Dimpled Baseball

The balls that you use in your BATA machine are critical to its performance. The relationship between the gripping of the wheels onto the outer surface of the ball is what makes it pitch. Any inconsistency in the surface or the weight of the ball, any moisture or debris, any slickness, will cause the ball to pitch inconsistently.

Vinyl-type covered balls are not recommended in the machines. They are covered with a thick plastic-like "paint", and tend to leave a slick residue on the surface of the pitching wheels, which will effect their ability to grip the ball.

BATA machines are designed to use regulation real leather baseballs and softballs, and BATA Dimpled Baseballs and Softballs. Our machines and feeders are not guaranteed to work with other brands of dimpled balls.

BATA Dimpled Baseballs and Softballs are designed specifically for use in our pitching machines. BATA Dimpled Balls will pitch more consistently than leather balls because there is one consistent surface on the ball. Where as leather balls have seams (and the area between the seams), depending on whether the wheels grip the ball by the seams or not will determine how it will pitch. Also note that leather balls, because of the abrasive nature of the seams, will wear out the wheels faster.

To ensure proper performance in your BATA pitching machine and/or auto-feeder, we strongly recommend that you do not use other brands of dimpled balls.

Our BATA Dimpled White Baseballs are 10% lighter (4.5 ounces) than a regulation leather baseball (normally 5 ounces). This make the ball pitch a little faster, curve the same amount as a real baseball, and have less impact on the bat. Our dimpled baseballs are also slightly softer than a leather baseball.