Toss machines introduced a new era of baseball batting training. And the Louisville Sluggers training system even makes it a step ahead. What makes it the best soft toss machine is its independent nature.
It doesn’t need any battery or power supply, doesn’t need parents or coach’s help, yet does the job well.
There are some more good gigs that feature automatic ball release, speed, and angle adjustability.
Among them, JUGS A0600, SKLZ Category 4, and Hit-a-Way, Furlihong 6801BH are notable. You can use them for both baseball and softball.
And for kids aged between 3 and 8 years, Franklin Sports has 2 decent baseball soft toss machines.
I bought 3 of these for my son, first when he was 5 and two at a later stage. I got a chance to test the other 4 soft toss machines for different players in my academy.
7 Best Soft Toss Machines: Comparison Table
| Model | Highlighted Features | Customer Ratings | Check Latest Prices on Amazon |
| Louisville Slugger Training System | Ball Release Intervals: 6/8/10 secondsBall Types: Baseballs, softballs, tennis balls, training ballsWeight: 12 lbs. | 4.3/5 (287 people) | Price On Amazon |
| Jugs Soft Toss Machine | Ball Release Intervals: 5 secondsBall Types: 14 baseballs or 10 softballsWeight: 21 lbs. | 4.75/5 (486 people) | Price On Amazon |
| Furlihong 6801BH | Ball Release Intervals: 5 secondsBall Types: Special Dimpled Balls (8 balls are included)Weight: 4.6 lbs. | 4.2/5 (42 people) | Price On Amazon |
| SKLZ Hurricane Category 4 | Ball Release Intervals: AdjustableBall Types: N/AMachine Weight: 34 lbs | 4.7/5 (4400+ people) | Price On Amazon |
| SKLZ Hit-A-Way | Ball Release Intervals: Depends on the spinning speed (Adjustable)Ball Types: Baseball and softballWeight: 36.5 lbs | 4.4/5 (2687 people) | Price On Amazon |
| Franklin Sports Kids Pitching Machine | Ball Release Intervals: 7 secondsBall Types: Soft PU foam baseball (two packs included)Weight: 4.5 lbs. | 4.3/5 (996 people) | Price On Amazon |
| Franklin Sports MLB Automatic Electronic Baseball Pitching Machine | Ball Release Intervals: 7 secondsBall Types: Plastic baseballs (6 included)Weight: 3.19 lbs. | 4.1/5 (8300+ people) | Price On Amazon |
Best Soft Toss Machines: Detailed Reviews
First, I’m gonna share my findings about 5 soft toss machines that are suitable for 6 to 13+ baseball players. Later I’ll go through 2 best soft toss machines for younger players.
1. Louisville Slugger Soft Toss Training System
Highlighted Features:
- Model: Soft Toss Training System
- Ball Release Intervals: 6/8/10 seconds
- Supported Ball Types: Baseballs, softballs, tennis balls, training balls
- Built Material: Blend, plastic
- Machine Weight: 12 lbs.
- Color: Black
Customer Ratings: 4.3/5 (287 people)
Having had the chance to try out the Louisville Slugger soft toss machine with a player from my academy, I must say I was pleasantly surprised.
It outperformed my initial expectations!
This machine isn’t just a fantastic addition to a training ground, players can also practice with this in the backyard with a baseball batting net.
What makes this soft toss training machine better than other alternatives is its easy-to-use nature. I simply loaded it up with baseballs and started swinging. Yeah, that’s how it works!
Among the other features, I liked the adjustable release timer the most. It allows you to set the intervals at 6, 8, or 10 seconds. So, you get the required time to get ready for the next pitch or adjust accordingly.
And it’s needless to mention that this helps in simulating game-like situations and improving hand-eye coordination and timing.
The versatility of this training system is also a standout feature. You can use this soft toss machine with various types of balls, including baseballs, softballs, tennis balls, and training balls.
Hence, if players want to grow their adaptability with different ball sizes and weights, it can be the one-stop solution. I must admit, this trait is quite helpful for people who like to get their hands dirty in different sports simultaneously, like baseball and softball.
