JUGS Sports Frequently Asked Questions

General

• Are you JUGS? If not, how can I reach them?
• What is the correct air pressure for the tires on my JUGS machine?
• What if my JUGS machine is not throwing consistently?
• Does JUGS sell an 11 inch Lite-Flite softball?
• My Lite-Flite Machine’s wheel has some buildup on the surface causing the tire not to grab the balls. What is the best way to clean the wheel?
• Does JUGS sell a portable batting cage that doesn’t need to be cemented into the ground?
• How accurate are the JUGS Radar Guns?
• I want to re-paint my JUGS Machine. What color paint do I buy?
• Can I use regular baseballs and softballs in my JUGS machine?
• I can get my Instant Screen into a circle but it is too big for my bag. How do I get it into the proper size to fit in the carrying bag?
• I have the machine set up to throw a 50 M.P.H. pitch at 60 feet. How fast will it be throwing if I set the machine at 42 feet?
• On your batting cage frames, why is the middle wider than the ends?
• Does JUGS have a speed chart for their pitching machines?
• I’m looking to take my 11- and 12-year-olds team to a tournament in 2008. Does JUGS have any ideas?
• What type of balls does the JUGS Lite-Flite machine throw?
• How fast does the new JUGS SMALL-BALL Machine throw?
• Are the JUGS machines available in 220-volt models?
• I have an old JUGS machine. Can I get new warning decals?
• Do I get a warranty with my order?
• My JUGS machine quit working… What’s wrong?
• Where did the term “JUGS” originate?
• My JUGS Football Machine is not throwing a spiral anymore. What should I do?

Troubleshooting

• Where is the serial number on my JUGS machine?
• When do I need a new tire?
• When do I need to send my JUGS machine in for an overhaul or maintenance?
• What if my JUGS machine is not throwing consistently?
• My JUGS machine quit working…What’s wrong?
• My Lite Flite Machine’s Wheel has some buildup on the surface causing the tire to not grab the balls. What is the best way to clean the wheel?
• My single wheel JUGS Pitching Machine is not throwing very consistently, what is the problem?
• My JUGS Football Machine is not throwing a spiral anymore. What should I do?

General

Are you JUGS? If not, how can I reach them?

We are Unique Sports – the #1 Jugs retailer on the Internet. We live and breath Jugs pitching machines – but we cannot help with replacement parts. Jugs prefers to handle that themselves. If you would like to contact Jugs directly, please visit http://www.jugssports.com or call them at 800-547-6843. If you have any trouble, just give us a call and we’ll help you out.

What is the correct air pressure for the tires on my JUGS machine?

The machine tires should have 16 to 17 pounds of air in them.

What if my JUGS machine is not throwing consistently?

Inaccuracy can be caused by many factors. One basic problem is the tire has not been maintained properly. Periodic cleaning with 40 grit sandpaper will keep the tire rough so the balls grip better. Also, make sure that the tires are inflated to 17 PSI. Another basic problem on a one-wheel machine is the pad assembly located directly above the tire which helps “squeeze” the ball when thrown. If the rubber on this pad is hard or melted in any way, it needs to be replaced. Please email the JUGS Service Department (info@jugssports.com).

Does JUGS sell an 11 inch Lite-Flite softball?

Yes! JUGS does sell 11 and 12 inch Lite-Flite softballs and they are in stock at all times. My Lite-Flite Machine’s wheel has some buildup on the surface causing the tire not to grab the balls.

What is the best way to clean the wheel?

The best way to clean the Lite-Flite wheel is to first turn off and unplug the machine; then take a steel wire brush and use this over the entire surface of the tire until the surface has little rubber strands sticking up. After this step, take 40-grit sandpaper and sand the surface of the tire until the rubber strands disappear. Your machine will throw much better and more consistently. Also, do not forget to use clean balls, as this will reduce the number of times that you need to clean the tire.

Does JUGS sell a portable batting cage that doesn’t need to be cemented into the ground?

Yes! JUGS has an 11′ x 11′ x 50′ Portable Free-Standing Sports Cage that is great for baseball and softball. What makes the NEW Sports Cage unique is that you can also hit golf balls in it.

Our organization is thinking about starting up a pitching machine league next spring. Is there a set of rules and suggestions to help us?

Yes! In fact, if you email Steve Candello at stevec@jugssports.com he will be glad to send you a JUGS Pitching Machine Rule Book.

How accurate are the JUGS Radar Guns?

