With the new year we have updated pricing for the ATEC Sports product line and have some exciting products that will be a hit in 2017.
If you are interested in an ATEC Pitching Machine, but are looking for better pricing, please feel free to contact one of our ATEC customer service specialists at 800-297-0747 or email at CustomerCare@EpicClick.com to request a quote with our very best price.
We offer FREE standard shipping on our ATEC products, including pitching machines, anywhere in the 48 contiguous states! Even with free standard shipping it is possible for us to do even better on our prices. Due to Minimum advertised pricing policies on ATEC products it is possible that we can provide a better price in some situations. At this time, requesting a quote by providing your contact information, shipping postal code and a list of the products you are interested in is the easiest way to quickly receive the very best prices on our ATEC products.
The MLB licensed machines from ATEC sports feature industry leading designs and are built for top level performance for athletes at all levels. MLB players and coaches might be familiar with how to get the best out of ATEC Pitching Machines, but for everyone else, ATEC has provided a guide for drills specifically designed for ATEC Pitching Machines.
OFFENSIVE DRILLS:
BUNTING & PRECISION BUNTING
To become a complete hitter, it’s essential for batters to know how to bunt the ball precisely when and where it’s needed. This drill allows for a high volume of pitches to be delivered in a short amount of time so batters can become comfortable with this skill and more accurate in their bunting placement.
Position M2 on mound (Atec Secondary Logo) and line bunters up at home (X). Place cones down each baseline (Atec Drills) as target for bunters.
Initiate drill by raising hand to put ball into the machine. Batter should square from hitting position into bunting position.
Have players practice both sacrifice bunts and bunting for a hit to both the right and left sides, rotating after each bunt in order to get a high number of repetitions in the drill.
Instruct bunters to get wide with their feet, with their chest over the front leg, allowing them to get low on the ball.
Adjust pitch placement and velocity as batters become comfortable with the drill.
HIGH SPEED TRAINING DRILL
Since the eyes and hands are taught to work together, the more pitches we see at high speeds, the more the eyes become accustomed to that level of play. Not only do the eyes get stronger, but the muscles in the forearm, core and legs become stronger the more you force them to perform at a higher level.
Set up an M2 machine on the mound (Atec Secondary Logo), with speed up to 5 mph faster than what is typically seen in a game. Position batter at home plate (X).
Initiate drill by raising hand to put ball into the machine. Batter should be in hitting position.
Have players take five swings in a round. Don’t get discouraged if you miss. Every focused look you get, the better you become.
The goal is for the hitter to make consistent contact.
SLOW IT DOWN
The focus of this drill is to use a higher-speed swing at lower-speed pitches. Maintaining the discipline to stay back, and not “time” the pitch or contact. You will begin to pick up location earlier in the pitch, and wait to explode to the point of contact.
Set up an M2 machine on the mound (Atec Secondary Logo), with speed up to 5 mph slower than what is typically seen in a game. Position batter at home plate (X).
Initiate drill by raising hand to put ball into the machine. Batter should be in hitting position.
Have players take five swings in a round. The goal is for the hitter to focus on solid mechanics and wait back, rather than timing the pitch and shifting your weight forward or dropping your hands.
HITTING TO THE OPPOSITE FIELD
Many hitters are anxious to hit the ball, regardless of location, and attempt to pull an outside pitch. This drill allows for the hitter to have patience and discipline, letting the ball get deep and successfully driving an outside pitch the other way.
Set up an M2 machine on the mound (Atec Secondary Logo) and position batter at home plate (X).
Change pitching speeds as necessary to correlate to game speed, with machine angled to throw pitches to the outside half of the plate.
Initiate drill by raising hand to put ball into the machine. Batter should be in hitting position.
Have players take five swings in a round, adjusting pitch placement (high and low strikes) and velocity. Instruct hitters to let the ball get deep and drive to opposite field.
“PULLING” THE BALL
Many hitters have trouble turning on an inside pitch, and often get jammed. This drill allows for the hitter to keep their hands in and get the barrel around to pull an inside pitch.
Set up an M2 machine on the mound (Atec Secondary Logo) and position batter at home plate (X).
Change pitching speeds as necessary to correlate to game speed, with machine angled to throw pitches to the inside half of the plate.
Initiate drill by raising hand to put ball into the machine. Batter should be in hitting position.
Have players take five swings in a round, adjusting pitch placement (high and low strikes) and velocity. Instruct hitters to keep their hands inside and pull the ball.
SOFT TOSS
A classic, but ever-successful drill widely-used to practice timing and repetition. This drill requires minimal personnel and equipment for high results.
Position batter in hitting stance in front of N1 net, on side of the net so that balls will be absorbed by open pocket.
Position tosser directly across from hitter, on one knee with baseballs.
Have tosser under-hand toss balls into the strike zone of hitter, at varying angles and height to simulate game-like scenarios. Hitter will hit balls directly into the net.
Add difficulty by throwing multiple balls and telling batter which to hit (i.e. top or bottom).
TEE DRILLS: INSIDE/OUTSIDE/HIGH/LOW PITCHES
A simple drill that can help hitters at any level, and requires no assistance.
