INSTRUCTIONS FOR PITCHING MACHINES:
Adjustments to these machines are not intuitive – so please read below as opposed to tinkering around with them. Tinkering will be an exercise in frustration for both you and the coach who uses the machine after you and has to change everything back.
Machine Instructions
-- the “micro-adjust screw" allows you to fine-tune the height of the pitch -- screw clockwise to lower the pitch and counterclockwise to raise the pitch
-- the block on the “release lever" (the thing that you pull back and then release to pitch): you only need to change the block setting based on whether you are using the machine on a mound or on level ground. A block setting of 3 will throw strikes off the mound. A block setting of 4 will throw strikes off of level ground (e.g. OF, cage). Right now, the block on the release lever for all of the machines is set at 3 – the mound setting.
PLEASE DON’T CHANGE ANY OTHER SETTINGS.
THE INSTRUCTION MANUAL CAN BE FOUND UNDER THE "DOCUMENTS" LINK
Other Pitching Machine Stuff
The front of the machine -- the horizontal of the "T" formed by the leg bars -- should sit on the rubber. It is wider than the rubber so the plastic/rubber caps will sit in the dirt on either side of the rubber. Place a sand bag over the right and left sides of the front bar. The sand bags will basically be on top of the rubber.
The rear leg of the machine (the vertical of the "T") will extend behind (and perpendicular to) the rubber. The operator will be standing at the rear of mound.
Final Point
Pitching machines are sensitive to the weight, construction, and imperfections of baseballs. In games, try to use only a few balls of good quality and the same manufacture – you will see good consistency in the pitches.
Posted 4/10/08
