As a parent, you want your kids to play sports to stay healthy and to be part of a team. For young kids, one of the most important aspects of any sport is to have fun. If they aren't having fun then they will want to quit. In baseball and softball, one of the funniest moments is at the plate and getting a hit. Some kids have a natural ability to hit the ball even at early ages while others struggle for years trying to become a good hitter.

If you are committed to helping your child get the most enjoyment out of the game of baseball/softball then you should consider purchasing a pitching machine. Sure, you can take them to the local batting cage but it doesn't take long before it would be cheaper to purchase a pitching machine of your own.

There are all kinds of different pitching machines and one of the least expensive types are the whiffle ball style machine. The features available on these pitching machines vary but most have all or many of the features listed below.

Here's the top 10 advantages to purchasing a whiffle ball pitching machine.

1. Lightweight - some are as light as 4 lbs and can be set up by younger children with no problem.

2. Cost - whiffle ball machines are very inexpensive compared to the larger bulkier baseball pitching machines.

3. Repetition - some can hold up to 100 balls which allows for more batting and less chasing balls.

4. Consistency - the pitching machine can place the ball within the strike zone allowing for better swing habits.

5. Pitch Light - although not on all machines, if a machine has it then it will let the batter know when to begin their stride.

6. Variable Speed - with speed settings ranging from 20 - 55+ mph, every batter can find a challenging speed.

7. Focus - learning to hit small balls increases the batters focus and ability to hit regular baseballs.

8. Curve balls/Sliders - some models allow for pitching curve balls and sliders from both left and right hand pitchers.

9. Battery Operated - the rechargeable battery means you can take it anywhere and use it for hours.

10. FUN! - this is the most important reason of all. Kids will continue using a pitching machine daily because it is fun.

All of these reasons add up to a better batter and overall player.