It seemed like a simple idea. Try to determine a concensus among coaches (and others) as to whether it makes a difference to use a pitching machine or have coaches pitch at the rookie (age 6-8) level? The question was straight forward, the voting easy to count, but boy did we open another can of worms. We received so many comments that instead of sampling a few here, we've created a new page in the Grass Roots section to show the pros and cons of both possibilities.

First the basic results...

WHO SHOULD PITCH?		Does it make a difference?		Pitches should come from...
Replies from		YES	NO	COACH	MACHINE
Coaches	72%	98%	2%	57%	43%
Players	22%	65%	35%	71%	29%
Parents	6%	100%	0%	60%	40%
Total	100%	91%	9%	60%	40%

From the above, most who replied were coaches who almost unanymously believe it makes a difference and who clearly favour coach-pitch over machine. In fact, it would seem, the majority of all replies favours coach-pitch.

However, we also looked at the replies by age group...

KEWED BY AGE..	6 to 8		9 and 10		11 and 12		13 and up
Source of Pitches:	C	M	C	M	C	M	C	M
All replies	64%	36%	75%	14%	36%	64%	72%	28%

From the above, it seems those who have just moved out of rookie league mostly (75%) wish they'd had coach-pitch (whether they did or not). However, most in the next age level (11-12) must believe their technique lacks something that might have been better taught by machine. A leap to a conclusion? Not, when you review the many comments we received.

The two camps can be summed up this way:

• Those who favour coach-pitch think machines are too predictable - cranking out mostly straight fastballs.
• Those who prefer machines believe coach-pitch teaches kids to golf at the coach's usual lob balls.

This became a real debate and many views were worth airing. To view the comments pro and con for both coaches and machines, click here.