Pitching Machine vs Coach Pitch

I'll preface this with IMHO (in my humble opinion)

But I feel Coaches have little or no business ever pitching! except BP.

I have been involved with both styles and I definitely prefer machine pitch. However, I do not recommend it beyond 8 years old. It is a perfect transition between live pitching and T-ball (for one year only)

The problem with coach pitch have already been noted ... coaches lob the ball, kids develope uppercut swings and terrible habits which some take years to change if ever. Also you are now adding the skill of the ADULT coach into the game. I've only seen about 25% of the coaches who could consistenly get the ball over the plate. I've actually drafted a couple kids because their dad could pitch! The team with the best pitching dad hit the best!

Machine pitch is very good step after T-ball but I definitely disagree with the leagues that use it for 9 year olds or older. The machine provides an equal playing field and allows new hitters to adjust to a moving ball. The ball is in a consistent location and the batters can have success early on. But then you need to develope pitchers and hitters.

Our Little league we have 3 divisions between t-ball and majors. Rookies use machines. Minor B kids pitch (the 1st half of season ....after 4 balls a coach will come in and get 3 pitches, Players must put ball into play or he's out). The second half season Minor B suffers from a lot of walks but kids have to learn sometimes. Minor A kids pitch period. (we recommend a relaxed strike zone to the umpires but each ump has his own zone)

We actually have electricity in underground conduit for our rookies field but a portable generator also works. We paly a ball that hits the machine is "Foul" and a player get up to six pitches to put the ball into play.