Can you use real leather balls?

BATA machines are designed to use regulation real leather balls and BATA Dimpled Baseballs and Softballs.

When auto-feeding softballs, we highly recommend using only BATA dimpled softballs. The seams on real softballs are made very high these days, and they have a tendency to hang up in the feed chutes.

When hand-feeding, you may use real balls or dimpled balls. Leather baseballs feed well in the feeders and machines, as do the BATA Dimpled Balls. We recommend that you do not auto-feed leather softballs.

Can any type of ball be used in BATA machines and feeders?

No. These machines are guaranteed to work only with the BATA Dimpled Baseballs and Softballs, and with regulation baseballs and softballs.

These feeders are guaranteed to work with BATA Dimpled Baseballs and Softballs, and with regulation leather baseballs. The Big-80 Auto-Feeder is guaranteed to work only with BATA Dimpled Baseballs or regulation leather baseballs.

BATA machines will also pitch some of the "safety" or "RIF" balls.

More info about balls

The balls that you use in your BATA machine are critical to its performance. The relationship between the gripping of the wheels onto the outer surface of the ball is what makes it pitch. Any inconsistency in the surface or the weight of the ball, any moisture or debris, any slickness, will cause the ball to pitch inconsistently.

Vinyl-type covered balls are not recommended in the machines. They are covered with a thick plastic-like "paint", and tend to leave a slick residue on the surface of the pitching wheels, which will effect their ability to grip the ball.

BATA machines are designed to use regulation real leather baseballs and softballs, and BATA Dimpled Baseballs and Softballs. BATA machines and feeders are not guaranteed to work with other brands of dimpled balls.

BATA Dimpled Baseballs and Softballs are designed specifically for use in our pitching machines. BATA Dimpled Balls will pitch more consistently than leather balls because there is one consistent surface on the ball. Where as leather balls have seams (and the area between the seams), depending on whether the wheels grip the ball by the seams or not will determine how it will pitch. Also note that leather balls, because of the abrasive nature of the seams, will wear out the wheels faster.

To ensure proper performance in your BATA pitching machine and/or auto-feeder, we strongly recommend that you do not use other brands of dimpled balls.

Our BATA Dimpled Baseballs are made 16% lighter (4.2 ounces) than a regulation leather baseball (normally 5 ounces). This makes the ball pitch faster, curve more, and have less impact on the bat.

If the maximum speed is 70 miles per hour, at what distance is it 70 mph?

Any distance.

The distance has nothing to do with the speed. When we say that a machine has a maximum speed of 70 mph, that is the speed at which the ball comes out of the machine.

When people talk about the speed at different distances, it is important to understand that the machine does not actually pitch a different speed if you are standing closer to it or farther away. What they are referring to is the comparison of the time that it takes the ball to travel different distances at certain speeds.

For example, if you set the machine to pitch 70 mph, and you set it 30 feet from home plate, the pitch will get to home plate in half the time (or "twice as fast as") it would take the same pitch to go 60 feet. Therefore, one could say that it seems like 140 mph at 30 feet, but in reality, the ball still travels at 70 mph.

When calculating the comparative speed between 60 feet (High School and above) and 46 feet (Little League distance), you are really comparing the amount of time that it takes for the ball to go 46 feet rather than 60 feet.

To compare the "ball travel time" of any two distances, divide the longer distance by the shorter distance and multiply the result by the mph. For example, 60' divided by 46' equals 1.30. Multiply 1.30 times 70 mph, and you have 91.

That's why we say that 70 mph from 46 feet equals 91 mph from 60 feet. But remember, the pitch is not actually traveling 91 mph. It just seems like 91 because it is being pitched to you from a shorter distance, so the ball is getting to home plate sooner.

Why is the Starter Pitching Machine so inexpensive? Is it made "cheaper"?

The Starter is less expensive because it has less capacity than the other machines. It is made with the same high-quality solid-state components in the control box, and the same heavy-duty solid steel construction.

The main differences between the Starter and the other machines is the size. Since it only has to pitch up to 50 mph, it doesn't require as much girth. The wheel and motor are physically smaller, but the motor is the same ¼ horsepower as the motors on the other machines.

The Starter was designed specifically for young players and leagues where pitching machines are used in the actual games. Pitches are generally thrown in the mid-30-mph range in these games.

How does a machine make the ball "curve"?

What makes a ball "curve" is the spin.

If you throw an overhand fastball, the ball has backspin. If it were not for gravity, this ball would curve upward. Because gravity counteracts the effect of the spin and prevents it from curving upward, the ball appears to travel in a straight line.

If you throw an overhand curve, the ball actually spins in the opposite direction. The spin goes forward, which causes the ball to curve downward. Since the ball is curving toward the ground, gravity does not prevent it from curving. It actually helps it.

BATA machines make the ball curve by putting different spins on the ball. On a BATA-2 this is done by setting one wheel to rotate faster than the other.

How does a single-wheel machine like the B1-Curveball throw a curve?

It is done in much the same way as it is done on the BATA-2, except that instead of one wheel going faster and one wheel going slower, you have one wheel rotating, and a compression pad that does not move, which would be the equivalent of a second wheel which was not rotating at all (which would represent the slower wheel).

