9 Best Baseballs For Pitching Machine In 2023
Paul Hall
For a while now, pitching machines have been a valuable part of baseball training routines and an essential tool in developing batting skills.
While nothing can replace a live arm, a pitching machine is definitely a great asset for any coach.
Still, to be able to fully utilize the pitching machine benefits, you have to use it the right way.
This includes using the proper baseballs, specifically designed for this purpose.
However, with so many different types and brands of pitching machine baseballs available, it can be difficult to find the ones that will serve you the best,
To make your decision a bit easier, I’ve compiled a list of the best baseballs for pitching machine and explained the benefits and downsides each of them brings.
So, let’s dive in!
Tebery 12 Pack Dimpled Baseballs
- These pitching machines baseball are dimple molded, quality polyurethane plastic balls for player safety during use and...
- Easy to see and track with the bright color when the sun starts to set, lightweight enough that won’t cause damage.
- Ideal size for taking some fast pitch baseball batting or fielding practice so you’re fully ready when game day comes.
- One dozen balls for plenty of batting fun at the field or in the backyard. Come in a reusable mesh bag with drawstring...
- Won't dent aluminum bats, specifically designed for use with pitching machines. Great For Perfecting Hand-Eye...
The first on my list is the 12-pack set of dimple-molded baseballs from Tebery.
The balls are made of high-quality polyurethane which makes them strong enough to ensure their durability and lightweight enough to provide safety for everyone in the batting cages during practices.
The bright yellow color makes sure that the ball remains clearly visible even during late evening practices.
With a circumference of 9 inches and the same weight as regulation baseballs, Tebery pitching machine baseballs provide a genuine feel of batting the real thing.
Plus, there’s no bat shock when hitting these balls, so they won’t damage even some of the less durable aluminum bats.
On top of it all, the set of 12 balls comes in a handy reusable mesh bag with a drawstring.
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Rawlings Ultimate Practice Technology Baseball
- IDEAL FOR ALL BASEBALL PLAYERS, these 1 Dozen Ultimate Practice Technology baseballs are designed to have a game-like...
- DESIGNED TO BE USED IN A PITCHING MACHINE, these baseballs are suitable for practice use
- INCREASED LIFESPAN - 3x more durable than a traditional baseball
- MOLDED COVER MINIMIZED WEIGHT GAIN due to moisture
- IMPROVED CONSISTENCY - manufacturing process creates uniformity of seams, cover, and ball weight
For those who spend most of their days working on their batting skills, RUP-PM pitching machine baseballs from Rawlings may be just what they need.
Made of synthetic material, these balls will provide you with a game feel while at practice.
The balls are designed to look like the real thing, but with uniform flat seams and cover to make sure they work for pitching machines.
While mimicking regulation baseballs in looks and feel, Rawlings practice balls can last three times longer and withstand numerous hits, no matter the conditions on the practice field.
This is mostly thanks to the molded cover which provides durability but also protects the ball from gaining weight due to moisture.
The package includes 12 pitching machine baseballs.
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Heater Pitching Machine Baseballs by The Dozen
- 1 DOZEN BASEBALLS - This Listing Is For 1 Dozen Yellow Dimpled Baseball By Heater Sports For Use In Real Ball Pitching...
- SAFE FOR ALUMINUM BATS - Heater Yellow Dimpled Baseballs Won't Dent Aluminum Bats | Thousands Sold & Always Reliable.
- EXTREMELY ACCURATE - Heater Dimpled Balls Are Designed With Accuracy In Mind, When Used In Pitching Machines, These Are...
- POLYURETHANE MATERIAL - Made From High Grade Polyurethane, These Baseballs Are Perfectly Constructed At The Factory To...
- OPTIC YELLOW IN COLOR - Train Your Hand/Eye Coordination To Pick Up The Pitch Location With This Optic Yellow Color,...
If the thing you most care about when practicing batting with pitching machines is accuracy, then Heater’s pitching machine baseballs may be the perfect solution for you.
The balls are designed to fly within 6 inches of the desired pitch location, which is important when working on particular details of your batting skills.
Besides being accurate, Heater's yellow dimpled balls are very durable, reliable, produce minimum vibration, and are safe for use, even with aluminum bats.
With a 9-inch circumference and weighing 5 ounces, these balls feel like real baseballs on contact, so you know that all that training will pay off in the game.
The balls are packaged by the dozen, with each ball featuring the exact same shape, weight, and size.
