July 18, 2011
NEBJ Training Equipment Buyer's Guide
by NEBJ Staff/
ATEC Casey Pro 3G Baseball Training and Pitching Machine
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The 2011 New England Baseball Journal Training Equipment Buyer's Guide:
ATEC
Casey Pro 3G Baseball Training and Pitching Machine — The pitching machine of choice for elite high school, college and MLB programs. The ultimate in precision and pitch options, the 3G is perfect for pitching in an exact location for repetitive training or for mixing pitches to replicate games. Variable speed control up to 100 mph. Throws fastballs, curveballs, sliders and knuckleballs. MSRP: $2,450
Rookie Baseball Training and Pitching Machine — The training machine of choice for travel, high school and college coaches looking to maximize practice efficiency. The ultimate in versatility and consistency makes this perfect for defensive drills in addition to batting. The Rookie allows coaches to hit every position in just over one minute. Variable speed control up to 65 mph, 360-degree, left-right rotation and 120 degrees of vertical pivot delivers various drills with ease. MSRP: $1,299
Power Streak Training Machine — The perfect training machine for the backyard warrior looking to hone offensive and defensive skills. Any size space will work with the Power Streak. Also, 270-degree head position movement and 360-degree rotation allow parents to fire groundballs in the backyard and then quickly switch to pop-ups. Variable speeds up to 60 mph. MSRP: $404
ATHLONIC SPORTS
Wheeler Dealer — A batter-powered automatic toss machine featuring electronic height control (1-6 feet) and electronic frequency control (1-6 seconds). It can hold 20 baseballs or 16 softballs. Zero set-up time; requires just 1 sq. ft. storage; five-year guarantee. MSRP: $369
Hurricane Sports Net — The net is built to withstand 90 mph winds but weighs just 11 pounds. It features a 7.5-foot x 7.5-foot hitting area with heavy-duty nylon netting, fiberglass masts and steel hooked spikes. Fully waterproof and rugged tote bag included. MSRP: $159
BASEBALL POWER, LLC
Fast Bat — Allows players to add or subtract weight internally in order to improve bat speed in record time. Weight rings screw in quickly and securely to provide a balanced feel. Rings fit flush to barrel. MSRP: $179.95
CAGES PLUS
Wheelhouse Batting Cage — Backyard batting cages provide a safe and convenient place for players to improve batting skills. Easy to assemble and disassemble, and offered in a variety of sizes, all cages come with a complete L-screen to protect the pitcher. MSRP: $514
Wheelhouse L-screen — Screens are portable, lightweight and can easily to switch from left- to right-hand pitching. They are durable and easy to store or transport. Available with the cage or separately. MSRP: $125
ESTRADA BEISBOL, LLC
http://www.tryhittingjackit.com
Hitting Jack-It — a complete variable weighted hitting training system that allows you to train with live batting practice. The product comes in three sizes to assist progressive training. Provides immediate results and dramatically improves your hitting. MSRP: $49.90
LOUISVILLE SLUGGER
http://www.louisvilleslugger.com
TRBW Training Bat — The full-size heavy bat weighs 43-44 ounces. It’s a versatile, 5-in-1 weighted training bat, perfect for off-field strengthening and stretching exercises, on-field, on-deck warmups, tee drills with regulation baseballs, soft toss drills and batting practice.
TRB22 Training Bat — The one-handed training bat is a 22-inch short bat with a regulation barrel. It’s an excellent training bat for one-handed hitting drills. Use it for tee drills with training or regulation balls, or top- or bottom-hand soft toss drills with training or regulation balls.
MASTER PITCHING MACHINES
MP6 — The original Iron Mike arm-style pitching machine. Its large basket is ideal for team use. Because of its realistic throwing arm, it is the preferred machine of professional players and coaches. MSRP: $3,095
MP5 — The perfect machine for individual or backyard use. It holds three dozen balls and features the same arm-style motion that has made the Iron Mike a favorite. MSRP: $2,495
MOJO SPORTS USA
Mojo Pitching Cage — The most realistic pitching target in the world with a catcher that will not move the glove and a stand-in batter. The pitcher is required to adjust to the target and through repetitious practice will develop control.
