What is the difference between the BATA-2 and the Sidewinder?

     The Sidewinder allows you to mix the pitches (fastball / curve or fastball / slider) without changing the machine. The BATA-2 does not.

     The BATA-2 has a maximum speed of about 100 mph. The Sidewinder tops out at 70.

     The BATA-2, because the two wheels work together, allows you to put as much or as little spin on the ball as you want. This allows you to throw pitches of many varieties. For this reason, it is also better suited for throwing flyballs and groundballs.
     You cannot regulate the amount of spin on the ball with the Sidewinder because, although it has two wheels, the wheels work independently with compression pads like single-wheel machines do. Therefore, the amount of spin on the ball is determined by the speed.

Why does the BATA-2 go up to 100 mph and the Sidewinder only 70?

     The motors on the Sidewinder actually turn about 50% faster than those on the BATA-2.   However, with the BATA-2, the ball is "thrown" by two wheels, and with the Sidewinder the ball is thrown by one wheel.

How much speed do I need for my players?

     Many people mistakenly believe that 70 mph is not enough speed for high school players. The fact is that most high school pitchers throw less than 70 mph in a game. The 70 mph maximum speed of the Sidewinder is more than enough speed for high school, college, or ever professional players to practice on. Most of the professional teams that use our BATA-2 machine tell us that they rarely turn it faster than 70 mph.

Why does the Sidewinder cost more than the BATA-2 when the BATA-2 goes up to 100 mph and the Sidewinder only goes up to 70?

     The Sidewinder costs more because it has more parts and costs more to produce. Speed is not the only factor in determining the value of a pitching machine. The Sidewinder can be a very valuable tool in improving your batting if used properly. It allows you to practice reacting to different pitches and different speeds of pitches, just like you would encounter in a real game.

How does the Sidewinder throw two different pitches in one set up?

     The Sidewinder is basically two single-wheel machines on one stand. The ball is compressed between one wheel and one compression pad, similar to our B1-Curveball and BATA-1 machines, except that you can set the two heads up to throw two different pitches in one set up.

How does the Sidewinder determine which pitch it will throw?

     The Sidewinder has two infeed chutes (where you put the ball in), one for the fastball, one for the breaking ball (curve or slider). The operator chooses which pitch to throw and selects that pitch by putting the ball in that chute.

Can the Sidewinder also throw softballs?

     No, the Sidewinder is only for baseball.

Can the BATA-2 mix pitches too?

     No. The BATA-2 can throw any type of pitch, but it will throw the same pitch over and over until it is changed. It generally takes a few minutes to change the BATA-2 from one pitch to another, so it is not practical to try to change the machine from pitch to pitch.

Can the Sidewinder be used with an Auto-Feeder?

     Yes. However, in order to have the machine throw both pitches, our Pitch Selector must be used in conjunction with the Auto-Feeder. The Pitch Selector is a motorized attachment that connects to the Auto-Feeder. The ball comes out of the Auto-Feeder and into the Pitch Selector, which randomly diverts the ball to one feed chute or the other, and into the machine.