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Jugs Lite-Flite Baseballs
- Designed specifically to be used with the JUGS Lite-Flite Machine
- Their sponge-like texture makes them safe for indoor hitting without a batting cage
- Same size as a regulation baseball...comes in Optic Yellow
- Weighs just ounces
- Players see a realistic pitch but do not get stung by the ball…makes the JUGS Lite-Flite ideal for offensive and...
Jugs is one of the most reputable manufacturers of pitching machines and many users also opt for their brand-name practice baseballs.
Designed specifically for use with their machines, Jugs’ Lite-Flite baseballs are perfect for players of all ages, both amateur and professional.
The spongy structure makes them rather soft, meaning that they’re safe and suitable for use both outdoors and indoors, in the batting cages.
Jugs Lite-Flite Baseball features the same as the regulation baseball and provides realistic pitches but without the sting, you may feel when you hit the traditional ball.
This also means that Lite-Flite ball can be used for both practicing both offense and defense.
Besides being used with Jugs pitching machines, these balls can also serve for a toss or tee drills.
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Heater Sports [12 Pack] PowerAlley Lite Baseballs
![Heater Sports [12 Pack] PowerAlley 80 MPH Lite Balls & Trend Sports Sandlot 40...](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41rt8Kot4DL.jpg)
- PITCHES UP TO 80 MPH WITH HEATER SPORTS LITE BALL AND REAL BALL PITCHING MACHINES - Perfect Your Swing While Pitching...
- PITCHES UP TO 40 MPH WITH TREND SPORTS SANDLOT PRO 4-IN-1 PITCHING MACHINE - The Recommended Ball For the Sandlot Pro...
- 9" REGULATION SIZE - PowerAlley 80 MPH Lite Balls Are Regulation Baseball Sized & Weigh 1.2 Ounces To Generate Fast...
- PERFECT YOUR HAND/EYE COORDINATION - The Optic Green Color Helps Your Eye Pick Up The Ball From The Pitch So You Can...
- SAFE AND DURABLE - PowerAlley 80 MPH Lite Balls Are Extremely Safe & Will Last Years So You Can Feel Assured of The...
The second product from Heater Sports on my list, and, again, it’s more than worthy of your attention, especially if you have a pitching machine by the same company.
These balls work best when used for either Heater PowerAlley or Sandlot Pro 4-in-1 pitching machine.
This means that depending on the machine you can practice hitting pitches that go up to 80 or 40 mph, which makes these balls suitable for practice at various age groups.
The size of the Heater Sports Lite Baseball is the same as the regulation baseball, but it weighs significantly less, at only 1.2 ounces.
Being this light makes these balls perfectly safe, especially combined with the optic green color for better visibility and the improvement of hand-eye coordination.
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Rawlings Official Training Baseballs
- 12 leather baseballs for batting practice
- Designed for use in baseball pitching machines
- Wound cork and rubber centers
- Full-grain leather covers
- Durable, flat Kevlar seams
Unlike most other products on my list that are made only of synthetic materials, plastic or rubber, these balls from Rawlings feature a leather cover making them much closer to the real feel of hitting a traditional baseball.
The similarities with the regulation balls do not stop here. Rawlings Training Baseballs also have wound cork and rubber centers.
The seams are flat and Kevlar-stitched for more durability, especially when practicing in unfavorable weather conditions.
All this makes these balls perfect for training purposes, particularly since they have the same size and weight as a game baseball.
This means that after loading them into the pitching machine, you’ll be able to experience pitches that are very similar to what you would hit in real-game situations.
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MacGregor Dimpled Baseballs
- 9" Baseball size
- Soft, durable yellow polyurethane
- Designed safe for aluminum bats
Made of soft yellow polyurethane, MacGregor’s dimpled baseballs are perfect for those who want to practice batting without worrying about getting hit or damaging their aluminum bats.
In addition, as they are much softer than regular baseball, they won’t sting as much when hit outside the sweet spot.
MacGregor Dimpled Baseballs also have a little give to them which can contribute to developing a better feel for the hit when developing baseball skills.
Even though they’re more lightweight than regulation baseballs, they have a rather consistent trajectory flying out of the pitching machine and minimal side-to-side variation between different pitches.
This allows players to more easily plan their batting drills and get more reps on similar swings.
The package contains 12 balls and is among the most affordable on our list.
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PowerNet Launch F-lite Ultra Light Dimpled Practice Balls
- 24 PACK; Two dozen practice balls included; Designed to be used with the PowerNet Launch F-lite Portable Pitching...