In addition to that, the telescoping arm is adjustable. So, I was able to shift between my height and the kid’s height easily.
Rather than that, I appreciate the collapsible design of this soft toss machine. It made it easy to store it on my 2010 diesel truck – a life-saving design for travel baseball players.
And this machine can be set up in just 30 seconds, making it convenient for coaches and players alike, whether practicing at home or on the field.
However, it’s worth noting that the Louisville Slugger soft toss training machine can’t work well with softballs with high seams, which could affect the trajectory of the ball.
Though this is a minor drawback, don’t ignore it if you’re gonna use it for similar ball types.
Pros:
- Easy to use and setup
- Adjustable release timer for game-like simulation
- Versatility in ball types for diverse practice sessions
- Compact and portable design for convenience
- Adjustable telescoping arm for batters of all heights
Cons:
- Not recommended for certain softballs with high seams
2. Jugs Soft Toss Machine
Highlighted Features
- Machine Model: A0600
- Ball Release Intervals: 5 seconds
- Supported Ball Types: 14 baseballs or 10 softballs
- Built Material: High-quality plastic and metal components
- Machine Weight: 21 lbs.
- Color: Blue
Customer Ratings: 4.75/5 (486 people)
As a seasoned baseball coach, and for this purpose let’s say, a doting dad, I gave the Jugs soft toss machine a good old college try.
Spoiler alert – it’s worth its weight in gold (league)!
The Jugs A0600 toss machine is like the baseball fairy godmother you always wished for – minus the magic wand and the fru-fru tiara.
And while it doesn’t transform pumpkins into chariots, it does turn balls into straight shots.
I’m referring to a continuous flow of baseballs at an interval of 5 seconds. It‘s good but a bit fast for early buds. I would prefer it even more if it allowed for customization of the timing.
The Jugs soft toss machine, while being equipped with advanced functionalities, is a cinch to operate. So, all the non-tech-savvy baseball enthusiasts need not fret!
If talking about the battery, this one is a highlight! Its internal rechargeable battery runs for up to 8 hours continuously.
“Let’s get the math right – that’s virtually 5760 perfectly pitched balls for you to swing at! Well, you can literally practice from dawn to dusk. Plus, there’s no need for a power source nearby.”
Being able to hold 14 baseballs or 10 softballs, the machine offers a good chunk of practice before one needs a refill.
Maneuvering the machine for a righty or a lefty is as easy as a switch, much to the delight of my southpaw son.
Its compact size and weight are a boon for backyard warriors and it even adds a touch of field aesthetic with its baseball-green charm.
Pros:
- Lightweight and portable nature makes it pretty easy to transport.
- Stores up to 14 baseballs or 10 softballs, so more swing, less refill.
- Enjoy a steady flow of pitches every 5 seconds, keeping the momentum alive.
- A long-lasting 8-hour battery life for extensive training sessions.
- Incorporates regular baseballs you possess, thus no need for special accessories.
Cons:
- Doesn’t provide information about leftover battery life.
- No option to change the speed or interval timing.
3. Furlihong 6801BH Baseball Soft Toss Machine
Highlighted Features:
- Machine Model: Furlihong 6801BH Baseball Toss Machine
- Ball Release Intervals: 5 seconds
- Supported Ball Types: Special Dimpled Balls (8 balls are included)
- Built Material: High-quality Plastic
- Machine Weight: 4.6 lbs.
- Color: Black
Customers Ratings: 4.2/5 (42 people)
You’re so fortunate to find this review. But 3 years back when I was planning to buy the first soft toss machine for my kid, it wasn’t that easy.
I spotted this Furlihong on Amazon, but there weren’t enough customer reviews and nothing was on YouTube either.
Though I was eager to get a battery-powered soft toss machine, this situation made me a bit skeptical. However, I went for this investment.
And after a day-long testing, I became a believer!
In a nutshell, for beginners and intermediate baseball or softball players, this is a worthy companion to reshape their batting skills.
