Baseball & Softball Equipment – Pitching Machines, Batting Cages, Pitching Mounds & Training Nets

Baseball and softball equipment for serious player development covers a wider product range than any other team sport — from the pitching machines that deliver thousands of consistent, adjustable pitch repetitions without arm fatigue, to the batting cages that create a safe enclosed training environment for those repetitions, to the portable pitching mounds that give pitchers a regulation-height, regulation-slope surface to develop their mechanics and footwork on regardless of what the host facility's permanent infrastructure looks like. The single most important factor separating programs that develop hitters effectively from programs that don't is repetition volume — and the equipment that enables safe, consistent, high-volume repetition is the pitching machine, batting cage, and protective screening setup that makes daily batting practice possible without a live arm, a catcher, or a full field setup. Pro Athletic Supply carries baseball and softball equipment from Heater Sports, Jugs Sports, Sports Attack, MAXBP, Cimarron Sports, Portolite, Trigon Sports, and Pro Batter Sports — pitching machines from entry-level backyard models through professional three-wheel systems, batting cage nets and frames in every size and netting weight, portable pitching mounds for youth through collegiate levels, L-screens and protective nets, softball mats, and the complete training environment infrastructure that programs at every level build their player development around.

✔ Eight Authorized Brands Covering Every Baseball & Softball Training Equipment Need — From Heater Sports' affordable backyard pitching machines through Sports Attack's professional-grade three-wheel Hack Attack, from Cimarron's batting cage nets used by over 25% of MLB organizations through Portolite's portable pitching mounds deployed at thousands of high schools and colleges across the country — Pro Athletic Supply's baseball and softball lineup covers every equipment category a serious program needs from a single authorized source.

✔ Cimarron Batting Cage Nets Trusted by Over 25% of MLB Organizations Since 1995 — Cimarron batting cage nets are trusted by over 25% of Major League Baseball team training facilities and numerous premier universities. Built from never-recycled premium polymer blends that are UV resistant, waterproof, and abrasion-resistant — the material specification and manufacturing standard that MLB organizations and serious programs specify when they can't afford cage net failures during peak training volume.

✔ Sports Attack Hack Attack — The Three-Wheel Standard for Advanced Hitting Development — The Sports Attack Hack Attack Baseball and Junior Hack Attack Baseball/Softball machines are the three-wheel pitching machine format that throws real baseballs and softballs with full spin, break, and velocity control — the machine that advanced competitive hitters and collegiate programs specify when developing timing, bat speed, and pitch recognition against live-quality spin and break that single-wheel machines can't replicate.

✔ Portolite 10-Year Limited Warranty on Pro Series Mounds — The Standard for Schools and Tournaments — Portolite has set the standard in lightweight, durable, portable baseball mounds and softball pitching mats since 1992. Portolite mounds are in use at thousands of high schools, colleges, and park and recreation departments across the United States, with an industry-leading 10-year limited warranty on Pro Series mounds and a patented turf replacement system that extends mound service life beyond the original turf's service cycle.

✔ Jugs Combination Machine Throws 20-104 MPH With 360-Degree Swivel — The Jugs Combination Pitching Machine (M1300) throws from 20 to 104 mph with a unique swivel-design base that provides 360-degree movement for fly balls, pop-ups, and ground balls alongside straight pitch delivery — the versatility that coaches on a tight budget who need both baseball and softball capability from a single machine specification for their program.

✔ MAXBP Small Ball Reaction Machines — Visual Acuity and Bat Speed Training — MAXBP Original and Pro Pitching Machines use small balls to train visual acuity, pitch recognition, and bat speed at high repetition volume — the reaction training category that develops the visual skills component of hitting that standard pitching machines don't specifically address, used in combination with regular batting practice for complete hitting development programs.

Pitching Machines – Entry, Mid-Range & Professional Models for Baseball and Softball

Pitching machines are the core training tool for hitter development at every level — giving batters the consistent, repeatable pitch delivery that no human arm can sustain at the rep volume that meaningful skill development requires, and eliminating the logistical dependency on a live pitcher that limits when and how often hitting practice can happen. The right pitching machine for a program depends on three variables: the ball type it needs to throw (real balls, lite balls, or both), the speed range required for the ages and skill levels being served, and whether the program needs baseball only, softball only, or combination capability. Heater Sports covers entry through mid-range — the BaseHit and Heater Real Baseball Machine for backyard and residential use, the Combo (HTR599) that converts between baseball and softball at up to 80mph for programs that serve both sports, and the Blaze Combo for programs that want extended warranty coverage. Jugs Sports covers mid-range through professional with the Toss Machine for tee-drill practice, the Mini3 for multi-pitch delivery in a compact format, and the Combination M1300 at 20 to 104 mph for the full speed range from youth introduction through advanced competition speeds. Sports Attack's Hack Attack and Junior Hack Attack three-wheel machines cover the advanced and professional tier.

