The fungoman has really made a big difference in our team.  This is our first season to use our FungoMan.  We have not utilized it as much as we will because we have not tapped into its full potential yet.We have used our machine in many ways already, though.

Individual skill improvement:
Catchers -We set our machine to throw a series of dirt balls for our catchers to practice blocking balls.  Also, catching pop ups in the backstop area and around homeplate. 
First basemen – We set our machine up at shortstop and shot a series of short hops at out first basemen.  The balls were shot out to land at different places all around first base. They would compete to see who could pick the most cleanly out of 50.
Middle Infielders – We set our machine up to throw double play ground balls to our shortstop and second basemen.  This allowed them to get lots of work handling balls around the base and turning two in a short period of time.

Team drills:
Infield work – we have a series set for ground balls at each position.  Ground balls straght at them, ground balls to their backhand, double play ground balls, slow rollers, and then infield overcalls.
Outfield work – We have a series set for fly balls to the outfielders also.  Balls to their left, right, over their head, in front of them, line drives, and overcalls in the gaps, as well as in front where they have to communicate with the infielders.
We also work sure double relays to home and third base, with the second basemen and shortstops trailing each other and and the first basemen trailing the runner to second.
Batting Practice – We also use our fungoman daily for batting practice.  It helps hitters adjust to velocity better and helps us see curveballs on a regular bases.  Normally, you can’t get much work at hitting curveballs because of the wear and tear on your pitchers arms. About the only time you see a good curveball is when you are standing in the batters box during a live game.  We were able to get each of our hitters daily practice at hitting good curveballs.

The results were pretty amazing.  We had 10 different players hit home runs in varsity games this season.  As a team, we hit 25 homeruns.

My favorite thing to do defensively with it is to be able to work overcalls with the fielders.  Communication is so key and this allows them to get alot of balls placed perfectly every time.  You can get perfect balls every time, where normally, about 1 out of 10 is placed perfectly.

The benefits of using fungoman are pretty simple.  It allows you to get perfect balls shot out to your fielders everytime.  Therefore, you cut down on wasted time waiting to get a good ball hit.  More reps in a shorter period of time.  It allows you to get more practice in the time we have.  Less wasted time.

Next season, I see being able to cut down on our practice time because we will be able to organize practice more efficiently.

Mike Moore, Head Baseball Coach (24 years)
Sheridan High School,
Sheridan, AR