Bowling Machines - are they worth purchasing?

[AndrewM]

I have been looking at bowling machines in various catalogues and websites, as my cousin has been talking to me about them.

The best one i have found in terms of quality is the BOLA bowling machine. Canterbury has an agent that sells them, which is the closest for New Zealand residents. Cost is my only worry (as a student), but i certainly believe it will help in the long-term as an investment.

Anyone who has used/ purchased a bowling machine could give any advice or thoughts on it and if if is worth the price?

 

[Pothas]

I personaly hate batting against them although that is probably because im such an awful player but i just found is strange and horrible. They are pretty good for practice but i should imagine pretty expensive

 

[Top_Cat]

They are as useful as throw-downs from another player and that's about it. If your needs are greater (i.e. need work on picking the wrong-on of a leggie, etc.), then don't bother.

 

[vic_orthdox]

It's more productive (in terms of how many balls you face in how long) but prolonged use often gets you into bad habits, where you end up getting so used to it that you rely on your eye, rather than footwork and getting yourself into position, because of the regularity in length, and if it's a "good" ball machine, then the line as well, can allow you to become complacent.

It is a worthwhile investment as a club, my old club purchased a JUGS one (about $4,000, I think) but on an individual basis, not nearly as much. I said it in another thread, learn how to use a lacrosse stick, or just use throwdowns. It's much better when you have some train of thought behind the delivery, as opposed to a machine, IMO.

 

[cricket player]

My team has the Bola machine..

Trust it will take to new hights as an batsman so do purchase it if you have money.

btw my captain order it from an english webste.

 

[aussie]

i dont know the prices for one but at my club Lancashire CC we have one & it think its ok but i for one would rather face a bowler

 

[age_master]

its useful to face occasionally, but you have to focus and use it to help your footwork. they are slightly better than throwdowns cause they are quicker and the other person wont get tired .

The English team have actually been using a spin one which bowls all variations of spin, that would be interesting to fafce, but i wouldn't buy it

for a club good, for individual, not work the money (unless your super rich )

 

[AndrewM]

I appreciate everyone's thoughts, thankyou all.

 

[cricket player]

you do appreciate,but we are waiting to see which path you are choosing

buying it or not?

 

[deeps]

it's good for when you have identified a weakness in your batting and want to improve it. For example, if you are struggling against the short ball, you can face lots and lots of short balls and become more comfortable with it. LIkewise with full bowling, outside offstump or whatever your problem is.

But it's only worth the $$$ if you are a club... otherwise it'd be alot easier to just hire one, as they cost around 3000 to buy. you can hire then from about 25 bucks an hour.


Before you buy one, make sure you hire one and try it out for a few hours to see wehter YOU will like it and use it

 

[dro87]

our club bought a bola a couple of years ago... it's pretty usefull considering it bowls upto 80 mph... and in Italy only 2 players could manage 2 bowl at this speed....

 

[King_Ponting]

yeh bowling machines are good at building up confidence and also help you get your eye in.... I good investment..imo.

 

[howardj]

I always find that the ball comes onto the bat really quickly, and your shots are hurried. Come to think of it, I find that is the case out in the middle too!

 

[Nate]

you do appreciate,but we are waiting to see which path you are choosing

buying it or not?

Give the man some time Fardin.

 

[Burpey]

I hate bowling machines so much ... not much point at all except feeling bat on ball IMO

 

[Kiwi]

just remember if you buy one that it is not the same type of balls ou use or anything. I would recommend going down and paying the money to hire out a lane 2 times a month at the local indoor school and getting thrown downs every other time.

 

[AndrewM]

Based on what people have said so far, i might hire one and give it a go.

It sounds like it could be beneficial every now and then, so cheers everyone for the advice.

 

[Yonton]

Improve your mechanical response to any delivery

Hi, we have the New Zealand agency for the Kanon Premier Ball machine and we're finding them extremely popular for private homes in the rural community.

Because you can use the Kanon for fielding practice as well as batting is exceptionally versatile but better still, it holds up to 90 balls without the need for expensive attachments and has a remote control to start/stop the ball feed.

So we find that young fellas in the rural community don't always have people around to throw down to them and it's often a long way to get into the nets. With a Kanon you can run your own batting and fielding drills.

Set the machine up for whatever shot you want to work on, then just keep playing it repetitively until you achieve the auto-mechanical response to master the shot.

Definitely worth considering a Kanon if you're thinking about a bowling machine. Good value too!

 

[nikkoo]

bowling machines are good at building up confidence

 

[Red]

Many a good time's been had with the bowling machine at my CC after a few beers late on a summer's eve.

It can be fired upwards and well across the oval....