Posted by: John (Eichler4@comcast.net) on Fri Jun 8 15:20:07 2007

> I was wanting to get a pitching machine for my 8 yr old softball player and my 6 year old coach pitch baseball plaer. I ususally thro to them in the evenings but they want to practice during the day.
>
> Has anyone used the Grand Slam machine that pitches the small wiffle balls, that uses like the shop vac? Also the Personal pitcher version is out there on the market.
>
> If anyone can enlighten me on these machines it would be great. I have tried to find a website for pitching machine reviews but have come up empty.
>
> Thanks

2 devices/machines I highly recommend for young hitters are #1, the Louisville Slugger Ultimate Pitching Machine. It's the blue, springloaded machine. It throws strikes, throws them fast enough to where they can both use it for 3 years based on their age, and it's simple, no electricity, battery, etc...

The other one is the zip-n-hit. Thats about $25, it's the one with the 2 cords running through the ball, you have 2 handles that you spread to make the ball race down the cords with the speed of a fastball. Whats great about this is there is zero risk of being hit by the ball for the pitcher, so you can pay 100% attention to your kids swing mechanics throughout the process. Whats bad about it is it's like a shoulder workout to use the machine after awhile, but well worth the $25.

Both of these require an adult to use. Regarding the pop-up type devices, I think they help with eye-hand coordination but don't help reinforce correct techniques.