How to Effectively Use Pitching Machines for Batting Practice

I owned a baseball academy for many years that used pitching machines where hitters could work on hitting without fear of being hit by the ball. Pitching machines consistently threw strikes, and hitters often built confidence using them. Confidence is always good, but I’m embarrassed to say that the consistency of the machines may have been detrimental in helping hitters. “What was that for?” you ask. The pitchers are not consistent for the most part, with each pitch being thrown with a different speed and location. The problem is that the pitching machines are usually very consistent, which is not like a game. Hitting the same speed pitches from almost the same location each time can negatively affect a hitter when he plays in games. Rarely are two pitches exactly the same in a real game.

I have seen many hitters’ swings and/or timing get “wronged” by the hitting machines. Hitting a ball continuously with the same velocity and pitch location for 10 minutes or more can cause a batter’s swing to be out of rhythm and create time for just that speed pitch. As mentioned, when hitters later go to games and are faced with pitchers who don’t throw anywhere near the same pitch they hit in the batting cages, this can turn their use of the batting cage into negative practice. Does this mean that I don’t recommend players practice by going to the local batting cages? Of course not, but with the potential detrimental issues mentioned above, there are certain things players should do when practicing hitting with pitching machines. Following these guidelines will help hitters use their time in the batting cages more effectively.

1. If there is a faster or slower setting on the controls then they should be used often. Likewise, if a trainer can change speeds relatively easily, they should do so frequently.

2. Batsmen should always start with a no-step approach to avoid jumping at the ball. This will help players get used to speed without rushing, because it’s hard to get a rhythm without the action of a real pitcher’s arms.

3. Likewise, as long as hitters know the correct bunting technique, they should start with a few bunts to get a feel for the consistency and speed of the machine.

4. Hitters must move around the batter’s box frequently (even for every pitch).

A. To work on low pitches, they may have to go further into the batter’s box or move closer to the machine to catch higher pitches.

b. Likewise, hitters should move closer to home plate to work on inside pitches and move away from home plate to get balls to the outside of the plate. As with any batting practice, it is recommended that batsmen always try to hit the ball in the direction the ball is thrown.

5. It is further recommended that the batter’s facing speed be changed each time he goes to the cages; remembering to work on slow pitches when they have trouble waiting for the ball in games and to tackle faster speeds when they continually come late in games.

6. It is always recommended to finish off with slow speeds because it is generally easier to “speed up hitters” in a game than to wait for balls when the batter’s timing is too early in the pitched ball.

Of course, this is all based on facing pitching machines that are consistent. Inconsistent machines can be more game-like and useful, but caution should be taken from getting hit by the ball with inconsistent machines. Finally, hitters should be careful about using their game bats in cages too often, as wear and tear can damage aluminum bats.