Brand | Heater |
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Material | Steel, Rubber |
Color | Multi |
Age Range (Description) | 8 years to |
Item Weight | 40 Pounds |
Sport | Baseball & Softball |
Item Diameter | 12 Inches |
Number of Items | 1 |
Construction Type | Steel |
Item Package Dimensions L x W x H | 24.2 x 18.5 x 16.5 inches |
Package Weight | 23.5 Kilograms |
Item Dimensions LxWxH | 18 x 17 x 17 inches |
Brand Name | Heater |
Suggested Users | unisex-adult |
Manufacturer | Heater Sports |
Part Number | HTR6000SB |
Size | One Size |
Heater Sports Softball Pitching Machine with 9 Ball Automatic Feeder
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Brand | Heater |
Material | Steel, Rubber |
Color | Multi |
Age Range (Description) | 8 years to |
Item Weight | 40 Pounds |
About this item
- Features. Variable speed control. Throws pop-ups, line drives, and grounders.
- Included feeder holds 9 softballs; releases every 15 seconds. 1/4-horsepower D.C. Motor. Durable rubber wheel for accurate pitches.
- Heavy-duty steel housing. Pitch height adjustment. A/C power cord.
- Handle for easy carry. Requires 12" Pitching Machine Softballs (HTR39PMB). Great for all ages.
Additional Details
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Product Description
The Softball Pitching Machine with Bonus Ball Feeder from Heater Trend Sports is a terrific way to practice your softball hitting and fielding techniques. The powerful motor pitches 12-inch balls at up to 50 miles per hour! It features variable speed control and an automatic ball feeder that holds up to 9 softballs making it great for individual practice. Practice your fielding techniques by tilting the machine to prepare for catching grounders, line drives and pop-ups. This softball training aid features sturdy tubular steel legs with a fully adjustable pitch height. This Heater product uses standard A/C power. Improve your softball game today with the Heater Softball Pitching Machine and Bonus Ball Feeder.
Product information
Technical Details
Additional Information
ASIN | B002JLFMCE |
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Customer Reviews |
4.4 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #44,409 in Sports & Outdoors (See Top 100 in Sports & Outdoors) #21 in Baseball & Softball Pitching Machines |
Date First Available | July 29, 2009 |
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Customer Review: Better than expected
Melissa Kennedy
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Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the value, ease of setup, and quality of the recreation ball. For example, they mention it's well worth the cost, simple, and works well. That said, some complain about the durability, saying the washers break and the middle chute arrived bent. Opinions are mixed on pitching.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers are satisfied with the quality of the recreation ball. They mention that it works well, has a sturdy construction, and provides realistic pitching. Some say that it performs well with normal softballs and old game balls.
"...It might need a little maintenance, but with everything, it's a great working set-up and it's great fun each time. Great with the no-sting balls too...." Read more
"...It's nice. Plus, the feeder has a separate power cable that can plug into the machine...." Read more
"...This plays a big role on the accuracy and consistent performance of the machine...." Read more
"...the hopper gets in the way of the ball as it rolls, but otherwise works great...." Read more
Customers find the recreation ball very easy to setup and use. They also say it's simple and made to last.
"...Even with the problems I went though, I feel this thing is simple and made to last...." Read more
"Very easy setup and easy to use. My daughter uses this almost every day to practice her hitting...." Read more
"It is an easy setup. A manual would help." Read more
"The Pitching machine Is easy to set up and works great..." Read more
Customers appreciate the value of the recreation ball. They say it's well worth the cost.
"...If it last then it’s well worth the cost. I believe by how well it’s built that it should. It’s definitely going to be an asset." Read more
"...who plays baseball, this is a great investment and will save you money in the long run...." Read more
"Good so far. Great price" Read more
"Nice price for a pitching machine..." Read more
Customers are mixed about the pitching of the recreation ball. Some mention that it pitches amazingly accurate most of the time, and has very sturdy construction. Others say that it will not throw regular softballs accurately, it will only do ok with the balls that are recommended 12in rubber balls and even, and that it doesn't throw baseballs.
"...The machine pitched 99% accurate with the occasional inside/outside pitch but never anything that was way off or unhittable...." Read more
"...It will not throw regular softballs accurately!" Read more
"The pitching machine works great. Very sturdy construction. Very realistic pitching...." Read more
"...The balls keep sticking in the feeder as if it was bent. It shots the balls out good...." Read more
Customers are dissatisfied with the durability of the recreation ball. They mention that the washers break easily, the middle chute arrived bent, and the box was damaged. The feeder also gets bent.