MONSTER BARBELL CO.
Forearm Bar — A patented free-weight apparatus specifically designed to build powerful forearms. For hitters, increase bat speed, power and distance. For pitchers, improve speed, velocity and movement. For fielders, more carry less tailing on throws. MSRP: $69.95 standard plates; $79.95 Olympic plates
PITCH PRO
508 BP Platform — Toss BP with confidence from an elevated mound instead of wearing out your arm from 60 feet, 6 inches. Batters will get the same look at a pitch as during game time. This model is 4 feet wide by 8 feet long and height up to 10 inches. Comes in white, royal blue and forest green (all with clay turf).
MSRP: $895
504 BP Platform — The 504 Platform is just a smaller version of the 508. It’s 3-foot-6 wide by 7 feet long and platform has up to 8 inches in height that hitting coaches prefer to simulate game perspective. Comes in white, royal blue and forest green. MSRP: $695
516 Training/Bullpen Mound — Indoors or out, it’s your choice. All you need is about 65 feet of room and you have a bullpen. This 10-inch portable bullpen mound can be used anywhere and give a pitcher the sense of game action. The 516 can be stationed next to each other so more than one pitcher can get practice done. MSRP: $1,095
SPI NETS
Batting Cage Nets — Our batting cage nets are an awesome value mixing durability and affordability. Made in heavy-duty nylon or poly materials, they are designed to endure the most demanding punishment.
Protective Screens — Some of the best screens on the market, our L-Screen merges affordability and quality to offer the protection you need at a price you can afford. MSRP: Starting at $175
SWINGAWAY
MVP Batting Station — Batting stations provide the feel of hitting live pitching, allowing the batter to position the ball anywhere in the strike zone. The batted ball will never be out of control and will safely but quickly return to its preset position within three seconds, providing instant feedback. MVP model is designed specifically for home training for players of all ages and skill levels. MSRP: $199.99
PRO XXL — The largest, strongest and most durable hitting machine ever made.It was designed by former MLB players and coaches to meet the constant demands of high-use training by professional, college, high school and travel programs plus the serious player. MSRP: $349.99
PRO Traveler — The ultimate portable hitting station for travel and portability for all teams, players and coaches on the go. The PRO Traveler folds into a heavy-duty travel case in minutes, ready to go to practice, games and tournaments. Includes travel bag. MSRP: $399.99
SWINGBUSTER
Hands Back Hitter Pro Model — The simplest, most affordable, yet most instructive training aid on the market. To ensure that you will practice often, it makes you a better hitter while you are having fun. Uses all type of balls (real and plastic, baseball and softball), and the unique popper design allows the operator to adjust pitch height for any type of ball.
WEST COAST NETTING
http://www.westcoastnetting.com
LSC-7 L-Screen — Professional-style baseball L-screen, 7x7 with hip protector. Manufactured from 1¾-inch galvanized steel. Options include ½-inch foam padding with colored vinyl covers, 9-inch groove tread wheels, wheel covers, pullover net and fully welded. This screen is the one the pros order.
Practice Buddy — A portable target system that allows fielders to throw at multiple targets. The practice buddy measures a 30x30 target with a long-lasting durable K96T net attached to a rugged ½-inch cold rolled steel frame. MSRP: $157.50
S.Z. Trainer — This professional Strike Zone Trainer is manufactured from 1¾-inch galvanized steel. The netting pockets are made from heavy-duty knotted netting. The frame is adjustable in height to simulate any size batter and the 12 target zones allow for exact ball placement. The frame is completely assembled. MSRP: $309.75
This article originally appeared in the July 2011 issue of New England Baseball Journal.
