make sure that batters always

• Prevent unauthorized use. Donot reveal the ACCESS CODE tochildren or permit them or otherunauthorized persons to operatethe machine.

• Always turn the machine OFF whenleaving it unattended or beforeperforming maintenance tasks.

• Before loading a ball, check thatthe line-of-fire is clear.

• Never reach into the machine orput your face in front of the barrelwhen the unit is turned ON.

• Make sure that batters alwayswear batting helmets.

• Use only the approved pitchingballs. (See page 13.)

• Never put foreign objects intothe barrel or serious injury to theoperator or bystanders can result.

• Use the pitching machine forits intended use as described inthis manual. Do not use accessoryequipment that is not recommendedby the manufacturer—suchattachments may cause injuries.

• Important control points (for example,ON/OFF button, mounting knob)are colored orange.

• Do not try to recharge the unit if ithas a damaged cord or plug. If theunit has been damaged, return it toa service center for repair.

Read all instructions before operatingthe Zooka Sports Pitching Machine.These instructions were written toensure your safety and to protectthe equipment.

DANGER: To reduce the risk ofelectrical shock, always unplugthe unit from its power sourcebefore cleaning or performingany maintenance tasks.

WARNING: To reduce the risk ofinjury to persons, take the followingprecautions:

• Never leave the pitching machineunattended. The pitching machineis specifically designed to throwbaseballs at high speed. It shouldbe used with appropriate care.

Important Safety Information

DANGER:You can beseriouslyinjured ifyou arestruck by aball at highspeed!

Practice Drills ............................................ 15

Storing the Machine .................................. 16Taking the Machine Off the Tripod 16Long Term Storage 16

Changing the Access Code ........................ 17

Avoiding Problems ..................................... 18Error Codes 19Troubleshooting 20

Maintenance ............................................. 24Cleaning the Machine 24Replacing the Battery 25Disposing of the Battery 28Battery Charger Power Cord 28Replacing the Throwing Cup 29Optional Accessories 29Obtaining Service 29

Zooka Warranty ......................................... 30

Record of Purchase.............. inside back cover

Important Safety Information ...................... 2

Essential Maintenance ................................. 4Charging the Battery 4Cleaning the Barrel 4Cleaning the Optical Sensors 4

Unpack ........................................................ 5

Assemble the Tripod .................................... 6

Charge the Battery ...................................... 7

Setup in the Field......................................... 8Safety Requirements 8Setting Up the Tripod 8Attaching the Machine 9Determining the Pitch Angle 10Adjusting the Pan Angle 10

Pitching ..................................................... 11Turning the Machine ON 11Entering your Access Code 11Setting the Power Level 12Emergency Shutdown 12Load and Throw the Ball 13Selecting the Type of Ball 14Checking Battery Status 14

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

Table of Contents

Essential Maintenance

During long-term storage, the batteryshould remain permanently connectedto the charger and the charger pluggedinto a power source. A microprocessor,inside the machine, monitors thebattery and maintains a full charge.

These simple maintenance procedureswill greatly extend the lifetime ofyour machine and assure optimumperformance.

Cleaning the BarrelGrit transferred from the balls intothe barrel will shorten the life of thecup and barrel.

Clean the cup and barrel aftereach use as described on page 25.

Help keep the machine clean byknocking excess dirt and debris offballs before loading them into themachine.

Cleaning the Optical SensorsOptical sensors detect the ball andmeasure its speed. The sensors arelocated on either side of the barreljust inside the ball scoop.Clean them with a moist cotton swabafter every few practice sessions,as described on page 25.

DIAGRAM 1 CHARGING THE BATTERY

Charging the BatteryTo prevent shortening the life ofthe battery, keep it fully chargedby consistently:

recharging the battery promptly aftereach use as described on page 6.

storing the pitching machine in acool, dry place (preferably below 72°F)

Even if it’s only partially discharged,always recharge the battery to itsfull capacity.

You must recharge the batterypromptly after every use or its lifewill be severely shortened.

P O R T A B L E B U L L P E N

ON / OFF UP DOWN ENTER

Unpack

The Zooka Sports Pitching Machineis inspected before shipment so that itwill arrive in good operating condition.It is shipped with the following parts:

Zooka Sports Pitching Machine

Tripod

Battery charger

Owner’s Manual

Check the contents of your packageupon receipt. Refer to Diagram 2.If any items are missing or the unithas been damaged during shipment,please contact Zooka Sports CustomerService at 425.861.0111 or visit ourweb site at www.zooka.com.

