It's no secret that baseball and softball games require a lot of equipment.
To play you need a ball, a bat and a glove. But if a player wants to get much better, he needs to practice a lot more.
That means there is a demand for training equipment too, and the Louisville Slugger UPM 45 Blue Flame Pitching Machine is one of the most popular training equipment for young baseball players.
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Louisville Slugger UPM 45 Blue Flame Wurfmaschine
The UPM is rugged, portable and requires no power. Dubbed the Pony Baseball and Softball League's official pitching machine, the Ultimate Pitching Machine (UPM) 45 helps hitters and coaches enjoy a more successful batting practice or coach pitch game.
Last updated on 10/31/2019 / Affiliate Links / Amazon Product Advertising API Images
===>>Check out this top notch pitching machine here.
Features of the Louisville Slugger UPM 45 Blue Flame Traps
This Louisville Slugger pitching machine is mainly used to pitch a young player when practicing baseball batting.
Its properties are excellent for this purpose.
The coach doesn't have to throw himself, which can be difficult when you're the coach trying to get into a 10-year-old hitter's hitting zone.
It's also not that easy to hit the same points at the same speed for your pitches.
These are some of the most notable features:
You can throw different balls. Many shot machines can only throw a certain type of ball.
It can throw regulation baseballs and softballs, ultralight baseballs and softballs, wiffle balls and even soccer balls.
All of these balls can be used and thepitching machineit will not harm them in any way.
You can select a specific speed setting. If you're using a regular baseball, you can set it to speed anywhere from 18 mph to 40 or 43 mph.
Use an ultra light softball and the speed can go up to 60 miles per hour. With an ultra-light baseball, the top speed of the Louisville Slugger UPM 45 Blue Flame Pitching Machine can reach almost 70 mph.
They can even throw a slow baseball in a 10 to 12 foot arc.
The ball consistently hits the same general area of the strike zone. You can line this up to target a specific area, either low and in or high and out.
There is a slight variation in the exact spot where it hits, but that's normal since pitches don't usually hit the exact same spot every time.
This only weighs 25 pounds. It's also not too big to fit in the trunk of a car. This means it is very portable as one person can carry it to the ball field.
The Blue Flame is also operated manually. It doesn't need any electrical energy at all. Instead, springs are used to drive the pitches.
This machine is also easy to use. Handling the blue Louisville Slugger UPM 45 flamethrower machine is not difficult.
You simply place the ball on the arm and then release the ball by stepping on the spring-loaded lever.
(Video) Louisville Slugger UPM 45 Blue Flame Pitching Machine Assembly and UseIt comes with a speed chart so you know how to adjust the Blue Flame launch machine settings for the desired launch speed.
Once you've chosen your speed setting, you can lock it in so that it shoots the ball consistently.
It is designed for heavy use. The construction is very sturdy and there are no flimsy materials to worry about.
Of course, the spring that drives the pitches will eventually wear out, but that won't last long since it's rated for 20,000 pitches.
When that limit is reached, you don't even have to buy another Louisville Slugger pitching machine. All you have to do is buy the pen, which you can easily find online.
Head straight to Amazon for this #1 pitching machine
Demonstration of the Louisville Slugger Blue Flame throwing machine
Is the pitch accuracy consistent?
How easy is this machine to operate?
Louisville Slugger Official Promotional Video
Benefits of the Louisville Slugger UPM 45 Blue Flame Traps
go onlineand you will likely notice the virtually universal acclaim in the Blue Flame Pitching Machine's many reviews.
It's so good, and it's no surprise it's the official pitching machine for Babe Ruth and Pony's baseball and softball leagues.
Let's list some of the most compelling reasons why so many coaches and players love this pitching machine.
It's affordable. Let's start right away with this key advantage since many teams don't have huge budgets for baseball and softball training equipment.
You can findother excellent pitching machinesout there, and some are even professional quality.
But they also cost a lot more. With the UPM 45 you get an incredible combination of high quality and low price.
Throw in the same general area every time. That's a relief for everyone. Coaches love it as not all coaches are great throwers who can hit even a small kid's batting zone every time.
This placement consistency saves time and effort.
Plus, it allays any batsman's concerns about getting hit. This type of concern can make it almost impossible for them to focus solely on hitting.
This also helps hitters when practicing on pitches that are more difficult for them. They can learn what to do for indoor or outdoor pitches, whether they are low or high.
Finally, batsmen can see what a baseball looks like when it hits the batting zone. So they can hand in balls on the day of the game and wait for strikes.
You can adjust the speed and it stays constant. In order to practice your shots, you need to get the timing right.
But this is a problem when the tones vary in speed. With the UPM 45 this is no problem at all. You get the same speed you set every time.
