The short answer: the full-size Hack Attack pitching machine is built for high school, college and older hitters who need real velocity, while the Junior Hack Attack is the better fit for youth leagues, travel ball and backyard work. Both use the same three-wheel design and throw the same pitch menu. The real split comes down to top speed, weight and how often you have to haul the machine around.
Below is what the two machines share, where they differ, and a simple way to pick the right one for your hitter. Specs and prices come from the manufacturer, Sports Attack, and were checked at the time of writing.
What the Hack Attack and Junior Hack Attack have in common
If you have read our one-wheel vs two-wheel vs three-wheel pitching machine guide, you already know the main selling point here. A three wheel pitching machine grips the ball in three spots, and on these two models the hitter can see the ball through the feeding motion, acceleration and release. Sports Attack builds both machines around that idea, so the hitter gets a timing cue closer to a live arm.
Here is what carries over from one machine to the other:
- Pitch types. Both throw fastballs, curves, sliders, split fingers and knuckleballs. You change pitches by turning the wheel speed dials, using the pitch selection chart printed on the machine. You don't tilt the throwing head to change pitches.
- Location controls. Each has an elevation handle that moves the pitch roughly 4 to 6 inches per turn, depending on speed, plus an inside/outside adjustment. You can move a pitch around the zone between pitches without kicking the legs.
- Recovery time. Sports Attack lists 3 to 5 seconds between pitches for both.
- Fungo work. The throwing head pivots in any direction for fly balls, line drives, grounders and catcher's pop-ups.
- Ball types. Both throw 9-inch baseballs: leather, pitching machine leather, polyurethane dimpled balls, Wiffle balls and foam. The maker says not to use synthetic leather balls and not to mix ball types.
- Power. Both are corded electric machines with 110V and 220V models. The maker recommends a 20-amp circuit for continuous use and a #14/3 grounded extension cord up to 200 feet.
- Setup and warranty. Both arrive fully assembled. Residential and institutional owners get a two-year warranty that covers the throwing wheels, motors and controllers. Commercial use gets one year.
- Feeders. Both work with the same 15-ball Solo Feeder and with a 150-ball Team Feeder.
Hack Attack pitching machine vs Junior: the real differences
The differences are mostly about size and speed. Here they are side by side, using the baseball versions.
| Spec | Hack Attack | Junior Hack Attack |
|---|---|---|
| Top speed | 100+ mph | 70+ mph |
| Speed range | 35 to 100 mph | 35 to 70 mph |
| Designed pitching distance | 60 feet | 45 feet |
| Fungo fly ball distance | 380 feet | 250 feet |
| Machine weight | 165 lbs | 87 lbs |
| Weight without legs | About 145 lbs (with base) | About 75 lbs (with base) |
| Dimensions (W x D x H) | 53 x 64 x 63.5 in | 40 x 45 x 52.5 in |
| Ball release point, standard legs | 53 in | 43 in |
| Throwing wheels | Three 14 in wheels | Three 14 in wheels |
| Level of play (per maker) | High school, college, pro, commercial | Youth league, backyard, machine-pitch, travel teams, drills at all levels |
| Transport (per maker) | Fits an SUV or full-size car; two people lift it | Fits a compact car; one person can lift it |
| How it ships | LTL freight | Ground |
| List price at the time of writing | $3,599 | $2,699 |
Speed and distance
The full-size Hack Attack is the only one of the two that reaches 100 mph from 60 feet. That matters for high school and older hitters seeing real velocity in games. Sports Attack also notes that most major league hitters do not hit faster than 80 mph off a machine, so the top end is there for specific drills, not everyday rounds.
The Junior, which you will also see called the Hack Attack Jr pitching machine, tops out around 70 mph and is designed to throw from 45 feet. Sports Attack says that distance simulates 90+ mph reaction time and that most youth hitters work at 50 to 55 mph. Our pitching machine speed by age guide helps you match those numbers to your player.
Weight and portability
This is the difference most families feel first. At 165 lbs, the Hack Attack is a two-person lift into a truck or SUV, though most people pull the legs off and the base can come off too if height is a problem. It rolls on its own transport wheels once it is on the field.
The Junior weighs 87 lbs and about 75 lbs with the legs off. The maker says one person can lift it and it fits in nearly any car. If one parent is loading the machine alone after work, that is a big deal.
Release height
The Hack Attack's 53-inch release point fits standard L-shaped protective screens. The Junior's 43-inch release point only lines up with a standard L-screen if you add the extended legs. Keep that in mind if you plan to feed by hand behind a screen.
