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polyball batting practice
The Crusher Curve
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The Heater Crusher
Mini-Lite Pitching Machine - Review
A great entry level pitching machine
The Crusher is a popular entry level mini polyball (“mini lite”) pitching machine which has many of the features of the mid and high end polyball pitching machines have, at an affordable price point. The Crusher Curve is not a toy pitching machine. It is a two wheel, variable speed machine that will pitch curves and fastballs up to 45 mph.
Hopper and Feeder
The machine will hold 24 balls in the hopper. The (one speed) automatic ball feeder regulates the feed time at around 4 seconds between pitches.
Machine Light
There is a light on the Crusher which flashes to indicate that the power is on. The light does not indicate that the feeder is rotating or that a ball is about to be pitched like the Sandlot Slugger Pitch Alert Light. Nevertheless, it serves the useful purpose of alerting users to the fact that the power is on and one should stay away from the pitch opening.
- Note: The Crusher can be fed (like many baseball machines) one ball at a time, from behind the machine, by a responsible adult (don’t allow children to do this), using similar feeding techniques that are used with baseball pitching machines. This would involve holding a ball up in the air, then bringing it down to the hopper to be fed into the machine. This would allow the hitter to see that a ball is being fed and will be momentarily delivered by the machine. This procedure will help to prevent the hitter being caught off guard by the pitch delivery from the machine.
Pitch Speed and Controls
The Crusher comes with two variable speed dials which operate each motor/pitching wheel. This gives the user a lot of control when it comes to pitch selection. You can dial the machine down to practically 0 mph or pitch it up to 45 mph (top speed).
Curve ball break can be manipulated by tweaking the controls for more or less break on the curve. You can get decent curves with this machine at about 15 - 20 feet pitching distance. This option allows for confined space hitting in a small cage (like the Home Run Batting Cage) or backyard area of either curves or fast balls.
Tripod Stand and Portability
The A/C model is the least portable because you will need an electrical outlet to operate the machine. The 4 hour and 8 hour battery versions make the Crusher fully portable to set up anywhere. The batteries are rechargeable and can be added to the A/C unit to make it a battery operated machine. The batteries insert very conveniently through the bottom of the machine.
Balls
The Soft Crusher ball for indoor hitting
The Crusher machine balls are not as suitable for indoor hitting (in a garage or basement) as the perforated mini Wiffle ball, which is lighter and travels with less velocity. Nevertheless, Trend Sports does recommend the Soft Crusher ball for indoor hitting in a garage or basement, and with the right netting set up you will be able to use your Crusher machine indoors. Because it is both heavier and travels at higher velocities, you will need to be more cautious with the Soft Crusher ball indoors than with the mini Wiffle ball. See My Favorite Indoor Polyball
Price
The Crusher is the most affordable of the mini poly ball pitching machines - AND it comes with a heavy duty tripod as a “bonus” which makes this a real value. The A/C version is the least expensive and can be upgraded to a 4 hour or 8 hour battery operated machine down the road.
The Crusher Curve is an ideal entry level pitching machine, which will do most of the things desired from a pitching machine - I.e. throw curves, fast balls accurately and reliably, at a price point that is easy on the wallet. It is a real pitching machine (not a children’s toy) that is suitable for ages 8 through high school at an affordable price.
See Crusher Curve page for more details
This machine comes with it’s own heavy duty tripod. The tripod is made of tubular steel that adjusts to different heights. The legs will retract to a straight up/down position, when the machine is picked up. The tripod is attached to the machine via a bolt which can be removed separating the machine from the tripod for better portability.
I would like to see the tripod extend a bit higher - maybe two feet for better pitch height capability with certain pitches (particularly curve balls) , but the tripod is truly heavy duty which is nice to see. The machine (on it’s tripod) could be set on a sturdy raised platform when (and if) additional height is needed.
The Crusher is designed to pitch the Trend Sports proprietary polyballs. There are two types of balls available for the Crusher machine: the Fast Crusher balls and the Soft Crusher foam balls.
The Fast Crusher balls are perforated poly balls which feature a harder plastic than the more pliable Wiffle brand balls. These balls are accurate and will pitch about twice as fast as the soft Crusher balls. These balls are best when pitch speed is most important.
- Note: You can simply move closer or farther from the machine to manipulate the reaction time involved in hitting the ball, which will simulate just about any pitch speed.
The Soft Crusher balls are a dimpled poly foam ball which weighs slightly more than the perforated poly ball. You will get good curve balls (as well as straight pitches) with the dimpled balls. The dimpled design is popular with baseball pitching machine balls for their accuracy. The Soft Crusher balls feed very cleanly into the machine, the ball design and extra tenths of an ounce probably help with this. I really like these balls with this machine,.
The Sandlot Slugger
Strong - Powerful
Rugged
Four Pitch Speeds!
Holds 100 Balls!
Pitch Alert Light
2-Year Manufacturer's Warranty
AC Adapter/Charger
4-Hour Battery
Top pitch speed of 60 mph
Curve Balls or Fast Balls
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Available with
- Turbo Speed Option(makes top pitch up to 70 mph)
- Remote On/Off Option (turn the feeder on or off by remote)
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Learn Rotational Hitting Mechanics
Step by step instuction on the mechanics used by the great hitters
Hit Like a Major Leaguer
The Final Arc II
Dvd & Booklet
Tired of Poor Hitting Results?
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The Grobat
small diameter bat
Practice hitting the small polyball with a small diameter bat.
Improve your hand /eye coordination
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to learn more
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Polyball Batting Practice
The most practical way to improve your hitting skill. Serious batting practice - at home. (indoors or outdoors.) Fast balls, curve balls and sliders. Don't waste another coin at a commercial batting cage. Great for all ages and skill levels.
"If you are not doing Polyball Batting Practice -You are probably not taking enough batting practice"
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