Posted by: () on Fri Feb 7 04:33:20 2003

I´ve seen the "Personal Pitcher" in several ads and would like to know whether this machine is worth its price. As I understand it, it fires golf size wiffleballs. Especially in winter time we practice alot indoors so I thought this machine might be good for us. If anybody has one for sale I'd be interested.....if it's worth it!
> > > > > >
> > > > > > I know there is an anti-pitching machine philosophy out there (and it has merit) but we use the Personal Pitcher and REALLY like it. I think it is great for working on swing mechanics in your basement in the winter time. Absolutely the best purchase we've made and we have a Swing-A-Way also. We use both and are happy with both.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Neither are cure-alls. You will still have to learn to time a live pitcher, but, to work on mechanics, in the off-season, I give a very high recommendation.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >How far away do you set it up and how fast do the balls come at you.Also is it better then having someone throw those golf wiffles ball to me?
> > > >
> > > > I forget the exact numbers but I'd say our machine is about 20' from the batter and it's projected to be the equivalent of 80+mph. We actually use it in a finished basement much to the chagrin of my wife. The balls are golf wiffle ball and don't seem to do any damage to dry wall. Much better and more consistent strikes than someone throwing them to you.
> > >
> > > HR:
> > > Seems like a lot of positives here.
> > >
> > > Would it also be a good pre-game warmup?
> >
> > It comes with a battery setup but I didn't like what the wind does to the ball outside. It's ok outside, excellent inside.
>
> So you set it up 20 feet away and the ball is aproaching the batters box at 45 mph or is from the unit. Sounds like from the unit and very slow at the batter.

The machine is very good. You need at least 23 feet (my basement room is 23 feet long and it is very tight). One of the nice things about the machine is that it is "imperfect" in that the speed and location vary just enough to make it interesting. I recommend that you stick with the official "Whiffle" brand balls that come with it. You can buy more balls at http://www.theconnecticutstore.com/. We have tried other balls - from Walmart etc and they tore up the foam wheels in the machine and also were too inconsistent (Whiffle brand balls are softer and a little larger than off brand balls). Also, there are two models. The High School model is faster and recommended for older youth. I got mine on eBay direct from the manufacturer at a good price. You can buy the standard model and upgrade to HS model for an additional $20 when you buy on eBay.