Hack Attack
Maintenance & Care
Your machine is built to last years. These are the checks and cleaning routines that keep it throwing strikes — pulled straight from the official Sports Attack manual, organized so you can actually use it. Applies to the Hack Attack and Junior Hack Attack, baseball and softball.
The Power-Down Sequence
Before you clean, inspect, adjust, transport, or reach anywhere near the throwing wheels, run this sequence. All four steps, in order, every time.
- Turn all three speed dials to “0”.
- Turn the on/off switch “OFF”.
- Unplug the machine from the power source.
- Wait until all three throwing wheels have come to a complete stop.
Never reach near moving throwing wheels
Not for any reason. Never reach up the chute to push a ball into the wheels. Never clean a wheel while it is turning — a rag caught in a spinning wheel can cause serious injury. Wait for a complete stop before transporting the machine, lifting the throwing head, or performing any repair.
Check Before Every Use
Sports Attack calls for examining the machine for condition and completeness before every session. It takes half a minute and catches the problems that cause wild pitches.
- Throwing wheels are tight on the motor shafts. Confirm the keyway retaining bolts are tight.
- Wheel guard and ball chute are securely fastened to the throwing head.
- Horizontal swivel lock is tightened securely before any batter steps in. A loose swivel lock lets the throwing head pivot, which can send a pitch inside at the hitter.
- Wheels are clean and free of chips or cracks. Inspect them frequently — do not use the machine if any wheel is damaged or shows chips or cracks.
Test pitches before the hitter steps in
Adjust until the machine throws across the plate, then throw test pitches until the velocity and break are right, then several more to confirm the location repeats. Never change speed or location while a batter is at the plate — and both the batter and the operator should wear helmets, with the operator behind a protective screen.
Cleaning the Throwing Wheels
The wheels must be kept clean to maintain accuracy. Grass, dirt, and ball residue build up over time and your machine slowly loses its location — most people blame the machine when it's just dirty wheels.
- Run the full power-down sequence above, and make sure the machine is unplugged.
- Dampen a rag with soap and water.
- Turn each throwing wheel by hand and scrub until the build-up is removed.
- For very heavy build-up, a synthetic scouring pad or medium sandpaper may be used sparingly.
- For stubborn ball residue, Sports Attack notes that Methyl Ethyl Ketone (M.E.K.) may be needed to loosen it.
If you use M.E.K.
M.E.K. is flammable. Read and follow the directions and safety instructions on the container. Never use it near a fire, an open flame, a running generator, or any other source of ignition.
Keep the wheels off the ground
Always move the machine on its transport wheels, never on the throwing wheels. That's what the front wheel guards are for — machines rolled on their throwing wheels pick up dirt and gravel, which causes both inaccuracy and wear.
Seasonal Service
Three jobs, once a year, or more often under heavy use.
Elevation Control
Apply fresh grease.
Horizontal Swivel Lock
Remove it completely. Clean all old grease and dirt from the threads, wipe them with a very small amount of fresh grease, then reinstall.
Bolt Check
Check the motor mounting bolts for tightness. Tighten securely — but do not over-tighten.
- The throwing wheel motors are sealed and require no lubrication. Don't oil them, and don't get grease anywhere near the throwing wheels.
- Wrench sizes for motor bolts: 7/16″ for the 1/4″ bolts, 1/2″ for the 5/16″ bolts, and 1/2″ for the keyway retaining bolt that holds each wheel.
Ball Selection Rules
Ball choice affects wheel life, accuracy, and repeatability more than anything else you control. These are the manufacturer's rules, not opinions.
Always
- Keep balls consistent in type and amount of wear — that's what produces repeatability
- Discard old or softened leather balls from machine sessions
- Discard worn synthetic machine balls
Never
- Never use wet balls
- Never mix leather balls with synthetic pitching machine balls
- Never mix new balls with old, or balls from different manufacturers
Leather balls work fine but wear faster than synthetic machine balls, and they soften under the volume of hitting a machine session delivers. Watch for that softening and pull them out when it starts — a soft ball feeds inconsistently and reads differently on the dials.
