The Playmate Ball Machine was born in 1973 with its rugged red aluminum exterior, patented pitching system, and solid-state electronics. Billie Jean King's coach, Dennis Van der Meer, was quick to discover this promising new technology and quickly became a long time friend and supporter of Playmate Ball Machines.
Table of Contents.Technical DetailsFeaturing a 6 hours’ battery pack, this machine features an exclusive random oscillation for all-court performance. It comes with a remote control but this is an optional upgrade which can be availed for a few extra bucks.It is light in weight and easily portable which allows you to easily move it around the court and even lift it up to your car’s trunk.This machine also offers an amazing spin control with manual elevation control.
Weighing only 42 lbs., this machine is capable of shooting the ball at you within the range of 10-70 mph.The large ball hopper on top can hold 200 balls at a time with a feed rate of 1-10 seconds which is perfect. The GoodHere are the key features of Half Volley Playmate.Removable Battery PackPlaymate tennis ball machine comes with a 6 hours’ battery pack. This is a powerful battery which offers you a backup time of up to 6 hours.
How long will the battery last depends a lot on how intensely you use it.Players who operated the machine at its maximum potential experienced a backup time of 4 hours.Don’t worry if the battery drains out, use its smart charger to quickly charge it.2-Line OscillatorTake your practice session to the next level by activating its 2-line oscillator feature. This randomly shoots the ball throughout the court, making it challenging for you, thus helping you take your tennis skills to the next level.This feature can be activated with a simple press of a button from its user-friendly control panel or using its remote control.Playmate scatters the ball nicely throughout the court and better than any other tennis ball machine. This also helps a lot in improving your lateral movements on the court.Feed RateAs compared to Lobster Sports Elite Liberty Tennis Ball Machine, SPINSHOT-PRO Portable Tennis Ball Machine and Lobster Sports Elite Grand Five Tennis Ball Machine, Playmate has a feed rate of as low as one second, making the game extremely challenging for you and as much as 10 seconds for the beginners.If you are looking to improve your skills and want to step up your game, I highly recommend to pair its 2-line oscillation feature with a feed rate of 3-6 seconds. This is the range where you will get the most challenging shots coming towards you.Tip: Add some spin to make it even more challenging.Lightweight & Remote ControlWithout the battery pack inside, this machine weighs only 42 lbs. Moreover, it is mounted on two large and two small wheels so that you can easily move it around the court and even lift it up to your car’s trunk.If you have a good budget, we recommend upgrading to the remote control option as this will make it convenient for you to control it from the opposite side of the court. The BadHere are some “Oopses” we found in this machine.PriceWhile this machine has multiple features and options, it is quite expensive. A lot of tennis ball machines with similar or better features come at a lower price.
Material & ConstructionPlaymate’s machine is made out of durable aluminum outer frame. This makes it light in weight and also makes it easier for you to move around. Overall PerformancePerformance wise, this machine beats all others. It offers multiple combinations like 2-line oscillation, spin, feed rate and much more. Who Is It ForIdeally, this machine is perfect for the intermediate and advanced level players but beginners can also benefit from it.VerdictImprove your groundstrokes, volleys and returns practicing with this machine. It is fully loaded with some cool features and is user-friendly.
About Ritzman Tennis CourtsRitzman Tennis is a full service recreational sports construction & supply company based in Southwest Florida.Contact UsCall or send us an inquiry to begin. We can handle all of your outdoor recreational needsWhat We Can Do For YouClayTech Systems HydroCourt Systems Hard Courts Lighting Irrigation Fencing Bocce Pickleball ShuffleboardWhat our Clients sayWe have worked with Ritzman Tennis exclusively for the past 4 1/2 years. I have never been as impressed with any court contractor as I am with Ritzman Tennis. This is with my 30+ years in the country club business and needless to say, countless court contractors. His product, knowledge, consultation with boards, general manager and/or committees, his responsive customer service, on time delivery of the final project and innovative thinking, put Ritzman Tennis into an elite category all by themselves. I wholeheartedly recommend them to anyone looking for the best in court construction or repair for clay, hard or claytech (and even bocce and pickle ball courts).Paula Scheb Director of Tennis – Bonita Bay Club Search for.