Jugs Lite-Flite Pitching Machine

by Jugs

Product Features

• Lightweight pitching machine for honing swings of up-and-coming hitters
• Throws lite baseballs and softballs or Jugs Bulldog baseballs and softballs
• Full range of movement adjusts for fastballs, curve balls, and sliders
• Swivel-design base rotates 360 degrees, throws left and right-handed pitches
• 1/8 Horsepower, 1.3 amplifier motor, weighs 35-Pounds, 1-year warranty

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Pitch for pitch and dollar for dollar, the Jugs Lite-Flite pitching machine is a terrific choice for up-and-coming hitters who want to hone their swings. The Lite-Flite isn't a big-league pitching machine, as it's designed to throw only Lite-Flite baseballs and 11- or 12-inch softballs or Jugs Bulldog baseballs and softballs. As a result, young hitters can learn how to hit sharp-breaking pitches without worrying about bruises or bone breaks. However, that doesn't mean the Lite-Flite won't prepare you for the bigs. The machine offers a full range of movement that adjusts for all types of pitches, including fastballs, curveballs, and sliders. In addition, you can adjust the swivel-design base casting 360 degrees to simulate fly balls, ground balls, and pop-ups--a must for fielders who want to practice defense in the backyard. And it doesn't matter which side of the plate you prefer, as the Lite-Flite throws both left- and right-handed pitches.

Other features include the Jugs' "always see the ball" delivery system; a quick-change design with exclusive Switch-and-Play knobs for adjusting the machine from baseball to softball in seconds; a portable design that fits snugly into two heavy-duty carrying bags; and a 1/8-horsepower, 1.3 amp motor. Designed to work both indoors and outdoors, the Lite-Flite weighs only 35 pounds and carries a one-year warranty.

Note: The Lite-Flite is compatible with the Jugs rechargeable battery pack (sold separately), a self-contained battery that runs your Lite-Flite machine for up to 3 hours of continuous use. Designed to recharge in only four hours, the battery pack comes complete with a 32-inch extension cord, a battery recharger, a nylon shoulder strap, and a heavy-duty nylon carrying case.

You can adjust the machine to throw both left- and right-handed pitches.

Specifications:

• Recommended age: 5 to adult
• Speed range: 30 to 50 miles per hour
• Speed adjustments: Dial
• Rechargeable battery pack: Sold separately
• Power source: 110-volt AC
• Motor: 1/8-horsepower, 1.3 amp
• 360-degree swivel: Yes
• Cover: Yes, optional
• Automatic feeder: No
• In-line switch: No
• Weight: 35 pounds
• Warranty: 1 year

Product Description

The JUGS Lite-Flite Machine delivers Big League pitches for the Minor league price. In your backyard, on the field or in the gym, if you love to hit, a JUGS Lite-Flite Machine is perfect for you. No matter if you want slow tosses or challenging breaking pitches, the JUGS Lite-Flite Machine promises to deliver lots of strikes and lots of fun. The JUGS Lite-Flite Machine is made up of cast steel with a brand New 3 Year Guarantee! The JUGS Lite-Flite Machine has a 1/8 HP, 1.3 Amp Motor and runs on regular 110 AC or Optional JUGS Lite-Flite Battery Pack.

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 26.5 x 13 x 11 inches ; 47 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 44.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B001CF4Y7M
• California residents: Click here for Proposition 65 warning.
• Item model number: M6000
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #11,588 in Sports & Outdoors (See Top 100 in Sports & Outdoors)
  • #4 in Sports & Outdoors > Team Sports > Baseball > Training Equipment > Pitching Machines

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Backyard Pitching Machine, March 16, 2006

By 

jimfresh86 (the over-indulgent dad) - See all my reviews

I bought this for my backyard to be used in a cage I have set up. I opted for this model for two main reasons. Cost and safety. It's one of the cheaper models from Jugs. Compared to the ones that throw hard baseballs or the hard dimpled pitching machine balls besides being cheaper it is also much safer for my 7 and 10 year old. I don't have to worry about them getting hit with the balls. There are cheaper options out there (mound monster, hitting streak) but this one feels like it is built to last as compared to some of the other pitching machines in the under $400 range. It is a good weight (35lbs) and feels very solid.

It comes with two separate bags. One smaller bag for the legs and one for the head unit that throws the balls. The storage bags are quality and seem like they will last. It comes with only one sample Jugs ball of each of the types of balls it will throw. 2 different baseballs (1 poly and one spongy) and 2 different softballs (1 poly and one spongy) for a total of 4 balls. Expect to add some money for the cost of at least a couple dozen of Jugs balls.

It was relatively quick to setup. With just a brief look at the instructions you kind of understand where everything goes and in about 10 minutes you are ready to go. While takedown/setup is relatively easy it is still not so easy that you want to do it everyday. Since its just in my backyard I prefer to just leave it setup and have a cover for it for rainy days as it is not supposed to get wet. I guess if you wanted to travel with it allow 10-15 minutes each for setup and takedown. You would also probably need the optional battery.

