Franklin Sports MLB Plastic Baseball Pitching Machine w/ 6 Balls

This comment has been rated as unhelpful by Slickdeals users

Joined Nov 2018

L2: Beginner

50 Posts

54 Reputation

06-28-2022 at 01:35 AM #3

In for 1

0

0

0

3

Reply

This comment has been rated as unhelpful by Slickdeals users

Joined Jul 2012

L6: Expert

1,937 Posts

644 Reputation

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank ?

06-28-2022 at 06:44 AM #4

My neighbor has this. Note that everything, including the balls, are plastic. The ball starts slowing down about 5 feet from the machine and pitches at an arc. Also there has to be NO wind for it to pitch accurately. Fun toy, but not for any kids for batting practice unless the only thing you're working on is practicing on keeping your child's eye on the ball. Also after several uses last year, it's not pitching as far as it did, even with fresh batteries inside. Still works, just the balls land about 3 feet shorter than it did last year. If your child is playing baseball, pay more for one of the budget spring loaded ones that pitch real baseballs at real pitching speeds. You can find used ones at local sporting goods stores (check with the local company the uniforms were ordered from) for about $100 - $120, or on Marketplace and Craigslist after the baseball season ends.

25

0

1

0

Reply

Last edited by desynergy June 28, 2022 at 08:48 AM.

This comment has been rated as unhelpful by Slickdeals users

Joined May 2008

saver gyaru

1,158 Posts

995 Reputation

06-28-2022 at 10:29 AM #5

We used to have one of those too. It's exactly as desynergy described. We got one off Craigslist for very cheap to see if it'd help or be fun but instead it got our kids frustrated at it quickly. We ended up selling it back for the same amount 3 weeks later.

It's weak resulting in low power pitches and the balls are so light that they don't travel far. We tried replacing them with a bit heavier pickleballs which are the same size as baseballs. It was better but it lacked power to pitch them far enough and being heavier they fell down much faster. Out of 10 balls, maybe a couple are pitched where you stand and you have a decent shot at practicing a swing.Unfortunately, you get what you pay for.

2

0

Reply

This comment has been rated as unhelpful by Slickdeals users

Joined Jul 2013

L2: Beginner

53 Posts

34 Reputation

06-28-2022 at 05:20 PM #6

Its perfect for age 3-6 to teach them how to catch balls, not fast enough to hurt them

1

0

Reply

This comment has been rated as unhelpful by Slickdeals users

Joined Feb 2016

Awesome!

326 Posts

24 Reputation

06-29-2022 at 08:28 AM #7

Reviews aren't horrible.. I'm giving it a try for my 4y/o.

2

0

Reply

This comment has been rated as unhelpful by Slickdeals users

Joined Oct 2010

L2: Beginner

65 Posts

70 Reputation

07-01-2022 at 09:55 AM #8

Can't speak for longevity yet but for a budget toy, I've been impressed with this thing. Good pace for spitting out balls, it doesn't constantly run, thereby stretching battery life out, and adjustable height on pitching to vary distance. My 15yr has enjoyed working on reaction time with closer positioning and my younger boys are getting some work on hand/eye. Small investment for decent return so far

0

Reply

This comment has been rated as unhelpful by Slickdeals users

Joined Jul 2008

L6: Expert

1,179 Posts

141 Reputation

07-01-2022 at 10:13 AM #9

This thing can be frustrating. Make sure you only use the provided balls. Other wiffle balls will not work. The balls have to be set in the cage one at a time, gingerly, so that they barely touch. If not it double pulls and shoots two at a time. No real consistency with the pitches. Batteries run low pretty quick. It will still pitch, but you have to readjust the thing every 6 balls. Overall at $45 not worth it. For this price, it might be worth to dicker around with.

Wiffle balls fly ALL Over the place. No consistency. Need balls without holes…..

0

Reply

Last edited by Griswandito July 1, 2022 at 11:55 AM.

This comment has been rated as unhelpful by Slickdeals users

Joined Jan 2011

Golden Rule, peeps

751 Posts

319 Reputation

07-01-2022 at 10:29 AM #10

The problem with this thing is the age kid it's intended for doesn't have the attention span to use for more than a few minutes if they are by themselves. If they are with a friend(s), they are going to pitch and bat with each other so everybody is involved -- it's no fun for one to watch a machine throw the pitches to the other.

0

Reply

This comment has been rated as unhelpful by Slickdeals users

Joined Dec 2016

L3: Novice

157 Posts

14 Reputation

07-01-2022 at 11:10 AM #11

Quote from shandril

:

We used to have one of those too. It's exactly as desynergy described. We got one off Craigslist for very cheap to see if it'd help or be fun but instead it got our kids frustrated at it quickly. We ended up selling it back for the same amount 3 weeks later.

It's weak resulting in low power pitches and the balls are so light that they don't travel far. We tried replacing them with a bit heavier pickleballs which are the same size as baseballs. It was better but it lacked power to pitch them far enough and being heavier they fell down much faster. Out of 10 balls, maybe a couple are pitched where you stand and you have a decent shot at practicing a swing.Unfortunately, you get what you pay for.

Stuff like this is e-waste before it even gets packed on a container ship. I can't imagine driving somewhere to meet a stranger and pay money for a used one. Impressive that one of them sold twice that way!

2

0

Reply

This comment has been rated as unhelpful by Slickdeals users

Joined Nov 2015

L2: Beginner

64 Posts

26 Reputation

07-01-2022 at 11:21 AM #12

I bought two. Combined the two spirals to create one and wired it for ac. Immediately get rid of the balls that came with it and get whiffle balls. Thing has made it through 8 years of baseball between two kids.

1

0

Reply

This comment has been rated as unhelpful by Slickdeals users

Joined Apr 2012

L5: Journeyman

821 Posts

163 Reputation

07-01-2022 at 12:47 PM #13

Quote from bindled

:

I bought two. Combined the two spirals to create one and wired it for ac. Immediately get rid of the balls that came with it and get whiffle balls. Thing has made it through 8 years of baseball between two kids.

Curious - how or what parts would we purchase to wire for AC?

0

Reply

This comment has been rated as unhelpful by Slickdeals users

Joined Apr 2012

L5: Journeyman

821 Posts

163 Reputation

07-01-2022 at 02:10 PM #14

Quote from Griswandito

:

This thing can be frustrating. Make sure you only use the provided balls. Other wiffle balls will not work. The balls have to be set in the cage one at a time, gingerly, so that they barely touch. If not it double pulls and shoots two at a time. No real consistency with the pitches. Batteries run low pretty quick. It will still pitch, but you have to readjust the thing every 6 balls. Overall at $45 not worth it. For this price, it might be worth to dicker around with.

Wiffle balls fly ALL Over the place. No consistency. Need balls without holes…..

Your comment makes me wonder if Wiffle balls will be a good idea to practice reacting to NOT knowing where the ball is headed? Say for example goalie practice or reaction time?

0

Reply

This comment has been rated as unhelpful by Slickdeals users

Joined Jul 2008

L6: Expert

1,179 Posts

141 Reputation

07-01-2022 at 02:12 PM #15

Quote from werds

:

Your comment makes me wonder if Wiffle balls will be a good idea to practice reacting to NOT knowing where the ball is headed? Say for example goalie practice or reaction time?

These come out slow. You would have to be right on the machine for that to work.

0

Reply

Franklin Sports MLB Plastic Baseball Pitching Machine w/ 6 Balls EXPIRED

Editor's Notes & Price Research

Original Post

Check Out Similar Sporting Goods Deals

25 Comments

Featured Comments

Trending Stores

Coupons for Popular Stores