The Designated Hitter® – Durable Pitching Dummy for Realistic Game Simulation
$349.99
Ships from Huntsville, TX
In Stock
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Ask about The Designated Hitter® – Durable Pitching Dummy for Realistic Game Simulation — how to use it, what athletes it fits, sizing, or how it compares to other tools we make. Answers are focused on this product.
Innovating since 2003
Family-owned, Huntsville TX
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Real specialists, not a call center
Made for daily program use
Designed for continuous reps, every day, every season
100+ implements, organized by goal
Arm care, velocity, strength, and recovery
About This Product
Put a batter in the box without putting a batter in the box. A full-size silhouette pitchers can throw at, built to take pitches and stand through them.
The Designated Hitter® is a full-size batter silhouette made from heavy-duty polymers, standing on a weighted base. It lets pitchers rehearse real in-game scenarios — working the inside corner, pitching to both sides of the plate, throwing with a hitter’s shape standing in — without a live batter taking the reps. The tool holds the visual picture; the coach still decides what to work on and how.
- Full-Size Batter Silhouette — Pro at 5’9” and Youth at 5’2” give pitchers an accurate batter’s shape to throw against, the same visual picture as an inning.
- Reversible for Both Sides of the Plate — The two-piece silhouette flips to simulate right- and left-handed batters, so pitchers can work both boxes.
- Removable Drop Line — An orange line at the elbow marks the inside corner of the strike zone; remove or reposition it to simulate batters who crowd the plate.
- Built to Take Pitches — Heavy-duty shatter-resistant polymers, about 3” thick, with beveled edges so pitches glance off predictably instead of deflecting at odd angles.
- Stands on Its Own — A weighted base keeps the dummy upright when hit; portable enough to move and use indoors or outdoors.
What Is It?
A full-size pitching dummy sold in two sizes and three color combinations. The batter silhouette is built from heavy-duty shatterproof polymers with beveled edges and stands on a weighted base that keeps it upright when hit. The two-piece silhouette reverses to simulate right- and left-handed batters, and a removable orange line at the elbow marks the inside corner of the strike zone. Compared with a flat strike-zone target, the dummy supplies the in-game visual — a body in the box. Compared with a live batter, it takes the person out of the practice rep; it does not replace coached instruction on mechanics, sequencing, or pitch strategy.
How It Works
Three mechanisms behind a batter silhouette that takes pitches
The In-Game Visual
A batter’s shape standing in gives the pitcher the same picture as an inning: the zone relative to a body, the inside corner, the hitter crowding the plate. The dummy supplies that visual information without a live person taking the reps.
Impact-Absorbing Body
Heavy-duty shatterproof polymers are built to absorb fastball impacts, and beveled edges keep deflections predictable rather than sharp. The weighted base keeps the silhouette standing through high-velocity sessions.
Two-Sided Setup
Flip the two-piece silhouette to put the batter’s picture on either side of the plate. The removable orange drop line sets the inside edge for plate-crowding hitters — one dummy covers both boxes.
Backed by Research
Research Context: What the Evidence Actually Shows
The Designated Hitter's role is supported at the category level — pitchers practice pitch location against a visual reference, and a full-size silhouette supplies the in-game picture (a batter’s shape in the box, the inside corner, a plate-crowding stance) that a flat target or an empty plate cannot. This description does not claim that the product prevents injury, guarantees command or control gains, increases velocity, or establishes competitive readiness.
Representative practice — training that looks like the game — is a well-supported idea in motor-learning literature, but no study links this product to specific outcomes. Treat the dummy as a practice aid: it supplies the visual, the program supplies the development.
5’9” / 5’2”
Pro and Youth — two full-size silhouettes; pick the size that matches the hitters the pitcher faces
Reversible
The two-piece silhouette flips to simulate right- or left-handed batters
Weighted Base
Stays upright when hit — set on flat ground, add sandbags on uneven terrain
Product Details
How to Use It
Bullpen and command work: Set the dummy in the batter’s box after the pitcher’s full warm-up. Use it for location work, pitching to both sides of the plate, and rehearsing in-game scenarios — the silhouette supplies the visual, the coach supplies the plan.
