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This article showcases the best pitching machines for batting cages across a number of categories.
Read on to learn more about each of our top picks and what makes them stand out above the crowd…
Best Pitching Machines for Batting Cages
Whether you play baseball, fastpitch or slowpitch softball, batting cages provide a convenient and effective way to sharpen your skills.
If you want to get the most out of your work in the cage, then you've got to have the right equipment. And the most important piece of equipment besides the cage itself is the pitching machine.
With so many options out there, finding the perfect machine for your specific situation can be a challenge.
Good news: we've done the research for you.
In this article, we identify and review the best pitching machines for batting cages across a variety of categories.
Whether you're interested in a pitching machine to use in your yard or one for indoors, you'll find what you need in this article to make an informed decision that will take your game to the next level.
Keep scrolling for more…
Our Reviews and Top Picks!
Top Pitching Machine For A Kid's Backyard Batting Cage: Jugs PS50
The Jugs PS50 is our pick for the top pitching machine for backyard batting cages.
Why? Because it’s simply the best all-around pitching machine for young baseball and softball players today.
This Jugs machine is versatile in that it can throw both baseballs or softballs (11” and 12”) at speeds up to 50 mph.
The exact readout of pitch speed is displayed on a small, digital screen. Meaning, you (e.g., the operator) can tweak the speed up or down to a very precise number by simply adjusting a knob under the screen.
Speaking of adjustments, you can adjust the legs of the pitching machine to raise it higher or lower, or to change it to do some defensive practice after taking BP.
The PS50 is a well-constructed, durable machine that is far superior to other kids-focused pitching machines. It’s sturdy - weighing in at 50 pounds - and is built with steel and contains one long-lasting Jugs tire.
One of the best things about this pitching machine is that it’s incredibly accurate.
When you use it in the batting cage with your kids they’ll be able to relax and focus on hitting rather than worrying about getting hit by the ball.
It requires electrical power to work, so you can run an extension cord to it using standard power or run it off a generator.
In short, if you’re building a backyard batting cage for your child, it doesn’t get much better than the PS50.
For more specific details on this machine, see the operating manual.
PS50 Control Panel
Best Overall Pitching Machine For A Backyard Batting Cage: Junior Hack Attack
The Junior Hack Attack is our pick for the best pitching machine for a backyard batting cage.
This machine is a beast - it can do a lot.
For starters, it's a 3 wheel pitching machine, which is arguably the best type of pitching machine that money can buy.
The speed of the 3 independent wheels can be controlled by knobs on the control panel, which allows the operator to throw lots of different pitch types.
For example, this machine can throw fastballs, curveballs, sliders, knuckleballs and more. And it can do it as a left handed or right handed thrower, depending on your preference.
The Junior Hack Attack throws accurately up to 70 mph from a distance of 60 feet.
Move it closer and it can easily replicate 80's and 90's.
It's supported by three legs that can be quickly popped out then transported by pushing it along on its two separate transport wheels.
Weighing in at 75 pounds, it's lighter weight than some other 3 wheel machines, such as its "big" brother, the Hack Attack.
The result? A typical adult can move it around and load it in a car by themselves.
The machine does require power, so make sure you have it connected to a good extension cord or generator to keep it running.
There's much more we can say about this awesome machine, but we'll let you check out the product to learn more. Click the link below to see for yourself.
Suffice it to say, this is a premium - dare I say elite - pitching machine that anyone would be thrilled to have in their backyard batting cage.
Other Images of the Jr. Hack Attack
Top Pitching Machine With A Batting Cage Included: Heater Deuce Wheel With Extender Cage
If you’re looking for a combination pitching machine with batting cage, then our top pick for you is the Heater Deuce Wheel with 36’ Xtender Cage.
It’s sold as a combo unit - meaning you get the pitching machine and the cage in one purchase.
Let’s talk about the machine first.
The Heater Deuce Wheel is a 2 wheel pitching machine designed for baseball that can throw fastballs, sliders and curveballs.
Its speed tops out at 75 mph with regular baseballs and up to 85 mph with Heater’s “Lite-Balls”.
