BATA machines have our unique Goodyear Rubber Soft-tread pitching wheels. The JUGS and some other off brands have pneumatic (air-filled) tires. Our Soft-Tread wheels are solid, with high tech die-cast flat faced treads, molded onto a machined aluminum core. The JUGS type tires have a convex (rounded) pitching surface, and are mounted on a standard stamped rim, like those used on trailers. The faster the JUGS wheel turns, the more convex it becomes, and perhaps less accurate.
BATA machines are constructed of welded solid steel plate. JUGS machines are constructed primarily of older style sand-castings. Solid steel is several times stronger than sand-castings, therefore we are able to make our machines much lighter (in weight), yet at the same time stronger. BATA machines weigh about 25% less than JUGS machines... and we feel they are stronger!
All our BATA pitching machines have steel plates in front of and behind the pitching wheels. JUGS pitching wheels are fully exposed. We also have heavy-duty steel plate in front of our motors to protect them from line-drive hits. Most other brands do not.
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