The fastest way to narrow down a pitching machine is to count the wheels. A one wheel machine throws straight pitches. A two wheel machine adds breaking balls. A three wheel machine throws the same pitches as a two wheel machine but lets the hitter see the ball the whole way, and it changes pitch types faster. Everything else, from price to weight, follows from that.
How the wheels throw the ball
Every wheeled pitching machine works the same way. A spinning wheel grips the ball and flings it toward the plate. With one wheel, the ball is squeezed between the wheel and a fixed pad, so it leaves with a single kind of spin. With two wheels, the ball passes between them. Run both at the same speed and you get a fastball. Run one faster than the other and the ball spins sideways or downward, which is a curveball or a slider. A third wheel adds another point of control, so the machine can change the spin direction without tilting the whole head.
One wheel pitching machines
A one wheel machine is the simplest and least expensive option. It throws fastballs, and by tilting it you can also use it for ground balls and fly balls.
Good for: younger players learning to make contact, coach pitch and machine pitch leagues, and families who want backyard reps without a big purchase.
Trade-offs: no true breaking balls, and top speeds are usually lower than on two and three wheel machines. A hitter who is already facing curveballs in games will outgrow it.
Two wheel pitching machines
Two wheel machines are the workhorses of high school and travel ball. Because each wheel has its own speed control, they throw fastballs, curveballs and sliders, and most reach game speeds for older players. A backyard-priced two wheel machine such as the Heater Deuce 95 throws up to 95 mph, and team machines like the BATA-2 reach 100 mph.
Good for: players about 12 and up who need to see breaking pitches, teams that want one machine for hitting and fielding drills, and anyone who wants room to grow.
Trade-offs: on most two wheel machines, changing from a right-handed curve to a left-handed curve means swiveling or re-angling the head, which takes a moment and can shift your aim. The wheels also sit in front of the ball as it feeds, so the hitter picks it up a little later than off a real arm.
Three wheel pitching machines
A three wheel machine arranges the wheels in a triangle with an open gap. That gap is the selling point. The hitter can watch the ball travel from the feed chute through the release, which is much closer to tracking a ball out of a pitcher's hand. Timing built on a three wheel machine carries over to live pitching better.
The other advantage is speed of adjustment. On a machine like the Junior Hack Attack or the full-size Hack Attack, you change pitch type by turning the wheel speed dials. The head stays put, so you can go from a fastball to a slider between pitches without re-aiming.
Good for: travel ball, high school and college programs, serious individual hitters, and coaches who want to mix pitches quickly in a single round.
Trade-offs: price and weight. Three wheel machines cost more than comparable two wheel machines, and a full-size model can weigh well over 100 pounds, though most roll on their own wheels.
Which one should you buy?
| If the player is... | Look at | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Under 10, learning contact | One wheel | Straight, consistent pitches at a low price |
| 10 to 13, moving up in league | Two wheel | Fastballs now, breaking balls when they are ready |
| Travel ball or high school | Two or three wheel | Game speeds and every pitch type |
| Varsity, college or a full team | Three wheel | Ball visibility and fast pitch changes |
Two more things matter as much as wheel count. First, check the top speed against the level your player is actually facing. Our guide to pitching machine speed by age has the numbers. Second, decide where the machine will live. If it is going into a backyard cage, read the batting cage size guide before you order either one.
A quick checklist before you order
- Age and league of the player, now and in two years
- Whether you need breaking balls
- Baseball, softball or both
- Real balls, dimpled machine balls or both
- Power at the field: outlet, generator or battery
- Who will move it and how far
If you have those six answers, the choice usually makes itself. If you are still stuck between two machines, tell us about your player and we will give you a straight recommendation.