Of note, you can tilt the delivery area of the machine so that the batter sees the ball coming out at different angles, simulating different pitcher release points.
The two pneumatic wheels are powered by independent engines and are fully enclosed for safety. This means no worries about fingers, hair, or necklaces getting caught in the spinning wheels.
Lastly, the Heater Deuce Wheel comes with an automatic ball feeder that can hold up to 12 baseballs which get automatically pitched every 10 seconds.
Now, on to the batting cage.
This package comes with a nylon-net batting cage that measures 36’ X 12’ x 10’. It has a specially built opening at the end of the cage designed for the pitching machine.
In practice, the machine stands outside of the net but the delivery opening is inside of it.
You hang this net by using provided ground stakes, arched fiberglass rods and foam-based pads.
To be quite honest, there are better batting cages and nets out there that you can buy for the backyard, such as this one.
However, if you’re the type of person that wants to take the path of simplicity and get a combo deal, then we recommend the Heater Deuce Wheel with Xtender Cage.
It’s a solid option that comes with a great pitching machine as well as a good batting cage, containing everything you need to get your backyard batting cage going in just one package.
The Xtender Cage
Best Pitching Machine For A Batting Cage in an Indoor Training Facility: Jugs BP3
The Jugs BP3 is another phenomenal 3 wheel machine, and it's our pick for the best pitching machine to use at an indoor training facility.
Jugs is known for producing some of the most well known and highest quality pitching machines in the game today, and this one continues that tradition.
Much like the Junior Hack Attack, the BP3 throws a huge variety of pitches from the perspective of both sides of the mound.
In particular the BP3 works in a nasty change up which is a great option to balance against the high speed pitches and the breaking balls.
Pitch settings are pre-configured and can be chosen quickly by turning a dial. Nearby, an LCD screen displays pitch speed.
The BP3 throws absolute smoke at speeds of up to 90 mph from normal distance. It does this accurately as well, consistently delivering the ball in the zone.
All in all, it's a big, sturdy machine that will hold up for a really long time.
At nearly twice the weight of the Junior Hack Attack, the BP3 requires two people to handle it. Due to this, it's a great option for an indoor training facility so that it doesn't have to be constantly loaded in and out of a vehicle.
Picture of the BP3 Control Panel
Top Pitching Machine For A Commercial Batting Cage: Iron Mike MP-4
If you’re the owner or operator of a commercial batting cage, then our recommendation for you is the Iron Mike MP-4 pitching machine.
This is a well-constructed machine made in the USA, and it holds up well under repeated use.
One of its key selling points is that it throws the ball using a mechanical arm. This simulates a real pitcher and obviously helps a batter’s timing, as they can see the ball being pitched from the arm.
It’s the type of machine I wish I had at my local batting cage when I was a kid - my timing would have been much better seeing a mechanical arm!
The MP-4 throws the ball between 25 and 80 mph. It’s a great range of speed that makes it versatile to use among a variety of ages and skills visiting your facility.
The big blue frame is made of steel and it’s reinforced so it won’t dent if a batter sends the ball back up the middle.
It’s a hopper fed pitching machine that has incredible capacity in that it can hold up to 600 baseballs or up to 400 softballs at one time.
To help run the machine, it comes with an 80’ power cord which stretches to the nearest power source.
Since this machine was primarily designed for commercial use, it’s super heavy and not mobile like the Junior Hack Attack, the Jugs BP3 or others in this article.
Instead, the MP-4 is designed to stay mostly in place. It weighs 625 pounds and its dimensions are 44”Wx57”Hx59”L.
Yet for those running a commercial batting cage, it doesn’t get much better than the Iron Mike MP-4.
The Iron Mike Mechanical Arm at Work
That's A Wrap!
We hope you found our article on pitching machines for batting cages to be useful.
If you have any questions for us, please feel free to get in touch by heading over to our contact page.
Thank you for stopping by Catchers Home!
Scott Perry
Scott Perry is the owner and lead author at Catchers Home. He's a former baseball player, a current coach, a husband and a Dad. He remains as passionate about baseball today as he was as a kid.