Best for:

• Residential and backyard practice setups where the Heater BaseHit or Heater Real Baseball Machine with auto feeder provides consistent pitch delivery at an accessible price point for individual players building daily hitting reps at home without a live pitcher
• School and club programs that need a combination baseball and softball machine for shared use across both sports — the Jugs Combination M1300's 20 to 104 mph range and dual-leg design that serves the full spectrum from youth introduction speeds through advanced competition velocity
• Advanced competitive players and collegiate programs who need the Sports Attack Hack Attack's three-wheel real-ball delivery with full spin and break control for developing timing and pitch recognition against live-quality ball movement

Batting Cages – Nets, Frames & Complete Packages From Cimarron Sports

Batting cages are the physical infrastructure that makes high-volume hitting practice possible without chasing balls across a field — and the quality of the cage netting, frame construction, and overall setup determines how long the cage serves the program before replacement, how safe the training environment is for players and coaches inside the cage, and how versatile the cage is for different drill types and multiple players using different stations. Cimarron Sports has been the leading provider of batting cage netting since 1995 — the 3rd generation family-owned Tulsa, Oklahoma manufacturer whose nets are trusted by over 25% of MLB organizations. The Cimarron lineup covers batting cage nets from residential #24 twisted poly through heavy commercial #84 netting in multiple weights, complete permanent cage frames from 20' through 70' lengths, DIY corner kits for programs building custom frame dimensions, complete batting cage bundles (net + frame + L-screen + vinyl backstop + turf mat), cage dividers that split a single cage into two simultaneous practice stations, and cage accessories including net hangers, carabiners, premier cable kits, and frame wheels. A 70-foot cage length is required to practice full-distance live pitching inside the batting cage tunnel — the dimension that separates a machine-pitching cage from a live-arm-capable installation.

Best for:

• High school and collegiate programs building permanent outdoor or indoor batting cage facilities who want the commercial-grade Cimarron cage netting that MLB facilities specify — UV resistant, waterproof, abrasion-resistant polymer blend nets that outlast consumer alternatives under the sustained daily impact of program-level use
• Programs adding a second practice station to an existing cage with the Cimarron cage divider — dividing a single large cage into two simultaneous practice areas that doubles the rep capacity from the same physical cage footprint
• Youth and recreation programs building first backyard or facility batting cages who want Cimarron's complete bundles — the cage net, frame, L-screen, backstop, and turf mat as a coordinated single purchase that arrives ready to install without sourcing individual components

Protective Screens & L-Screens – Safety Infrastructure for Batting Practice

Protective screens are the safety component of every batting practice setup — the L-shaped or square-frame screen that protects the pitcher, coach, or pitching machine operator from line drive comebackers during live batting practice sessions. No program should run batting practice — live arm or machine — without the protective screen coverage that keeps coaches, pitchers, and observers safe from full-speed balls hit directly back toward the pitch delivery position. Cimarron Sports manufactures the full range of protective screens: the commercial-grade 7'x7' #84 L-Screen with 2-inch black steel frame for heavy daily use at schools and training facilities; the residential-grade #42 L-Screen and frame for backyard cages and youth programs; Sock Nets (7'x7' #42) for softer-toss and target work; catch nets for soft-toss and tee sessions; and the 2-Sport Heavy Duty Vinyl Backstop that serves double duty as a pitching target trainer and cage net protector. Jugs Sports carries the Standard Lite-Flite/Slowpitch Screen for programs using Jugs Lite-Flite ball machines. Trigon Sports carries protective cage netting.

Best for:

• Any program running batting practice with a live arm where a pitcher or coach is throwing from inside the cage without a protective screen — the most important safety investment in a batting practice setup that eliminates the line-drive comebacker safety risk that unscreened batting practice creates
• Training facilities running multiple simultaneous cage stations who want the Cimarron commercial #84 L-Screen and frame on permanent frame wheels for efficient station deployment and storage
• Programs running machine pitching who want the vinyl backstop behind the hitter to protect the cage net's back panel from the sustained wear of pitched balls passing through after contact — extending cage net life by protecting the highest-wear zone from direct pitch impact

