The Spinball Wizard two-wheel pitching machine features a versatile design that allows the same basic machine to be used for baseball and softball. Every machine starts out as a combination machine. The only differences between the baseball and softball machines are the interchangeable legs and ball feeder tubesFeatures: Available in baseball, softball, and combination models Throws any pitch from any angle Top speed: 105 mph baseball, 88 mph softball Compatible with dimpled balls and leather balls Each wheel's speed is set independently for full adjust-ability of pitch speed and break Spinball Wizard can be set to spin the ball in any direction to simulate virtually any pitch Baseball and softball legs can be swapped in just seconds Super portable - Weighs just 59 lbs Throws grounders, pop ups and fly balls All stainless steel fasteners Tough powder coat finish Runs on standard 110V (240V version also available - call to order) 5 Year manufacturer's warranty Made in the USA Free Fedex Ground Shipping to the Continental USA Optional autofeeder available (Holds 35 Baseballs or 29 Softballs) Top Quality Wheels - Spinball wheel tread is thicker and more durable than other brands. ATEC's profiled wheel tread is only 3/8" thick at the center, while Spinball wheels are a full 1" thick top grade urethane for better pitch accuracy and longer wheel life. The thicker tread provides a wheel speed recovery time of under 2 seconds, compared with 8 seconds for ATEC. Jugs uses Chinese-made pneumatic wheels that are almost impossible to keep balanced because they change shape at high speed from centrifugal force. As the speed increases, the unbalanced rubber tire expands, but the balance weights mounted on the steel wheel can't move, so the wheels become unbalanced. They also tend to leak air and gloss over from use, reducing grip and therefore accuracy and speed.Ball and Socket Adjustment Mechanism - All three axes are set at once - horizontal, vertical, and twist. Adjustment is quick, easy, and won't shake loose under vibration. The simplicity of this frame design reduces machine weight significantly.Independent wheel speed controls - Each wheel's speed is set independently for full adjustability of pitch speed and break, something not possible with 1 wheel or arm style machines. Wheel speed is shown directly on the control box - unlike other manufacturers, there's no need to use charts to set the pitch speed.Fast, Easy Leg Installation - Legs easily slide into the sockets on the machine base and spring loaded buttons lock them in place. Baseball and softball legs can be swapped in just seconds.Throws any pitch from any angle - A thrown ball curves in the direction of its spin. The faster the spin, the more it curves. Fastballs have backspin, which cause them to rise, or at least fall slower than they otherwise would. Sinkers and curves have topspin, causing them to drop. Knuckleballs ideally have no spin at all and move randomly. By adjusting the wheel speeds and the angle of the machine, the Spinball Wizard can be set to spin the ball in any direction to simulate virtually any pitch.Can it really throw a slider? A slider spins around an axis nearly parallel to its direction of travel, like a football thrown with a spiral. The resulting break is similar to a 3/4 curve, but sharper. No commercial machine actually throws a slider- it's more of a fast 3/4 curve. This is a close approximation to a slider, and it's what virtually all pitching machines throw.How accurate is this machine? It largely depends on the type and condition of the balls you use. The plastic dimpled balls are more accurate because they vary less than leather balls, especially after use. In recent testing, this two-wheel machine threw 97 of 100 pitches for strikes using low seam baseballs and 100 strikes in a row with dimpled balls.
