JUGS BP3 Fastpitch Softball Pitching Machine with Changeup
The JUGS BP3 Fastpitch Softball Pitching Machine with Changeup is a three-wheel fastpitch softball pitching machine designed for programs that want hitters to see real pitch movement and real speed changes in practice. It throws eight different softball pitches, including risers, drop balls, curveballs and screwballs, at speeds from 45 to 75 mph, and a key-chain remote switches from fastball to changeup without giving the hitter any visual cue. It fits softball players and teams from the backyard to high school, college and advanced travel ball.
The goal of the BP3 is to make batting practice look like a game. Hitters sharpen timing and pitch recognition against a machine that changes speeds and pitch shapes the way a pitcher does, and the same machine turns around to run fly ball, infield and catcher drills when defense is on the practice plan.
Eight Softball Pitches From the Select-A-Pitch Dial
The Select-A-Pitch dial moves the BP3 between eight preset pitches: fastballs and changeups, right- and left-handed curveballs, right- and left-handed screwballs, risers and drop balls. A turn of the dial is all it takes, so a hitter can see a rise ball in one round and a drop ball in the next without anyone re-aiming the machine.
That range is what makes the BP3 a softball tool rather than a generic speed trainer. Softball hitters spend their games reacting to pitches that move up, down, in and out. Practicing against a riser teaches a hitter to lay off the high pitch that looks hittable out of the hand, and drop ball reps train a hitter to stay on top of the ball instead of rolling over. Screwballs and curveballs from both sides give left- and right-handed hitters a look at pitches breaking toward and away from them.
The three-wheel design grips the ball from three points for consistent spin, movement and control. Because the wheels create the movement, the machine stays in place while the pitch changes, and the release point remains steady for the hitter from one pitch type to the next.
Remote-Control Changeups for Real Timing Work
Speed changes are what get softball hitters out, and the BP3 builds them into every round. Using the included key-chain remote or the button on the control panel, a coach can switch from fastball to changeup at the touch of a button, from behind the plate or right at the machine. Nothing visible changes at the machine, so the hitter sees the same look and has to read the pitch, just as they would against a pitcher with a good changeup.
Hitters who lunge at off-speed pitches can work on keeping their weight back and their hands loaded. Mix a few changeups into a fastball round, then increase how often they come until the hitter adjusts without thinking about it.
Automatic Pitching Circuits That Simulate At-Bats
Three preset hitting circuits program the BP3 to alternate between fastball and changeup on its own. Instead of grooving swings against one speed, hitters face a sequence that changes the way a pitcher would mix pitches during an at-bat. Coaches do not need to press a button on every pitch, which frees them to watch mechanics, give feedback or run a second station.
Circuits are also an easy way to add pressure to a practice. Give each hitter a short at-bat on a circuit and track how many balls they put in play hard. Over a season, that turns machine work into a measure of pitch recognition, not just bat speed.
Precise Speed Control From 45 to 75 MPH
Speed is adjusted digitally by turning a knob and shown on a large 3 inch LCD display, so coaches can set exact numbers and return to them later. The 45 to 75 mph range covers developing high school hitters through college and advanced travel ball players. Small steps up in speed help a hitter adapt gradually, and posting the number on the display makes it easy for several coaches to share the machine and keep sessions consistent.
Pinpoint Targeting and Full-Field Adjustment
Location is controlled with Pinpoint horizontal and vertical micro-adjustments for true zone control. With a small turn, a coach can move a pitch to the inside corner, low in the zone or up out of the zone, which lets hitters practice a plan, such as driving the outside pitch the other way, instead of swinging at whatever arrives.
For larger moves, vertical and horizontal macro adjustment levers and 360 degree machine rotation point the BP3 at any part of the field for deep fly balls, grounders and full-field practice.
Long Feed Chute: Always See the Ball
The BP3 Softball machine comes standard with the Long Feed Chute, an Always-See-The-Ball delivery system that lets hitters track the ball from release to contact. Watching the ball feed into the wheels gives the hitter a timing cue similar to a pitcher's motion, so the load and stride can sync with the pitch instead of guessing when a ball will pop out of the machine.
Defensive Drills With the BP3 Softball Machine
The BP3 earns its place in defensive practice too. For outfielders it throws infield fly balls, deep fly balls and hooking fly balls of up to 250 feet. The changeup remote makes it easy to alternate short and long fly balls without touching the machine, so outfielders have to read each ball rather than drift to the same spot every time.
Infielders get realistic speed and spin for fielding drills, second base tagging drills and double play drills. Catchers can work on blocking against every pitch the machine throws, including drop balls and risers, which is difficult to replicate consistently by hand.
Durable Build and Easy Transport
Three 1/4 HP heavy-duty motors keep performance consistent through high-volume practice, and cast aluminum motor guards protect the internal components from direct impact. The body is sturdy cast aluminum. The 12 inch Grip-Tite pneumatic tires are long-lasting and non-marking, and are designed not to melt, crack or chunk the way solid tires can.