"...5. Weak Screws and washers - The washers break if you need to take the cover off to fix, fill, or replace the wheel...." Read more
"...This is a great product.Also, I’d like to add that the feeder came broken; but we called the company and they shipped us the new piece the..." Read more
"...One box was totally damaged and had scratches on it. The balls keep sticking in the feeder as if it was bent. It shots the balls out good...." Read more
"Both ends are supposed to be perfectly round. The middle chute arrived bent(crimped)" Read more
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Chapter 1 - Decision making
I have been considering a softball pitching machine for 3 years now. I didn't feel I could afford it, but it looked like so much fun for my granddaughters (and me), plus they play it as a sport and I hoped it would help them get better. I checked out other brands. Ones that were REALLY cheap (and inexpensive) to ones much more expensive. I eventually felt the Heater would fit my needs. It said it could do pop-ups, grounders, pitch at various speeds, use real balls or practice ones. What really helped push me to the Heater was the protective design. I really didn't want the wheels out in the open where it would be more easy for one of the kids to get their long hair or hoodies strings accidentally caught in the motor. I didn't see ANY with a safety off switch. This one didn't either, but it seemed safer design-wise than any of the others.
Chapter 2 - The purchase
Last year I decided I could afford a reconditioned one, but by the time I went to buy one, they were sold out. I even looked for a NEW one, and had a hard time getting one. I tried to contact the Manufacturer, but I got no response, so I put the purchase off. As I said, that was last year.
This year (2014) I decided to get it way before the season started. There were reconditioned ones available, but again I had some questions, and AGAIN I tried to contact the manufacturer. And, again no response. And again, they went fast. So I decided to go ahead and buy a NEW one. I ended up getting it through Sold In Milwaukee. THEY were fantastic.
Chapter 3 - Receipt of Item
It was shipped fast and it was interesting that it was shipped directly from Heater Sports. I was excited to open it and test it before I brought it out to use with my granddaughters. I was not all that happy when I did open it. It had issues you wouldn't expect with a NEW item. Here's the main ones, in no particular order;
1. Some of the legs showed they had already been used. Some legs seemed as if they were obviously screwed into the pitching machines body a number of times. Some showed some slight rust on the ends. Others did seem new.
2. The wheel looked used. Brown spots all over it, as if it had some dirty balls already passed through it.
3. Any speed over 7 made a large whine. Seems the wheel not only looked used, but wasn't balanced.
4. The documents and images showed a carrying handle, but it had none in the package.
5. Weak Screws and washers - The washers break if you need to take the cover off to fix, fill, or replace the wheel.
Chapter 4 - Solutions to issues.
I was really mad. I did look into shipping the whole thing back. After all, a 30 day guarantee is promoted everywhere. But if you read the fine print, you have to pay for the shipping. BOTH WAYS!!! It would have cost me about $60.00 to ship it back, and I would have been refunded the amount I paid, minus ANOTHER $60.00. SO, be sure you want this. That guarantee is a farce.
I ended up contacting who I bought it from, and they FINALLY got someone at Heater to talk to me. Here's what was resolved.
1. We worked out the problem with the wheel and getting a balanced one. This took care of the speed limitation and the whining as well.
2. I accepted the fact I might have gotten some used legs, or older stock. But decided I didn't buy it to look pretty, just to be functional.
3. They send me a carrying handle, but it didn't fit my model. So, I just carry the disassembled machine in an 18 Gal container now, with room to spare for tools and extra's. (Battery & inverter in 2nd smaller bin).
4. I went to the Local Hardware store and got some real steel lock washers to replace the cheap ones that break when you access the wheel. I replaced them all for safety reasons.
Chapter 5 - Purchasing Needed Accessories.
I knew when I bought this, it was probably only going to be 1/2 the expense to get it set up the way I wanted. Here's what else I ended up buying.
1. Balls - It came with one practice ball, but I had purchased a dozen Jugs No-Sting Balls a few years earlier. I ended up buying another dozen Jugs No-Sting balls. They work awesome with the machine.
2. Battery - I wanted a sealed battery with deep cycling and large Amp-Hours, where the kids were going to be around it, but it was going to be about $300.00. I decided to get a much less expensive 101 AH Marine Deep Cycle Battery for 1/4 the price. Because the battery I got was lead-acid, I put it in an enclosure to keep it as safe as possible.
3. Inverter - I looked on the Heater box, which has some power specs and tried to figure out how to power the heater on the field. I thought about a gas generator, but they were going to be heavy and loud, so I looked into inverters and batteries instead. I ended up buying a 800 Watt Whistler Inverter. I figured it would work because it was twice what the box mentions for a power rating. It did NOT work. When I turned it on, the inverter would kick off as the motor began to spin up. If I turned it on, reset the inverter before the motor stopped spinning, then turned the inverter on again, it would run about 60% of the time. I decided it wasn't good enough.
I sold that one, and decided to try another Whistler because it acted and looked well built. SO, I tried a 1600 Watt Whistler Pro-1600W. YES!!!! It does kick off once in a while, but far less, and once it's on, with the battery, I get HOURS of run-time, and I basically leave it spinning unless I need to move it.