- LIGHTWEIGHT DESIGN; Specially designed to fly fast and simulate real life pitches; Weighs 3.2 ounces
- REGULATION SOFTBALL SIZE BALL; Same size as a regular softball but without the seams for improved accuracy
- CONSTRUCTION; Durable yet will not damage composite, aluminum or wood bats
- PADDED LID; Take this bucket with you anywhere on or around the field; The soft and durable padding offers a comfortable...
No matter if you play baseball or softball, PowerNet’s got you covered.
Their F-Lite ultra-light dimpled machine balls come in two sizes: 9 inches for baseball and 12 inches for softball.
The softball bucket bundle features two dozen of practice softballs, while the baseball package comes with 48 balls.
Both variants are designed for use with the PowerNet Launch F-lite Portable Pitching Machine and are designed to fly fast and provide the feel of real pitches.
Each type of ball is of the exact size as the ball in their respective sports, but without seams to ensure more straight trajectory out of the machine.
The bucket that the balls come in is a nice touch as it provides a convenient storage option and allows you to carry balls with you around the field.
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Heater Sports Pitching Machine Baseballs
- 2 Count Heater Sports 1 Dozen Heater Pitching Machine Baseballs (2 Dozen Total).
- Regulation Weighted Baseballs For Use With Heater Real Baseball Machines.
- Durable Polyurethane Composition and Safe for use with Aluminum Bats.
- Great For Perfecting Hand-Eye Coordination, Hitting and Fielding Practice.
Obviously, Heater Sports is the most mentioned name on my list, and this is their third product to earn my recommendation.
It’s another option featuring yellow dimpled balls, specifically constructed to be used with Heater Real Baseball Machines.
Made from high-quality polyurethane, Heater Sports Pitching Machine Baseballs they feature the same size and weight as regulation baseballs but are much safer for use with aluminum bats.
Additionally, they provide a pinpoint accuracy on the pitches, without variations that come with practicing with a live arm.
This makes them a great addition to both hitting and fielding practices, as well as perfecting hand-eye coordination.
The optic yellow color further improves visibility and the player’s ability to track the pitch.
The balls are sold in a double package containing 24 pitch machine baseballs.
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Buying Guide For Pitching Machine Baseballs
The easiest way to damage the machine is by using practice baseballs that are not suitable for that machine.
Therefore, you have to pay particular attention to what type of pitching machine baseballs you’re buying.
The main things you should consider are the material and the type and size of pitching machine baseballs.
Material
The most common material is polyurethane or similar synthetic material, typically used for dimpled balls, which are called that way because of the dimples spread around their surface.
The other, rarer, material is leather.
These are the balls that pretty much look like regulation balls, except that they don’t have raised seams as that could damage the machine.
Type and Size
The three main types are mini, lite, and “real” practice baseballs.
Mini balls are approximately the size of a golf ball and their main role is to perfect hand-eye coordination.
Lite balls are the same size as traditional baseballs but more lightweight and usually dimpled.
Finally, “real” baseballs are only called that as they have the same size and weight as standard balls.
They should provide the batting experience as close as possible to the real thing.
Can You Use Regular Baseballs in a Pitching Machine?
Technically, some pitching machines can pitch regulation baseballs.
However, using real baseballs is not recommended as there are several ways they can damage the machine and, in addition, this is a sure way to ruin the ball itself.
The seams may wear down the wheels on the machine more quickly and the paint can come off the baseball onto the wheels making them too slick to properly grip the ball.
Also, due to the raised seams, using traditional baseball in a pitching machine will result in wildly inaccurate pitches.
Can You Hit Dimpled Balls with a Composite Bat?
There’s nothing stopping you from hitting a dimpled ball with a composite bat, but if you are about your bat, you shouldn’t be doing that.
Dimpled balls are commonly made of rubber or polyurethane.
This means that their weight differs, and, more importantly, they compress differently compared to standard baseballs.
Therefore, you’re much more likely to crack a composite bat when hitting a dimpled baseball than a traditional one.
When that happens, your composite bat is probably done for.
In fact, it’s best that you never use your game bat, no matter the material, when practicing with a pitching machine.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this list narrows down your choice a bit when it comes to shopping for pitching machine balls.
Above is the group of the best baseballs for pitching machine and you’ll hardly go wrong with any of them.
Still, my pick of the bunch is Tebery pitching machine baseballs .
These balls provide a great value for your money, are very durable, and deliver the genuine feel of hitting the standard baseball.
Still, remember to, no matter which product you choose, always check the pitching machine instruction to make sure you got the baseballs that work with that type of machine.
Last update on 2023-03-29 at 17:05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
