Three Main Factors to Look for When Purchasing a 3 Wheel Pitching Machine
When purchasing a 3 wheel pitching machine you know you will be receiving a high quality product. There aren’t any 3 wheel machines on the market that are not professional level pitching machines. What sets these machines apart is ease of use, functionality, and price. With three adjustable wheels, you can dial in the speeds to throw any pitch imaginable.
After determining your specific budget, it is time to determine what pitching machine will work best for you. You want a machine that gives you the velocity and break you need, while also being easy to use. You want a machine that can quickly and efficiently switch between fastballs, curveballs, sliders, etc.
Without wasting any more time, let’s get in to the top 5 Professional Pitching Machines on the market!
1. The Hack Attack Pitching Machine by Sports Attack
Sitting at the top of our list is the Hack Attack Pitching Machine. This machine is only available as for just baseball or just softball, it is not currently available as a combo machine. The reason this machine ranks #1 on our top professional pitching machines list is because it has the most well-rounded features and ease of use.
The Hack Attack Pitching Machine throws pitches up to 100 MPH, uses micro adjusters for perfect pitch placement and an easy-to-follow pitch selection chart right on the machine. The chart shows you how to throw both right and left-handed fastballs, curveballs, sliders, split finger fastballs and knuckleballs. Each wheel adjusts individually to increase or decrease the break of selected pitches.
The Sports Attack Hack Attack Machine features concave wheels which provide the maximum amount of accuracy for a pitching machine. The curvature of the wheels provides maximum contact on the ball and ensures that the ball releases from the same location every single pitch.
Defensive Drills with Hack Attack 3 Wheel Pitching Machines
Along with the excellent batting practice, this machine is also great for defensive drills. This machine easily adjusts to practice pop flies and ground balls. With the unmatched power of this machine, you can launch pop flies as far as 380 feet.
All hack attack machines come with built-in transport wheels, which makes it easy to move from the cage to the field!
Key Specifications of the Hack Attack 3 Wheel Pitching Machine
- Speed – 100+ MPH from 60 Feet
- Pitches – Right- and Left-handed
- Fastballs, Curveballs, Sliders, Split Finger Fastballs and Knuckleballs
- Vision – The 3 wheel design allows for the batter to see the ball going into the machine
- Recovery time – A 5 second recovery time allows you to feed balls through the chute quickly
- Portability – Built in transport wheels for mobility
- Weight – 135 Lbs.
- Ball Types – Dimpled and Leather
- Power Supply – 110 VAC or a 2000-Watt Generator with Inverter Technology
2. The JUGS BP3 Pitching Machine
Like the Hack Attack, the JUGS BP3 Professional Pitching Machine is available in both a baseball and softball version. JUGS has been the pioneers of pitching machines since the 1970’s and this machine does not disappoint. Everyone that has been around baseball has seen the iconic blue pitching machine at some point in their career.
The reason that this machine is #2 on our list is because of its unique changeup technology. Unlike any other machine on the market, with the press of a button, the machine will change speed from a fastball to a changeup and vice versa. It even comes with a wireless remote, which gives you the control to switch pitches from anywhere on the field.
As any good hitter knows, one of the hardest things in baseball is trying to hit an off-speed changeup after having a fastball blown by them. With this changeup technology, there is no better way to experience real in game experience.
Along with the great features that JUGS offers, they also have a digital readout speed display. This makes selecting a speed extremely easy and efficient.
Pitches the BP3 Pitching Machine Throws
The JUGS BP3 3 Wheel Pitching Machine throws left- and right-handed fastballs, cutters, curveballs, slip finger fastballs and changeups.
Unlike the Hack Attack, the user selects the speed and turns a dial to the pitch they want and the machine adjusts the wheels for them. This helps with usability, but it also limits the amounts of break that can be put on each pitch. There is no way to individually adjust the speed on each wheel manually.
The other innovative feature on the BP3 Pitching Machine is the hitting circuit. The hitting circuit has three options to randomize pitches, switching between fastballs and curveballs to simulate a real game pitcher.
Defensive Drills with the JUGS BP3 Professional Pitching Machine
The JUGS BP3 Pitching Machine was designed with defensive drills in mind. It throws pop-flies, ground-balls, and pop-ups at the plate for catchers.
By removing the macro adjuster pin, you can freely move the machine head side to side and use the entire field.
JUGS BP3 Machine Specifications
- Pitch Speed- 40-90 MPH at 60 Feet
- Grip-tite 12” non-marking pneumatic tires
- Micro Adjuster – Easily move pitches up, down and side to side in the zone
- Pitches – Left- and right-handed fastballs, cutters, curveballs, slip finger fastballs and changeups
- Defensive Drills – Pop flies, grounders, and pop-ups at the plate
- Pop flied up to 325 feet
- Ball Types – Dimpled and Leather 5-year warranty on everything except the control panel (2 year on control panel)
3. The ATEC M3X 3 Wheel Pitching Machine
The ATEC M3X 3 Wheel Pitching Machine has made it into our top three because of the its impressive performance as well as its looks. This machine makes batting practice fun and enjoyable. Like the Hack Attack Machine, the ATEC M3X has speed dials for each individual wheel, allowing you to hone in on your practice.
The M3X Professional Pitching Machine also features a concave wheel design to increase accuracy. As with most 3 wheel pitching machines, the M3X has a micro adjuster system that allows you to easily place pitches anywhere in the strike zone.
ATEC includes a chart for each different pitch as well as a chart to show how far it will throw pop flies. This makes the machine super easy to use for the operator.
Pitches the M3X Pitching Machine Throws
The M3X Pitching Machine will throw right- and left-handed fastballs, curveballs, sliders, splitters and knuckleballs.
