Are you looking for an alternative pitching machine that requires no electricity, is hand portable and consistently throw strikes then the Louisville Slugger UPM 45 Pitching Machine might be a great choice for your team or entire park!
I’ll admit, I can’t throw batting practice to younger players even though I’ve played baseball through the collegiate level.
It’s mainly the fear of hitting a younger player and having to slow down my delivery that prevents me from getting kids in a groove like you want them to during batting practice or coach pitch games.
The alternative was heading to the equipment shed across the park before every practice and wheeling the big pitching machine over to the field along with resetting the circuit breakers and untangling a mess of the extension cord every time.
What a pain it was!
During Coach Pitch season I had to rely on an assistant coach who could groove decent strikes but he was 50/50 if he could make practices and occasionally couldn’t make a game leaving me to pitch.
In fact I saw the Louisville Slugger UPM 45 in the equipment shed every time I went to get the electric pitching machine but had no idea what it was until I asked a board member.
After I gave it a try, there was no turning back!
Here, I’ll review the UMP 45’s pros and cons and some tips to best use this handy portable pitcher from coach pitch all the way through older Little League youth teams.
Issues with Coach Pitching Leagues
I was spoiled having Ken the “Machine” as we called him being able to throw batting practice and pitch for Coach Pitch leagues on the teams I coached.
Unfortunately, MOST other teams I’ve seen do not have an adult who can throw decent pitches or BP.
Enough so that our park addressed the issue pre-season to improve on a few areas that impact players development.
- During practice, kids receive fewer decent reps when batting.
- Kids develop poor mechanics with “upper-cut” swings with rainbow pitches.
- Player pitch selection (ball/strike) was poor when they want to chase anything they can get the bat on during practice/game.
- Coach pitch games dragged on way too slow with so many balls being thrown that kids start to get bored and inattentive in the field.
Some games would only go 2 innings in an hour and a half time limit batting every kid each inning!
Originally, we decided to get the pitching machine on the field since that’s how many of us coaches grew up playing.
However, the City shut this idea down due to safety concerns where the extension cord running through the fence could create an electric fence if the wire frayed!
Yikes, I hadn’t even thought of that!
The lowest quote to professionally run the power underground with permit was $1,000.
So as you can see, a need for such a contraption as the Louisville Slugger UMP 45 was really necessary!
Louisville Slugger UMP 45 Review
It look about 20 minutes to understand how to use it (without any instructions) but it wasn’t very difficult and we were delivering consistent pitches in no time!
The speed and height of a pitch is controlled by two adjustable pin holes.
First you use your hand to pull the ball holder arm back enough to secure it’s self under the latch on the pitching level arm and load a ball in the holder.
The the operator steps down on the “Power Pedal” creating stored energy in the spring attachment and then pulls back on the pitching arm level and the ball is pitched.
Pretty easy!
A few other notes:
- It can be used to throw grounders or even to the outfield consistently.
- Works for baseballs and softballs
- Is Little League approved and even mandated by many leagues and organizations. (I’ve also seen it used in most all youth coach pitch travel teams)
Pro’s and Cons of UMP 45 Pitching Machine
Pros:
- Ultra Light – You can easily carry it with 1 hand for a decent distance.
- Consistent Strikes – Will pitch in the same grouping over and over if your pedal push and pull are consistent.
- Vary Pitches – It won’t throw curves but you can slightly adjust your foot pressure and pull to throw lower pitches and vary horizontal movement. I’ll sometimes step lightly and intentionally throw a ball to mix things up.
- Easy to Load and Operate – The pedal push is easy to press down on and overall it’s very easy to use after a few pitches by any adult.
- Throwing Arm – It doesn’t mimic a true pitching arm but it’s better than a pitching machine. Players can see the arm swinging forward and gives a partial representation of a throwing motion.
Cons:
- Bracing the Legs – To consistently throw strikes you’ll need to brace at the front two legs of the machine. Two holes on the front legs provide an area to drive a stake through into the ground. You can use any type of stake and doesn’t have to be hammered far into the soil to keep it lined up. I’ve even seen one coach keep a sandbag in one of the dugouts and just throws it on top of the front to keep it braced. This isn’t REQUIRED each time but you’ll end up needing to make an adjustment once in a while or if it gets bumped accidentally.
- Replacement Parts – I haven’t had to replace the spring yet but you it does get weak after a season of throwing thousands of balls. For now, we just adjusted the power level up a level. The pins also take a bit of stress and will probably need to be replaced within a season or two. Not too big of deal these seem to be cheap parts to purchase but would get them ahead of time if you can.
- Used Baseballs – If you have a mix of used balls the consistency will decrease. Balls that have more weight from water and dirt will end up low in the zone or in the dirt.
- Distance Pitching – Accuracy from Little League 45 feet mound distance is so-so and suffer ~10-15% balls compared to moving it up just a few feet.
- Consistent Pull – You need a consistent pull from the level handle. If you don’t the pitch accuracy can vary.
- Older players/Net – Traditional electric wheel pitching machines are easy to operate with one hand and also have a glove for protection. UMP 45 really requires two hands and you’ll need to MacGyver an L screen that allows the ball to pass through, purchase the official one or be ready to get out of the way after a ball is pitched.
- Car Portable – It doesn’t break down and won’t fit well in a trunk with other equipment. Best if kept on site at field.
All in all, the cons can easily be dealt with and minimal to the overall experience.
Tips Using the UMP 45 Pitching Machine
- Brace both the front AND back leg and you’ll be able to load and pitch more balls throughout practice (and be more accurate).
- When I stand more over top of the release handle I seem to get more consistent strikes vs standing behind it and pulling to release.
- For timing, I usually hold my hand up just before I’m going to release so kids are ready and get better timing.
- Line up the seams of the ball consistently into the holder as this can also vary the accuracy.
- Works for older kids BP too! You can crank it up and give sufficient speed to older kids.
Once we started using the UMP 45, our coach pitch games consistently reached the 4th and even 5th innings! Just think, in a 14 game season, that’s anywhere from 15-30 extra quality at bats per season a player may get by speeding up the game!
Overall, the Louisville Slugger UMP 45 is a GREAT tool for Coach Pitch and will prepare kids better for moving up to player pitch leagues.
If you can’t throw decent batting practice then it’s a must buy!