| Pitching Machine Baseball Offer Greatest Durability |
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| Health and Fitness - Health Issues |
| Written by Chuck Stewart |
| Tuesday, 16 September 2008 20:07 |
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For years, people have discussed what type of ball they should use when taking batting practice with a pitching machine. Dimple balls, often referred to as a coated baseball or a pitching machine ball, have received criticism for not providing the hitter with a similar feel to that of a real baseball. I tend to like the pitching machine baseballs because of their durability, affordability and their long lasting nature. They also do not scuff as quickly as real baseballs and resist absorbing wetness so they are thrown more consistently from the pitching machine, making them an excellent choice. The following paragraphs provide more detail about each of these points.
For years, people have discussed what type of ball they should use when taking batting practice with a pitching machine. Dimple balls, often referred to as a coated baseball or a pitching machine ball, have received criticism for not providing the hitter with a similar feel to that of a real baseball. I tend to like the pitching machine baseballs because of their durability, affordability and their long lasting nature. They also do not scuff as quickly as real baseballs and resist absorbing wetness so they are thrown more consistently from the pitching machine, making them an excellent choice. The following paragraphs provide more detail about each of these points. Bright Color - The color of the ball being thrown from a pitching machine is very important to the hitter. A yellow ball, used only in practice, is much easier to see than a white ball, allowing for greater confidence to develop in the hitter's swing. Also, the bright yellow color has been proven to be the best in providing the greatest visibility in the widest assortment of lighting environments. Durability and Consistency - It is important to keep in mind the durability of a baseball. A standard baseball is made for game use. With consistent use it will pick up moisture, scuffs and wear out very quickly. The design of a pitching machine baseball, with a plastic outer coating, will last much longer. You should expect the pitching machine baseball to last at least 2 to 3 years. That is a lot hits, long drives, and home runs. The design of the pitching machine ball adds to its durability. Because of their plastic outer coating, pitching machine balls are designed to not attract moisture. A standard leather baseball can pick up moisture from many sources. It can come from either a wet or damp field, overnight rain or even the morning dew. Over time, the regular baseball begins to add weight from the moisture and can become very heavy. If a wet or heavy ball is used in a pitching machine the pitches can become unpredictable. When that happens the act of taking batting practice can actually become dangerous. A lot of wild pitches are sure to follow. Take comfort in knowing that you will get a consistent pitch every time with the use if regular pitching machine baseballs. Quality - The ability to keep the pitching machine balls clean is one of the best apsects of the baseballs. Getting wet is never a concern, go ahead and soak them. The baseball intended for pitching machines can be soaped up and wiped dry after each use. My teams have traditionally dried them after each use if used on a wet field. Much like a golfer would wipe their clubs after a round, this easy task keeps the balls looking fresh for years and allows them to reach their full life expectancy. Terrific Value - The long term cost of using pitching machine baseballs is lower than using real baseballs despite the fact that the balls are a little more expensive to purchase. Baseball equipment prices have risen recently and baseballs have not been excluded from the increase. Sixty dollars is the approximate cost for a good box of baseballs. Most teams will need to purchase two boxes each year for batting practice purposes. The pitching machine baseball we have been discussing are a little more expensive, costing about $72 per box. These balls will last for a 2-3 year period and end up costing less than half of the real baseballs. The easy choice to make between real baseballs and pitching machine baseballs when using a pitching machine is strongly on the side of pitching machine baseballs. Get some pitching machine baseballs and swing until your arms hurt, you will only get bettter with each swing! About the Author: Coach Chuck Stewart operates a web site offering pitching machines and batting cages . A pitching machine for every level of play, from little league to major league, can be found at his online store. He has coached baseball for the last 8 years and enjoys spreading his love for the game of baseball to his players. |