Whether it was teaching my eight-year-old (at that time) the nuances of the game or running my more advanced students through drills, the Furlihong delivered beautifully.
The fully adjustable launch interval, ball speed, and angle make it a flexible tool for various training scenarios.
“I highly admire the cleverness in using unique dimpled balls as a safety measure.”
Its built material reflects a robust design that can withstand the inevitable wear and tear of excited young athletes.
Yet, it maintains a lightweight frame that’s easy to transport, making it perfect for training at home or on my team’s training grounds.
With all its impressive traits, the Furlihong does fall a smudge short in one area. While we’re all fans of the battery + AC adapter power supply concept, I did find myself wishing the battery life was a bit longer during those ambitious practice sessions on the diamond.
Another bad part was that, at that time, I had to purchase the batteries separately as they didn’t offer it with the unit.
Pros:
- Backed by 180 days of warranty on parts.
- Offers adjustable launch interval, speed, and angle
- Uses safe, special dimpled balls for training
- Durable, lightweight, and portable frame
Cons:
- Battery life could be improved with extensive use.
- Needed to buy batteries separately.
4. SKLZ Hurricane Category 4 Premium Portable Batting Practice Trainer System
Highlighted Features:
- Machine Model: Category 4 Premium
- Ball Release Intervals: Adjustable
- Supported Ball Types: N/A
- Built Material: Sturdy steel and aluminum frame
- Machine Weight: 34 lbs (including 4 removable power bands)
- Color: Black+Yellow
Customer Ratings: 4.7/10 (4400+ people)
I didn’t buy it, actually. Last summer, Daniel (one of my baseball trainees, now playing Little Leagues) and his dad came to get help with the setup. I couldn’t resist myself to give it a try also, so I went to their garage and set this up.
Honestly, the first hour it felt like a whirlwind, but somehow I managed to get control of the bridle.
The impressive feature is the adjustable height and the stationary/moving target training modes.
From one perspective, I think this SKLZ soft toss machine is better than Furlihong and Jugs A0600, even the Louisville Slugger because you don’t need to put a ball or not tense about going the slot empty.
It’s just the one ball (more specifically, feels like a ball) that’s connected with the rod, you hit, it spins back to your swinging position and then you hit again. You can follow this throughout the whole day.
Besides, there’s no need to invest in batteries!
Without that, you can change the movement to vertical and horizontal, simulating various pitch speeds. It makes your batting practice more realistic.
As mentioned, I did have a bone to pick with the assembly instructions, which were as clear as a smoggy morning. It wasn’t a Herculean task, but it surely tested my patience.
But considering the immense benefits that followed, that one hiccup was relatively minor and easily forgivable.
Hell yeah, another downside is the heavyweight. It’s 34 lbs. So, I don’t think dads or little fellows will feel comfortable when maneuvering.
Pros:
- Adjustable height for player adaptability
- Can be used as a stationary or moving pitch simulator
- Develops consistent contact and faster bat speeds
- Durable, with a sturdy steel frame and aluminum material
Cons:
- For beginners, it might take a while to finish the installation
- Quite heavy, thus making it slightly inconvenient if frequent movement is required.
5. SKLZ Hit-A-Way Portable Baseball Soft Toss Training-Station
Highlighted Features:
- Machine Model: Hit-A-Way
- Ball Release Intervals: Depends on the spinning speed (Adjustable)
- Supported Ball Types: Baseball and softball
- Built Material: Steel
- Machine Weight: 36.5 lbs
- Color: Black
Customer Ratings: 4.4/5 (based on 2687 customers)
This is another SKLZ soft toss machine that I found pretty practical in the early days. The functionality is almost similar to the Category 4. But what makes it different is its design.
Unlike the rod-linked ball, it has a cord-style design where you can connect a real baseball. And this is the reason I liked this even more. The design allows the cord+ball to rotate 360 degrees. So, you can taste all sorts of pitching with this single gear.
Furthermore, it’s collapsible, which makes it portable too, though the weight is still not handy. SKLZ officials told me they are more focused on durability. Thus they build it with high-end steel that’s why makes the tool hefty.
