Buying An Arm Style Pitching Machine

Which Master Pitching Machine Iron Mike Do I Buy?

Probably the greatest tools a team could want that will make the single biggest impact on a team of budding ballplayers, is a pitching machine & batting cage!

If the arm style machine is your favorite style (I figure almost all 30 MLB teams use them), then the Iron Mike is your play! It is the original and it is the standard and has been manufactured by Master Pitching Machine Company since 1957!

But Which One & What Are The differences?

Here It Is In A Nutshell!
There are 3 adult machines and one youth trainer.
You can click the links below to go to these product pages!

The Basic Rack Fed model (MP-5) for baseball or fast pitch softball
The Basic Hopper Fed model (MP-6) for baseball or fastpitch softball
The Pro Hopper Fed model (MP-4) for baseball or fastpitch softball
The C-82 Youth Trainer (for baseball, fastpitch & best for slowpitch softball)

Iron Mike MP4

Iron Mike MP6

Iron Mike MP5

Iron Mike C82

Iron Mike Pitching Machine Common Qualities

They are all very heavy duty, simple to use, arrive almost completely set up, ship by truck line, can be used and left outside all year long (yes, purchasing a cover is a great idea), will accept leather balls or machine pitch dimple balls, and throw between 25-85 mph due to the fact that all adult models share the same motor, drive system, electronics, etc. Note that the C 82 trainer has variable velocity up to the 60+ MPH range
We also include a corded remote control for increased control

Rack Fed or Hopper Fed
Note: It’s the delivery system that separates the 2 types.

The Basic Rack Fed Model (MP-5)
(ball capacity of 38 baseballs or 28 softballs)
This is perfect for those with 1 or 2 players in a family or where team budget is an issue. You sacrifice no quality or velocity!

It is the only adult model that has transport wheels and, though not what I would call portable, it certainly is moveable for one to two people. The limitations are the rack itself. At roughly 10 swings per minute, you reload every 4 minutes for baseball & every 3 minutes for softball. You load the machine by hand-filling the “rack or trough” …an easy 30 second process. (The C 82 trainer is also a rack fed model)

The Pro Hopper Fed (MP-4) & Model Basic Hopper Fed (MP-6) models (ball capacity of 600 baseballs or 400 softballs)
The two hopper fed models look identical, though there is an approximate $300 difference between the Basic MP-6 and the Pro MP-4.

That extra investment in the MP 4 Pro model includes

55 pounds of added steel reinforcement welded into the front of the unit.
The Positive Feed Mechanism, which keeps balls flowing and eliminates the occasional pitch interruptions that happen when using leather seamed balls (not necessary when using dimple balls as they do not have seams).
This device is about $100 for a factory add-on to the basic MP-6 model.

About the additional steel reinforcement
This is a good idea for those wanting added protection for balls hit off the machine itself. For those choosing the Basic Hopper fed MP-6 model, we offer a protective screen known as the machine guard. This is a large net with a frame that covers the entire exposed machine front and solves the “added protection” problem.

Loading Up To 600 Baseballs or 400 Softballs
The biggest advantage of the hopper-fed models is the large number of balls it will hold and that you can simply dump buckets-full of balls into the large hopper …. a must for teams!

In Summary
The most important decision you can make is to invest in a pitching machine and a batting cage that fits your budget, your player(s) and your backyard or ballfield.

After that, if an arm style machine fits your needs, examine your budget and you’ll be able to easily make your choice.
The hopper style machines offer the ability to hit a maximum of 600 baseballs or 400 softballs without reloading; a real convenience that will increase efficiency.
The rack style machine offers more portability and cost savings.

FYI – Remember, call us toll-free when you are ready to talk further.
Don’t forget to ask us about our 14 different batting cages too!

You will speak to a coach who knows the Iron Mike Pitching Machines!
Get your questions answered …you sure don’t want to buy this stuff twice!
1-800-487-7432 – M-F 10-7 EST

I sincerely hope my comments will help direct you to your best purchase-choice!