With the pitch type chart right on the machine you will easily be able to adjust from one pitch to the next and find the perfect speed for your batters.
Defensive Drills with the M3X Pitching Machine
This Professional pitching machine was designed to be used both in the cage and on the field. It comes with transport wheel making it easy to move on and off the field.
The 360-swivel head and handle on the chute make it easy to practice grounders and popups anywhere on the field. You can have the entire team on the field and throw balls anywhere.
The M3X machine will also pivot straight up to allow for practicing pop-ups to the catcher. This is is one of hardest situations in baseball to simulate.
M3X Pitching Machine Specifications
- Pitch Speed- 30-90 MPH at 60 Feet
- Concave wheels for maximum grip on balls
- Micro Adjuster – to easily pitch anywhere in the zone
- Pitches – Left- and right-handed fastballs, curveballs, sliders, splitters, knuckleballs and changeups
- Defensive Drills – Pop flies, grounds, and pop-ups at the plate
- Pop flied up to 340 feet
- 5-year limited warranty
- Weight – 120 Lbs.
- Ball Types – Dimpled, Leather, Foam
4. The Rawlings Pro Line 3 Wheel Pitching Machine
The Rawling Pro Line is another excellent professional pitching machine on the market. Unlike most other 3 wheel pitching machines, the Rawlings machine is available as a baseball, softball or a combination pitching machine. This is great for leagues or schools that will use the machine for multiple teams.
Rawlings is a well-known brand in the baseball and softball community for their high-quality products. Their pitching machine is no different. They use the highest quality materials and assemble all their machines in the USA.
Rawling 3 Wheel Pitching Machines Setup
The Rawling Pro Line uses a patented digital control panel. It works a lot like the BP3 machine in the sense that you select the speed and spin, and the machine adjusts the wheels for you.
Where it differs from the BP3 is that there are not pre-existing pitches. As you can see in the picture below, you select the pitch speed, spin direction, and amount of spin you want on the ball. The spin rotation can be set anywhere form 0-3000 RPMs.
While it is nice to select the amount of spin and spin direction, there is a bit of a learning curve when trying to set it up for different pitches. It’s not as easy as selecting the pitch you would like to throw; you may need to adjust the RPMs a few times to find the desired amount of break.
Pitches the Rawling Pro Line Throws
Because you have total control over the speed, spin direction and RPM’s, the Pro Line Pitching Machine throws just about any pitch. Whether you want left- or right-handed, this machine will deliver with consistency.
This machine also packs some serious power! It throws pitches anywhere from 40-100 MPH, making it great for players of all skill levels. Gear knobs on the machine allow you to easily place pitches anywhere in the zone for precise practice every time.
To see the exact pitches the Rawlings 3 Wheel Pitching Machine can throw, take a look at the Rawlings Owner’s Manual and Pitching Charts.
Defensive Drills with the Rawling Pro Line Machine
The Rawlings 3 Wheel Pitching Machine is great for practice on the field. The Transport wheels make it easy to transport from the car/storage shed onto field.
The head of the machine has a 360-swivel and throws balls anywhere on the field, without moving the machine from side to side. With the adjustment knobs on the side, tilt the machine up and down for pop-flies and grounders.
Rawlings Pro Line Machine Features
- Pitch Speed- 40-100 MPH at 60 Feet
- Machine Type – Baseball, Softball, or Combination
- Heavy duty solid 1” urethane wheels
- Gear Knobs – move the ball throughout the zone easily
- Pitches – Left- and right-handed fastballs, curveballs, sliders, splitters, knuckleballs and changeups and more
- Defensive Drills – Pop flies, grounders
- 5-year limited warranty/1 year commercial
- Ball Types – Dimpled, Leather
5. The Spinball Wizard 3 Wheel Pitching Machine
The Spinball Wizard 3 Wheel Pitching Machine is the little brother to the Rawlings Pro Line Machine. Both the Spinball and the Rawlings machine are made by the same manufacturer.
Like the Pro Line machine, the Spinball machine uses a Smart Control Panel to set the speed, spin direction, and spin rate. Unlike the Rawlings machine, the Spinball machine does not have a digital readout for speed.
Pitches the Spinball Wizard Professional Pitching Machine Throws
The Spinball Wizard throws virtually any pitch. Since you have the ability to adjust the speed, spin direction, and spin rate, you can make the ball break in any direction. Like the Rawlings Machine, the only downside is that there will be a learning curve to figure out how much spin to put on each pitch.
The Spinball 3 Wheel Pitching Machine throws pitches anywhere from 40-100 MPH. With the gearbox for micro adjusting the pitch location, the machine paints the edges of the strike zone with any pitch.
Defensive drills with the Spinball Wizard machine
Additionally, the Spinball wizard machine is well equipped for defensive drills. The Transport Wheels make transportation easy and effortless when moving the machine. The machine pivots freely from side to side and up and down to aim anywhere on the field!
Spinball Wizard Pitching Machine Specifications
- Pitch Speed- 40-100 MPH at 60 Feet
- Machine Type – Baseball, Softball, or Combination
- Heavy duty solid 1” urethane wheels
- Gear Knobs – move the ball throughout the zone easily
- Pitches – Left- and right-handed fastballs, curveballs, sliders, splitters, knuckleballs and changeups and more
- Defensive Drills – Pop flies, grounders
- 5-year limited warranty/1 year commercial
- Ball Types – Dimpled, Leather
Our Final Thoughts On These Machines
All the 3 wheel pitching machines on this list are high level professional machines. No matter which machine you roll with, your batting and fielding practice will be taken to the next level. Finding the machine that best suits your needs is the most important part of the decision.
