Heater Sports DP249 Double Play Pitching and Pitch Back Machine Owner’s Manual
- June 16, 2024
- Heater SPORTS
Table of Contents
Heater Sports DP249 Double Play Pitching and Pitch Back Machine
CAUTION
Read all precautions and instructions in this manual before using this
product. Keep this manual for future reference.
www.HeaterSports.com
PARTS LIST
PITCHING MACHINE & TRIPOD
NET
TRIPOD ASSEMBLY FOR BATTING
Assemble the Tripod to Legs as shown below when using machine for batting. Use Stakes to secure back legs of machine to ground for added stability.
-
Position Tripod so front leg of Tripod is facing you.
Next, insert the Long Bolt attached to machine through the right side of the Tripod and out the other side. -
Slide the Machine Housing (A) close to the Tripod, making sure the Tripod fits inside the Pre-Assembled Housing Clamp.
-
Slide Flat Washer (1st) and Lock Washer (2nd) on to the Long Bolt, then tighten the Knob on to Long Bolt until machine is placed in the desired pitching position.
FRAME ASSEMBLY
Assemble the Frame as shown below.. Use Stakes to secure the frame to ground for added stability.
NET ASSEMBLY
Slide the netting over the fiberglass frames as shown below and attach the net
to the frame in the locations circled below.
Next, hang the provided strike zone to in the 4 corners of the frame and
adjust to place strike zone in the center of the catch net.
MACHINE HARNESS ASSEMBLY
WARNING
- ADULT SETUP & SUPERVISION REQUIRED AT ALL TIMES. THIS IS NOT A TOY!
- ADULT SETUP & SUPERVISION REQUIRED AT ALL TIMES. THIS IS NOT A TOY! DOUBLE PLAY’S SHORT POWER CORD IS A SAFETY FEATURE to prevent non-adults from operating machine. Always store extension cord separate from Double Play and only allow adults access to the extension cord.
- NEVER LOOK INTO THE MACHINE’S BALL EXIT. Never put anything other than a baseball in the ball entry and never insert anything into the ball exit of the machine.
- NEVER OPERATE THE DOUBLE PLAY ON UNEVEN GROUND. Ball may not funnel into machine and get stuck.
- NEVER OPERATE IN WET OR WINDY CONDITIONS. Ball may get stuck in net or not pitch properly. Never operate in wet conditions, machine can cause electrical shock. Never expose the internal electrical components of the machine.
- IF BALL GETS STUCK in net, chute, or machine and doesn’t expel the ball.
- DO NOT APPROACH THE MACHINE STRAIGHT ON. Step out of the ball path on the motor side of the machine, turn off, and wait for at least 2 minutes for wheel to stop spinning before retrieving the ball. Never walk in the ball path of the machine or look into the machine ball exit. Ball may drop into machine and hit you unexpectedly causing serious bodily injury.
- ALWAYS STAY OUT OF THE BALL PATH WHEN ADJUSTING SPEED. Before turning on, make sure no balls are in machine. Always power on machine to setting 1 and test ball. Then, increase speed dial to 2 and test ball. Repeat this to increase speed to desired setting. Never turn machine to higher dial setting without ensuring speed and distance is safe.
- MACHINE SPEED INCREASES DRAMATICALLY WHEN SPEED DIAL IS ABOVE 6. When Double Play is in pitchback mode, it is recommended you do not exceed speed setting above 6 if using in yard or at home.
- Double Play is an extremely powerful pitching/pitchback machine that can pitch up to 50 MPH and shoot balls up to 120 feet. Serious bodily injury can occur if hit by a ball.
- Only allow player in play area of Double Play. Do not allow anyone else in or near play area. Ball can hit person(s) and serious bodily injury can occur.
- Use caution at all times when using Double Play. The wheel rotates rapidly and with great force. Never put body parts or anything other than a baseball into the Double Play machine. The higher the seams on a baseball, the less accurate the pitches will be. Heater Sports offers a variety of baseballs for different age groups and accuracy.
- Be sure area behind Double Play, in front of Double Play, and behind player is clear from people, windows, cars, or any other object that can be damaged by moving baseballs.
- Batter must always wear NOCSAE approved batting helmet when hitting.
- If poles, net, frame, or machine receive any rip, tear, or defect, stop use immediately and contact Heater Sports to obtain replacement parts and/or technical support.
- Always ensure machine has 40-45 psi in the tire when in use and alignment marks are in line. If you notice vibration, noise, or change in performance refer to instructions on how to correct an unbalanced wheel or call Heater Sports customer service at 1-800-492-9334.
IMPORTANT
Never use or leave the machine in rain/moisture. Doing so can ruin the machine
& void its warranty.
Heater Sports recommends using heater pitching machine balls in the Double
Play machine. These balls have been precisely crafted to provide you with
hours of accu-rate, trouble free batting and fielding practice. Other brand of
balls have not been tested in the Double Play and cannot be validated as
sufficient and safe.
Heater Pitching Machine Balls
Heater pitching machine balls are recommended for use with the Double Play
machine. These balls are incredibly accurate, long lasting, and produce the
fastest ball speed.