Why dedicated machine balls pay for themselves
Consistent, purpose-built balls hold their shape and seams through repeated feeds, which keeps your dial settings honest and your game balls off the wheels. It's the cheapest maintenance decision you'll make.
Power, Cords & Generators
Underpowered cords and unstable generator output are two of the most common causes of avoidable electrical damage.
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Power source | 115 volt, single phase, 3-wire grounded |
| Extension cord up to 200 ft | Minimum #14/3 grounded 3-wire cord |
| Over 200 ft from power | Consult a licensed electrician for the required cord size |
| Generator output | Clean electricity, 1000 watts at 120 volts, 60 Hz |
| Ground conditions | Do not operate on wet ground |
Generator sequence
- Confirm the machine's on/off switch is “OFF” before plugging into the generator.
- Start the generator and let it reach full speed before turning the machine on.
- Keep adequate fuel in the generator at all times.
- Turn the machine's switch “OFF” before shutting the generator down.
Generator speed fluctuations can damage the electronic speed control
This is the reason for the sequence above. A generator that surges, bogs down, or runs out of fuel mid-session can take out your controller — a repair that costs far more than a tank of gas.
Storage & Transport
Most machine damage happens off the field. A few habits prevent almost all of it.
- Wait for a complete stop. Never transport the machine or lift the throwing head while the wheels are still spinning.
- Secure the throwing head before moving. Lower it with the elevation adjustment, engage the frame lock pin, then tighten just enough to hold it — over-tightening isn't necessary.
- Roll on the travel wheels. Tip the machine onto the wheel guard, unsocket the front legs, then tip it back and roll it off the field.
- Transporting the head in a car? Rest it on the wheel guard and yoke with the motors down and the control panel pointing up. That orientation prevents damage in transit.
- Store it dry and covered. Keep it out of the weather when it isn't in use — dirt and moisture are what shorten a machine's life.
Troubleshooting
Most complaints trace back to one of these. Work down the list before you call anyone.
| Symptom | Check This First |
|---|---|
| Losing accuracy over time | Dirty throwing wheels. Grass, dirt, and ball residue build-up is the number one cause — clean them as described above. |
| Pitch location moved after a speed or spin change | Normal and expected. Changing wheel speeds changes where the ball goes. Compensate with the elevation control and by shifting the rear leg. |
| Erratic or inconsistent pitches | Wheels loose on the motor shafts, loose keyway retaining bolts, or a loose wheel guard or ball chute. Also check for mixed or worn balls. |
| Pitches won't repeat | Ball inconsistency. Mixed types, mixed wear, different manufacturers, or wet balls will all break repeatability. |
| Speeds don't match the dial chart | Ball type and condition. Charts are starting points — verify with radar and adjust from the nearest setting. |
| Chips or cracks in a throwing wheel | Stop using the machine. Wheels are a warranted wear component — contact us or Sports Attack for a replacement. |
| Knuckleballs behaving dangerously | They're being thrown too fast. Sports Attack notes knuckleballs thrown too fast are both dangerous and unrealistic — bring the speed down. |
| Machine won't power on | Check the circuit breaker on the machine, the cord gauge and length, and that you're on a properly grounded receptacle. |
Junior Hack Attack Parts Reference
The parts owners ask for most. Call us with your serial number and we'll confirm the right part for your machine before you order.
| Part No. | Description |
|---|---|
| 531-0003 | Throwing Wheel |
| 530-1010 | Motor, 90V Variable Speed |
| 530-0007 | Controller Assembly |
| 232-0002 | Circuit Breaker (new style, square) |
| 232-0007 | Circuit Breaker (old style, round) |
| 223-0004 | On/Off Switch (rocker) |
| 232-0000 | Power Cord (US) |
| 280-2003 | Speed Control Knob |
| 533-1408 | Ball Chute Assembly |
| 532-0004 | Leg, 36″ (regular) |
| 532-0008 | Leg, 46″ (extended) |
| 281-0003 | Travel Wheel |
| 280-1001 | Cane Tip |
| 310-0014 | Elevation Tension Spring |
Part numbers listed per the Sports Attack Junior Hack Attack baseball manual and may vary by machine age or revision. Full-size Hack Attack part numbers differ. Always confirm against your serial number before ordering.
