Electronic SOFTball Pitching Machine SOFTball INSTRUCTION MANUAL Includes: OPERATION SETUP USE & CARE SERVICE Patent No.: US 8,001,954 B2 REV111513 SPORTS ATTACK LLC 800-717-4251 www.sportsattack.com
WARRANTY STATEMENT What is most important to Sports Attack is that your machine meets your expectations of quality and performance. We stand behind the material and workmanship of our machines for five (5) years from the date or original purchase for institutional and residential use and one (1) year for commercial environments, with the following exceptions: To register the Warranty, please go to our website: www.sportsattack.com/warranty -Throwing Wheels are warranted for two (2) years; -Electronic Controller is warranted for two (2) years; and, -Throwing Wheel Motors are warranted for two (2) years. This warranty excludes any cosmetic issues or normal wear and tear of the unit, and is not in effect if the machine has been misused, misapplied, improperly assembled, or modified without the express written permission of Sports Attack. In addition, this warranty does not apply to damage in transit, in any accident unrelated to the direct operation of the equipment, or by fire, flood or act of God. If you encounter any issues during the warranty period, Sports Attack will quickly get your machine back in working order. If the warranty repair involves a replacement part, we will make sure you get both the part and easy instructions for replacement at no cost to you. If a service person is needed, Sports Attack will pay the pre-approved labor charge to get your machine back in working order. Please know that any problem can quickly be resolved with a phone call to our experienced, responsive customer service department at 800.717.4251. We are here to answer your questions and to make sure your machine provides you years of service. Returns Sports Attack manufactures the highest quality sports training equipment in the world. If for any reason you are not satisfied, a machine can be returned within 30 days of receipt for any reason for a full refund less a 10% restocking fee. Cost of shipping the unit back to Sports Attack will also be the responsibility of the purchaser. Please note that the refund amount may be reduced by any non-cosmetic damage to the machine. If you have any questions or concerns, please give our experienced, responsive customer service department a call at 800.717.4251. For repairs and service after the Warranty period, please call: Sports Attack Customer Service Dept. Ph 800-717-4251 Fx 775-345-2883 Returns To return an item, please contact our Customer Service Department at 800-717-4251. A 15% restocking fee will be charged for any items accepted for return. It is the customer s responsibility to handle the repacking and shipment (as well as all associated fees) back to Sports Attack. No returns will be accepted after 30 days of receiving product. Warranty/Shipping SHIPPING CLAIMS PROCEDURE NOTE: For your protection, please note that equipment in this shipment was carefully inspected and packaged by skilled personnel before leaving the factory. Upon acceptance of this shipment, the transportation company assumes full responsibility for its safe delivery. IF SHIPMENT ARRIVES D: 1. VISIBLE LOSS OR : Be certain that any visible loss or damage is noted on the freight bill or express receipt, and that the note of loss or damage is signed by the delivery person. 2. FILE CLAIM FOR IMMEDIATELY: Regardless of the extent of the damage. 3. CONCEALED LOSS OR : If damage is unnoticed until the merchandise is unpacked, notify the transportation company or carrier immediately, and file CONCEALED claim with them. This must be done within fifteen (15) days from the date the delivery was made to you. Be sure to retain the container for inspection. Sports Attack LLC. cannot assume liability for damage or loss incurred in transit. We will, however, at your request, supply you with the necessary documents to support your claim. Sports Attack, LLC. 800-717-4251 sportsattack.com 2