(Video) Blue Flame Pitching Machine ReviewYou can even practice trying to catch up60 km/h pitchesor practice with slow pitches first.
This means that as the player improves their timing, they can handle more pitches of varying speeds and see those pitches approaching the plate.
It's portable A person can carry this to the stadium. They fit in the trunk of a car, and at 25 pounds, a single person can carry it too.
It's also manually operated, so there are no dangerous wires on the pitch and you don't have to spend a lot of money to use up a lot of batteries.
Versatile. You can use almost any type of baseball and softball with this throwing machine. This gives you plenty of options to work on.
If you are a baseball and softball coach, you only need this machine for both teams.
It's not just for throwing strikes for hitters, either. You can point this at your fielders so they can practice handling flyballs and groundballs.
Once again, you get consistent locations for your players to practice their mechanics.
In fact, you can even use this for volleyball, soccer, or even basketball. It is a godsend for multisport coaches.
It's very easy to use. You put the ball on your arm and let the lever bounce.
There is a guide on how to set it for different speeds. It is really that easy.
The Blue Flame is very durable. It's sturdy, so you don't have to worry about it breaking when hit by a baseball or being dented in the trunk of the car on a bumpy ride.
It can be said that a device is only as durable as its thinnest component. In this case, that's the spring that powers the throwing arm, and it's not brittle.
With its capacity of 20,000 steps, it can last a long time. You should also replace the spring at the end of its service life so that you don't have to buy a new casting machine to replace it.
It is also very easy to assemble. Not all sneakers are DIY geniuses, but it doesn't take a genius to put this together.
How does The Blue Flame help players?
How does The Blue Flame help trainers?
What about usability and portability?
Disadvantages of this pitching machine
The truth is there really isn't anything seriously wrong with the LS UPM 45.
However, to be objective, we may need to point out a few issues that you need to be aware of:
As with many gadgets, it will take time to learn how to properly use the Louisville Slugger UPM 45 Blue Flamethrowing Machine.
You need to carefully review the startup speed guide first before getting acquainted with it.
(Video) Louisville Slugger Pitching Machine Demo and ComparisonPerhaps the most notable "missing piece" here is that there is no practice optioncurve ballsand sliders.
He only throws normal pitches. For curveballs and sliders, you need a good pitcher to hit the pitches.
Final verdict on this #1 rated blue flame
As many coaches and players have pointed out, it is almost inconceivable that this pitching machine would be considered anything less than world class.
It is consistent, reliable, durable, easy to use and assemble, and can be used for a variety of exercises across many different sports.
This is a great training tool for youth baseball and the big leagues can use it too.
It saves the trainers time and effort because they don't have to set it up themselves.
He helps batsmen train with his batting mechanics without the risk of getting hit, and he can even train outfield players. It's affordable too.
If you are a youth baseball coach, just get the Louisville Slugger UPM 45 Blue Flame Pitching Machine.
It's one of the most valuable investments you'll ever make: youimprove your team a lotand you don't spend too much time, effort and money.
Want this Blue Flame with free shipping? 
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(Video) Louisville Slugger UPM 45 Blue Flame Pitching Machine | Louisville Slugger Pitching Machine Reviews
FAQs
How fast does a blue flame pitching machine go? ›
The Louisville Slugger UPM 45 Blue Flame Pitching Machine throws real baseballs and softballs between 18 and 45 miles per hour. Use a soft lightweight ball and reach speeds of over 60 miles per hour.
What pitching machines do MLB teams use? ›MLB teams use a variety of pitching machines that are fairly advanced. Examples of the two most common pitching machine brands would be the Sports Attack with the Hack Attack and Jr Hack Attack machine, Jugs with the BP3 and Spinball with the Wizard 3. Another pitching machine that some MLB teams use is the BATA-2.
How far does the Blue Flame pitching machine go? ›It will throw a softball from 35 feet at speeds from 18 mph to the 40-43 MPH range. It throws ultra lite softball about 60 mph and an ultra lite baseball near 70 mph.
How do you adjust a blue flame pitching machine? ›1/2" MOVEMENT LEFT OR RIGHT AWARNING: Loosen the FRONT STABILIZER LOCKING KNOB to angle the pitching machine left or right. Turn the pitching machine less than an inch at a time. Re-tighten when complete. REMEMBER that turning the pitching machine 1/2" will move the pitch 10" at a distance of 40 feet.
Is pitching 70 mph good? ›The average fastball is between 50-60 mph. Although at this age the players may begin to reach puberty, and for that reason, it is not unusual to see a pitcher throwing around 70 mph.
What is a good pitching rpm? ›The best pitchers in modern-day baseball can throw incredibly fast with their average fastball speeds ranging from 95–100 MPH and their average spin rates on these pitches ranging from 2400–2800 RPM.
