I'm not a sports person but my girlfriend brother plays college baseball, would this be ok as small fun Christmas gift? or will he break the thing?
1186889
yes i loved the thing the only problem is that i broke the plastic part on the end but it doesnt make any difference in the performance. i would tell you to tell him to maybe not use his nicest bat because i used this with an expensive wood bat and now it has a few dings but overall great product my swing has greatly improved and its a cheaper alternative to going to the batting cages
1186890
If not used properly, the cable can become jammed at the end where height adjustment of the ball is made. That's what happened to the portable trainer I have when used by my son's 13/14yr old teammates. A college hitter shouldn't have that problem. As long as contact with the ball is proper and consistent, he can get hundreds of repetitions. I also recommend not leaving it outside where the weather can cause the ball to deteriorate. Fun gift though.
1186891
It is pretty durable, but it is more for younger kids learning and practicing I think. I do hit it with my kids and it is fun.
1186892
Hmmm, I think it should be ok. My husband and I have both tried it....I think it would be fun. :)
588803
Yes. It is a lot sturdier than the photo looks. The bat is solid and so is the base. The balls are the only things that are a little soft - they could probably get dented by a foot. My 4 year old has played with it a lot and it has held up surprisingly well for the price.
102809
Yeah.... I don't know. I only bought it to use if someone tries to break into the house. Unfortunately, the attacker will probably get it away from me before I can get a good swing in. Its a nice bat and if I never use it I can give it to my grandson. I will check and see if it says anything on it that it is ok for Little League. It just says "Grand Slam Youth Baseball" and someones autograph. Also says "Powerized" and "Louisville Slugger" Louisville, Kentucky. Made in USA. I just read "Little League bylaws limit the size of any bat to 33 inches in length and 2 1/4 inches in diameter. This one is 29" and 2 1/4" diameter. I believe it is ok for Little League then! Yeah.... I don't know. I only bought it to use if someone tries to break into the house. Unfortunately, the attacker will probably get it away from me before I can get a good swing in. Its a nice bat and if I never use it I can give it to my grandson. I will check and see if it says anything on it that it is ok for Little League. It just says "Grand Slam Youth Baseball" and someones autograph. Also says "Powerized" and "Louisville Slugger" Louisville, Kentucky. Made in USA. I just read "Little League bylaws limit the size of any bat to 33 inches in length... » Read More Yeah.... I don't know. I only bought it to use if someone tries to break into the house. Unfortunately, the attacker will probably get it away from me before I can get a good swing in. Its a nice bat and if I never use it I can give it to my grandson. I will check and see if it says anything on it that it is ok for Little League. It just says "Grand Slam Youth Baseball" and someones autograph. Also says "Powerized" and "Louisville Slugger" Louisville, Kentucky. Made in USA. I just read "Little League bylaws limit the size of any bat to 33 inches in length and 2 1/4 inches in diameter. This one is 29" and 2 1/4" diameter. I believe it is ok for Little League then! « Show Less
1973523
I think it would be best to bring inside. The yellow ball is plastic and I think being outside in the elements will destroy it over time. It's easy to pick up and move and break back down to store. We have it packed in a large rolling baseball bag and put it up and take it down several times a week at practice and tournaments.
2107810
I would think so. More money but Jugs is the way to go. It's a very durable rubber. I spent money on 2 other ones for my boys in the past and I don't think either lasted more than a couple weeks. It's not the cheapest.....but worth the money; especially if you think your kid will stick with baseball. Good luck!
564848
I don't think it would be that hard to modify it to work with a softball. I would have to take a look at one in person, but right now a softball, a long enough drill bit, sand paper, and a drinking straw or piece of wire would probably work. Sand paper, to change the concave shape of that plastic piece to accommodate the larger circumference of a softball. The drinking straw or wire, because a softball is hollow, and trying to thread a string though that without some sort of guide, would suck. I don't know how I ended up here, looking at this product. I don't play sports.
564846
If I were a softball player I would use this with a baseball. If you train using a smaller ball then hit a bigger ball during games it should be easier to be successful.
1304257
My daughter who is 9 is using a composit bat and I've takin some good swings with her bat and haven't seen nothing wrong with the bat. Now I wouldn't say over time it won't ruin the bat. The best way to use this machine is not to power swing but to hit it around 75%. It's more about hand eye coordination and muscle memory and the right way to swing... Swinging to hard makes the ball jump around instead of an even swing around the pole... Overall I'm really happy with it
2000637
It worked well with a softball/baseball. Have to order another one because it broke but I thinks it's more dup to user error than the actual net.
1588101
At sixty pounds, I find it a little heavy to throw, although since it is so big, it is pretty easy to hit at the plate. You're not going to get a home run with it though, and it won't fit in the net for two points. If you mean is the picture good enough for sports, yes it is. There are plenty of options to adjust to get the picture just how you like, including options to improve the picture for fast motion and crisp images during sports action. The viewing angle is also good, and you can see the picture clearly even from out to the side. I think the viewable angle is over 160 degrees, it looks good way out to the side from where I'm sitting right now.
789310
Um, no. Not a 'serious' game if you want points to count or anything because it's going to bounce odd if it lands on one of the hole openings. And it's a little heavier than a tennis ball. But if you just want a knock-around just-for-fun game at night with the court lights off, give it a try, and tell us about it ;)
105890
I haven't seen the game actually played as it was a gift. I feel that two players would play against each other.
1327994
Maybe...if your 9 yr loves baseball and has a great imagination. My 8 yr old got board with the Baseball Guys, but loves to play with the Hockey Guys. He has had the Hockey Guys for almost three years and still loves to play with them.
493802
It's a toy, and as such can take hits from similar toys during play "battle". I would not expect it to hold up to serious blows or blows from more study "weapons". It will, however crack your knuckles pretty hard if you miss.
937363
Hard to say really. My son is 8 now and probably will use it next year too. We like it for now, but may look at jumping into a higher level Easton at 10 or 11. You could always go to a Dicks Sporting Goods to swing it. Your son would probably do OK with it for this year but I wouldn't be surprised if he wanted to "upgrade" next year. Good luck!
1515512
I don't recommend it for varsity level softball. The machine throws with an overhand motion, opposite of what she'd face in competition. The compromise is OK for beginning softball players, but not high school level.
1193846
I would say no to a one person function. The reaction time of the pocket would be to short. The button is depressed during the delivery of a pitch, to soon and you get the arm speed and to late and you get the bat speed if swung on. If you have another person, you would have no problem.