THE PROGRAMMABLE
PITCHING MACHINE The
HomePlate machine for Softball can simulate almost
any pitcher you are likely to face. It can throw
a 70 MPH rising fastball, followed by a 55 MPH
curve, followed by a 50 MPH drop screwball. And
it can do it all automatically with only seven
seconds between pitches. It throws standard 12-inch
dimple softballs.
Put
that scouting report on your next opposing pitcher to real
use by programming her pitches into the HomePlate machine.
Then select RANDOM pitch order to simulate that pitcher
for a game-like practice. The HomePlate machine can also
throw stored pitches in sequential order, or you can practice
repeatedly against any individual pitch. You can also control
pitch timing manually using the SINGLE PITCH feature, which
is useful when a coach wants more time between pitches
for instruction.
The programmable feature of the HomePlate machine opens up endless
new possibilities for drills that target specific hitting skills.
You can store up to eight different pitches in each of eight different
programs (up to 64 total pitches). Here are just two example programs:
Curveball Location Program.
Store curveballs pitched in different locations, some in and some
out of the strike zone. Select RANDOM pitch order. Seeing a mixture
of balls and strikes rapidly helps hitters improve pitch discrimination.
Fastball SPEED Program. Store a sequence of fastballs such as: two pitches at 40 MPH, then
two at 45 MPH, two at 50 MPH and two at 55 MPH. Select Sequence order.
This drill systematically builds skills and confidence to hit faster
pitches.
With the HomePlate machine the hitting drills you design are limited
only by your imagination, not your equipment. And since it holds
40 softballs, you can hit for nearly five minutes without stopping.
A WHOLE NEW BALL GAME
The HomePlate machine uses a patented three-wheel pitching mechanism
that is more accurate than two wheels because it puts more gripping
surface on the ball. It also features an innovative sound and light
system designed to help batters time the pitches, as well as enhance
safety. About two seconds prior to each pitch the HomePlate machine
will beep, which warns everybody near the machine that a pitch is coming.
Then the batter sees a sequence of three lights just above the ball
exit point that gives him visual cues comparable to seeing a live pitching
motion, as follows: Beep (the pitcher sets), red light blinks (the
pitcher starts his motion), yellow light blinks (the pitcher winds
up), green light blinks (the pitcher is about to release the ball),
the ball is pitched.
PROGRAMMABILITY MADE SIMPLE Storing
a pitch in the HomePlate machine is as easy as 1-2-3.
1
Use
the Create-A-Pitch™ controls
to select the type of pitch, speed, and direction.
2
Choose
the PROGRAM and PITCH numbers where you want to store
the pitch.
3
Press
STORE.
Using your stored pitch programs is also as easy as 1-2-3.
1
Select
the PROGRAM number you want to use.
2
Select
REPEAT, SEQUENCE, or RANDOM pitch order.
3
Select
AUTOMATIC or SINGLE PITCH ball feed.
If a batter is practicing by himself, he would choose AUTOMATIC
ball feed. When the SINGLE PITCH button is pressed only one pitch
is thrown, which is useful when a coach wants more time between
pitches for instruction. If a batter is having difficulty with
a particular pitch, then select REPEAT pitch order to throw that
pitch over and over again.
HOMEPLATE
CONTROL CENTER The
HomePlate Control Center allows a user to control all the features
of the HomePlate machine on a convenient control panel that can be
placed near the batter's end of the cage. It also features a mechanical
lockout feature that only allows the user to change only the program,
pitch order, and ball feed functions. This makes it ideal for batting
cage use in a commercial environment where the cage operator wants
the user to have only limited control of the machine.
OPTIONAL
REMOTE CONTROL An optional hand-held wired remote control lets you
start and stop automatic pitching, or throw one pitch at a time.
HOMEPLATE HAND-FEED
MODEL The
HomePlate Hand-feed model provides the same functionality and
ease-of-use as the standard HomePlate machine, but without
the automatic ball feed. The Hand-feed model even retains the
programmability feature of the HomePlate, so a coach can store
up to 64 different pitches which he can then recall with the
push of a button.
WARRANTY Homeplate is backed by a one year warranty covering
both parts and labor. Extended warranties available.