Position T3 on top of simulated home plate area, in desired hitting location. Place N1 net in front of tee to collect hit balls.
Continue to move T3 tee to inside and outside pitch locations, also varying height of pitch to simulate game-like scenarios.
TEE DRILLS: TOP AND BOTTOM HAND SWINGS
Develop hand-eye coordination, quick hands and prevent rolling over by maintaining a level swing through the zone. This drills hones skills with top and bottom hands separately to build a balanced combined swing.
Position T3 on top of simulated home plate area, in desired hitting location. Place N1 net in front of tee to collect hit balls.
Take 10 swings gripping the bat with only your top hand, focusing on maintaining natural swing motion while driving bat straight through the zone.
After 10 swings, switch hands and continue drill with same motion using bottom hand on bat.
Move T3 tee to inside and outside pitch locations, also varying height of pitch to simulate game-like scenarios.
DEFENSIVE DRILLS:
SHORT FLY BALLS
The more fly balls the players see the more routine it will become in game scenarios. This drill allows for fly balls every 7 seconds making practice extremely efficient.
Set the R2 (Atec Secondary Logo) at home plate and angle to delivery fly balls to all fields.
Stack your outfield with all available players (Y) and place them in rotation to receive the play.
Shoot short fly balls by adjusting the speed and angle of the machine.
Position outfielders deeper in the outfield to allow players to run in underneath the baseball.
Communication is key on balls that are in between both fielders.
DO OR DIE (LINE DRIVES)
The more fly balls the players see the more routine it will become in game scenarios. This drill allows for fly balls every 7 seconds making practice extremely efficient.
Set the R2 (Atec Secondary Logo) at home plate and angle to delivery fly balls to all fields.
Stack your outfield with all available players (Y) and place them in rotation to receive the play.
Shoot Do or Die line drives in the direction of the outfielder, rotating between positions.
Position outfielders at regular depth in the outfield to allow players to run react to the baseball.
Player must decide if he is going to attempt to catch the baseball or play on a hop.
Communication is key on balls that are in between both fielders.
CONTINUOUS FLY BALLS
The more fly balls the players see the more routine it will become in game scenarios. This drill allows for fly balls every 7 seconds making practice extremely efficient.
Set the R2 (Atec Secondary Logo) at home plate and angle to delivery fly balls to all fields.
Stack your outfield with all available players (Y) and place them in rotation to receive the play.
Outfielders can work on all types of fly balls.
Communication is key on balls that are in between both fielders.
OVERHEAD/DEEP FLY BALLS & RUNNING DOWN/TRACKING
The more fly balls the players see the more routine it will become in game scenarios. This drill allows for fly balls every 7 seconds making practice extremely efficient.
Set the R2 (Atec Secondary Logo) at home plate and angle to delivery fly balls to all fields.
Stack your outfield with all available players (Y) and place them in rotation to receive the play.
Shoot deep fly balls by adjusting the speed and angle of the machine directly over the heads of the outfielder.
Position outfielders at shallow depth in the outfield to allow players to run back for the baseball over their head.
Communication is key on balls that are in between both fielders.
ELIMINATING THE EXTRA BASE
Focusing on eliminating runners from taking the extra base can help save runs throughtout the season.
Set the R2 (Atec Secondary Logo) at home plate and angle to deliver ground balls and line drives into the outfield.
Stack your outfield with all available players (Y) and place them in rotation to receive the play.
Position outfielders at normal depth in the outfield.
Shoot ground balls and line drives into the gaps and down the foul line.
Outfielders can work on taking the proper angle to the baseball and utilizing the spin and throw technique.
Communication is key on balls that are in between both fielders.
RELAY/CUT-OFF DRILL
This drill is super effective as it can get a high number of reps without overworking outfielder arms. As the drill progresses, coaches can adjust the elevation and speed, simulating errant throws.
Position the R2 (Atec Secondary Logo) in the outfield; fielders will rotate according to which base the cut-off will take place.
Cut-off situations will take place at 2nd base, 3rd base and home.
Move the R2 around the outfield to simulate various cut-off scenarios above. Changing the elevation adjustments can simulate a poor throw, requiring the infielder to adjust his feet to properly receive the ball.
INFIELD GROUNDERS
Routine ground balls only become routine when this skill is practiced over and over again. This drill gives coaches the ability to efficiently train their infielders with precise, realistic ground balls that will build player skill and confidence.
Set the M2 machine at home plate (Atec Secondary Logo) with fielders positioned in the infield.
Using real baseballs, set top wheel speed at 6-7 and bottom wheel at 2-3 to simulate medium speed ground ball.
Work on ground ball fundamentals; to best simulate live batting, set up the machine at waist level using a ATEC caddypod.
INFIELD ANGLE OF ATTACK AND SOLO WORK
This drill provides player with a great opportunity to work on fielding all types of ground balls.
Set the M2 machine at home plate (Atec Secondary Logo) and place infielder at their position of choice.
Using real baseballs, direct ground balls to players backhand, forehand and directly at player.
Slow down the speed to create slow rollers for the player to charge and make the play.
Successfully field balls can be place in an empty bucket for increased efficiency.
