Customer Reviews

Franklin Sports Mlb Power Pitcher Pitching Machine/Baseball Batting Trainer No. 14948

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I just purchased one of these today for a gift. I read that it would be difficult to find extra balls that fit - and it was. None of the ones available have fit so far. So I tried tennis balls, and that worked just fine. The balls have to be just ever so slightly smaller than the average practice balls (you can't tell by looking side by side) and baseballs, so tennis balls fit that bill.

I also read that it eats batteries, and that the adaptor advertised is no longer available. So I came out with a pile of generic adjustable adaptors. I found that 300ma 6v was not strong enough to make the machine do anything but buzz. So I tried a 5v 1amp adaptor from an old zip drive, and that worked (after about the 3rd try. Not sure what the deal was the first 2 times). So if you have trouble finding an adaptor, try more amps. The machine doesn't say what the rating should be anywhere, it only says 6V - C + on the side.

I haven't tried it other than to shoot some balls across my living room, so we'll see how it holds up. Seems to be a good fit for a little kid.

this is a great learning toy for a t baller about to move up. the only thing is that the machine pitches different every time so its hard to set it up right. My son loves this machine it helps him to watch the ball and not swing at all of them because some are low and some are high other than not being consistant we have really enjoyed it.

I bought this pitching machine so my 8-year-old son could take batting practice in the off season (or prepare for the upcoming Little League season). It works as described. Definitely, buy the version with the electrical cord so you don't have to burn through a gazillion batteries, which is what this one has. We also turn it over on its side so my son can use it to practice fielding too.

My son got this as an Xmas gift and it started malfunctioning right off the bat. It stopped throwing balls so I did some surgery on it. I can't say that I did anything except reseat things so that somehow it started working again. I did learn that one of the two throwing motors is flakey often not starting; I think that explains why the first ball is always just skimming the ground: the first ball "push starts" the balky wheel and the rest come out at a decent speed. My guess is that this machine will completely give up the ghost soon though maybe the flighty motor will continue on.

The balls seem to come out at reasonable speeds (there was no manual with it and I couldn't find any info on the Franklin web site). I'm not sure about the accuracy.

Another problem is that it only comes with four balls. Additional balls can be found on Amazon but they're $3 each plus shipping (3rd party vendor): you can get a dozen real t-ball baseballs for $2 a ball. Once you've got the machine you're going to want more balls (the magazine holds 9) or you'll very likely need new balls (losing them is pretty easy, I would guess). We tried a tennis ball and some cheaper foam balls. Neither worked well: the machine fires them out but without sufficient speed to be useful. Another reviewer (of the balls themselves) warns that the dimpled Franklin balls don't work in this thrower.

It's a nice idea but it's a flawed system.

I gave this to my 5 year old grandson for his birthday. I know he was on the young side for this gift - however, his mother and father both played ball in high school and beyond - so I knew they would work with him.

Once we got the correct height established - it worked great. However, this machine only comes with 4 balls - therefore, to keep everyone from running and retriving after 4 hits - I purchased the additional 12-pack that was advertised with this machine.

Well, they don't fit -- they wouldn't slide down the chute! I'm still looking for additional balls to fit this machine. Franklin has them for $9.99 for 2 -- that is too pricy -- need the 12 pack that is priced more reasonable.

If I could have given this a 0 rating then I would have. We purchased this item for my 8 year old son who is preparing for Little League. My husband set it up and it was a blast for the 30 minutes it lasted. That was it. 30 minutes and we couldn't get it to work again. Amazon said there is nothing they can do since more than 30 days has elapsed. Well since this was a Christmas gift is has been cold so we have not been able to get outside till today so basically we got screwed.