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!
Coach Chuck Stewart operates a baseball web site called offering pitching machines, batting cages, training aids and coaching/instructional videos along with lots of free coaching content. Coach Chuck offers a pitching machine for every skill level and budget. He has coached baseball teams for 8 years and enjoys sharing the love of the game of baseball with his players.
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