Why The IronMike Model MP4/MP5 Arm Pitching Machine by MasterPitch?

If you're interested in building an indoor OR outdoor batting cage, and you're looking to invest in one of the many pitching machines out there, then look NO further. For the most part, there are two types of pitching machines available:

1. Arm, AND
2. Wheel.

And it seems like every company AND their mother comes out with their own wheel pitching machine, and I'll let you in on a little secret...

They are terrible for a hitter's timing.

I could never understand the benefit to a hitter as to WHY we needed to use a wheel pitching machine at a Division I baseball university. If we're suppose to do what the highest level of play does, the Big Leagues, I think it's pretty safe to assume you wouldn't find too many wheel pitching machines around, so why use them??

Sure, the wheel machines can throw curve-balls, would be the main argument. But the problem lies in the timing, which depends on a "feeder," a human being, behind the machine to deliver the ball at the same time, every time. Some machines may be rack fed, where a human doesn't have to perch themselves behind and deliver the goods, but the fact remains...you see the ball shoot out of a hole...and we all wonder why it's so difficult to take our BP swing to the batter's box.

What a joke. Furthermore,

I also understand the business and efficiency of a wheel machine, they're highly mobile, and are definitely lighter on the pocket book than most arm machines, but we have to think of it like an investment in building extra-ordinary hitters, NOT just good ones.

On SwingSmarter.com, we always stress the use of arm pitching machines, because like a real flesh and blood pitcher, you can time the arm coming around and pick up the arm-slot.

If we're so caught up on the curve-ball thing, and YOU don't want to throw them all day long, then I have an idea...have your pitchers work on their curve-balls in batting practice...you kill two birds with one stone! And if your kids are too young to be throwing curve-balls, then learn how to throw one yourself, which isn't hard in the information age these days, or have someone volunteer who does. This isn't rocket science here.

The bottom line?

The better we can simulate a game-time dual between pitcher and hitter, the better we're going to be at taking our success in the batting cage to the batter's box when facing live competition.

Now, we don't have to pay upwards of about $4,000 for an arm pitching machine, the company MasterPitch has a few models ranging in price and ability from $1,000 to $3,500...we used the IronMike model MP4 in college, and I see them all over the place at our local more prestigious high school baseball programs. Like I mentioned earlier, we also used a Jugs wheel model, which I wished I could do like the boys from the movie Office Space did to their printer...

The good news is...

If you're interested in the more sophisticated heavy duty Cadillac of all pitching machines, then here is the IronMike model MP4 at your service, which has most of the features of the MP5 (also a part of The Starting Lineup), but with a couple higher value differences:

• Has extra reinforcements on the frame of the machine to protect against batted balls,
• Holds up to 600 baseballs in it's metal basket framed hopper,
• Includes the Positive Feed Unit, which ensures the proper flow of seamed balls, and
• Pitching speeds can be adjusted between 25 and 80 mph.

You won't be disappointed with this pitching machine, spend the extra money, and invest in your kids' baseball hitting future...do the Swing Smarter community a favor and don't settle for a clunky wheel pitching machine, they're a waste of money, and in the end they won't give your hitter the results they deserve.

Let your young hitters' hands bleed from all the repetitions batting on an IronMike MP4, those blood blisters will be more than worth it when your son/daughter has a scholarship to a university or a professional/Olympic contract.

Superb BEST Starting 9 Products to Compliment the IronMike MP4 Arm Pitching Machine:

• MP30 Wood Bat
• Sports Motion Video Analysis Software
• ATEC Tuffy Multi Position Batting Tee