All of the spin is produced by the one rotating wheel, which basically rolls the ball off of the compression pad. If you have the wheel below the compression pad, the spin goes backward, and the machine throws a fastball.

If you rotate the head of the machine so that the wheel is above the compression pad, the spin will go forward, and the machine throws a curve. The machine may also be tilted so that the spin is more sideways, making the ball curve more to the side, rather than just straight down.

Which BATA machine throws the best curveball?

The B1-Curveball and the Sidewinder throw the hardest breaking curve. Because there is only one wheel, the wheels on these machines spin much faster than the wheels on the BATA-2. This, combined with the fact that the compression pad is equal to a wheel spinning at zero speed, the B1 and the Sidewinder put more spin on the ball than the BATA-2.

The advantage the BATA-2 has over the other two machines is that with the BATA-2, you can throw breaking balls with varying degrees of break. In other words, you can throw a curve or slider that breaks a little, or a lot.

Which machine is best for grounders and flies?

The BATA-2 is the best machine for fielding practice.

The 2-wheel design allows you to put any amount of spin on the ball that you want. So, if you want to throw flies, you can set it to have a slight amount of backspin to simulate a realistic flyball. If you want to throw grounders, you may want to set it to have a slight amount of forward spin.

Which machine is best for softball?

The BATA-2 is the best machine for softball.

Again, the 2-wheel design allows you to regulate the amount of spin on the ball, so you can throw pitches that "rise", sink a little, sink a lot, tail, etc.

What maintenance is required on the pitching machines?

The only maintenance, really, on BATA machines is to make sure that nothing has loosened up. Check the nuts and bolts on a regular basis. Other than that, as long as you keep the machine dry and relatively clean, it should last you a long time.

Can the machines be left outside?

Yes, as long as they are not allowed to get wet.

These machines are electric and have solid-state components in the control box. Water can damage the components. If you do leave the machine outside, it must be covered well enough to keep it dry.

Do I need to put some kind of screen in front of the machine to protect it?

Yes, a screen is recommended.

BATA machines have heavy-duty steel plate in the front, but any line-drive hit can cause damage, especially to the Auto-Feeders. Protective screens are required when using an Auto-Feeder. The warranty does not cover damage from batted balls.

How long do the wheels last?

This depends on how much you use the machine, at what speeds, and what type of balls you use.

Leather balls will wear out the wheels faster than dimpled balls. Higher speeds will wear out the wheels faster than lower speeds. Generally speaking, you can expect to throw somewhere around 150,000 pitches before you need to replace the wheels.

What parts wear out on the machines?

There are five things that will likely wear out over time. The wheels, the motors, the speed control circuit boards and switches, and the adjustment lock handles. However, our motors have been known to last over ten years with normal use.

How much do replacement wheels cost?

Replacement wheels cost $200 each for all machines except the Starter. Starter wheels cost $85.

How much do replacement motors cost?

Replacement motors cost $220 each on all machines except the Starter. Starter motors cost $125.

Can BATA machines throw a "rise ball"?

Yes, and No.

Yes, BATA machines CAN throw the pitch that people perceive to be a "rise ball". No, there is actually no such thing as a "rise ball". At least, not with a real baseball or softball.

It would be nearly impossible to convince a softball player that the ball does not actually rise, but the fact is, it doesn't. What people perceive to be a "rise ball" is a ball that starts at the knee and ends up at the shoulder, but actually arcs downward (a lot more than you might think).

In order for a pitch to really be a "rise ball", it would have to curve upward from it's original plane. It doesn't. In fact, our machines are able to put many times the amount of backspin on the ball than a human can.

When we throw a 6½ ounce softball 43 feet, it actually sinks about 2 feet. It may start out 2 feet high and end up 5 feet high, but the trajectory of the ball must be aimed at a point about 2 feet higher than the height where it ends up.

If you saw this pitch, you would swear that it was a "rise ball", when in fact it actually sunk about 2 feet.

When we set up the BATA-2 to pitch an 85 mph fastball with a realistic amount of backspin for a fastball, the ball sinks about 30" over 60'.

So, how much does a curveball break (from 60 feet)? A good curveball actually breaks about 6 feet. That is to say, if you want the curveball to end up at 1 foot high when it crosses home plate, you would have to aim it about 7 feet high.

These are not theories, they are measurements. They are data recorded from real tests using real balls at realistic distances at realistic speeds.

How many balls do the pitching machines hold?

The pitching machines do not hold any balls.

The machine itself would have to be fed manually, one ball at a time, unless you use an Auto-Feeder. The pitching machines and Auto-Feeders are priced separately.

Which machines can be used with Auto-Feeders?

All of our machines can be used with our Auto-Feeders.

We have a 32-Baseball / 24-Softball Combo Auto-Feeder which can be used to auto-feed either baseballs or softballs. We also have an 80-Baseball Auto-Feeder (baseballs only).

How does the feeder connect to the pitching machine?

BATA feeders do not actually connect to the machines. They stand behind the machine on their own stand.