Ball Use With Sports Attack Pitching Machines Dimpled Pitching Machine Balls: Sports Attack s dimpled pitching machine balls are designed to deliver a consistent pitch and out last any other type of ball. These balls have a realistic feel off the bat. They are soft enough not to dent aluminum bats and greatly reduce the chances of any build-up on throwing wheels. Sports Attack has a full line of pitching machine balls to cover every need for indoor or outdoor use. Leather Pitching Machine Balls with Low-Profile (Kevlar) Seams: Sports Attack s leather pitching machine balls with low-profile seams will hit like a real ball but will wear well with machine use due to the low profile, Kevlar-reinforced seams. These long-lasting leather balls are designed specifically for pitching machine (wheel) use only and for those wanting that more realistic look and feel of a baseball. Sports Attack has a full line of pitching machine balls to cover every need for indoor or outdoor use. Regulation Real Leather Balls: Hitters, especially at upper levels, prefer to hit regulation real leather balls. The use of these real leather balls will have little or no material transfer and rarely require wheel cleaning. DO NOT USE SYNTHETIC LEATHER BALLS Synthetic leather balls should not be used in pitching machines. They will leave a buildup on the throwing surfaces affecting pitching machine accuracy. If your throwing wheels have this buildup, please reference the machine manual for cleaning instructions and clean wheels prior to further use. Call Sports Attack for more information 775-345-2882. Ball Consistency: For the highest level of accuracy, balls used in your pitching machine should be of the same type, wear and manufacturer. A pitching machine will only be as consistent as the balls being used: Never mix worn old balls with new balls Do not mix different brands of balls Do not mix different types of balls When using a seamed ball, feed the ball into the machine with the seams in the same general position each time Wet or damp balls tend to slip on the throwing surfaces. Towel dry any ball that has moisture on it before using in a pitching machine. Extreme cold can cause balls to become harder than normal. This could cause the balls to pitch slower and / or inconsistently. Use dimpled pitching machine balls or regulation leather balls only. Do not use Synthetic Leather balls. Sports Attack, LLC. 800-717-4251 sportsattack.com 3
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENTS Use a standard 115 volt, 20 amp single phase 3-wire grounded power source. EXTENSION CORD USE Up to 50 feet from power source, use a minimum #14/3 grounded 3-wire. 50 to 100 feet from power source, use a minimum #12/3 grounded 3-wire. Over 100 feet from power source, consult a licensed electrician for required power cord size. GENERATOR USE Do not use the ehack with any generator. Generator use can cause damage and system failure. SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS If you turn off your e-hack Attack or if your e-hack Attack gets unplugged, WAIT 20 SECONDS BEFORE POWERING UP YOUR E-HACK ATTACK. Failure to do so can lead to garbled/unreadable screen displays. USE & OPERATION Machine Set UP Step 1 Turning Power On Turn the on/off switch to on. The software will load, this takes about 10-15 seconds. After software has loaded the machine setup will appear. Be sure machine is on level surface and at proper distance from Home plate. Center machine with home plate. Step 2 Starting Machine Starting machine Press Start, there will be a short delay as the motors come up to speed. See electrical requirements Do not operate on wet ground or in wet conditions. Press Start Sports Attack, LLC. 800-717-4251 sportsattack.com 4
Use & Operation- Machine Setup Continued Step 3 Warning - You will see warning displayed on screen Step 4 Machine Set Up - Ready for Balls machine requires you to throw a minimum of 2 test pitches to align the pitch to throw over the center of Home plate. To adjust inside-outside, slide rear leg left or right as needed. Repeat until ball crosses the center of Home plate Step 5 Accept Alignment Once you have thrown at least 2 test pitches and have the ball crossing the center of the Home plate, press Accept Alignment. Once pressed screen will go to the Main Menu Press Accept Alignment Main Menu Overview This is the main menu screen. From here you can navigate to all the e-hack s features Step 6 Main Menu This is the main menu screen, from here you can navigate to all the e-hacks features. After reviewing main menu proceed to Step 7. Do not operate on wet ground. Step 7 Customizing Pitches To begin customizing pitches, press Pitch Type Press Pitch Type Sports Attack, LLC. 800-717-4251 sportsattack.com 5
