Pitching machine exercises are designed to help improve your hitting fundamentals, as well as your bunting accuracy and form. You can utilize pitching machines in batting cages, in addition to a regulation-sized baseball field. Thanks to various accuracy and speed options on the machine, you can focus on hitting the ball to different parts of the field.
Move-Up Drill
The move-up drill is designed to improve your reaction time and quickness at the plate. Have your coach mark four points on the field, each of which leads closer to the pitcher's mound. Swing at four pitches from the pitching machine at home plate. After four swings, move up to the next mark and swing at four pitches from this shorter distance. Continue to move up until you have swung four times at each of the four spots. Repeat the exercise until you are fatigued.
Count Adjustment
You can perform the count adjustment in a batting cage or on ball field. Set up a pitching machine at the pitcher's mound and have a player step up to the plate. Have him bat with a count of two balls and no strikes. After completing an at-bat with this count, have him start his next at bat with two strikes and one ball. Continue to change the count using different combinations. This will force your batter to adjust quickly to the new count, making him a more defensive and alert hitter.
Defensive PItching Machine Drill
The defensive pitching machine drill will help your players improve their hitting accuracy, as well as their defensive skills. Have your infielders take their normal positions while one player stands up at the plate. Throw the batter a series of pitches using the pitching machine. Have the batter hit the ball to different infielders, and have them throw the ball to first, second or third base depending on your call. Have each batter take 10 swings before rotating positions with an infielder.
Pitching Arm Exercise
This pitching arm exercise is designed to help you simulate a real pitching motion while using a pitching machine. Have a player step up the plate while you stand behind the pitching machine with a bucket of balls. Before placing a ball in the machine, perform a complete pitching motion. As you go to throw the ball, simply place the ball into the machine. This will help you hitter improve his timing and rhythm at the plate.
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