Is 75 mph a fast pitch? ›On the average, a typical Varsity high school fastball is between 75-85 mph, although many good Varsity pitchers will be seeing the upper 80s and low 90 range.
Do MLB Players use pitching machines? ›Anyone learning to bat in baseball will feel the need for a pitching machine. It's a great way of having balls hurled at the player, and it's not even that costly to purchase. At every level in this sport, players use pitching devices. There is no MLB training camp without these devices.
Are pitching machines accurate? ›Pitching machines will never have pinpoint accuracy. That doesn't mean that they aren't one of the most effective tools you can buy for improving your hitting. The fact that they DO NOT throw a pitch in exactly the same place every single time is the thing that makes them so great.
How much power does a pitching machine need? ›Most pitching machines operate on 110vAC/1000 watts. This means that you can plug them into a power source if available, or power them using a generator. If you plan to use a generator, find out what kind the manufacturer recommends before buying.
What are the most advanced pitching machines? ›
iPitch® is the most advanced pitching machine available
Fast pitch changes – Change between most pitches in under 5 seconds. The machine aims automatically. You can choose both the pitch and the target zone. Random sequences – A new pitch is selected every time a ball is thrown.
Most pitchers throw from a high 3/4 delivery. The reason for this is because it enables pitchers to maximize their velocity and their command while also putting less strain on their arm than dropping down.
What is the rarest pitch in the MLB? ›A screwball is a breaking ball designed to move in the opposite direction of just about every other breaking pitch. It is one of the rarest pitches thrown in baseball, mostly because of the tax it can put on a pitcher's arm.
How rare is a 100-mph pitch? ›In the pitch-tracking era (since 2008), there have been 223 MLB pitchers to hit 100 on the radar gun, according to Baseball Savant's Statcast.
Can you use a pitching machine for ground balls? ›The Small-Ball® Pitching Machine throws fastballs or overhand curves with uncanny accuracy and is great for ground balls and fly balls.
How long does a 100-mph pitch take? ›A 100-mph fastball takes roughly 375-400 milliseconds to reach the plate.
What is the Tincher pitching method? ›Instead of trying to make changes in the bullpen, or while performing the entire pitching motion, the focus is upon the fundamentals and the foundational movements, working on these until they become habit, and then allowing them to flow into the full pitching motion.
What are the machine settings for 8u pitching? ›Recommended machine settings are 1-4-4 to achieve a 28-30mph pitch. BATTER RULES: The batter will not receive a walk. The batter must hit a fair ball to achieve first base.
How does the new pitching machine work? ›Arm action machines are simple and work like this: a baseball is fed into a steel arm and the arm accurately catapults the baseball forward to the batter. Because the baseball is thrown from a steel arm, it simulates a scenario in which a ball is thrown from an actual pitcher, making it feel more realistic.
How far away should a pitching machine be? ›9.03 Pitching Circle: There shall be a ten (10) foot diameter circle with the front edge at forty-two (42) feet from the rear point of home plate. 9.04 Pitching Machine: The front leg(s) shall be set at a distance of forty-two (42) feet from the rear point of home plate.
Can pitching machines be left outside? ›
They can be left outside although a cover is recommended.
Where should your weight be on a pitch shot? ›On small pitches, you can keep your weight steady on your left foot, since you won't need to fuel your swing with too much power. On big pitches, transfer your body weight into your shot, moving your weight from one foot to the other. That will give your shot more force.
Can pitching machines throw breaking balls? ›The First Pitch Curveball pitching machine throws curveballs, breaking balls and fastballs at speeds up to 105 mph. Our First Pitch 2-Wheel Curveball Pitching Machine is a heavy duty machine that can throw multiple types of pitches, Throws dimple balls or traditional stitched balls.
Can you use regular balls in a pitching machine? ›What kind of balls can your machines throw? The machines can throw just about any ball under 4″ diameter and 7oz weight, including real leather baseballs and softballs as well as the plastic dimpled balls specifically designed for pitching machines. You can also use the machines with cricket, lacrosse, or tennis balls.
What muscles to train for pitching? ›A great fastball starts with strong legs
That's only partially right. This 2013 study and this 2011 study among many others suggest pitchers generate most of their power from their lower body, using the hips, glutes, quads and hamstrings to transfer force from the ground through the torso and to the arm.
Lower Body Muscle Activity in the Pitcher
Based on these case studies below, you will learn that the key muscles in the lower half contributing to pitching performance are the calf, glute, bicep femoris, abductor, and adductors.
New York Mets owner Steve Cohen has bought an artificial intelligence-based pitching machine that analyzes MLB ball-tracking data to replicate the delivery and pitches of any pitcher inputted into its system.