Warning About Leather Baseballs:
The Double Play pitching machine works well with real leather balls; however,
accu-racy will vary more than with pitching machine balls because the seams on
leather balls cause the machine to pinch the ball differently on each pitch.
Be sure and use real leather balls with low-profile seams, not simulated
leather balls. Batters should be aware at all times.
Known problems with simulated (synthetic) leather covered balls . . .
Simulated (synthetic) Leather Baseballs:
Simulated leather balls are inexpensive seamed balls that don’t work well in
the Double Play machine. During operation, portions of the simulated leather
cover comes off the ball and attaches to the wheels of the Double Play. Also,
during operation, consumers have reported seeing small puffs of smoke coming
out of the Double Play. These puffs are not smoke, but actual pieces of the
simulated leather ball being turned into small dust particles as they pitch
out of the Double Play pitch-ing machine.
Known facts about different balls:
The speed and accuracy of each pitch is dependent on the hardness, roundness,
and type of each ball used.
- KEEP HANDS AND ALL BODY PARTS AWAY FROM BALL EXIT! SERIOUS HAND AND BODILY INJURY MAY RESULT IF USED INCORRECTLY!
- MAKE SURE EVERY PERSON AND EVERYTHING IS CLEAR OF PITCHING MACHINE BALL PATH!
- TURN PITCHING MACHINE VARIABLE SPEED CONTROL KNOB OFF (COUNTER CLOCKWISE UNTIL IT CLICKS) TO THE “0” POSITION WHILE REFILLING THE BALL FEEDER OR RETRIEVING BALLS!
- MAKE SURE MACHINE IS PITCHING AT DESIRED TARGET BEFORE ALLOWING BATTER TO START BATTING!
- POWER CORDS OVER 20 FT. CAN CAUSE MACHINE TO LOSE ENERGY & NOT OPERATE PROPERLY!
OPERATION
Pre-Operation #1
Locate Allen Wrench (provided in package) and unscrew (3) three wheel cover
screws.
**Important:
Periodically inspect the tire to make sure it’s not worn out or punctured.
Serious damage could result if operated in this condition.
OPTION 1: FOR MACHINES WITH AIR FILLED TIRE: Follow Pre-Operation
Instructions Below.
OPTION 2: FOR MACHINES WITH SOLID TIRE: Skip This Section
Pre-Operation #2
You’ll see both the Tire & Hub have a BLACK magic marker line drawn on them.
These two lines should connect, as if they are one line. This ensures the
machine’s tire is in balance and will perform correctly. If the two lines are
not touching, let all your air pressure out of the tire and rotate the tire on
the hub until they do touch exactly.
Next, locate a tire pressure gauge (not provided) and check tire pressure. Tire pressure should be between 40 – 50 lbs. If tire pressure reads low, use an air pump to inflate the tire. If tire pressure reads high, decrease the air pressure by pushing down the air stem bubble located in the middle of the air stem.
Important:
If tire isn’t balanced, it will vibrate and sound loud.
Pre-Operation #3
Locate Allen Wrench (provided in package) and secure Wheel
Covers back on machine by tightening (3) three Wheel Cover Screws.
Warning – Serious Bodily Injury: Never operate the BaseHit Pitching Machine until Wheel Covers are secured on the machine with the (3) three Wheel Cover Screws.
Fuse Re-Set Button
The BaseHit Pitching Machine has a fuse reset button which is designed to
protect the electronic circuit in the machine. If the machine will not turn
on, check this button to make sure it is not popped out. If it is popped out,
press it back in to reset the fuse circuit breaker. This should allow the
BaseHit to operate safely again.
CAUTION!
USE HEATER PITCHING MACHINE BALLS FOR THE MOST ACCURATE PITCH POSSIBLE.
PITCHING MACHINES THAT USE A WHEEL TO THROW BALLS WILL NOT THROW REAL BALLS AS
ACCURATE BECAUSE OF THE SEAMS ON THE BALL.
IMPORTANT : THIS PRODUCT IS TO BE USED BY ADULTS ONLY. MAKE SURE MACHINE IS TURNED OFF BEFORE ASSEMBLY! KEEP HANDS AND ALL BODY PARTS AWAY FROM BALL EXIT! SERIOUS HAND AND BODILY INJURY MAY RESULT IF USED INCORRECTLY!
Step 1: Ensure pitching machine variable speed control knobs both show “0”.
Step 2: Plug pitching machine into 3 prong power outlet (Make sure pitching
machine wheel is not spinning.)
Step 3: Aim pitching machine at desired target and make sure every person and
everything is clear of pitching machine ball path.
Step 4: Turn variable speed control knob on to desired speed setting.
Step 5: Make sure ball is pitching in desired zone before allowing a batter to
step up to hit.
Step 6: Adjust pitch height by loosening the Pitch Height Adjustment Knob and
rotating the Housing to desired location. Re-tighten when done.
Step 7: Once balls are done pitching, turn both machine & ball feeder (if
purchased separately) off before collecting balls to ensure no bodily injury
occurs.
95 West 650 South
St. George, UT 84770
1.800.492.9334
www.HeaterSports.com
MoreInfo@HeaterSports.com