JUGS Sports is recognized across the globe as the leading producer of both pitching machines and batting cages. Although JUGS is famous for baseball pitching machines, our products include other training aids, such as protective screens, hitting tees, travel practice setups, and practice balls. We offer practice equipment to enhance and support play at all levels of the game.
Over forty years ago, our founder, John Paulson, began creating a revolutionary pitching machine. He developed this machine to help his two sons improve their hitting skills, but the JUGS Curveball Pitching Machine changed the baseball practice field forever! Paulson’s pitching machine was durable, dependable, and easy to move—unlike previous pitching machines. Furthermore, his pitching machine reliably threw consistent sliders, fastballs, sinking split-finger fastballs, and curveballs. In fact, the machine was named after the old-time baseball phrase, a “jug-handle curve.” Best of all, the JUGS Curveball Pitching Machine could throw pitches at multiple speeds, so it adapted perfectly to any skill level.
Coaches soon discovered that a JUGS pitching machine can be much more than just a substitute pitcher. A JUGS pitching machine can challenge infielders, outfielders, and even catchers by throwing flies, pop-ups, and grounders. With the ability to pitch 600 balls an hour, a JUGS pitching machine has the variety and capacity to simulate all kinds of game scenarios on the practice field.
When Paulson first started work on improving baseball pitching machines, he could never have known how his work would change baseball. In the 42 years since the first JUGS machine was unveiled, 94% of all professional baseball players have practiced against a JUGS pitching machine at some point in their training. Despite being used at the professional level, Paulson was always aware of baseball from the ground up. He recognized the need for a pitching machine that could be used in youth leagues, so his next invention was the JUGS Jr™, an inexpensive machine that can throw straight balls with amazing accuracy.
Although JUGS Sports clearly has its origins in baseball, we’re pleased to say that we’ve applied our pitching machine technology to other sports as well. Our line of pitching machines has extended into softball, football, soccer, lacrosse, field hockey, and cricket. JUGS Sports offers a football throwing machine that is capable of throwing a perfect spiral, 100 yards long. We have a softball pitching machine that can pitch drops, risers, and slowpitch tosses. Our soccer machine can deliver a ball that “hooks” high-arcing corner kicks into the goal.
While we’ve spent decades perfecting and adapting pitching machines to all needs and levels of multiple sports, the JUGS Sports catalog of products expands to other practice needs as well. Our heavy-duty batting cages and batting cage nets are used at all levels, from backyard batting cage setups to professional practice fields. Our famous JUGS Radar Gun was the first of its kind—developed specifically to measure speeds of baseballs and softballs. We have practice baseballs and softballs designed for every need at any level, as well as automatic ball feeders, protective screens, and hitting aids. Trusted by baseball players and coaches, JUGS Sports has over 130 baseball and softball training aids designed to help you become the best player or coach you can be.