Machine Pitch vs. Coach Pitch

Players at age 7 and 8 should hit off of a pitcher, not a machine. The machine does not allow the batter to properly time the pitch, taking away the child’s natural ability to load his hands and weight with the pitch. The result is that players will “cheat” by starting with their hands and all of their weight back (pre-loaded) in an effort to catch up with the pitch. Reinforcing the bad habit of pre-loading has a long-term negative effect on the player’s ability to hit. With a pitcher the batter will naturally load his weight as the pitcher begins to deliver the pitch. All leagues should do away with machine pitch and adopt coach pitch