Many misconceptions and misinformation surround the debate about "wheel machines" and arm model machines. The purpose of this outline is to educate and inform commercial batting range owners and interested purchasers of commercial equipment.

ARM MOTION VS. WHEELS:

It has been said that "wheel machines" don't allow the batters adequate timing to hit the ball. Arm model machines claim that they offer the batter a wind-up motion to allow the batter better timing. The "ABC" machine offers a visual timing sequence by exposing the balls before they are released (via our ball feeding tray) and after they are released and fed into our wheels. Arm machines, due to the inherit danger of the "arm" striking the operator or maintenance person have been mandated by the Federal Government to enclose their arm with a very large enclosure which obscures the vision of the arm in motion. Any imagined natural advantage of this "actual arm motion" is hidden behind this enclosure. Balls are never hidden with the "ABC" model machine. "ABC" exposes the ball longer and with better timing than any other wheel machine available and with equal timing with any arm model machine.

TEAM USAGE OF ARMS VS. WHEEL MACHINES

EVERY MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL TEAM OWNS SEVERAL WHEEL TYPE MACHINES AND HUNDREDS OF PROFESSIONAL BALL PLAYERS OWN WHEEL MACHINES FOR THEIR PERSONAL TRAINING!

Although "ABC" does not sell "team model" machines, we have a very long history in the pitching machine business. Beginning in 1971 and ending in 1985, we manufactured and sold pitching machines to thousands of youth programs throughout the US and Canada including Little Leagues, High Schools and Colleges and as well as every professional team in the US and Canada.

Today, over 5,000 "wheel" machines are sold every year to these clubs! "Wheel machines" represent the vast majority (100 wheel machines to 1 arm model machine) of pitching machines used in the US and Canada by baseball and softball teams. Why? Because they are the safest, the most accurate and the most reliable machines available!

CUSTOMER LOYALTY-ARMS VS. WHEELS:

It is impossible to equate "customer loyalty" with the use of one machine over another . We will share with you our experiences over the past several years. "ABC" owns and operates three batting ranges in Oregon. We compete with arm model machines at other ranges. To the best of our ability, we estimate that we have better "customer loyalty" and are certain we generate much more revenue and most importantly, MORE PROFITS! "ABC" has also replaced arm model machines for owners who may have believed that customer loyalty and "natural arm motion" were somehow linked. All of these converted customers believe as we do: not one customer in one hundred knows the difference between arm and wheel machines. Those that did know the difference were generally ball players who grew up using "wheel" machines through high school and college. We have found that these people appreciate the accuracy of the "ABC" machines. Furthermore these converted arms-to-wheels owners have concluded that their customers became more loyal because of the increased accuracy and reliability of our "ABC" system.

Finally, these arms-to-wheels customers have found vastly improved revenues and profits! (We would like to point out that never has an "ABC" customer converted from an "ABC" range to an arm model cage).

BALL WEAR-ARM VS. WHEEL:

Some wheel style machines (pneumatic tires) can wear balls rapidly. The "ABC" model uses urethane for it's wheel composition and does not grip the ball as the air filled wheels does. Most ball wear comes with the balls striking the concrete surface and rolling in and around the batting cage.

WET BALLS-ARM VS. WHEEL:

Arm model manufacturers claim they are the only machines capable of throwing wet balls. THIS IS NOT TRUE! "ABC" offers ball drying systems which allows the machines to pitch in any weather. Furthermore, arm model machine owners that we have spoken with claim that the arm models will throw erratically at best when their "hands" are wet. They have also said if they pitch at all in wet weather, they use only their slowest machines. To find out for yourself, please ask current "ABC" owners using ball dryers and the arm model owners. We use ball dryers in Oregon (infamous for our weather) and they work great. We estimate increases in revenues as a result of these dryers exceeds $30,000 per year!

THROWING BALLS IN RAPID SUCCESSION:

Throwing two balls in rapid succession can happen with any wheel style machine only if the equipment systems are poorly maintained and manufacturer's routine maintenance schedule and outline is not followed by the operator.

DANGER FACTOR-ARMS VS. WHEELS:

The Federal Product Safety Commission has concluded that the "arm" model machines present a potentially dangerous situation of the "arm" striking and injuring maintenance workers and others in the area of the machines. This accident can occur even with the machines unplugged from all electrical outlets! This danger prompted the Federal Product Safety Commission to issue a recall order on all older style arm model machines. No such order has ever been issued or discussed concerning wheel model machines. Furthermore, "ABC" offers the ONLY "UL APPROVED" pitching machine available in the industry!

The important thing to remember about any equipment is to carefully read and follow all warning and routine operating instructions provided by the manufacturer.

CONVERTING MACHINES FROM BASEBALL TO SOFTBALL:

Contrary to some information, the "ABC" machine can be converted from baseball to softball (or vice versa) within twenty minutes. No other commercial wheel-style machine is capable of converting from baseball to softball.

MAINTENANCE OF ARMS VS. WHEELS:

Our experience in converting owners from arms to "ABC" equipment proves to us that "ABC" equipment is the most reliable and requires the least maintenance of any machine offered today. In every case, the conversion was done to reduce maintenance, increase accuracy and provide a safer environment in the batting range operation. In some cases, conveyor and hopper systems offered by the arm model manufacturers did not work in any fashion. In every case, these customers have seen higher revenues and profits due to this conversion!

FINAL ANALYSIS:

Find out for yourself. Call customers from all of the equipment manufacturers and ask for their comments. First and foremost, please consider that all of our customers share one feeling: "ABC" currently provides the industries finest commercial batting range equipment systems available! Why? NO OTHER COMMERCIAL BATTING RANGE SYSTEM SUPPLIER CAN CLAIM HAVING DEVELOPED THE SCOPE OF INDUSTRY BREAKTHROUGHS THAN THE OWNERS OF "ABC". "ABC" CONTINUES TO LEAD THE INDUSTRY IN BATTING RANGE TECHNOLOGY! THE OWNERS OF "ABC" HAVE PIONEERED MANY OF TODAY'S STANDARDS FOR THE MODERN DAY BATTING RANGE INDUSTRY.