By Abigail Gannaban · Last updated October 30, 2026
Choose a pitching machine if hitting is the goal: it throws consistent pitches at a set speed so a batter can work on timing. Choose a ball rebounder if throwing, fielding and catching are the goal: it returns the ball the player throws, so one player can field, throw and repeat without a partner. They train different halves of the game, so many baseball and softball families end up wanting both and buy first for the weaker skill.
How do a pitching machine and a ball rebounder compare?
| Criterion | Pitching machine (JUGS BP1 Combo) | Ball rebounder (The Varsity) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main skill trained | Hitting (timing, consistent strikes) | Throwing, fielding and catching | JUGS BP1 page · Varsity page |
| Defensive work | Swivel base for fly balls, grounders and pop-ups | Returns throws as grounders, hops or line drives by screen position | JUGS BP1 page · Varsity page |
| Speed control | Digital, 15-70 mph | Set by the player's own throw | JUGS BP1 page |
| Power needed | 110V AC, generator or battery pack | None | JUGS BP1 page |
| Weight | 75 lbs, legs detach | 102 lbs, rolls on 10" spoked wheels | JUGS BP1 page · Varsity page |
| Sports | Baseball and softball (chutes and legs for each) | Baseball, softball, lacrosse, soccer, basketball | JUGS BP1 page · Rebounders collection |
| Warranty | 2-year guarantee | 90 days on the net frame, 1 year on the steel | JUGS BP1 page · ABP warranty |
| Ball feeding | By hand; an optional JUGS Carousel Feeder is sold for automatic feeding (not mentioned on the JUGS product page) | The player's own throw | Marchant's BP1 listing |
| Best for | Hitters working on timing | Fielders, catchers and throwers training alone | Fit statements below |
Specs checked October 30, 2026.
When is a pitching machine the better choice?
A pitching machine is the better choice when the player's hitting needs the most work. JUGS describes the BP1 Combo as delivering accurate pitches at speeds up to 70 mph from a realistic release point, with separate chutes and legs for baseball and softball. Consistent strikes let a hitter repeat a swing at a known speed, which a parent's batting practice can't match. Its swivel base also throws fly balls, grounders and pop-ups, so a coach or parent can run defensive drills with it as well.
When is a ball rebounder the better choice?
A ball rebounder is the better choice when the player needs fielding, throwing and catching reps, especially alone. The player throws into the net and the return becomes the next ground ball, short hop or line drive, depending on the screen position. It needs no power and no feeder, so a 13-year-old can use it the moment she gets home. All Ball Pro makes steel-frame, multi-sport ball rebounders, also called rebound nets, in St. Louis, Missouri, with a galvanized, powder-coated frame and a UV-protected net. For how ball rebounders compare with pitchbacks and walls, see our comparison of rebound devices.
Which one fits your player?
A pitching machine suits a player whose bat lags behind the glove, with a parent or coach who can feed it. A ball rebounder fits a player whose defense needs reps and who trains alone, or a family with players in more than one sport. If the budget covers only one this season, buy for the skill the coach flags most.
Which practice skills does each tool cover?
Neither tool covers everything, and the split is clean. Based on each product page:
| Practice skill | Pitching machine | Ball rebounder |
|---|---|---|
| Hitting live pitches | Yes | No |
| Fielding ground balls | Yes, with someone running the machine | Yes, alone |
| Catching fly balls and pop-ups | Yes, with someone running the machine | Line drives and pop-ups off a tilted net, alone |
| Throwing accuracy | No | Yes, every rep |
| Training with no second person | Only with the optional automatic feeder | Yes |
The pattern: a pitching machine is a hitting tool that can help with defense when an adult runs it, and a ball rebounder is a defense and throwing tool a player runs alone.
FAQ
Can a ball rebounder help with hitting? No, not directly. A ball rebounder returns throws, so it trains fielding, catching and throwing; hitting live pitches needs a pitching machine, a soft-toss setup or a pitcher.
Can a pitching machine be used for fielding practice? Yes. Machines with a swivel base, like the JUGS BP1 Combo, can throw grounders, fly balls and pop-ups, with a coach or parent aiming the machine and feeding the balls.
Which should a young softball player get first? Get the tool for the weaker skill. If fielding and throwing need work and she often trains alone, a ball rebounder; if hitting is the priority and a parent can feed, a pitching machine.
A pitching machine builds the swing; a ball rebounder builds the glove and the arm, alone. See The Varsity Multi Sport Ball Rebounder.