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Balls for Pitching Machines
The ball you choose for your pitching machine can greatly impact both the longevity of your machine and the quality of batting practice.
If you already have a pitching machine, you should only buy and use pitching machine baseballs that your machine is designed to pitch.
To make the differences clear, we made this pitching machine ball guide with the pros and cons of different pitching machine baseballs and softballs so that you can make an informed purchase.
Get More Performance Out of Your Pitching Machine
No matter which pitching machine you are using, the truth is that you will invariably get better performance with pitching machine-rated balls. Whether you're using dimpled balls or leather baseballs, you'll get more consistency and faster speeds out of the machine.
Sometimes, customers will complain that a pitching machine is not as accurate or fast as it was advertised, and when we investigate the issue, it is usually because they need to use the right type of ball. In this case, we recommend they use either dimpled balls or pitching machine baseballs.
Get More Longevity out of Your Pitching Machine
Using the wrong type of ball can damage your pitching machine and cut its lifespan short. Generally speaking, this is true with the more inexpensive, one-wheel machines. These machines are especially sensitive to the type of pitching machine ball used.
If you try to use regular baseballs on even the highest quality machines, you may just notice that the pitching machine wheels will get marked up and damaged and that the baseball itself will get damaged eventually. The same is true with softballs and softball pitching machines.
Benefits of Pitching Machine Baseballs and Softballs
- Get more accuracy and strike consistency
- Attain faster pitch speeds
- Reduces wear and tear on the machine
- Increases longevity and lifespan of machine
- Increase the overall efficiency of your next batting practice!
Now that we know why using the correct pitching machine baseballs is so important, let's look at the different types of balls to choose from.
Dimpled Balls For Pitching Machines
Dimpled pitching machine balls get their name from the many dimples in the ball. These balls have dimples all around them in a uniform pattern, making them more accurate and consistent than any other kind of ball. Dimpled balls for pitching machines are specifically designed for a variety of machines and look more like an enlarged golf ball than a regulation baseball.
Due to its unique design, it is a top-of-the-line pitching machine ball that will increase the longevity of your machine and the quality of your batting practice.
Pros of Dimpled Baseballs for Pitching Machines:
- Uniform design around the whole ball designed for pitching machines
- It does not damage the pitching machine wheels
- Deliver a consistent pitch location and velocity
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Works great with baseball pitching machines and softball pitching machines
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Balls last longer
- Will not dent aluminum bats
Cons of Dimpled Balls:
- Not as realistic feeling as regulation balls
- Do not have the same dink sound and feel when hit by a bat
- Harder to throw breaking balls and breaking pitches
Recommended Dimpled Pitching Machine Balls
Heater Sports Dimpled Pitching Machine Baseballs
- It works great with any baseball pitching machine
- Great quality made to last
- The yellow color makes it easy for the batter to see
- One-year manufacturer's warranty
- FREE shipping
Heater Sports 12" Dimpled Softball Pitching Machine Balls
- Made with durable polyurethane
- Works with any softball pitching machine
- One-year manufacturer's warranty
- Dimpled design pitches consistent strikes
- 11" softball option available
Pitching Machine Baseballs (Low Profile Seams)
Leather pitching machine baseballs look very similar to regulation baseball, but their low-profile seam is designed to reduce wear and tear on your baseball pitching machine. Some players and coaches favor these balls as they provide a feel more familiar to a real game.
Pros of pitching machine Baseballs:
- Looks and feels the same as a regulation baseball
- Low seam design reduces damage on the wheel of the pitching machine
- Overall more realistic feel
- Can throw breaking balls better than dimpled balls
Cons of pitching machine baseballs:
- Less consistent pitch location and variable velocity
- May not work with some pitching machines
- High price point
Recommended Pitching Machine Balls
Sports Attack Kevlar Pitching Machine Balls
- 9" leather baseballs
- Low profile seam design increases life of ball and pitching machine
- Kevlar stitching with cork center
- Works great with any baseball pitching machine
- Feels the same as a regulation baseball
Heater Sports Leather Balls for Baseball Pitching Machines
- Works great with any baseball pitching machine
- Durable kevlar seams
- One-year manufacturer's warranty
- Simulates real game scenario and feel
- Throw realistic breaking balls
Tips for Pitching Machine Baseballs and Softballs
- Don't mix one brand of pitching machine balls with another brand. Keep the balls the same for consistency.
- Don't mix old and used pitching machine balls with new ones. This will cause inconsistencies with pitch speed and location.
- Don't mix dimpled balls with leather or kevlar baseballs, this will also cause inconsistencies.
- When using baseballs, feed the ball into the machine with the seams in the same general location if possible.
- If balls are damp, be sure to dry them off before putting them into the machine.
Final Words
This summarizes the main types of pitching machine balls on the market. As you can see, just throwing any ball in a machine is not advisable as different machines are equipped to handle certain types of balls.
Overall, an important rule of thumb is to be consistent with your pitching machine ball choice. Do not combine many different types of ball into a machine as this can increase wear and tear. This will add to the longevity of your machine and give you better results during your batting practice.