Portable Pitching Mounds – Portolite Baseball Mounds & Softball Mats

Portable pitching mounds solve the problem that every youth program, travel team, indoor facility, and multi-field tournament operator knows: the permanent in-ground mound on a given field isn't the right height for the age group playing today, or the facility doesn't have a permanent mound at all, or the mound needs to be set up and removed between games at a facility where multiple sports share the same space. Portolite has set the standard in lightweight, durable, portable pitching mounds since 1992. Portolite mounds are in use at thousands of high schools, colleges, and park and recreation departments across the United States. The lineup covers every age and competition level: the 6" One-Piece Game Mound for youth ages 8-12 (Little League spec), the 6" Two-Piece for ages 9-13, the 8" Two-Piece for ages 13+ and Babe Ruth level, and the 10" Two-Piece for high school and collegiate regulation height. The Pro Series Youth Mound at 7" height with a 4-piece design and patented turf replacement system carries an industry-leading 10-year limited warranty. Softball pitching mats serve fastpitch programs that need a portable landing surface for pitcher footwork development and field protection. The Field Defense System Gold bundle includes pitching mound protector, catcher's mat, and full batter's mat as a complete field surface protection package.

Best for:

• Youth baseball programs and tournament operators who need the 6" Portolite mounds for Little League regulation height — lightweight enough to move between fields, durable enough to handle hundreds of games per season, and portable enough to fit in an SUV for travel tournament use
• High school and collegiate programs that practice on artificial turf where permanent mounds aren't allowed — the Portolite 10" regulation mound that provides the correct height and slope for varsity pitchers to develop mechanics on a game-accurate surface without damaging the turf below
• Indoor training facilities and year-round academies that need practice mounds that move from field to field, clean up quickly, and provide consistent surface quality regardless of weather or field conditions — the Portolite mounds whose consistent manufactured surface eliminates the variable condition problems of dirt mounds

Pro Batter Sports Baseball & Softball Simulators

Pro Batter Sports baseball and softball simulators bring a different approach to pitching machine training — using high-definition video of actual pitchers delivering actual pitches, combined with a ball delivery system that synchronizes real-ball release with the video pitcher's delivery, to create a batting practice environment where hitters develop pitch recognition against realistic pitcher mechanics rather than mechanical ball delivery from a machine arm. The visual component of hitting — reading spin, identifying pitch type from release, tracking the ball through its flight path — is the skill dimension that standard pitching machines can't develop because there's no deceptive arm action, no grip variation, and no pitcher body language to read. Pro Batter's simulator addresses this directly by presenting realistic pitching mechanics alongside real-ball delivery, developing the recognition component of hitting alongside the timing and bat path skills that standard machine practice develops.

Best for:

• Advanced competitive programs and training academies that want the pitch recognition development that Pro Batter's video-based delivery provides — training the visual processing component of hitting alongside the physical mechanics that standard pitching machine practice develops
• College coaches and high-level travel programs whose hitters face diverse pitching styles and want the pitch recognition versatility that video-based simulator training provides against multiple realistic pitcher presentations
• Programs building a complete hitting development environment that includes both standard machine practice for timing and bat path and simulator-based practice for pitch recognition — the two-tool training approach that develops the complete hitting skill set

MAXBP Pitching Machines – Reaction Training & Visual Acuity Development

MAXBP (Maximum Baseball Practice) pitching machines use smaller balls to train visual acuity, bat speed, and pitch recognition at high repetition volume — the reaction training category that develops the visual component of hitting that standard pitching machines don't specifically address. The MAXBP Original and MAXBP Pro machines deliver small balls at speeds that require faster visual processing and faster bat speed response than standard pitch training, building the neurological and physical response speed that transfers to improved performance against full-size pitching. MAXBP machines are used in combination with standard pitching machine practice and cage work as a reaction training component of complete hitting development programs — the specialized tool that develops one specific dimension of the complete hitter's skill set through targeted high-rep visual and reaction training that large-ball machines can't replicate at the same training stimulus intensity.

Best for:

• Individual players and programs building complete hitting development systems that include reaction training alongside standard batting cage work — the MAXBP machine as the visual acuity and bat speed development component of a multi-tool hitting development approach
• Coaches who want to increase batting practice rep volume without increasing arm load — the MAXBP's high-frequency small ball delivery that allows players to accumulate more quality hitting reps per session than standard cage work enables within the same time window
• Advanced hitters working on bat speed, pitch recognition, and reaction time in the off-season or indoor practice period where the MAXBP's compact format and accessible operation make it practical for individual development sessions