The JUGS Radar Guns have an accuracy index of ± ½ mile per hour.

I want to re-paint my JUGS Machine what color paint do I buy?

Ford blue paint.

Can I use regular baseballs and softballs in my JUGS machine?

Yes, they work very well. However, if cost is a factor in your organization, we would not recommend using them because they last only a fraction of the time that our “sting free” balls last.

I can get my Instant Screen into a circle but it is too big for my bag. How do I get it into the proper size to fit in the carrying bag?

When you fold the top of the screen down to the bottom near the logo, you need to push it forward to where the netting starts, about a foot above our logo.

I have the machine set up to throw a 60 M.P.H. pitch at 60 feet. How fast will it be throwing if I set the machine at 42 feet?

Sixty miles per hour. The velocity doesn’t change when you move the machine closer. What changes is the hitter’s time to react to the pitch, making it seem like a faster pitch.

On your batting cage frames, why is the middle wider than the ends?

You want a two foot gap between the netting and the frame to limit the batted balls that can hit the frame and bounce back at the hitter. This is accomplished on the end sections by having the distance from one end of the frame to the other be four feet longer than the net.

Does JUGS have a speed chart for their pitching machines?

Yes! Please email Jim at jr@jugssports.com and make sure to tell Jim for which JUGS machine you need a speed chart.

I’m looking to take my 11- and 12-year-olds team to a tournament in 2008. Does JUGS have any ideas?

Yes. Please visit Ripkenbaseball.com for great tournament locations and ideas.

What type of balls does the JUGS Lite-Flite machine throw?

The JUGS Lite-Flite machine will throw JUGS Lite-Flite baseballs and softballs and JUGS Bulldog baseballs and softballs.

How fast does the new JUGS SMALL-BALL Machine throw?

The JUGS SMALL-BALL Machine can simulate speeds up to 75 mph.

Are the JUGS machines available in 220-volt models?

Yes! Most JUGS machines are available in 220-volt models.

I have an old JUGS machine. Can I get new warning decals?

We periodically update our warning decals. If you haven’t already done so, please e-mail Steve at stevec@jugssports.com to order a current set of warning decals. (Please, tell Steve which JUGS products you need warning decals for).

Do I get a warranty with my order?

Warranties vary depending on the product. For more information, please contact our customer service department at 1-800-547-6843.
***The 5 year warranty on cage frames does not cover weather conditions such as high wind and snow.

My JUGS machine quit working… What’s wrong?

We separate electrical problems into two categories: Was the machine running when it quit? Or did it not work when first brought out of storage? These two questions can mean two different problems. First, if it quit during usage, 99 percent of the time it is something in the circuit board that has gone wrong. Chances are, unless water was involved, the circuit board will have to be replaced. If the machine wasn’t working out of storage, that could indicate a motor problem. Keep in mind motors rarely have to be replaced. They can usually be repaired locally at minimal cost if done correctly. Please call the service department at 1-800-547-6843 with the specific serial # of your JUGS machine(See Question #1 above) before attempting any type of repair. Calling us first could save you time and money.

Where did the term “JUGS” originate?

The original JUGS Curveball Machine was named from an old-time baseball expression for a curveball, “jug handle curve”. The name stuck and has been part of baseball ever since.

My JUGS Football Machine is not throwing a spiral anymore. What should I do?

There are 4 important steps to ensure that the football machine throws a nice “tight” spiral. The tires need to be sanded with 40 grit sandpaper with the machine turned off. The tires will become slick over a short period of time, so it is imperative that the tires are cleaned frequently. A tire with a rough and tacky surface will grip the balls much better. The tires must have 17 lbs. of air pressure in them. Any more or less than that amount will have an effect on how the machine throws. The brackets that are located underneath the wheels must be in the correct position for the football to throw properly. For passing, the wheels must be in a perpendicular position from each other, and for kick-offs, the wheels must be parallel. The blue passing slide bracket where the ball rests on the aluminum slide must be off-set on the slide. Do not straighten the bracket. It needs to be off-set for a better spiral. Please view and download a PDF file of the football machine instructions in the instruction section of the website for more detailed diagrams and drills

Troubleshooting

Where is the serial number on my JUGS machine?

This is our most frequently asked question. Generally speaking, the number is on a small silver tag on the main blue frame of the machine. The number is not on the motor. With a few exceptions, the motor number is useless to us. Always have the serial #’s (for example: JR 5555, C-1776, M.V.P. 1530, SSB 1999). Having the serial number when you call will help us solve your service needs in a timely manner.

