Here are some thoughts on above topic from a buddy of mine. The guy’s name is Steve Springer.

“If baseball is 90% mental, why do we work on it less than 10% of time?” "You cannot control getting a hit, but you can control hitting ball hard!"

Who Is This Guy? Springer isn’t just another “dry jock” (a not-so-flattering term given to many broadcasters who never played game).

No, this guy logged over 7,000 pro AB’s with 11 years in AAA ball alone! He is now a very successful agent for some future Big League Impact Players!

Ok, Lets Get To The Point! Spring also said, and I paraphrase, “The majority of hitters think fastball, curve, slider, change-up on 0-0 counts.”

In My Opinion…This Is Plain Crazy! Maybe some younger athletes can get by on raw ability with this mindset, but sooner than later game eliminates us all. Some of biggest reasons are that they can no longer hit quality pitching in their age group.

NOTE: For more information on this last statement, you may want to read an article I wrote on topic entitled, “The Game Eliminates Us All.”

Personally, I think much of this is avoidable…it just takes having a plan! Spring went on to say that “when you are facing Dwight Gooden in his prime, you saw 95 mph followed by hammer (the curveball), YOU BETTER PICK ONE BECAUSE YOU AREN’T ADJUSTING TO ANYTHING! … Doesn’t this make sense?

Ok, Lets Get To Some Real Solutions! We Must Have A Simplified Plan! Ok, how?

Well for starters, Watch The Pitcher! He's going to show you and tell you what you are going to get…if you will really watch him!

It’s not about what you want! (which at best is about only plan most youth hitters seem to have.)

It’s about what am I going to get! And how do you know if you don’t watch game?

From dugout, when pitcher warms up, whenever and wherever you can! The pitcher is going to tell you what you are going to get. They live on patterns. Pitchers like to be comfortable and hate it when they are not!

Now, your job is what Ted Williams (perhaps greatest hitting coach of all time) says is of greatest importance...FIND A PITCH TO HIT!

And How Do You Find A Pitch To Hit? You Watch The Game!

HERE’S THE PLAN! 1- Consider that pitchers are taught to get ahead. This means strike one is their aim. What is number one pitch that a batter is likely to see 0-0? Yep, a fastball. In much of youth baseball, chances are that if it is a strike, it will pierce fat of plate.

I once asked a coach if he ever had a player with a backyard pitching machine setup who didn't turn into a good hitter. He thought for a minute before he said, "No, I don't think I ever have."

If you can hit, a coach will always find a position for you!

So You Want To Buy a Pitching Machine? For most people buying a pitching machine is a one-time purchase, so you sure want to make right decision and not have to live with wrong machine. If you will allow me to help, I may be able to assist you in whittling your selection down to right choice. Keep in mind that if you simply read descriptions below, your gut feeling is most likely going to lead you to right choice. I say this because none of what we sell is junk. So if you are caught between two price levels and both are affordable, know that though I believe that there is quality built into all that we sell, more money does buy more machine. You can't overpay for quality!

The major considerations are…TYPE OF MACHINES, PRICE, SPACE, PLAYER AGE

Type of Machines:

"Real Ball" Throwing Machines: The Real Ball category are those machines which throw real balls or machine pitch dimple balls (you've seen them in yellow or white at commercial batting cages). Incidentally, both types of baseballs weigh 5 oz.

These machines come in two major categories plus a new category that we'll discuss shortly. The categories are: -Wheel Machines -Arm Style Machines -Compressed Air Machines Generally, all require a batting cage (there are a few exceptions), most can be purchased with auto-feeders and remote controls for one player operation.

Wheel Style Pitching Machines - (One & Two Wheel Models) These are most popular types and are seen in backyards, machine-pitch leagues, high schools, colleges and in pro ball. They consist of a rubber wheel(s), a motor to propel wheel(s), electronics with speed and direction adjustment knobs and a steel frame attached to a tripod. All run on 110v current though many fields without power will use a generator. Most can be purchased for baseball only, softball only or in a combination package for multi sport use.

Single Wheel Machines: Just what name implies, these entry-level machines generally throw a straight pitch between approximately 25-70+ MPH. Cost ranges from just over $900. and up.

Then there are a few single wheel curveball machines which have added feature of obvious, it can also throw a curveball. I personally prefer curveball machines for their versatility in throwing breaking ball from either "hand", but budget obviously needs to be added into your choice as well. The price bumps up just beyond $1200. Distinct Advantages are lower price for a real ball machine and weight of only 60 lbs for relatively easy transport from car to ballpark etc. Distinct Disadvantages are that they do not throw high speeds or variety of pitches that two wheel machines do.

Two Wheel Machines: These are admittedly, our biggest sellers. These machines will throw and simulate almost every pitch from any angle, from left or right-handed pitchers at speeds from approximately 25 to well into 90 plus MPH range. They carry price tags of over $1500. plus options that are not necessary but do add to function and enjoyment. Distinct Advantages are their ability to throw all different types of pitches and added bonus of using them for ground balls (not so good with single wheel machines) as well as fly balls and catchers pop-ups. They are somewhat portable. Our machines range in weight from 60 lbs to 110 lbs. Some of our competitors' older technology machines weigh 150 lbs. Distinct Disadvantages are that you won't see motion of "pitchers arm" though you will get used to it after some practice. Additionally, as in all wheel type machines, they aren't consistent with wet, waterlogged balls or swollen balls (For this reason we suggest and also package many of our models with machine pitch dimple balls). Click to see our Single & Two Wheel Pitching Machines