Who This Is For

• Youth and recreation baseball and softball programs equipping their first batting cage with Cimarron nets and frames, Heater Sports backyard pitching machines, and Portolite portable mounds for the young players who need consistent, safe practice environments to develop the fundamentals the sport requires
• High school varsity baseball and softball programs building complete training facilities with commercial-grade Cimarron batting cage netting trusted by MLB organizations, Jugs or Sports Attack pitching machines that serve the full speed range of varsity-level development, Portolite 10" regulation-height portable mounds, and the protective L-screens and backstops that make cage batting practice safe for coaches
• Travel teams and tournament operators who need Portolite's portable pitching mounds that are light enough to throw in an SUV, durable enough to handle hundreds of games per season, and consistent enough to provide the same pitch-delivery surface regardless of what the host facility's permanent infrastructure looks like
• Indoor training academies and year-round baseball development facilities whose complete training environment requires Jugs, Sports Attack, or Heater pitching machines for machine practice, Cimarron cage nets and frames for the hitting environment, Pro Batter simulators for pitch recognition development, MAXBP machines for reaction training, and Portolite mounds for pitching development
• Individual players and families building backyard batting cage setups — Heater Sports pitching machines with auto feeders, Cimarron cage nets and frames at the residential scale, and the protective screen that makes throwing batting practice from inside the cage safe

How to Choose the Right Baseball & Softball Equipment

Pitching machine by ball type, speed range, and skill level — Heater Sports entry machines for residential and youth use where lite-ball or real-ball delivery at moderate speeds (up to 52-80mph depending on model) serves the skill level. Jugs Combination M1300 for programs needing the full 20 to 104 mph speed range across baseball and softball from a single machine. Sports Attack Hack Attack for advanced competitive and collegiate programs where three-wheel real-ball delivery with full spin and break is the performance requirement. MAXBP for reaction training as a supplement to standard machine practice. Confirm the specific machine's ball compatibility — real baseballs, lite balls, or softballs — against the program's actual ball type before purchasing.

Batting cage netting weight by use intensity — Cimarron offers six different net weights from residential #24 twisted poly through commercial #84 netting. Lighter nets for residential backyard use and infrequent recreational practice. Heavier commercial nets for daily facility use, team practice programs, and any installation where ball impact volume is sustained throughout a full season. The netting weight determines service life under the actual impact frequency the cage will experience — undersizing the net weight for the use intensity creates premature cage net failure that interrupts training and generates replacement cost.

Cage length by intended use — A 70-foot length is required to practice full-distance live pitching inside the batting cage tunnel. Machine practice can be conducted effectively in shorter cages since the machine-to-plate distance is compressed relative to the cage length. Youth programs that primarily run machine practice can function in 20 to 40-foot cages. Programs that want to simulate game-distance live pitching need the 70-foot cage that provides the full distance for age-appropriate pitch speeds.

Portolite mound height by age group and competition level — 6" height for Little League youth ages 8-12. 6" to 7" for ages 9-13 depending on league specification. 8" for Babe Ruth level and ages 13+. 10" for high school and collegiate regulation height. Confirm the specific league's or competition's mandated mound height before purchasing — using the wrong mound height for a given age group creates mechanical habits that don't transfer to competition conditions, particularly for pitchers who develop their stride length and push-off mechanics on a specific mound height.

L-screen weight by batting practice format — The Cimarron #42 residential L-screen for youth and backyard batting practice where the incoming ball velocity is lower and lighter frame construction is appropriate for the use level. The Cimarron commercial #84 2-inch steel frame L-screen for high school, collegiate, and facility batting practice where full-velocity pitching machine delivery or live-arm batting practice creates the impact loads that heavier frame construction is required to absorb safely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What baseball and softball equipment brands does Pro Athletic Supply carry? A: Pro Athletic Supply carries baseball and softball equipment from eight authorized brands: Heater Sports (pitching machines and batting cages for residential and program use), Jugs Sports (multi-pitch machines, combo machines, and training accessories), Sports Attack (professional three-wheel Hack Attack machines), MAXBP (small ball reaction training machines), Cimarron Sports (batting cage nets and frames trusted by MLB organizations, L-screens, and protective equipment), Portolite (portable pitching mounds and softball mats since 1992 with 10-year warranty), Trigon Sports (batting tunnel nets), and Pro Batter Sports (baseball and softball simulators).