When you purchase an Auto-Feeder, a Feed Chute Extension (transition chute) is included. This chute extension connects to the Feed Chute on the pitching machine. The feeder releases one ball about every 7½ seconds, which then rolls into the transition chute and into the machine.

How are BATA machines better than JUGS?

         ACCURACY - BATA machines have our unique Goodyear Rubber Soft-tread pitching wheels. The JUGS have pneumatic (air-filled) tires. Our Soft-Tread wheels are solid, die-cast flat faced treads, molded onto a machined aluminum core. The JUGS tires have a convex (rounded) pitching surface, and are mounted on a standard stamped rim, like those used on trailers. The faster the JUGS wheel turns, the more convex it becomes, and therefore less accurate.
     Result: BATA machines pitch the ball more accurately than the JUGS machines.

     DURABILITY - BATA machines are constructed of welded solid steel plate. JUGS machines are constructed primarily of sand-castings. Solid steel is several times stronger than sand-castings, therefore, we are able to make our machines much lighter (in weight), yet at the same time stronger. BATA machines weigh about 25% less than JUGS machines.

     SAFETY - BATA machines have steel plates and strong ABS covers around the pitching wheels. JUGS pitching wheels are not covered and are fully exposed. We also have heavy-duty steel plate in front of our wheels and motors to protect them from line-drive hits. JUGS do not.

     DESIGN - BATA machines (and no other brand) have fan-cooled motors. Motors that run cooler last longer. We more than double the life of our motors by fan-cooling.

     BATA double-wheel machines have built-in transport wheels, so you never have to roll your machine on the pitching wheels as you do with the JUGS.

     VALUE - BATA Auto-Feeders can be set up to hold 32 baseballs or 24 softballs. JUGS has an 18-baseball feeder or a 14-softball feeder. With ours, you can have just one feeder to do both baseball and softball. With theirs, you need a separate feeder for each. BATA feeders are lower priced, AND hold more balls, AND feed both baseball and softball.

     QUALITY - BATA machines are Made in the USA with high-quality American-made components. A claim that most of our competitors cannot make.

What is the difference between the BATA-2 and the Sidewinder?

What is the difference between the BATA-2 and the Sidewinder?

     The Sidewinder allows you to mix the pitches (fastball / curve or fastball / slider) without changing the machine. The BATA-2 does not.

     The BATA-2 has a maximum speed of about 100 mph. The Sidewinder tops out at 70.

     The BATA-2, because the two wheels work together, allows you to put as much or as little spin on the ball as you want. This allows you to throw pitches of many varieties. For this reason, it is also better suited for throwing flyballs and groundballs.
     You cannot regulate the amount of spin on the ball with the Sidewinder because, although it has two wheels, the wheels work independently with compression pads like single-wheel machines do. Therefore, the amount of spin on the ball is determined by the speed.

Why does the BATA-2 go up to 100 mph and the Sidewinder only 70?

     The motors on the Sidewinder actually turn about 50% faster than those on the BATA-2. However, with the BATA-2, the ball is "thrown" by two wheels, and with the Sidewinder the ball is thrown by one wheel.

How much speed do I need for my players?

     Many people mistakenly believe that 70 mph is not enough speed for high school players. The fact is that most high school pitchers throw less than 70 mph in a game. The 70 mph maximum speed of the Sidewinder is more than enough speed for high school, college, or ever professional players to practice on. Most of the professional teams that use our BATA-2 machine tell us that they rarely turn it faster than 70 mph.

Why does the Sidewinder cost more than the BATA-2 when the BATA-2 goes up to 100 mph and the Sidewinder only goes up to 70?

     The Sidewinder costs more because it has more parts and costs more to produce. Speed is not the only factor in determining the value of a pitching machine. The Sidewinder can be a very valuable tool in improving your batting if used properly. It allows you to practice reacting to different pitches and different speeds of pitches, just like you would encounter in a real game.

How does the Sidewinder throw two different pitches in one set up?

     The Sidewinder is basically two single-wheel machines on one stand. The ball is compressed between one wheel and one compression pad, similar to our B1-Curveball and BATA-1 machines, except that you can set the two heads up to throw two different pitches in one set up.

How does the Sidewinder determine which pitch it will throw?

     The Sidewinder has two infeed chutes (where you put the ball in), one for the fastball, one for the breaking ball (curve or slider). The operator chooses which pitch to throw and selects that pitch by putting the ball in that chute.

Can the Sidewinder also throw softballs?

     No, the Sidewinder is only for baseball.

Can the BATA-2 mix pitches too?

     No. The BATA-2 can throw any type of pitch, but it will throw the same pitch over and over until it is changed. It generally takes a few minutes to change the BATA-2 from one pitch to another, so it is not practical to try to change the machine from pitch to pitch.

Can the Sidewinder be used with an Auto-Feeder?

     Yes. However, in order to have the machine throw both pitches, the Pitch Selector must be used in conjunction with the Auto-Feeder. The Pitch Selector is a motorized attachment that connects to the Auto-Feeder. The ball comes out of the Auto-Feeder and into the Pitch Selector, which randomly diverts the ball to one feed chute or the other, and into the machine.