Simulating stances: Use the removable orange drop line at the elbow to mark the inside corner of the strike zone; remove or reposition it to simulate batters who crowd the plate. Flip the two-piece silhouette to switch between right- and left-handed batters.
Setup: Place on flat ground — grass, turf, or dirt. On uneven terrain, add sandbags or weights for stability. Keep the setup clear of steep inclines and loose gravel.
Coaching cues: Keep pitchers and bystanders clear of deflection paths while pitches are live. If the dummy shifts, stop and re-set it — do not let pitchers throw at a tipping silhouette.
Size Selection Guide
| Color | Size | SKU | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Top / Gray Bottom | Pro (5’9”) | DHPBLUE | $349.99 |
| Blue Top / Gray Bottom | Youth (5’2”) | DHYBLUE | $349.99 |
| Red Top / Gray Bottom | Pro (5’9”) | DHPRED | $349.99 |
| Red Top / Gray Bottom | Youth (5’2”) | DHYRED | $349.99 |
| Gray Top / Gray Bottom | Pro (5’9”) | DHPGRAY | $349.99 |
| Gray Top / Gray Bottom | Youth (5’2”) | DHYGRAY | $349.99 |
Pro (5’9”) mirrors an adult hitter; Youth (5’2”) fits youth pitchers whose hitters stand smaller. Choose the size that matches the hitters the pitcher actually faces.
Who This Is For
- Commonly used for baseball and softball pitchers working command and location in bullpen or situational practice.
- Commonly used for young pitchers learning control, who benefit from a batter’s presence in the box without a live hitter taking the reps.
- Commonly used for coaches running in-game scenario practice for individuals or teams.
- Commonly used for facilities that need a portable, weather-resistant training aid for indoor or outdoor use.
Safety, Compliance, and Youth Guardrails
Designed for supervised training. Youth athletes should train under qualified adult or coach supervision.
- Not a toy: Use only as a training implement. Do not climb on the dummy or strike it with bats or objects.
- Stable setup: Confirm flat ground before use; add weight on uneven terrain; never set up on steep inclines or loose gravel.
- Clear the zone: Keep faces and bystanders clear of deflection paths while pitches are live.
- Inspect before sessions: Check the base, edges, and drop line for damage. Retire damaged equipment.
- Not protective equipment: The dummy is a visual training aid, not a substitute for protective gear, medical evaluation, or a coached throwing program.
Storage: UV and weather resistant for indoor and outdoor use. Store indoors during extreme weather such as heavy storms or snow; prolonged direct sun or moisture can affect appearance over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use it at home?
Yes. It is portable enough to move in and out of the backyard or garage, and it works with most portable mounds, nets, and pitching lanes — a good way to get extra reps outside team sessions.
Which size should I buy?
The Pro at 5’9” mirrors an adult hitter; the Youth at 5’2” fits youth pitchers whose hitters stand smaller. Pick the size that matches the hitters the pitcher actually faces.
How does it stay upright?
A weighted base keeps the dummy standing when hit. Set it on flat ground — grass, turf, or dirt. On uneven terrain add sandbags or weights, and avoid steep inclines and loose gravel.
Will fastballs crack it?
It is built from heavy-duty shatter-resistant polymers made to absorb fastball impacts, and the beveled edges keep deflections predictable rather than sharp.
What is the drop line?
A removable orange line at the elbow that marks the inside corner of the strike zone. Remove or reposition it to simulate batters who crowd the plate.
Can it simulate left- and right-handed batters?
Yes — the two-piece silhouette is reversible. Flip it to the other side of the plate to change the batter’s box picture.
How heavy is it?
Reseller listings put the Pro around 38 lbs and the Youth around 36 lbs; the manufacturer does not publish official weights. Heavy enough to stay put on its base, light enough for one person to move.
Can it stay outside?
It is UV and weather resistant for indoor and outdoor use. For the longest life, store it indoors during extreme weather such as heavy storms or snow.
What does the warranty cover?
The manufacturer’s copy describes a limited lifetime warranty against damage under normal use. If you have questions about coverage, call or text our team before you buy.
Questions before you buy? Call or Text Our Team at (936) 295-4459
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