Baseball Pitching Machine Instructions

1.   Responsible Use:  The Jugs Curve-Ball pitching machine is a useful and effective piece of coaching equipment.  However, it is also unguarded rotating equipment that can cause serious injury or death if not operated properly.  Only adults over the age of 18 may set up or operate the machine and this includes the feeding of balls.  Under no circumstances should it be adjusted to throw balls faster than those that can be successfully hit by the players using the machine.

2.    Storage:  The machine is stored in the shed adjacent to the batting cage with the legs disassembled.

3.   Assembly:  To assemble the tripod legs, stand the wheel assembly on end and balance it between your knees.  Place each leg into the appropriate slot and then tighten the T-bolt.

4.   Transport:  The machine may be transported on its wheels using the legs as handles similar to a wheelbarrow.

5.  Placement:  Stand the machine upright at the appropriate distance from the batter.  When using machine inside the batting cage, place a wooden pad under each leg to prevent it from cutting into the artificial surface.

6.  Trajectory: For fastballs, position the wheel assembly vertically by loosening the lock knob and manipulating the ball-and-socket connection to achieve the desired trajectory.  Note: To make minor horizontal adjustment, it is often easier to nudge the legs rather than unlocking the ball-and-socket.  Minor vertical trajectory adjustment can be accomplished by changing the speed offset of the two wheels.

7.   Speed Control:  Each wheel has an independent speed control dial.  Turn each dial to minimum speed before turning motors on via the toggle switch.  To throw a straight fastball, set the pitching machine with one wheel directly on top of the other wheel and adjust the lower wheel to a faster speed than the upper wheel. A minimum of 35 digit differential should be maintained between the speed dial settings of the two wheels at all times.

8.  Balls:  The pitching machine can throw a variety of ball types including leather, whiffle, and dimpled.  The tires are very abrasive to leather balls.  Dimpled plastic balls generally work the best.

9.  Protection:  Place the L-shaped screen in front of the operator as protection from hit balls.

10. Curveballs:  Curveballs may be thrown by orienting the tire assembly horizontally.  See the Jugs Owner’s Manual for additional information. 

11.  Storage:  When finished using the pitching machine, turn both speed dials to the minimum setting and turn off the motors via the toggle switch located on the control box.  Disassemble legs and place in storage building.  The left-most door must be secured using the barrel bolts at the top and bottom.  Close and lock right-most door.