NOTE: Save the shipping container.

Keypad

Display

PITCHING MACHINE

Barrel

Ball scoop

Orange adjustment knob(adjusts tilt angle and clampsmachine to tripod)

Handle

DIAGRAM 2 ZOOKA SPORTS PITCHING MACHINE AND CONTENTS1

Mounting bracket

CHARGER

Bolt and nut

LED(flashes just beforeball is thrown)

Assemble the Tripod

4. Insert the bolt through the tripodhead and legs so that it extendsout the other side, as shown inDiagram 4. Align the bolt so thesquare part of the bolt head fitsinto the slot in the tripod body.

5. Install the spacer and nut onto theend of the bolt and tighten the nutwith a wrench to clamp the legsfirmly in position.

DIAGRAM 3 TRIPOD ASSEMBLY

The tripod requires simple assembly.1. Remove the tripod clamping bolt,

spacer, and nut, which are in a bagwhich is taped to the tripod legs.

2. Make sure the legs are seated tofull depth in the tripod head. Theyshould reach the plastic top cap.

3. Spread the two front legs of thetripod so that the three legs formequal angles as shown in Diagram 3.The legs are in the proper positionwhen the holes in the legs line upwith the hole through the tripodmounting head.

2 DIAGRAM 4 INSERT BOLT IN TRIPOD

Charge the Battery IMPORTANT: Always charge thebattery in an area at room tempera-ture or cooler. Do not charge or storethe battery where temperaturesexceed 100°F.

on and begin charging. Initially ‘--’will appear on the display for 5minutes while the battery conditionis analyzed.

5. After the battery condition isdetermined, the percent of batterycharge appears on the displayalong with the word CHARGING.As the charging progresses, thedisplay indicates the degree ofcharge in 5% increments.

6. The battery recharges to 100%within 12 to 24 hours. When thebattery is fully charged, the chargerenters a monitoring mode and theword CHARGING turns off. If thecharge drops below 75%, a newcharge cycle begins and restoresthe battery to a full charge.

NOTE: During the charge cycle,it is normal for the battery toremain at 95% for a few hours.The machine can be used prior toreaching 100%, but periodically itshould be fully charged to ensuremaximum battery life.

DIAGRAM 5 CONNECTING THE CHARGER

3. Plug the end of the charger cableinto the rear panel. See Diagram 5.

4. Plug the charger into a 100 to 130VAC outlet. The machine will turn

Always charge the battery promptlyafter each use, even if it is onlypartially discharged.

Proper charging is extremely importantfor long battery life. The high-capacitybattery that powers your machine isa sealed lead acid battery. If properlymaintained, the battery will last 5 to10 years. If stored in a dischargedcondition for an extended period, itcan fail in less than a month.While in storage, the charger can beconnected to the machine withoutovercharging the battery.Use the charger provided by ZookaSports. Other chargers may damagethe unit and void the limited warranty.

3

Charge the battery prior to usingthe machine.

To charge the INTERNAL battery:1. Turn the machine OFF.2. Make sure that the rear panel

switch is depressed toward theINTERNAL battery position.

Setup in the Field

This section describes how to set up thetripod in the field and attach the pitch-ing machine. Safety requirements, thatyou need to follow, are also provided.

Setting Up the TripodSet up the tripod in the pitchingarea. The tripod should be positionedwith the two short legs forward andthe longer rear leg pointing towardsecond base. See Diagram 6. Toensure stability, press the tripod legsinto the ground.

DIAGRAM 6 POSITIONING THE TRIPOD

Mounting bracket

Home plate

Tripod rear leg

4 Safety Requirements• Never leave the pitching machine

unattended unless it is turned OFF.

• Make sure that batters wearbatting helmets.

• Keep the area in front of thepitching machine clear.

• Always be aware of safety. Adultsupervision is required to set upand use the pitching machine.

• Check the tripod for stability andverify that all adjustment knobsare secure.

• With the machine assembled, throwtest pitches to check the aim andspeed of the pitch before pitchingto a batter.



Attaching the MachineLook at the bottom of the pitchingmachine to understand how themachine and tripod fit together. SeeDiagram 7. The large cutout on theunderside of the case fits over the topof the tripod. The clamping bolt onthe machine slides into the slottedtab on the tripod.

Take the following steps to assemblethe machine onto the tripod:1. Loosen the orange knob on the

machine so that it is easy to mountthe machine onto the bracket.

