There is a lot of throwing / pitching baseball training equipment that I would highly recommend to invest in to help improve velocity and accuracy. It all depends on the budget you have to work with, but some of these training aids can be very useful.
Radar Guns
The first option I will present you with is a radar gun. Of all the pitching baseball training equipment, this one isn’t going to help you build more velocity or arm strength, but it will help you monitor your progress. It is a monitoring device and not a training aid.
However, let me caution you before I proceed. If you get a radar gun around many youngsters, and they know they are being clocked, they are going to try to throw so hard that they will throw their arms out and risk injury. Do not buy a radar gun for your 11 year old. They don’t need it. At that young of age, they need to be focusing on good solid mechanics, and pitch accuracy. If they master their mechanics at a young age, the velocity will come. Players shouldn’t be thinking about velocity until they reach the age of about 15 or 16.
Regardless of the age, guns should only be used on occasion just to monitor progress. Pitchers should not be checking the gun after every pitch they throw in practice or in the game. However, if used the way they should, they are nice to have. The most popular is the Jugs gun (pictured), and it will cost you around $800 or more, depending on the accessories you get with it. There are other higher end and lower end models from different companies, but I cannot speak for them, as the Jugs gun is the most common in baseball.
Pitcher’s Tarps / Targets
I would highly recommend that every pitcher have one of these. They are great because as long as you’ve got a dozen balls or so, you can practice pitching by yourself in your own backyard. Most come with a cut out of the strike zone, so you can work on hitting your spots. Get some dirt, pile it up, form a nice pitching mound, buy a pitching rubber, get a dozen balls and a pitching tarp, and you’re all set. That’s exactly what I did in my backyard back in high school, and it was nice.
They’ll cost you anywhere from about $70 for a junior model, up to a couple hundred dollars for a real nice one. The one I recommend (pictured) is the Atec Pitcher’s Screen.
Arm Strengthening Bands
Arm strengthening resistance bands such as the “Rocket Arm” style system, are also a wise investment for building arm strength in the rotator cuff, as well as all the throwing muscles in the arm and upper body. These will cost anywhere from $40 on up to about $90.
The Arm Strong Pro Baseball Training System (pictured) appears to be a nice system that you may want to check out.
Weighted Balls
I personally cannot endorse the use of weighted balls for arm strengthening. I haven’t used them before, but I can tell you that there is a risk for injury if used irresponsibly. If you choose to try them, use them with caution and at your own risk. I’m not necessarily saying they are good or bad, but I do know they carry a risk for injury if used incorrectly. It appears they can be bought for less than $20.
Summary
Pitching baseball training equipment should be considered by every pitcher, and every player who wishes to improve arm strength. The more training aids that a player has and is able to use to his or her advantage, the better that player will become. Remember though, good ole long toss should form the basis of any arm strengthening program. If you’re serious about improving velocity, you should get on a solid throwing program to improve arm strength. Use all of these training aids as an addition to your throwing program.