I also liked its adjustable ball release intervals. This allows for customized training sessions, catering to the specific needs and skill level of the player.
“BTW, you can’t integrate it with softball. To fulfill that purpose, you need to buy their batting swing trainer for softball separately. It won’t cost more than $30.”
There’s no doubt that soft toss machines like this make batting training effortless for parents and coaches. But a downside is, that this is pretty hard to cope with too, especially for 6-8 years.
If you believe your kid does have the mental strength to invest the required time and patience, there’s no better soft toss machine than these.
Pros:
- Adjustable ball release intervals for customized training
- Compatible with various types of baseballs
- Solid steel construction for stability and durability
- 360-degree pitch simulation for better skill development
- Collapsible frame for easy maneuverability
Cons:
- Pretty hefty frame, not easy to carry
- Takes quite some time and patience to get used to it.
Best Soft Toss Machine for 3 to 8 Years Kids
The above was pretty much good for kids to teens for training their batting skills. For little sluggers aged from 3 to 8, you may want to try something with plastic or foam balls, and at the same time, the soft toss machine should be automatic.
On that note, the below Franklin Sports soft toss machines (pitching machines) are reliable options.
6. Franklin Sports Kids Pitching Machine
Highlighted Features:
- Machine Model: Kids Pitching Machine (14948S11X)
- Ball Release Intervals: Every 7 seconds
- Supported Ball Types: Soft PU foam baseball (two packs included)
- Built Material: Plastic
- Machine Weight: 4.5 lbs.
- Color: White+Red+Blue
Customer Rating: 4.3/5 (996 people)
I remember vividly when I bought this Franklin Sports soft toss machine for my son when he was just 5 years old. Being a baseball coach (oops, I mean a proud dad), I wanted to provide him with the best tools to practice his batting skills.
This pitching machine turned out to be an excellent choice, keeping my little slugger entertained for hours on end.
The pitching machine’s standout feature was its adjustable pitch speed. With the ability to set the speed between 10, 15, and 20 mph, my son was able to gradually improve his hitting ability without feeling overwhelmed.
These speed settings are nearly similar to typical soft toss machines.
It was able to follow a 7-second interval between pitches, so he got enough time to reset and prepare for the next one.
Plus, the red light that indicates the ball release added an element of anticipation, making every swing feel like a real game.
Another reason I chose this gear over a regular soft toss machine was the foam ball types. As my son was starting a little early, I didn’t want to take any risk of injury with real baseballs. It came with 4 balls of 2 packs.
I thought to make him hit from different angles. It was handy with this Franklin Sports toss machine as it features a 3-angle adjustment.
Like many other parents, I was tense about the plastic construction. But it didn’t let me down, survived quite a long.
Instead the painful trait was its wobbliness. Don’t place it on an uneven surface, choose flat ground or concrete.
Pros:
- 3 adjustable pitch speed for progressive skill development
- Soft foam balls for safe backyard practice
- 3-angle adjustment offers flexibility in a training
- Durable plastic construction withstands regular use
Cons:
- Occasional wobbling affects pitch accuracy
7. Franklin Sports MLB Automatic Electronic Baseball Pitching Machine
Highlighted Features:
- Machine Model: MLB Kids Electronic 6696S3X.
- Ball Release Intervals: 7 seconds.
- Supported Ball Types: Plastic baseballs (6 included)
- Built Material: Plastic.
- Machine Weight: 3.19 lbs.
- Color: Silver+Blue
Customer Rating: 4.1/5 (out of 8300+ people)
I had to purchase this Franklin Sports automatic/electronic baseball toss machine for my son after he accidentally broke his previous model.
For some reason, I didn’t dig deeper into the features then. Besides, it was always a hyped product at that time and the most selling pitching machine from the brand too.
Fortunately, this negligence didn’t cost me any trouble.
Some features in both Franklin’s toss machines are pretty similar. For instance, this one also features the 7-second ball release intervals. Besides, it’s also made out of plastic.
Another common feature was the adjustability in 3 angles.