DIAGRAM 8 ATTACHING THE MACHINE

2. With the barrel of the machinefairly level, place the front edgeof the cutout against the frontof the tripod’s mounting bracket.Lower the machine into place.See Diagram 8.

DIAGRAM 9 TIGHTENING THE CLAMPING KNOB

NOTE: It may help to wigglethe machine slightly to seat theclamping bolt in the slot on thetripod’s mounting bracket.

3. Tighten the orange clamping knobclockwise to secure the machineonto the tripod’s mounting bracket.See Diagram 9.

DIAGRAM 7 VIEWING THE CUTOUT

Mountingbracket

Orangeclamping knob

Loosen theorange knobbefore placingmachine ontothe tripod.

Slot on bracket


ON / OFF

UP D

OWN ENTER

DIAGRAM 10 CHANGING THE PITCH ANGLE

Handle

Mountingbracket

OrangeknobadjustsPitchAngle.

Label

Determining the Pitch AngleThe power level setting (which affectsspeed) and pitching angle determinethe height at which the pitch crossesthe plate. If you increase the speedof the pitch, you’ll need to flatten thepitching angle of the machine.A flat angle on the machine affectshow well the ball seats itself into thethrowing cup, so greater care may beneeded when loading the ball.

To change the pitch angle, take thefollowing steps (See Diagram 10):1. Hold the machine’s handle while

loosening the orange knob on theright side of the case one full turn.

2. To move the unit up or down, applypressure to the back of the handle.

3. Tighten the orange knob securely.

Adjusting the Pan AngleAdjust the horizontal aim of themachine by shifting the tripod slightlyto the right or left. Press the legsslightly into the ground in the newposition to ensure stability.

NOTE: Optional tripods are availablewith 360° pan adjustment and tallerpitch release height.

O N O F F U P D O W N E N T E R

ACCESSCODE


1

Pitching

Turning the Machine OnOnce the pitching machine is set up,make sure that the battery selectorswitch on the rear panel is set toINTERNAL. Press and hold the ONbutton until you hear a beep. Then,release the button.The machine turns ON and ACCESSCODE 1 appears in the display.

Entering Your Access CodeA 4-digit number must be enteredto activate the pitching mechanism.Entry of this code must begin withina few seconds of turning the machineON or it will shut down. The ACCESSCODE helps prevent unauthorized useof the pitching machine.

IMPORTANT: Once you enter theaccess code, the machine will throwa pitch whenever a ball is loaded. Toassure safety, do not reveal your AccessCode to anyone except responsibleadults. Always turn the machine OFFbefore leaving it unattended.

Your pitching machine is shipped withthe ACCESS CODE preset to 1919.It is strongly recommended that youchange the code to a 4-digit numberthat you can easily remember. Referto “Changing the Access Code”on page 17.After turning the machine ON, thedisplay prompts you for the first twodigits of the ACCESS CODE.

1. Press the ▲ key to change thefirst digit. See Diagram 12.

2. Use the ▼ key to adjust thesecond digit.

3. When the two digits of the codeare shown correctly, press ENTER.

The display prompts you for the last2 digits of your code. Repeat steps1 - 3 above for the last two digits.If you entered a correct ACCESSCODE, the display advances to PITCHmode. Otherwise, the unit displays“Error 14” and turns OFF.

DIAGRAM 11 TURNING THE MACHINE ON

NOTE: To turn the machine OFF, pressthe ON/OFF button. The machinebeeps twice and turns OFF.

DIAGRAM 12 ENTERING THE ACCESS CODE

ACCESSCODE


1

5

%PITCH


DIAGRAM 14 ADJUSTING THE POWER LEVEL

IMPORTANT: Changes to the powerlevel settings can only occur whenthe compressor is not running.Pressing any button when thecompressor is running, activatesan emergency shut down.

To adjust the pitch height in the strikezone, slightly increase or decreasethe power level. If the power level ischanged significantly, you will needto adjust the pitch angle (elevation).Refer to “Determining the PitchAngle” on page 10.

NOTE: First-time users should startat a low power level to get used to thepitching machine. Pitch a few balls,and then gradually increase the powerlevel as needed.

Emergency ShutdownIn an emergency, you can stop a pitchby pushing any button on the keypadwhile a ball is in the barrel. Every timeyou use the pitching machine, set asidetime to practice aborting pitches sothat you will be comfortable doingit if an emergency arises.

DIAGRAM 13 PITCH MODE

Setting the Power LevelThe power level directly affects thespeed of the pitch. The higher the powerlevel setting, the faster the pitch.The power level setting appears onthe display when the machine is readyto pitch. The default power setting is40%, which will throw real baseballsat approximately 35 mph.Use the ▲▼ buttons to adjust thepower level setting from 1% to 80%.