A transport cart allows tilt-and-roll movement on and off the field, which makes it simpler to bring the machine out for practice and put it away afterward.
Optional Carousel Feeder
For solo work or continuous rounds, the BP3 Softball machine is compatible with an 18-ball automatic feeder, the JUGS Carousel Feeder, sold separately. With the feeder loaded, a hitter can take a full round without a second person dropping balls into the chute, which is useful for extra reps before or after team practice.
Who the JUGS BP3 Fastpitch Softball Pitching Machine Is For
- High school and college softball programs that want movement pitches and speed changes in one machine
- Advanced travel ball teams preparing hitters for pitchers who throw risers and drops
- Serious backyard players with a home cage who want game-like softball reps
- Coaches who want a single machine for hitting, outfield, infield and catcher drills
Programs using the BP3 Softball include Oregon State University softball, where it is part of daily hitting work.
How to Use the BP3 in Softball Practice
Begin with fastballs at a speed the hitter can handle to settle timing, then raise the speed in small steps. Once the hitter is on time, add remote changeups and finish with an automatic circuit so the hitter cannot predict the next pitch.
Work movement pitches in short blocks. A round of risers teaches discipline at the top of the zone, a round of drop balls teaches the hitter to stay through the low pitch, and a round of screwballs or curveballs shows the hitter breaking balls from both sides. Use the micro-adjustments to place each pitch where the hitter needs work.
A sample team rotation might run four short rounds per hitter: fastballs only, fastballs with remote changeups, one movement pitch, then a circuit at-bat. Switching between rounds is a matter of turning the dial and pressing the remote, so the machine stays in place and practice keeps moving.
On defensive days, rotate the BP3 toward the outfield and alternate short and long fly balls from the remote, then move to infield grounders and finish with catchers blocking drop balls. During live hitting, put a protective screen in front of the person feeding the machine, such as the JUGS Instant Screen.
Compatible Softballs
The BP3 Softball machine throws softballs as well as JUGS practice balls: LeatherLast softballs, Sting-Free softballs in dimpled and seam styles, Lite-Flite softballs, Softie softballs and Bulldog softballs. Good options for machine rounds include Sting-Free dimpled softballs, Lite-Flite softballs and Softie genuine leather practice softballs. A Back-Saver portable ball basket keeps the supply close to the feeder.
JUGS BP3 Fastpitch Softball Pitching Machine Specifications
- Machine type: three-wheel softball pitching machine with changeup
- Speed range: 45 to 75 mph, digital adjustment
- Pitches: 8 presets (fastball, changeup, right- and left-handed curveball, right- and left-handed screwball, riser, drop ball)
- Changeup control: included key-chain remote or button on the control panel
- Hitting circuits: 3 preset fastball/changeup circuits
- Display: 3 inch LCD speed readout
- Targeting: Pinpoint horizontal and vertical micro-adjustments, vertical and horizontal macro levers, 360 degree rotation
- Fly balls: up to 250 feet
- Motors: three 1/4 HP motors with cast aluminum motor guards
- Tires: 12 inch Grip-Tite pneumatic, non-marking
- Construction: cast aluminum body
- Delivery: Long Feed Chute, standard
- Transport: tilt-and-roll transport cart
- Feeder: compatible with the 18-ball carousel feeder, sold separately
- Ball types: softballs, LeatherLast, Sting-Free (dimpled and seam), Lite-Flite, Softie, Bulldog softballs
- Skill levels: backyard, high school, college, advanced travel ball
- Warranty: two-year warranty on all parts, normal wear and factory defects
Frequently Asked Questions
What speeds does the BP3 Softball machine throw?
It throws from 45 to 75 mph, set digitally with a knob and shown on a 3 inch LCD display.
Can the BP3 throw rise balls and drop balls?
Yes. The Select-A-Pitch dial includes risers and drop balls along with fastballs, changeups, and right- and left-handed curveballs and screwballs, for eight pitches in all.
How does the changeup work?
Press the button on the included key-chain remote or on the control panel to switch from fastball to changeup. Nothing visibly changes at the machine, so the hitter has to read the pitch. Three preset circuits can also alternate fastballs and changeups automatically.
Can I use the BP3 Softball machine for fly balls and fielding?
Yes. It throws infield, deep and hooking fly balls of up to 250 feet, plus infield grounders and pitches for catcher blocking drills. The remote makes it easy to alternate short and long fly balls.
Does it work with an automatic ball feeder?
Yes. It is compatible with the 18-ball JUGS Carousel Feeder, sold separately, for solo hitting or continuous rounds.
How is the BP3 Softball machine different from the BP3 Baseball machine?
The two share the three-wheel design, remote changeup, hitting circuits and Long Feed Chute, but are set up for different sports. The softball version runs 45 to 75 mph with softball pitches such as risers, drop balls and screwballs, while the JUGS BP3 Baseball Pitching Machine runs 40 to 90 mph with baseball pitches such as sliders, cutters and split-finger fastballs.
What warranty comes with the JUGS BP3 Softball machine?
It is covered by a two-year warranty on all parts, normal wear and factory defects.
