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Season
36 Posts |
 Posted - 10/19/2010 : 09:27:09
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Any downside to building a small (9'w x 30'L)indoor home batting cage using sponge balls for lots of reps / training 12U and up ?
Thoughts hitting sponge balls vs Baseballs ? |
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Shut Out
512 Posts |
Posted - 10/19/2010 : 12:07:19
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| i have always used wiffles - cheap |
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zwndad
170 Posts |
Posted - 10/19/2010 : 16:49:28
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| Wiffle balls are especially great when the boys get older and need to learn to wait on the ball to travel, with more off-speed as you get old. But, if you want to throw fastballs, the sponge balls would probably work better. Either way, I don't think it matters that you're not using baseballs. I assume you're working on swing mechanics in that size cage, rather than live pitching experience. |
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bluecup
49 Posts |
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TAZ980002
831 Posts |
Posted - 10/20/2010 : 09:55:44
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| Season, I bought my sons a Swingaway hitting device last year. It has been the best training tool we've used so far. It would easily fit in the area you are talking about. Good luck. |
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prestont
197 Posts |
Posted - 10/20/2010 : 10:36:23
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I agree with Bandit Hawk. We found a swing-a-way on eBay a few years ago, and it really is an excellent tool. Kids get immediate feedback, and the ball resets itself within 2-3 seconds. My son can get in 50-60 reps on inside to outide balls within 8-10 mins, and we try to have him hit 3+ times a week. Durable too - We've had it for 3 yrs, and its still in great shape.
Best of luck to ya - but Bandit Hawk has a good point as the swing-a-way has a much smaller footprint. |
Edited by - prestont on 10/20/2010 11:18:57 |
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beanball
222 Posts |
Posted - 10/20/2010 : 12:59:23
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| Ditto on the Swing-a-way. We have one too. No need for netting and you can get lots of swings in a short time. We also have a soft toss station with a clam shell shape net. Hitting real baseballs without any trouble. |
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Hillio
123 Posts |
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Alter-Ego
802 Posts |
Posted - 10/20/2010 : 16:21:09
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| The portable Swing-a-way is the ideal thing for to have and take along to tournaments that don't have cages. It also allows you to keep it set up so anyone not starting, but coming into a game, can take some swings before batting instead of going up there cold from sitting on the bench for an hour. |
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jongamefan
218 Posts |
Posted - 10/21/2010 : 13:42:15
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quote:
Originally posted by Hillio
I built a pitching machine out of PVC and a leaf blower that shoots golf sized wiffle balls, similar to the one found here:
http://www.pitchingmachinepro.com/Grand-Slam-Wiffle-Ball-Pitching-Machine-p/gs05swfstk.htm
The website states that this machine only pitches 35mph, but the one I made pitches a good bith faster than that, from further away. It would probably work well for indoors.
ha , sounds like my homemade pvc potato gun !
i guarantee ya its shooting 35 mph
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Season
36 Posts |
Posted - 10/22/2010 : 09:15:59
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| Great resources everyone and appreciate the info....got a winter project once Fall season is over! |
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SouthSide24
44 Posts |
Posted - 11/01/2010 : 10:39:22
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| Great info, especially on the Swingaway..Which model do you recommend, We would prolly be best served if we could take w us to practices, etc..Thanks |
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TAZ980002
831 Posts |
Posted - 11/01/2010 : 11:57:03
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quote:
Originally posted by SouthSide24
Great info, especially on the Swingaway..Which model do you recommend, We would prolly be best served if we could take w us to practices, etc..Thanks
We bought the original Swingaway but it does not travel well unless you have a large pickup truck with a mostly empty bed. |
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coachdoug
50 Posts |
Posted - 11/01/2010 : 12:00:20
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| I picked up the Titan Pro Traveler model from Hitting World and it's nice! Rock solid construction, sets up/tears down quickly. Pick up the pro model carrying case from Swing Away directly and it's small enough for the back seat. Great for station drills at practices and beats the pop up netting in the garage! |
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zwndad
170 Posts |
Posted - 11/01/2010 : 16:04:18
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| After all this discussion, I'm seriously thinking about getting the SwingAway Titan Elite for my 3 boys (1 12U & 2 in high school) - for the baseball, not to travel around. I've heard some negative feedback elsewhere about durability. Can anybody share an whether you've had durability issues with the SwingAway? |
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prestont
197 Posts |
Posted - 11/01/2010 : 16:57:55
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We've had our swingaway titan elite in our garage for 3 years, and its held up very well. My son (11U), teammates, and friends use it multiple times a week before games and practices.
We've had real good luck with ours - but do recommend checking a variety of sources. We got ours on eBay for about 1/2 of the swingaway online price. |
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k_coach
53 Posts |
Posted - 11/01/2010 : 18:36:34
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ZWNDAD,
I puchased a swingaway last off season and it only lasted this season. I am not sure what model it is, but it definately does not travel well. I could be that I overtightened the bolts (as when I took it apart, it was bent at the bolts). We are still using it as a pitchback, but the swingaway portion (ball and poles) broke.
I purchased it because I had heard great things about it (number of reps, inside outside pitch and bat resistance through the zone), it did work well in these areas, just didnt last as long as I would have liked. I do have friends that have had theirs for years with no trouble, so again, it could have been user error in putting it together.
Hope this helps. |
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beanball
222 Posts |
Posted - 11/01/2010 : 19:33:29
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Zdad
I have the pro model. It does not travel & I have it indoors full time. Besides normal maintenance -- you will need to replace the bungee cords based on usage and the ball gets worn. You need to make sure the home plate and the pulleys are aligned before you start each time or they'll wear out fast. This is all explained in the instructions.
We’ve also had one pulley break. The parts are easily replaced and not very expensive. I keep extra parts on hand.
Ours is four years old and looks like new.
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zwndad
170 Posts |
Posted - 11/02/2010 : 10:57:45
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btw, just re-read my most. I meant to say that we would use it in the BASEMENT, as opposed to traveling around with it.
Thanks for the feedback. I think my Christmas shopping just got a little easier. |
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metsFan
63 Posts |
Posted - 11/02/2010 : 14:34:36
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quote:
Originally posted by zwndad
After all this discussion, I'm seriously thinking about getting the SwingAway Titan Elite for my 3 boys (1 12U & 2 in high school) - for the baseball, not to travel around. I've heard some negative feedback elsewhere about durability. Can anybody share an whether you've had durability issues with the SwingAway?
I have owned the "New Swing Away" for over a year. It is $100 cheaper than the Titan Elite. I purchased it directly from the president of the company (he lives in East Cobb). He threw in an extra ball/tether.
I find that the ball/tether is not so durable. The line frays over time and needs to be replaced. I suggest building your own ball/tether using the included one as a guide. (If you don't purchase the extra ball). The other parts of the product are in perfect working order so far. |
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Topic |
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Indoor Home Batting Cage