“BTW, at first, I needed to fine-tune the angles and speeds as it was throwing the ball just like here and there. It took me most probably 30-40 minutes to solve the problem.”
Unlike the previous model, it can load more balls (up to 9) and you get 6 in the package. Also, the balls are made out of plastic, not foam.
He was already 6, so it was an easy transition for him too.
In terms of build quality, this toss machine looked sturdy. But I wasn’t expecting anything supreme as the previous plastic model couldn’t survive a height drop.
What makes this sort of machine my favorite is its lightweight design. So, even when I used to walk towards the ground with him, I could easily carry it.
“I know the company marketed this for up to 12 years, but I don’t advise using a plastic toss machine at that age. It’s better to make players used to real baseball after 10.”
Pros:
- Accurate and precise pitching.
- 3 adjustable pitch angles to polish batting skills.
- More slot capacity, up to 9 balls
- Lightweight design makes it easy to transport.
- Comes with 6 white plastic baseballs.
Cons:
- Plastic baseballs may not be as durable as regulation baseballs.
- It requires you to purchase 6 D batteries to purchase separately.
What are the Differences Between a Soft Toss Machine and a Pitching Machine?
Differences between soft toss machine and pitching machine are:
| Feature | Soft Toss Machine | Pitching Machine |
| Function | Emulates underhand tosses | Automatically pitches baseball at various speeds |
| Operation | Allows solo practice | Requires a person to operate |
| Feeding mechanism | Single ball at a time | Can have an automatic feeding system |
| Practice Efficiency | More swings in less time | Slower pace due to manual operation |
| Skill Focus | Hand-eye coordination and timing | Batting skills and reaction time |
| Portability | Generally lightweight and portable | Can be bulky and less portable |
| Speed Variability | Limited speed adjustment options | Multiple speed and style settings |
| Suitable for | Individual practice and training | Team practice and batting practice |
| Complexity | Easier to use and set up | May require adjustments and a learning curve |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does soft toss help hitting?
Yes, soft toss can be very beneficial for hitting, especially for kids and teens. It allows players to practice on their own, emulating a coach or parent tossing a ball underhand.
Besides, soft toss machines offer the convenience of getting more swings in, which helps with developing muscle memory and improving swing mechanics.
How fast do soft toss machines throw balls?
The speed at which soft toss machines throw balls can vary depending on the specific machine. Some soft toss machines can throw balls at speeds ranging from 5-25 mph, compared to pitching machines that can go up to 100 mph.
What pitching machines does MLB use?
MLB teams use various pitching machines, including the iPitch® machine developed by Spinball Sports and the Trajekt Arc machine by Trajekt Sports.
While the iPitch machine is being used by several MLB organizations, the Trajekt Arc machine is reportedly being used by select teams, including the New York Mets.
These machines utilize artificial intelligence and ball-tracking data to replicate the delivery and pitches of any pitcher.
How does a JUGS toss machine work?
Most JUGS toss machines work by utilizing a spinning wheel mechanism to propel the balls forward.
The machine is set up to automatically (battery-powered) toss a ball every few seconds, allowing the batter to repeatedly practice hitting.
Moreover, the speed and direction of the toss can be adjusted to accommodate different practice needs.
Where are JUGS machines made?
JUGS machines are imported from overseas, but their headquarters are located in Tualatin, Oregon.
Wrapping Up
So, that’s all I found in the last few years of grinding with soft toss machines. Though for me the Lousiville Slugger training system is the best soft toss machine, for your situation, it might be any of the other 6 options.
Whatever it’s, I’ll be glad if this detailed baseball forensic can find you the right gear. Good Luck!
Check out more related content:
5 Best Baseball Pitching Machines
Are Pitching Machines Good For Batting Practice?
Hello everyone. My name is Jason Butler, and I live in California, America. I was a professional AAA Minor League Baseball player. I lost my chance of playing MLB for injury issues, but I did not lose my love for baseball. I attended the coaching training program and am now working as a coach in a small school in San Diego.
I always love to share my experience and knowledge if that can help you. Play baseball, and stay fit.