Who each machine is built for
Sports Attack's own spec chart is a good starting point. The full-size Hack Attack is aimed at high school, college, professional and commercial use. The Junior is aimed at youth leagues, backyards, machine-pitch games and travel teams, but the maker also says it works through high school and for older players if you move it back to 50 feet.
In practice, that gives you a simple rule. If your hitter is still in youth ball and will be for a few more seasons, the Junior covers them. If they are already facing high school pitching, or you are buying for a high school or college program, the full-size Hack Attack pitching machine is the one that keeps up.
Softball versions and the I-Hack Attack
Sports Attack also makes softball models. The Hack Attack softball pitching machine is listed at 80+ mph and 158 lbs, and the Junior softball version at 60+ mph and 82 lbs. Both throw 12-inch softballs (11-inch at reduced speed and distance) and pitches like risers, drops and screwballs. The baseball machines can also be converted with a softball conversion kit. The maker lists about 20 to 30 minutes for the Hack Attack and 5 to 10 minutes for the Junior. Our softball pitching machine buying guide compares softball options in more detail.
The I-Hack Attack is the touchscreen version of the full-size machine. It has a 10-inch color screen with preset pitches, saved favorites and random sequences, and the same 100+ mph top speed. It weighs 190 lbs and lists at $5,999 at the time of writing, so it is mostly a program or facility purchase.
Accessories worth knowing about
A few add-ons make either Sports Attack pitching machine more useful:
- Solo Feeder. A 15-ball feeder with adjustable time between pitches. Sports Attack confirms one Solo Feeder fits both the Hack Attack and the Junior. List price at the time of writing is $599. See our Solo Feeder listing.
- Team Feeder. A 150-ball feeder with a wireless remote and a 6 to 12 second delay between pitches. There is one version for the Hack Attack (and I-Hack Attack) and another for the Junior. Each lists at $2,599 at the time of writing.
- Fungo leg kits. Three legs with casters (8-inch on the Hack Attack kit, 5-inch on the Junior kit) so you can roll the machine around during defensive drills. Each lists at $599.
- Extended legs. The Hack Attack kit raises the release point to roughly 70 inches and lists at $249. The Junior kit raises it from 43 to 53 inches and lists at $219, and a super extended Junior kit takes it to 73 inches for $299.
- Balls. Dimpled polyurethane machine balls are on the maker's approved list, and they last. We list a 12-pack of dimpled pitching machine baseballs. Stick with one ball type and roughly the same age of balls for consistent pitches.
How to choose between them
Work through these four questions in order.
- How old is your hitter, and what league? Youth league, Little League age and early travel ball point to the Junior. High school varsity and up point to the full-size machine.
- Will they outgrow it soon? A 12-year-old who is serious about baseball may want velocity past 70 mph within a few years. The Junior can stay useful longer if you move it to 50 feet, but it will not throw 85 mph from 60 feet.
- How many hitters? For one or two kids in the backyard, either machine works with a Solo Feeder. For a team rotating through a cage, the full-size machine and a Team Feeder make more sense at the high school level.
- Who is moving it? If one adult loads and unloads it into a small car, the Junior's 87 lbs is far easier to live with. If it stays in a facility or rides in a truck with two people, the 165-lb Hack Attack is manageable.
Both machines run off an outlet or extension cord. If your cage is far from power, Sports Attack recommends a clean-power inverter generator in the 1,000 to 2,000 watt range. Standard generators can cause surges that make pitches erratic.
When you are ready to compare, see our Junior Hack Attack listing and our Hack Attack listing.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Junior Hack Attack pitching machine just a smaller Hack Attack?
Mostly, yes. It uses the same three-wheel design, the same pitch types and the same location controls. It is lighter, shorter and slower, with a 70+ mph top speed instead of 100+ mph.
Can a high school player use the Junior Hack Attack?
Sports Attack says the Junior works for players up through high school and for older players if it is set at 50 feet. Players who need 80+ mph from full distance will be better served by the full-size Hack Attack.
Does the same Solo Feeder fit both machines?
Yes. Sports Attack lists one 15-ball Solo Feeder that feeds both the Hack Attack and the Junior Hack Attack. The Team Feeder comes in separate versions for each machine.
Can I use a Hack Attack for softball?
You can buy a dedicated softball model, or convert the baseball machine with a conversion kit. The maker lists a Hack Attack conversion at about 20 to 30 minutes and the Junior at 5 to 10 minutes.
What balls should I use in a Hack Attack pitching machine?
Use 9-inch leather, pitching machine leather, dimpled polyurethane, Wiffle or foam balls. Avoid synthetic leather balls, keep the balls dry and do not mix ball types.
What warranty comes with these machines?
For residential and institutional buyers, Sports Attack covers materials, workmanship and wear parts like wheels, motors and controllers for two years. Commercial use is covered for one year.