Warranty Basics
Sports Attack warrants the material and workmanship of its machines, with separate coverage terms for wear components — throwing wheels, the electronic controller, and the throwing wheel motors. Terms differ between residential or institutional use and commercial use, and they have changed across manual revisions, so confirm your current coverage rather than assuming.
What voids it is worth knowing: misuse, misapplication, improper assembly, or modification without written permission from Sports Attack. Cosmetic issues and normal wear and tear aren't covered, and neither is transit damage or damage from fire or flood.
- Register your machine with Sports Attack after purchase — it ties your coverage to your serial number.
- Keep your serial number handy. It's on the machine and every warranty or parts conversation starts with it.
- Shipping damage has a deadline. Note visible damage on the freight bill at delivery and file immediately; concealed damage must be reported within 15 days, and you'll need the original container for inspection.
- Bought from us? Start with us. We're a top authorized dealer — call and we'll help sort it out.
Maintenance FAQ
How do I clean Hack Attack throwing wheels?
Power the machine down, switch it off, unplug it, and wait for the wheels to stop completely. Then dampen a rag with soap and water, turn each wheel by hand, and scrub until the build-up is gone. For heavy build-up you can sparingly use a synthetic scouring pad or medium sandpaper, and Methyl Ethyl Ketone (M.E.K.) may be needed for stubborn ball residue. Never clean a wheel while it is turning.
How often does a Hack Attack need maintenance?
Inspect the wheels, wheel guard, chute, and swivel lock before every use — it takes about 30 seconds. Clean the throwing wheels periodically as grass and dirt build up. Once per season, grease the elevation control, clean and re-grease the horizontal swivel lock threads, and check the motor bolts for tightness.
Do the throwing wheel motors need to be oiled?
No. The motors are sealed and require no lubrication. Only the elevation control and the horizontal swivel lock threads get grease, and you should keep grease well away from the throwing wheels.
What extension cord do I need for a Hack Attack?
Use a 115 volt single phase 3-wire grounded power source. Up to 200 feet from the power source, use a minimum #14/3 grounded 3-wire extension cord. Beyond 200 feet, consult a licensed electrician for the required cord size. Never operate the machine on wet ground.
Can I run a Hack Attack on a generator?
Yes, with a generator that delivers clean electricity at 1000 watts, 120 volts, 60 Hz. Plug in with the machine switched off, start the generator and let it reach full speed before switching the machine on, keep fuel in it, and switch the machine off before shutting the generator down. Generator speed fluctuations can damage the electronic speed control.
Why is my pitching machine losing accuracy?
Dirty throwing wheels are the most common cause — build-up of grass, dirt, and ball residue changes how the wheels grip. After cleaning, check that the wheels are tight on the motor shafts, the keyway retaining bolts are tight, and the wheel guard and ball chute are secure. Inconsistent or worn balls will also throw off repeatability.
Can I use regular leather baseballs in a Hack Attack?
Yes, leather balls work well, but they wear faster than synthetic machine balls and soften under the volume of hitting a machine session delivers. Never mix leather with synthetic machine balls, never mix new balls with old or different brands, and never use wet balls. Pull leather balls out once they start to soften.
When should a throwing wheel be replaced?
Inspect the wheels frequently for cleanliness, chips, and cracks. Do not use the machine if a wheel is damaged or if chips or cracks appear. Throwing wheels are a warranted wear component, so contact us or Sports Attack rather than running a damaged wheel.
Need Parts, Balls, or a Hand?
We're a top authorized Sports Attack dealer. Call or message us with your serial number and we'll get you the right part — or the right answer. Free shipping with code HOTBATS.