You have to calibrate the pitches by moving the head unit around. It has knobs you can loosen to move the head unit up/down left /right. It may take a couple of pitches to get it throwing within the strike zone. Fastballs are pretty consistent within the strike zone. Since the balls are so light the wind does have an affect on the ball flight. One thing I don't really like is that when you want to change from fastballs to curveballs or sliders you have to recalibrate once again. The hitter also knows its coming when you throw a curve or slider. It's obvious you are going to throw a curve or slider since the head unit is tilted and you have to recalibrate it to throw a curve in the strike zone. It's kind of a pain to change the pitch types so for now we have mainly just stuck to changing speeds off of the fastball. While my 10 year old can calibrate it, its not easy to calibrate for younger kids. Now that he is familiar with it my 10 year old can probably use it with little supervision.

One big plus is that my son doesn't complain about his hands hurting after hitting like he might after going to the cage and hitting the hard balls. Since these balls are soft there is no sting. He can swing a hundred times and his hands dont hurt at all. Because of the lack of fear of being hit it can also help the young hitter learn to bunt a fast pitched ball.


Other criticisms include the use of only Jugs balls. At $20/dozen the balls are a little expensive but really not much more than other sponge ball options out there. I have only really used the lite flite sponge baseballs with it. I haven't tried the poly balls.

Also, I wish it came with the optional auto feeder w/remote. You can't really practice alone with this machine. I might get it when it becomes available.

It is listed @ 30-50mph. I find when it's a slower pitch at the recommended distances the pitch tends to end up much lower than the max fastball which tends to be higher. I have it setup approx 30 ft. away. Which gives me the ability to get a good range of speeds of pitches in the strike zone without calibrating it over and over. (The manual says @ 40 feet the max fastball speed is equivalent to a pitch @ approx 60-65 mph. At 35 feet it is 70-75 mph)

I would definitely recommend it to those with younger children for safety reasons but I could see them using it through high school as well. I think the quality for an under $400 machine is very high. It is built well and serves its purpose. Would I get it if my kids were playing high school ball? While I can see it being used with high school age kids I'm not sure I would buy it. While it is a good machine I think I might have to spend a little more and get a Jugs one that throws real baseballs.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great pitching machine for kids!!, March 28, 2010

By 

Stephen C. (Connecticut) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jugs Lite-Flite Pitching Machine (Sports)

Growing up my Dad bought me an ATEC pitching machine in high school and we built a 90 foot pro-style batting cage complete with Yankee stadium clay around home plate so I know pitching machines. This is NOT that kind of machine but if you have Little Leaguers or especially a child transitioning from tee ball to pitching this is THE machine for you. I just bought one used on craigslist the other day but bought the special "Lite Flite" balls here on Amazon. If you can't or don't want to pick one up used, Amazon definitely has a great price on it. I HIGHLY recommend you also pick up the JUGS Instant Screen as a back-stop at the same time. The great thing about the "soft" baseballs are that my son (8 years old) didn't worry about getting hit, even though I had beaned him a bunch of time the previous week trying to pitch to him. He took right to the machine and within minutes was honing his swing. It really allowed me to give instruction and watch his technique and not worry about pitching (or hitting him as the case had been!). Daddy even got a chance to hit a few balls the other day. The great thing is that the balls feel solid when hitting them and "pop" off the bat but really don't travel very far (I only managed to rock a few balls about 150 feet or so) so they are pretty easy to contain in your back yard or any decent size playground. I recommend 2 to 3 dozen "Lite Flite" balls and no more or you will lose track of them.

This is really a great training device for young up and coming ball players and even young teeanage hitters. It is money well spent (especially when you consider what they charge at a batting cage these days) and it is such a well built machine that when your kids outgrow it you will have no problem recouping at least 50% of it's price on eBay or Craigslist if you keep it in good condition.

It works off AC power so remember to have a long extension cord, a small generator or buy the battery pack (expensive at about $175). You could make your own battery system for about $75 with a simple DC to AC inverter (like they sell for your car cigarette lighter) at $30, a 12volt 18 amp hour battery pack (around $30) and a charger ($15)and stuff it all in a small carry bag.

Short of buying a $900-2000 "real" pitching machine, this is your best and only bet for the price, especially if you can find a used one. Good luck!!

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This machine rocks!, May 21, 2009

By 

Kealoha Tauaefa - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jugs Lite-Flite Pitching Machine (Sports)

The machine is wonderful. The first day we got it, we used it at softball practice. Girls that had never hit the ball before were actually hitting it because they weren't afraid of getting hit with the ball. I have no complaints about the machine whatsoever. I do want to mention that I ordered it on 4/19/09 and it was supposed to arrive on 4/25/09. The battery pack and balls arrived on 4/27 (already two days late) and the machine didn't arrive until OVER ONE MONTH LATER!!!! What's worse is the tracking number proved by USPS was good for nothing because it couldn't tell where the machine was! Although I love the machine, I will never order anything of importance from amazon.com again.