Once our season begins, individual batting practice is almost impossible to provide, as pitchers are just not available. Historically, baseball pitching machines have not been used because hitters complained that their timing was destroyed. They could not see the ball until it exited the pitching machine and at that point it was too late to stride! For this reason, many coaches felt hitting off these older machines did more harm than good.
Five years ago, we did research on all the pitching machines on the market. It was frustrating to only be able to choose between somewhat portable two wheel machines that obscured the ball, or non-portable arm machines that could not throw breaking pitches at all.

Fortunately for my team, several years ago I heard about the Hack Attack. Immediately I knew that all of my concerns about machines were going to be resolved by this new and innovative pitching machine. The unique three-wheel design allowed for ball vision prior to acceleration all the way through release. The feeding process was timed to actually simulate live arm action, and this is critical. Moreover, the breaking pitches mimicked those our hitters were facing every day. This meant our hitters could now hit all season, working on specific mechanics and working their way out of slumps.

The Hack Attack has proven to be so effective that when we are at home, the machine is set up on the mound and the starters take several rounds before a batting practice pitcher is brought on to complete regular batting practice. Our hitters even request that we set the machine to match the best pitches of the pitcher they were to face in the next game! With great accuracy, plenty of velocity, and major league breaking pitches, the Hack Attack became an important and integral part of our daily pre-game routine.

Plus, our pinch hitters frequently warm up on the machine in our cage under the stands late in the game, in preparation to pinch hit.

The Hack Attack is easily the most effective training tool we have ever used. We have eight machines: one at our stadium for use during the season, and seven at our spring training complex . Our entire organization uses them.

I might add that the machines seem to be indestructible. We have never even replaced a throwing wheel.

I encourage you to do your own research. The Hack Attack has helped our players from the beginning of spring training to the beginning of each game. I know it will help yours too. Good Luck!

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