Main Menu Overview Legend M1 = Motor 1 (top left motor) M2 = Motor 2 (center motor) M3 = Motor 3 (top right motor) Hz = Horizontal Vt = Vertical ehack Default Pitch Settings Following are the factory default pitch settings. Use this chart to assist in modifying (adjusting) default pitches in steps 6, 7 and 8. Right Handed Defaults RH Defaults Horizontal/ Approximate Motor Speeds Vertical Speed SB Pitch M1 M2 M3 Hz Vt ~ MPH Fast Ball 65 55 65 501 341 60 Change 55 45 55 501 401 45 Curve 43 29 77 571 411 50 Screwball 71 47 51 421 346 55 Riser 47 80 47 501 171 56 Drop 61 39 61 501 396 50 Custom-1 65 45 65 501 356 58 Custom-2 61 45 61 501 375 53 Custom-3 57 45 57 501 391 50 Custom-4 53 41 53 501 425 43 LH Defaults Left Handed Defaults Horizontal/ Approximate LH Defaults Motor Speeds Vertical Speed SB Pitch M1 M2 M3 Hz Vt ~ MPH Fast Ball 65 55 65 500 340 60 Change 55 45 55 500 400 45 Curve 77 29 43 428 410 50 Screwball 50 47 70 580 346 55 Riser 47 80 47 500 170 56 Drop 61 39 61 500 396 50 Custom-1 65 45 65 500 356 58 Custom-2 61 45 61 500 376 53 Custom-3 57 45 57 500 390 50 Custom-4 53 41 53 500 425 43 These are the Sports Attack s default pitch settings. These pitches are common settings used for upper level softball. Default pitch settings are programmed as a starting point for you to begin customizing your desired pitch speed, ball spin and location. Custom 1- Custom 5 All these pitch defaults are fastballs at different speeds. Do not operate on wet ground. Sports Attack, LLC. 800-717-4251 sportsattack.com 6
Pitch Type Main Menu Overview Button Functions 1 - Play - Starts the Machine 2 -Stop - Stops the Machine 3 - Back - Goes to previous screen (one screen at a time) 4 - Modify - Allows you to change pitch settings 5 - LH/RH - Switch between Right-handed and Left-handed pitches 6 & 7 - Arrows allow you to toggle through the 10 default pitches Step 8 Customizing default pitches The pitch type main menu automatically brings you to Right-handed fastball. A. Press play to start. This allows you to throw balls as you customize your pitches * Anytime a setting is blinking the machine is NOT ready yet. WAIT until blinking stops. Once blinking stops, you may proceed. B. Throw some balls to see the current default speed and location C. Press modify to begin adjusting the pitch speed, location and ball spin Step 9 Motors Settings Once Modify button is selected, M1* (top left corner) will get highlighted. Using up and down arrow buttons speed can be adjusted. When correct required speed is selected, click next button to move to the next motor. Once speed of all motors is established you can continue to adjust horizontal (HZ) and vertical (VT) 1 2 3 4 5 Select Modify 7 6 Do not operate on wet ground. *M1, M2, M3 are motors; those marks correspond with cast imprints on the machine Next Button Speed adjusting arrow buttons Sports Attack, LLC. 800-717-4251 sportsattack.com 7
Step 10 Customizing Pitches - Bottom right button allows you to choose between right handed and left handed pitch - Top right button will allow you to pitch a ball. - Select Modify to adjust the speed of motors. Step 12 Saving Adjustments that haven been made can be saved. Click the Save button and Saving... will appear. Once it disappears settings are saved. Appears on screen while saving new settings Select Modify Select Save Do not operate on wet ground. Step 13 Next Pitch - Use arrows to move to the next pitch type. Pitches available: Fastball Change Curve Screwball Slider Custom 1 thru 5 Back Button Click to move to another pitch Sports Attack, LLC. 800-717-4251 sportsattack.com 8
