the best baseball gloves for more great products like this.

The last pitching machine in our selection is the SKLZ Catapult Soft Toss Machine. Aside from its balls being compatible with the JUGS Small Ball pitching machine, the SKLZ machine is built to develop ones hitting accuracy and visual acuity. The catapult enables players to work on both their defensive and offensive sides before they play their next game. This unit can be adjusted for distance and height, and it offers a consistent serving of a ball every eight seconds. It is used with batteries and an adapter and holds up to 8 shots at a time. Practice footwork, soft toss and glove-hand ball transfer with the use of regulation balls.

SKLZ was founded with the aim of creating products that guide athletes on their journey to unearthing their full potential. The need to elevate athletes above their current best is what led SKLZ to develop many innovative products backed by knowledge and technology for athletes of all disciplines, ages and skill levels. They have manufactured products for basketball, soccer, baseball, and even football and continue to do so daily to provide both coaches and their players’ tools needed to improve their sport-specific skills or enhance their core strength, speed, or agility. It’s also perfect for any tennis court, so be sure to combine it with some of the tennis shoes from our list.