When do I need a new tire?

People call JUGS all the time thinking that they need new tires when in reality most of the time they don’t. The only time you need to order a new tire is when a groove has worn to the black tire cord. Cracking and dry rot on the sides of the wheel are normal and nothing to be concerned about. Simply clean the center of the tire with 40 grit sandpaper with the machine turned off. Also maintain tire pressure at 17 p.s.i. By doing these steps, you could possibly use your existing tire for many years to come.

When do I need to send my JUGS machine in for an overhaul or maintenance?

One of the most common myths in the service department is that after a few years of usage the machine needs to be sent to JUGS for service. This is not true. In truth, machines rarely have to come back to our shop for service. The maintenance can be done by you. As long as the air pressure in the tire is checked, and the machine is constantly kept away from water, routine maintenance is all you need to do. (see question #1) Storing the machine indoors will add to the longevity of your machine.

What if my JUGS machine is not throwing consistently?

Inaccuracy can be caused by many factors. One basic problem is the tire has not been maintained properly. Periodic cleaning with 40 grit sandpaper will keep the tire rough so the balls grip better. Also, make sure that the tires are inflated to 17 PSI. Another basic problem on a one-wheel machine is the pad assembly located directly above the tire which helps “squeeze” the ball when thrown. If the rubber on this pad is hard or melted in any way, it needs to be replaced

My JUGS machine quit working…What’s wrong?

We separate electrical problems into two categories: Was the machine running when it quit? Or did it not work when first brought out of storage? These two questions can mean two different problems. First, if it quit during usage, 99 percent of the time it is something in the circuit board that has gone wrong. Chances are, unless water was involved, the circuit board will have to be replaced. If the machine wasn’t working out of storage, that could indicate a motor problem. Keep in mind motors rarely have to be replaced. They can usually be repaired locally at minimal cost if done correctly. Please call the service department at 1-800-547-6843 with the specific serial # of your product (See Question #1 above) before attempting any type of repair. Calling us first could save you time and money.

My Lite Flite Machine’s Wheel has some buildup on the surface causing the tire to not grab the balls. What is the best way to clean the wheel?

The best way to clean the Lite Flite Wheel is to first turn off and unplug the machine, then take a steel wire brush and use this over the entire surface of the tire until the surface has little rubber strands sticking up. After this step, take 40 Grit sandpaper and sand the surface of the tire until the rubber strands disappear. Your machine will throw much better and more consistently. Also, do not forget to use clean balls, as this will reduce the number of times that you need to clean the tire.

My single wheel JUGS Pitching Machine is not throwing very consistently, what is the problem?

There are several reasons that this may be occurring. Try each of these remedies and see if your machine starts to behave a little more consistently: Check and make sure that your tire pressure is set to 17 PSI. Sand your tire’s throwing surface with 40 Grit sandpaper until the surface is rough. Check the rubber pad above the wheel that squeezes the ball between the tire surface for dirt, wear or melting. If it is dirty clean it off with sandpaper. If it has melted or shows extensive wear, you may need a new pad. Use clean balls for the best performance. You can run a load of JUGS Sting-Free balls through your washing machine and they will come out looking almost brand new. A little bit of wobble on the tire is normal, however if it is wobbling and causing the machine to vibrate more than normal, you should take your tire into a tire shop and have it re-balanced. If you have performed all of the aforementioned items, and your machine is still not throwing accurately, please call the service department at 1-800-547-6843. Be sure to have your serial number ready before you call.

My JUGS Football Machine is not throwing a spiral anymore. What should I do?

There are 4 important steps to ensure that the football machine throws a nice “tight” spiral. The tires need to be sanded with 40 grit sandpaper with the machine turned off. The tires will become slick over a short period of time, so it is imperative that the tires are cleaned frequently. A tire with a rough and tacky surface will grip the balls much better. The tires must have 17 lbs. of air pressure in them. Any more or less than that amount will have an effect on how the machine throws. The brackets that are located underneath the wheels must be in the correct position for the football to throw properly. For passing, the wheels must be in a perpendicular position from each other, and for kick-offs, the wheels must be parallel. The blue passing slide bracket where the ball rests on the aluminum slide must be off-set on the slide. Do not straighten the bracket. It needs to be off-set for a better spiral. Please view and download a PDF file of the football machine instructions in the instruction section of the website for more detailed diagrams and drills