4. Nylon Rope - Read about my WARNINGS below.... Because kids (and Adults) can be dumb, I bought some YELLOW nylon rope to set up a triangle in front of the machine. Like the Bermuda Triangle, I create an area where the kids can't go. In certain instances, the machine WILL pitch if it's left on, even with the ball feeder stopped (See below). 100 Ft.
5. OTHER Stuff;
a. #4 AWG wires about 1 foot long. One Red, One Black. To go from the Inverter to the Battery. (Got these on the eee bay.
b. Plastic Stakes - To hold the yellow nylon rope down in the triangle. Cheap at Wally's
c. Battery Charger - I got the Stanley BC6809 on Amazon. Great, but hate it doesn't have and ON/OFF Switch. I use a timer.
d. Battery box
e. Bats - A few Bats of various weights/sizes
f. Helmets.
g. A Carrying Bag - Northstar 1050 HD 21x36 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004TKBY02/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
h. 18 Gallon Plastic bin - Fits machine, legs, other crapola.
i. Small bin - For battery and inverter. (Will eventually create and easier-to-move enclosure with air access)
Chapter 6 - Using it - The Fun Begins....
With all the problems. All the design. The trials and errors, we finally got it out to use it.
All I can say is it is AWESOME!!!! It was worth it. Even with the problems I went though, I feel this thing is simple and made to last. It might need a little maintenance, but with everything, it's a great working set-up and it's great fun each time. Great with the no-sting balls too. Beats spending money at cheap batting cages with lousy bats and water-logged balls that hurt like heck.
I Recently offered it to my grand daughters softball team and they said OK, but only for 1st 1/2 hour. After the 1/2 hour, they asked if we could keep using it for the rest of the practice :). I got asked a lot about it while we were out there too....
WARNINGS
WATCH OUT FOR STRAY PITCHES - With so many things going on, there are possibilities of making mistakes. Here's some suggestions;
1. Explain the rules BEFORE you even turn it on.
2. No one with LONG hair or Clothing with Strings should even get near the machine. Be Smart because there is NO EMERGENCY STOP.
3. Make a Bermuda Triangle with bright, nylon rope. Kids and adults don't always listen. If they see something, it helps remind them NOT to go in front of the machine.
4. Shut it off if anyone is retrieving balls.
5. If you are JUST stopping the feeder, make sure the feeders arm is straight up. If not, the vibration CAN cause balls to jump over arm and get pitched.
6. Protect the battery and inverter behind something, so they don't take direct hits.
7. Don't operate the inverter and battery from a completely sealed enclosure. (Either is usually rated for high temps, but they shouldn't be forced to)
8. Protect the machine operator from hits and balls coming back in.
WISH LIST
I would have liked the feeder on a slightly higher incline, but haven't got many stuck balls. Usually only when I use it to shoot pop-ups.
I would have liked the welds on the tripod a little lower, so that there was a space. With that space, I could put through a strap and, along with some anchors/stakes in the ground I could pull the machine to the ground tight. Not that the machine moves much at all, but this would allow me to really secure it. Although, with my luck, I'd hammer a stake into the in-ground sprinkler system. Oops. Never mind.
A better, updated Website for HEATER themselves. Once I did make contact, they took care of me. But I might have had the machine 3 years ago if their info was correct. Some of the old sites and emails are still out there in search engines, and those are the ones I used and they didn't respond to. Hopefully they will fix this. They actually were nice and helpful once I got through after the sale. That was during peak season too.
CONCLUSION
This Machine is great. It's a little work getting the battery, inverter, machine and ball feeder out to the mound, but I can connect it, set it up and aim it within minutes. It's not EXACTLY down-the-middle on each pitch, but I wouldn't want it to be. It's within the zone 99% of the time though, once you aim it. Especially if you use the same type balls.
I calculated I'd get about 5 hours use with my 101 AH battery, but I haven't run it that long all at once, and haven't run out yet. Each time it's recharged by morning too.
This thing would be perfect not only for any girls team, but also for men's or women's leagues that want to have some batting practice before or during the season out in a REAL field. Especially before the play-offs :)
Thanks Heater. Fix the little things and this will be perfect.
Thanks Amazon for selling it here, and giving me the credit to get it so my Grand kids can use it THIS year!
THANK YOU Sold In Milwaukee. You didn't just sell it to me, but went above ans beyond to help me solve some initial problems and turn this in to a wicked satisfying purchase.
Now it's at home, so we don't have to go anywhere, so she can use it ALL the time (and she does). It has a feeder, so you load it up and 8 or 9 balls fit in the feeder. It's nice. Plus, the feeder has a separate power cable that can plug into the machine. So you can plug it in there for power, or you can plug it into an extension cord so you can control it individually from the other end if you don't have someone else with you.
For the price, it's unbeatable.
The machine pitches the dented balls that are recommended; but it also pitches regular sized softballs. You can adjust the height and distance to fit your needs. This is a great product.
Also, I’d like to add that the feeder came broken; but we called the company and they shipped us the new piece the same day. Excellent communication and exceptional customer service .
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