Step 14 Sequences After you set your pitches you can set your sequences. Click on the back button to get to the main screen. Then you press the Pitch Seq button to create sequences. Step 15 Creating Sequences Once in the sequence screen you can create up to 10 different sequences for left and 10 different. sequences for right Pitch Seq Button Do not operate on wet ground. Step 16 Creating Sequences cont d To switch between left and right sequences click LH/RH button. To create sequence, click the Load button. LH/RH Button Select Load Sports Attack, LLC. 800-717-4251 sportsattack.com 9
Step 17 Creating Sequences cont d After you press Create a Sequence button, a new screen will appear, where pitches can be selected. Arrow buttons will help you select the pitch and the number of the same pitch in the sequence. Next button moves you from field to field to be able to customize it. Step 18 Creating Sequences cont d You can see an example of seguence on the screen. Sequence can have up to 10 pitches and each pitch can be thrown up to 10 times. Arrow Buttons Next Button Do not operate on wet ground. Step 19 Creating Sequences cont d Vertical Offset Using the next button you can get a little square next to each pitch. If you want have a vertical offset on a certain pitch, it can be created with the help of arrow buttons. Once you have created a vertical offset asterisk will appear next tot he pitch. Vertical Offset Indicator Vertical Offset Sports Attack, LLC. 800-717-4251 sportsattack.com 10
Step 20 Saving Sequence Once you are done setting up the sequence, click the save: button. If changes need to be done to the sequence you can edit from the Sequence home screen. Choose or Select a sequence - You can store 10 right and 10 left handed sequences - Once you select a sequence - Load it - You have option to repeat it or RAND (rand = random) Step 21 Random Sequence Run In a sequence you have the option to select RAND - to randomize the pitches within the sequence Repeat - to repeat sequence click repeat. Save Button Do not operate on wet ground. Repeat Button Step 22 Manual Mode Go back to home screen and select Manual Mode. Manual Mode Button Sports Attack, LLC. 800-717-4251 sportsattack.com 11
Step 23 Manual Mode cont d Using button next to each pitch select a pitch. Wheels will start running and you can pitch a ball. Yo can select left and right with the LH/RH button. You can also modify each pitch by clicking on modify button. Select Pitch Step 24 Modify in Manual Mode Once in modifying mode, you can adjust speed of the motors by selecting Faster / Slower. Speed will adjust in proportion. Modify Button LH/RH Button Do not operate on wet ground. Step 25 Pitch Count Manual mode offers ball count feature. It will show you how many pitches were pitched on the particular setting. Faster & Slower Buttons The count will disappear once you leave the screen, select a different pitch or modify a pitch. Pitch Count Sports Attack, LLC. 800-717-4251 sportsattack.com 12
Step 26 Reset Anytime you need to reset to manufacturer settings or erase all your sequences you need to go to the Utility Screen. To get there go to the home screen and select utility. Step 27 Reset - Utility Once in the Utility screen. You have two options. You can erase all sequences OR load default pitch-types Utility Button Do not operate on wet ground. Utility Options Centers Button Lifetime Counters From the Utility Screen you can get to the Life-time Counters Screen by Clicking the Centers Button. This screen will show count of all pitches pitched on the e-hack Attack Machine. Sports Attack, LLC. 800-717-4251 sportsattack.com 13
