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HomeSporting GoodsBaseballTraining AidsPitching MachinesHeater Baseball/Softball Combo Pitching Machine With Auto Feeder |
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|  | | | Customer Reviews: | | | Average Customer Review: ( 2 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 5 found the following review helpful:
 Great Value for Tremendous Performance! Mar 14, 2009
By B. MOORE
I purchased the Heater Combo Pitching Machine and an Xtender 30ft Batting Cage from Hookem Sports. I could not be happier! I was looking to put in a batting cage in our backyard for my daughters (4,8,9) to grow up with as they advanced through the levels of fast pitch softball. I chose the Combo so we could start with 11" softballs and move up to 12" as the girls got bigger.
The cage was a little tricky to set up by myself...I'm sure it would have been A LOT easier if I had an extra set of hands to help when installing the netting. But, nonetheless, I was able to get it done by myself, which is saying something as to the ease of setup!
The machine was very easy to get set up, and pitches unbelievably accurately! The whole package is perfect to help build their confidence and to improve their hitting ability. My 9 year old can't stay out of it! They all love it. It will even pitch wiffle balls to my 4 year old!
The machine is basic to use, and feels very safe. Speed adjustment is easy, and it's plenty fast! The speed dial goes to 10...at the 30 ft distance, around level 5 is perfect for my 9 year old. Level 4 is good for the 8 yr old. I fired a few balls through at levels 8,9, and 10...and I think I would have had a tough time hitting the higher levels at that distance. I know this machine and cage will really benefit the girls as they get older, making them quicker and quicker with their bat.
I only hope the machine and cage will last. But even if I have to replace one or both of them after a few years...it's still a bargain compared to what other backyard batting cage setups cost.
Curtis from Hookem Sports was very helpful. He answered several email questions from me quickly and accurately. Plus I feel he gave me a great price that included free shipping (available from most retailers on the Heater), but also a couple dozen Heater dimple balls that really do pitch amazingly straight!
 Was an May 27, 2012
By The Waz
I have had this machine 2 years now, along with two 24ft cages put end which actually ends up as one 52ft cage. The cage is decent. Materials are very good quality.
The combo pitching machine is fantastic for throwing 12" softballs. Very accurate. It throws 11" softballs pretty well. Not as accurate as the 12" but good enough to satisfy. Now when it comes to baseballs, not so much. Yes I check the wheel inflation frequently and that is not a problem.
I have used many kinds of balls in the machine including the manufacturers brand (11", 12" & baseballs), real leather balls of all 3 sizes, and foam 12" balls (Champro).
If you want to throw real balls, find another machine. The balls get destroyed quickly in this one and do not throw satisfactorily except for 12" softballs.
11" heater balls throw pretty well, but toss the occasional wide pitch which will hurt you if you get hit. Also, the Heater 11-12" balls (and Tuffy brand balls) can sting the hands on a cold day or when practicing bunting.
Baseball sized balls of all kinds just don't throw accurately. The problem is, the machine supplies reducers to insert into the feeder chute to help keep the ball centered when you drop it in. That works great along with the size adjustment on the machine. However, the machine adjustment only works vertically (above the pitching wheel) changing the spacing to pinch the ball against it. The problem is as the ball comes out of the reducer sleeve, it can slide to the right or left side of the wheel when being thrown and u end up with wild pitches. The horizontal spacing around the wheel has to support 12" balls so there is just too much slop to put a baseball thru it accurately. The machine needs to have a horizontal adjustment similar to the vertical one--that would fix the problem I am sure.
The Champro foam balls are my favorite ones. They are lighter than a normal ball, put next to no stress on bat/hands and throw extremely straight when sent thru spinning along their mold mark. You can practice a long time w/o sore hands.
For softballs this machine is very good. For baseballs it is not acceptable. The auto ball feed is adequate but really you want a person dropping the balls for safety
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