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How to Clean a Pitching Machine
Pitching machines are a crucial part of every baseball or softball practice. By providing an easy method of getting in some batting practice without wearing out your pitchers, a pitching machine is a necessity.
However, for that batting practice to go smoothly, your pitching machine needs to be in its best possible condition, which requires you to clean it and store it properly.
Over time, using balls made of synthetic materials can cause build-up to form on the wheel of a pitching machine. This build-up can lead to baseballs and softballs not getting pitched properly, making batting practice more challenging than it needs to be and, in some cases, downright dangerous.
Clean Your Pitching Machine in 4 Easy Steps
Thankfully, pitching machines can be cleaned. To do so, you’ll need four simple tools.
- The first is a putty knife.
- The second is either a heat gun or a hair dryer.
- The third is a can of methylethyl ketone.
- The fourth is a rag.
Start by unplugging your pitching machine, then removing the pitching wheel. Heat the surface of the pitching wheel with the heat gun or hair dryer until the build-up is soft and rubbery. Then, use the putty knife to pry off the residue gently.
Once the residue is gone, spray some methyl ethyl ketone on a rag, and then wipe down the pitching wheel in order to remove any additional residue that can’t be seen or is stubbornly clinging to the surface. Then, put the pitching wheel back on your machine.
Can a Pitching Machine Get Wet?
No, if the pitching machine electronics get wet, it will ruin the pitching machine. Make sure to cover your pitching machine after you use it and keep it indoors to prevent it from getting wet.
How to Properly Store Your Pitching Machine
Storage is key to keeping your pitching machine in tip-top shape. Your machine must be stored in a cool, dry place, like a storage shed. Never leave it out in the open once practice is over. To make it easier to move around the field, you can install wheels on the bottom of the machine. However, make sure that those wheels come with locks to prevent the machine from moving around while in use.
If your machine is maintained and stored properly, it’ll be your best friend on the mound for years to come! To learn more about pitching machines, check out our list of top 10 pitching machines here!
Cleaning the Wheels on the Hack Attack and Junior Hack Attack
Conclusion
Properly cleaning and storing your pitching machine will invariably extend the lifespan of the machine. It will also increase the performance of the machine, helping you and your team out even more during practice. For more help, check out our article on troubleshooting pitching machine problems.