CARE, CLEANING & MAINTENANCE Throwing Wheel Motors Motors are sealed and require no lubrication. Check bolts for tightness once a season. Tighten bolts securely, but do not over-tighten. CLEANING THE THROWING WHEELS The throwing wheels must be kept clean to maintain accuracy. Clean the wheels periodically to control the build-up of grass and dirt. 1. Turn the on/off switch OFF and allow the wheels to come to a complete stop. Unplug Junior Hack Attack from electric power. 2. Dampen a rag with soap and water. Turn the throwing wheel by hand and scrub the wheel until the build-up is removed. For very heavy build-up, a synthetic scouring pad, such as a Scotch-Brite scouring pad, may be used sparingly. Acetone may be required to help loosen the build-up of dirt or ball residue. EXAMINE THE MACHINE Examine e-hack Attack for condition and completeness before every use: 1. For batting practice, be sure the horizontal swivel lock is secured. 2. Throwing wheels must be tight on the motor shafts. Check that the keyway retaining bolts are tight. 3. Wheel guard and ball chute must be securely fastened to the throwing head. Check Motor Brush wear: Each motor has a set of 2 motor brushes. When the brushes approach 1/4 inch in length it is time to replace the brushes. SHUTTING DOWN TURNING e-hack ATTACK OFF 1. Turn the on/off switch OFF. 2. Unplug e-hack Attack from the power source. PUTTING e-hack ATTACK AWAY (Team lift - requires 2 persons) 1. Be absolutely sure that the throwing wheels have completely stopped turning. 2. Using the rear leg as a handle, tip Hack Attack up and over onto the wheel guard. 3. Remove (unsocket) both front legs and store by inserting in the travel storage sockets. 4. See Figure 8 at right: Again, using the rear leg as a handle, tip e-hack Attack back until machine can be comfortably rolled on the travel wheels. e-hack Attack can now be rolled and maneuvered off of the field. 5. To prevent damage in transport, rest the throwing head on the wheel guard and yoke; motors should be down, and the control panel pointing up. Never attempt to clean the throwing wheels while they are turning. Rags or implements caught in spinning wheels can cause serious injury. Unplug the machine before cleaning the wheels or performing any service. CHEMICAL HAZARD Methyl Ethyl Ketone (M.E.K) Read and follow the directions and safety instructions on the M.E.K container. FIRE HAZARD Methyl Ethyl Ketone (M.E.K) M.E.K. is flammable. Do not use M.E.K. around a fire or flame. Do not use M.E.K. near a running generator or other source of ignition. Storing front legs in travel socket Care, Cleaning & Maintenance Maneuvering Sports Attack, LLC. 800-717-4251 sportsattack.com 14
EXPLODED VIEW 1 Cane Tip 2 Legs 5 Undercarriage 17 Snap-Button 19 Travel Wheel (with bolt, nut, washers) 65 64 38 37 38 38 37 34 37 35 39 21 Yoke 34 Main Casting, Throwing Head 35 Clamp, Cable 37 Motor, Variable Speed e-hack 38 Throwing Wheel 39 Ball Chute 43 Wheel Guard (ea.) Exploded View 43 31 21 63 e-hack Softball Electronic Box 64 Safety Resets (Circuit Breakers) 65 On/Off Switch Power Cord (not shown) 5 19 2 2 1 17 2 19 Sports Attack, LLC. 800-717-4251 sportsattack.com 15
PARTS LIST (e-hack Softball) REF#s eha SOFTBALL PART#s 39 520-0002 Ball Chute 1 280-1005 Heavy Duty Cane Tip, set of 3 DESCRIPTION To order additional parts, please call: Sports Attack Customer Service Department Ph 800-717-4251 Fx 775-345-2883 35 Clamp, Cable 63 510-0010 Controller Assembly - Electronic box, e-hack Softball 17 270-0002 Snap-Button 2 532-0002 Leg, front 2-R 532-0003 Leg, rear 2-C 532-0009 Leg, carry handle 37 530-0003 Motor, Variable Speed e-hack 65 223-0002 On/Off Switch (Old Style - Toggle) 232-0000 Power Cord (US) 64 232-0002 Safety Reset (Circuit Breakers) Parts List 38 531-0001 Throwing Wheel 19 281-0001 Travel Wheel, Extra-Heavy Duty 5 520-0003 Undercarriage 43 520-0021 Wheel Guard ea. 21 520-0003 Yoke 34 350-0003 Main Casting, Throwing Head Parts List Sports Attack, LLC. 800-717-4251 sportsattack.com 16
SPORTS ATTACK PRODUCTS SOFTBALL Hack Attack SOFTball Junior Hack Attack SOFTball soccer Cricket Strike Attack Crick Attack Please visit our web site www.sportsattack.com for information about Sports Attack sports training products, or call 800-717-4251 for complete information and specifications. Sports Attack, LLC. 800-717-4251 sportsattack.com 17
SPORTS ATTACK PRODUCTS tennis Football ACE Attack Snap Attack VolleyBall Attack (shown with optional ball bags) Attack II (shown with optional ball bags) skill attack Please visit our web site www.sportsattack.com for information about Sports Attack sports training products, or call 800-717-4251 for complete information and specifications. Sports Attack, LLC. 800-717-4251 sportsattack.com 18