How to Operate JUGS Pitching Machines
Pitching machines have been a godsend to baseball coaches from Little League to the majors, for decades. These machines help batters master their stroke because the machine delivers the ball in the same spot and at the same speed every time. They also keep a coach from throwing hundreds of practice pitches to players before each game. The machines come in all shapes and sizes that allow coaches to use them for fielding practice as well.
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Instructions
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Set the dials. A JUGS pitching machine has a silver panel that allows the user to set the kind of ball being thrown (fastball, curve ball, pop fly) as well as a dial that sets the speed.
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Make sure the machine is securely placed on steady ground. Most of the JUGS machines come on a tripod or with wheels. Make sure everything is set before using.
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Turn the machine on, which will get the wheel spinning. Make sure the wheel is spinning properly because that is what controls the balls movement.
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Hold the ball over the machine and tell the batter that you are about to let it go.
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Place your ball in the chute above the spinner and let go. Some machines have automatic systems that allow the coach to load a number of balls into the chute and manually launch them or program the control panel to fire a ball every few seconds.
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Tips & Warnings
*Always send a test ball first to make sure the machine is working properly. *Speed adjustments can be made while the machine is running. *JUGS pitching machine range in price from $300 to $2,300. *Make sure to use the proper ball. Some JUGS machines will throw any kind of ball, while others might be limited to items such as a softball.
Never set the controls for speeds that the batter or fielder can't handle.