Q: What is the difference between one-wheel, two-wheel, and three-wheel pitching machines? A: One-wheel machines use a single spinning wheel to propel the ball — the most affordable and portable format, consistent for straight fastball delivery, limited in producing realistic break and spin. Two-wheel machines use opposing spinning wheels that grip the ball from both sides — providing better spin control for curves, sliders, and breaking pitches by varying the relative speed of each wheel. The Heater Combo and Jugs Combination M1300 are two-wheel designs. Three-wheel machines like the Sports Attack Hack Attack grip the ball simultaneously from three contact points — delivering real baseballs and softballs with the most accurate spin, break, and velocity control available in a pitching machine, producing the most realistic pitch movement and the most realistic ball behavior off the bat. Three-wheel machines are the professional and collegiate standard for batting practice quality.

Q: What batting cage net weight should I choose? A: Cimarron offers six different net weights for different use levels. The #24 twisted poly is the most economical, appropriate for residential backyard cages with moderate use. The #36 is a step up for light institutional use. The #42 is a popular mid-range weight for school programs and moderate-use facilities. The #60 and #84 weights are commercial-grade, with #84 being the heaviest and most durable for high-volume daily use. Cimarron's batting cage nets are trusted by over 25% of MLB organizations — the MLB-grade nets use the heavy commercial netting weights that sustain daily year-round use without the premature failure that lighter residential nets develop under the same impact frequency.

Q: What height Portolite pitching mound do I need for my age group? A: Portolite makes portable pitching mounds in 6", 7", 8", and 10" heights for different age groups and competition levels. The 6" One-Piece Game Mound is designed for youth ages 8-12 (Little League specifications). The 6" Two-Piece serves ages 9-13, and the 8" Two-Piece serves ages 13 and above at Babe Ruth level. The 10" Two-Piece Game Mound provides high school and collegiate regulation height. The Portolite Pro Series Youth Mound at 7" height serves youth leagues with that specific height requirement. Always confirm the specific league's or tournament's mandated mound height before purchasing — using the incorrect mound height for a given competition level creates mechanical habits that don't transfer to game conditions.

Q: What size batting cage do I need for live pitching practice? A: A 70-foot length is required to practice full-distance live pitching inside the batting cage tunnel. This 70-foot minimum allows the pitcher to throw from regulation pitching distance to the batter at full game speed without the cage's end wall being within the pitcher's view or creating a visual distraction. Machine pitching practice can be conducted effectively in shorter cages since the machine is positioned inside the cage at a reduced distance — a 40 to 55-foot cage serves machine pitching practice at compressed distances for youth through high school levels. Programs that need both machine and live-arm capability in the same cage should specify 70 feet as the minimum length.

Q: What is the MAXBP pitching machine and how is it used in baseball training? A: MAXBP (Maximum Baseball Practice) machines deliver small balls at high velocity to develop visual acuity, bat speed, and pitch recognition through reaction training. The smaller ball requires faster visual processing and faster bat speed response than standard baseball practice, building the neurological speed that transfers to improved reaction against full-size pitching. MAXBP machines are used as a reaction training supplement to standard batting cage and pitching machine practice — not as a replacement for full-size ball practice, but as an additional training stimulus that develops the visual and reaction components of hitting that large-ball machines don't specifically target. The MAXBP Original and Pro are the two available models, with the Pro model offering upgraded features over the entry Original.

Baseball and softball development at every level — from the 8-year-old taking first pitching machine reps at a Little League practice to the collegiate hitter developing pitch recognition against a Pro Batter simulator — depends on the equipment that creates consistent, safe, high-volume training opportunities. The difference between a program that develops hitters and one that goes through the motions is usually the quality and completeness of the training environment: the pitching machine that delivers realistic ball movement, the batting cage that provides the enclosed space for those reps, the portable mound that gives pitchers a game-accurate surface to develop their mechanics on, and the protective screens that keep coaches and players safe through the entire session. Pro Athletic Supply carries baseball and softball equipment from Heater Sports, Jugs Sports, Sports Attack, MAXBP, Cimarron Sports, Portolite, Trigon Sports, and Pro Batter Sports — covering every equipment need that serious programs build their development around. Browse the complete Baseball & Softball Equipment collection and build the training environment your players deserve.

Explore our Schools & Facilities page if you're equipping a high school baseball or softball program, travel organization, indoor training academy, or multi-field facility with pitching machines, batting cages, portable mounds, and training nets — our team builds custom equipment specifications and institutional quotes for coaches, athletic directors, and facility managers.

Also explore these related collections: Baseball & Softball Pitching Machines — The dedicated pitching machine category covering every brand and model — Heater Sports, Jugs, Sports Attack, MAXBP, and Pro Batter — with full specifications and selection guidance for every use level. Baseball & Softball Batting Cages — The dedicated batting cage category covering Cimarron Sports nets, frames, complete packages, and accessories for every cage size and installation type.