The controversy surrounding what type of ball to use when taking batting
practice has been around for years. Coated baseballs, also called
pitching machine balls or dimple balls, are often thought of in a
negative manner with the argument that they do not provide the same feel
as a real baseball when struck by the bat. In my opinion the pitching
machine balls are superior for their durability, longevity, cost benefit
and the fact that they do not scuff and pick up moisture like real
baseballs so the flight from the machine is much truer leading to better
pitches and more consistent swings during batting practice. This
article describes those points in great detail.
Color - When
hitting in the batting cage the color of the pitching machine ball
becomes very important. As you work to train your hitting eye a yellow
ball is easier to pick up than a white ball. The yellow color is
designed to give you the best overall visibility in several different
lighting conditions.
Durability and Consistency - It is important
to keep in mind the durability of a baseball. A standard baseball is
made for game use. With consistent use it will pick up moisture, scuffs
and wear out very quickly. The design of a pitching machine baseball,
with a plastic outer coating, will last much longer. You should expect
the pitching machine baseball to last at least 2 to 3 years. That is a
lot hits, long drives, and home runs. The design of the pitching machine
ball adds to its durability. Because of their plastic outer coating,
pitching machine balls are designed to not attract moisture. A standard
leather baseball can pick up moisture from many sources. It can come
from either a wet or damp field, overnight rain or even the morning dew.
Over time, the regular baseball begins to add weight from the moisture
and can become very heavy. If a wet or heavy ball is used in a pitching
machine the pitches can become unpredictable. When that happens the act
of taking batting practice can actually become dangerous. A lot of wild
pitches are sure to follow. Take comfort in knowing that you will get a
consistent pitch every time with the use if regular pitching machine
baseballs.
Like New Quality - The high durability of the pitching
machine ball makes the balls very easy to clean. You don't have to
worry about getting them wet. The pitching machine balls will easily
clean using water and a mild cleaning detergent. I have had good luck
simply wiping them dry after each use. This simple task, much like a
golfer wipes their clubs clean after each use, helps to keep the color
bright and the balls in great shape to last to their full life
expectancy of 2-3 years.
Lower Cost - While the initial cost of a
set of pitching machine baseballs may be slightly higher than regular
baseballs, the long-term cost of pitching machine baseballs are lower.
As the cost of baseball equipment rises, a standard baseball is no
exception. The cost of a box of 24 balls will be about $60. With year
long training you will probably need to replace the balls about twice a
year. The easy solution is to switch to pitching machine baseballs. The
cost with the pitching machine baseballs is very close to the same as
regular baseballs, with the cost of the pitching machine balls being
about $72 for 24 balls. The real savings comes from the fact that the
pitching machine balls should last about 2 - 3 years.
It does not
take a hitters eye to see that the smart choice is to use pitching
machine baseballs with your pitching machine. If you are preparing for
the upcoming baseball season or if you are in mid-season form getting
ready for the stretch run, fire up the pitching machine, it is time to
Play Ball!
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