INFIELD FLY BALLS
Just like ground balls, infield pop flies need to be practiced repeatedly to ensure out are made when it counts. The problem with hitting pop flies with a fungo is lack of accuracy and consistency. The ATEC R2 delivers a full range of fly balls quickly with remarkable accuracy and efficiency, speeding up the amount of time needed for this drill.
Set the ATEC R2 machine (Atec Secondary Logo) behind home plate with infielders positioned in their normal positions.
Using real baseballs, adjust R2 to deliver a variety of infield fly balls. Elevation and speed adjustments can be made to alter the difficulty from a “can of corn” to a “Texas leaguer.”
Strategically pick the location of fly balls, working the line, gaps and foul ball territory.
Add in outfielders to create infield/outfield communication and ball priority – I got it – Drill.
1B PICKING
Improve your first baseman’s ability to pick errant throws and balls in the dirt.
Set the R2 (Atec Secondary Logo) 40ft or more away from First Baseman.
Deliver balls in the dirt to the left and right of the first base bag allowing the player to scoop the balls in the dirt.
Use real balls and execute all throw types, on target, short hops and the dreaded long hop.
TAG PLAYS FROM CATCHER
This drill delivers maximum efficiency while saviing your catcher’ s arm for game days.
Set the R2 (Atec Secondary Logo) up at home plate to simulate a catcher throw down to 2nd or 3rd base.
Players break towards bag based on ball feed from coach.
Elevation and speed adjustments on the R2, as well as the 360 rotation, create a variety of throw angles, heights and velocity simulating actual game throws.
PITCHER/CATCHER DRILLS:
CATCHER: POP UPS
Pop-ups are must-have outs, but some of the hardest balls to catch. These drills help catchers work on their ability to recognize, track and catch foul balls and pop-ups.
Position the R2 (Atec Secondary Logo) to the side of the catcher (C), and position the catcher in a squat behind home plate.
Aim the R2 straight up, and have catcher respond to the sound of the ball exiting the machine, the same way he would the crack of the bat. By using reaction versus anticipation, the player will develop auditory and awareness skills.
Change height and trajectory of foul balls to create different game-like scenarios.
For different levels of difficulty, catchers can attempt drill with and without their catcher’s mask.
CATCHER: BLOCKING
This catcher drill is designed with three phases of instruction to focus on block, rapidfire and reaction/recovery. Catchers need quickness when blocking balls, and this drill builds that quickness efficiently.
Position M2 at the pitcher’s mound (Catcher: Blocking Drill) and catcher, in full gear, behind home plate (C).
Initiate drill by raising hand to put ball into the machine.
Position the M2 to shoot balls into the dirt within the vicinity of home plate, varying the velocity and location to simulate game-like blocking situations for catcher.
CATCHER: FRAMING & RECEIVING
This drill delivers maximum efficiency while saviing your catcher’ s arm for game days.
Position the R2 machine (Atec Secondary Logo) 15 feet in front of home plate; adjust the machine to deliver into the strike zone. Position catcher (C) in a squat behind home plate.
Begin at catchable speed, using ATEC Hi.Per Lite balls to establish confidence as these are harder to catch and force player to make solid effort.
Begin with balls down the middle and gradually pivot the R2 to work both sides of the plate.
Once the catcher has gone through a number of reps with the Hi Per Lite balls, switch to real baseballs. Repeat steps of starting in the middle before moving to different sides of the plate.
Make sure catcher frames pitches and works on receiving the ball into the strike zone with a direct and stiffening action. Continue to increase or decrease speed of pitch as skill level progresses.
PITCHER FIELDING PRACTICE
This drill gets pitchers high-quality, high-repetition fielding work in a short period of time, covering a variety of different in-game scenarios in which a pitcher would have to field his position.
Set up an R2 machine on home plate (Atec Secondary Logo), as well as one coach on either side of home plate (Z). Position pitchers in three lines – one on the mound (P1), one to the left of the mound (P2), and one to the right of the mound (P3).
Position a third baseman (3B), shortstop (SS) and first baseman (1B) at their respective pre-pitch positions.
The group at P1 will be preparing to field a ground ball/bunt and turn a double play at second base. The group at P2 will be preparing to field a ground ball/bunt and get a force out at third base. The group at P3 will be preparing to field a ground ball/bunt and throw to first or cover first base in the event the ball is hit to the second-base side of the first baseman.
Initiate drill by raising hand to put ball into the machine. All three lines will working simultaneously, with coaches hitting/rolling balls to the P3 and P2 groups, while the R2 machine is used for the P1 group. Pitchers spend three minutes in each line before moving on to the next.
For the pitchers in line P3, hit/toss ground balls/bunts toward the first-base side of the mound, forcing pitchers and first basemen to communicate on who fields the ball and who covers first base.
For the pitchers in line P1, shoot ground balls/bunts from the R2 machine back toward the mound, forcing pitchers to field the ball cleanly and deliver the double play feed to the shortstop covering second base.
For pitchers in line P2, hit/toss ground balls/bunts toward the third-base side of the mound, forcing pitchers to field their position and get the lead runner in a force play at third base.
When time expires, rotate lines counter-clockwise.
