Batting Practice

Question
I am coaching a Majors level (11-12 yr old) Little League Team for the 1st year after previuosly coaching in the lower divisions. I have ALWAYS used a pitching machine for my batting practices, as they are available to all coaches in our league to use anytime. I find the pitching machine, for obviuos reasons, throws accurate consistent strikes at the set speed. I have always felt this gives the kids quality bp.

Now many of the "older, Experienced" coaches are telling me, that the kids need to see the arm action from throwing live BP...a pitching machine will not help them....

I don't see it. I understand the need for seeing the arm action, but if half the pitches thrown are either not hittable or too slow, then the valuable time we have is wasted, as the kids get very few swings in.

Any advice? I am a frim believer STILL in using the machine....I feel practice games and/or intrasquad scrimmages are a good tool to see "arm action", but BP is just that.....batting practice, to get swing and timing down.

Answer
I personally dont like to use pitching machines if I dont have to.Some kids develop what I call the pitching machine swing.They can only hit a ball thrown in one spot.They have no concept of timimg and are always out front of off speed pitches.If you like to use a machine I would suggest this: Move the kids around in the box.Always have them start off away from the plate so the ball is father from them.This will force them to hit the ball to right field.Then have them move a little closer and try to hit the ball up the middle.Then have them hit the ball to left.This will teach them hit the ball all over the field.