Archive for November 18th, 2009

Nov 18 2009

Types of Pitching Machines

Published by admin under Sport

There are several different types of pitching machines. Of course, all pitching machines help you improve your baseball swing, but each type of pitching machine has a unique function and is optimized for certain use and circumstances.

There are several different types of pitching machines. Of course, all pitching machines help you improve your baseball swing, but each type of pitching machine has a unique function and is optimized for certain use and circumstances. This article discusses the five main types of pitching machines:

1) Baseball pitching machine
2) Softball pitching machine
3) Baseball – softball combo pitching machine
4) Lite ball pitching machine
5) Mini lite ball pitching machine

First, there’s the classic baseball pitching machine. It pitches regular leather baseballs, although most pitching machine manufacturers suggest using dimpled pitching machine baseballs instead. Since they don’t have seams, dimpled pitching machine balls can be pitched with more accuracy and do not wear down the pitching machine wheel as quickly. There is a wide variety of baseball pitching machines: some that throw fastballs only, some that can also throw sliders and sinkers, and some that can even throw curve balls.

Next, there’s the softball pitching machine. Most softball pitching machines can throw both 11-inch and 12-inch softballs. Here again, most manufacturers suggest using seamless, dimpled softballs since they can be thrown more accurately and are easier on the pitching machine wheel. Softball pitching machines generally have the same capabilities as baseball pitching machines in terms of pitch types, speed control, and other features. Really, the main difference is simply the size of the ball the pitching machine can throw.

Baseball – softball combo pitching machines can obviously throw both sizes of ball: baseballs and softballs (11″ and 12″). The pitching machine has a simple setting where you can specify whether you are inserting baseballs or softballs. The pitching machine is basically built to throw softballs (since they are larger), but when you set it to throw baseballs a simple mechanism compensates for the size difference and enables the pitching machine to throw baseballs instead. Baseball – softball combination pitching machines generally cost slightly more than baseball pitching machines and softball pitching machines.

Fourth, there’s the lite ball pitching machines. Lite balls are about the same size as a regular baseball, but they usually weight about one third as much. This makes them ideal for backyard batting practice. You wouldn’t be able to throw a lite ball as fast as you could a regular baseball, but lite ball pitching machines can pitch them just as fast. Many baseball pitching machines are capable of throwing lite balls.

Finally, there’s the mini lite ball pitching machine. Mini lite balls are about the size of a golf ball (approximately a third the size of a baseball) and are (as the name suggests) very light. They can be hit in your garage or even your basement (with enough room). Many baseball players use a mini lite ball pitching machine to improve their form and accuracy. If you can hit a golf-ball-sized ball, you can certainly hit a full-size baseball. Mini lite ball pitching machines are also very inexpensive.

Log on to http://www.pitchingmachinesnow.com for batting cages, pitching machines, baseball pitching machine, softball pitching machine and batting cage nets

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/types-of-pitching-machines-1469305.html

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Nov 18 2009

Softball Hitting Tips: Aluminum Vs. Wooden Bats

Published by admin under Sport

The difference between aluminum and wooden bats in terms of performance is clear enough. However, there’s still a great debate about which of the two types of bats should softball and baseball players use.

If you’re confused as to which type of bat you should use, then I recommend that you read this article. I’ll show you the pros and the cons of using aluminum or wooden bats.

Bat Weight

Let’s begin with the weight. Wooden bats are considerably heavier than aluminum bats. When constructing a wooden bat, there’s always a tradeoff between its weight and its performance. If you want it to have a longer sweet spot, you need to build a bigger bat. But on the down side, it could increase the weight of the bat considerably.

Meanwhile, you can make aluminum bats wider without the added weight. All you need to do is to make the aluminum thinner.

A lighter or a heavier bat depends on the preference of the player. For younger players, I definitely would recommend lighter bats to allow them to practice their swing better without the weight of bat taking its toll on them.

Bat Speed

Again, aluminum bats are lighter than traditional wooden bats. Because of this, aluminum bats allow for higher bat speeds than their wooden counterpart.

The higher bat speeds from aluminum bats allow for hitting the ball for a much longer distance. Thus, it is highly favored over wooden bats when it comes to hitting homeruns.

Sweet Spot

Because of its material and construction, aluminum bats have a longer sweet spot than wooden bats. That’s why aluminum bats allow batters to hit the ball more accurately.

Durability

Wooden bats may be rock solid but it can’t take on the pressure that aluminum bats can handle. That said, aluminum bats are more durable and are thus less likely to break than wooden bats. So if you’re looking for a bat that will last you for years, I recommend you get an aluminum bat.

Safety

This is where most of the controversy between the use of aluminum and wooden bats are centered. While it is already pretty much established that aluminum bats perform better than wooden bats, the safety of its use on the field is being questioned.

Because aluminum bats can hit the ball faster and much farther than wooden bats, some studies show that the resulting high-velocity balls can put defensive players at risk.

Thus, there have been moves made to have the aluminum bat banned from softball and baseball fields.

These are just some of the main differences between how different types of softball bats perform. To summarize, aluminum bats are the way to go if you want a bat that will give you that extra boost in performance without the added weight that’s associated with wooden bats.

Also, aluminum bats are great if you’re looking for a bat that you can use everyday without risking breaking it. However, you might also want to take into consideration the debate on the safety of using aluminum bats versus wooden bats before making a decision.

Marc Dagenais is Softball Peak Performance Coach that helps softball players turn their athletic talent into extraordinary performances and help coaches get more out of their players, turn their struggling team around or get an edge over their opponents. Visit us at http://www.softballperformance.com/softball-tips/softball-hitting-tips.html

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/softball-hitting-tips-aluminum-vs-wooden-bats-1469580.html

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