Load and Throw the BallCAUTION: Be Safe! Batters must wearhelmets. Keep children away from thepitching machine. Turn the machineoff before leaving it unattended. Youcan be seriously injured if you arestruck by a ball thrown from thepitching machine.

Loading the ball initiates a throw. Themachine pumps up to pressure andthrows the ball. Pitch speed in milesper hour (MPH) is displayed after eachpitch. The machine repeatedly throwspitches at the same speed until youchange the power level setting.The pitching machine can use a numberof different types of balls. Typically, ballsof different weight or rebound charac-teristics will be thrown at differentspeeds and therefore arrive at theplate at different heights. Approvedball types are described on page 14.

CAUTION: Always remember tothrow a few test pitches to check theaim point and speed of the ball beforepitching to the batter.

To load a ball, take the following steps:1. Use an approved ball as described

in the section titled, “Selecting theType of Ball” on page 14.

2. Always load the ball while standingto the side of the machine. SeeDiagram 15.

3. Check that the line-of-fire is clear.

4. Cup a ball in your hand and gentlyroll it into the barrel. As the ballpasses the optical sensors, thecompressor is activated and runsfor a few seconds (depending uponthe power level).

The machine provides an audibleand visual countdown, throws thepitch, and displays the speed inmiles per hour (MPH).

If you block the optics while loadinga ball, the machine will turn OFF.Avoid placing fingers inside thebarrel while feeding a ball.

NOTE: When the ball is rolled inat the proper speed, it seats itselfin the cup. A roll that is too fastor too slow may cause the ball tobounce out of the cup. If the ballis not seated in the cup, the pitchis thrown at a slow speed with ahollow sound. Most duds resultfrom rolling the ball in too quickly.

5. To adjust the power level setting forthe next pitch, press the ▲▼ buttons.

6. Load another ball to initiate thenext pitch.

DIAGRAM 15 LOADING THE BALL

%

BATTERY


DIAGRAM 16 VIEWING BATTERY STATUS

Selecting the Type of BallTo optimize consistency from pitch topitch, do not mix different ball typesin a single pitching sequence. Discardlopsided, oversized, or damaged balls.

Machine pitch dimple ballsproduce the tightest pitch-ing pattern because of theiruniformity and symmetry.

They are ideal for practice requiringpinpoint placement, such as learningto hit a pitch on the low outsidecorner, working on batting mechanics,or learning to time faster pitching.They are also very durable.

Real baseballs tend toscatter about more in thestrike zone because of theirseams and non-uniformity.

This results in more game-realisticpitching, because the hitter doesn’tknow in advance where the pitch willbe placed. Low quality baseballs shouldnot be used as they tend to becomelopsided and inaccurate with use.

Franklin Sponge Rubberbaseballs are soft andwork well with the machine.These rubber baseballs are

somewhat lighter than real baseballs,but are heavy enough for fieldingpractice and game play.

Tennis balls make goodpractice balls, especially foryounger players. They areinexpensive, safer because

they are lighter and softer, and producea tight scatter pattern. The pressure-less type, such as those made byTretorn™, are highly recommendedbecause they are more durable anddo not lose their bounce.Safety soft-core balls are produced byseveral companies. Some brands areaccurate in our machine and some arenot. Generally, those which deformuniformly when squeezed and whichgive a true bounce when dropped onto aflat surface are likely to perform better.Visit our website at www.zooka.comfor more information on types of balls.

Checking Battery StatusThe battery icon on the displayshows the approximate remainingbattery capacity.For a more precise measurement,press the ENTER key after any pitch.The display will show the remainingcapacity of the battery in 5% incre-ments. The machine automaticallyreverts to pitching mode after 2seconds or when a ball is loaded.

Practice Drills

Easy set up and battery operationmake the Zooka Sports PitchingMachine ideal for a wide variety ofbatting and fielding practice drills. Itsaccuracy helps players improve theirskills quickly through repetition.

CAUTION: Be Safe! Batters mustwear helmets. Keep children awayfrom the pitching machine. Turnthe machine off before leaving itunattended. You or other peoplecan be killed or seriously injuredif struck by a ball thrown from thepitching machine.

Tips for Batting Practice• For young players, use tennis balls.

Tennis balls are inexpensive, softerand quite accurate.

• For pinpoint accuracy, use machinepitch dimple balls.

• For beginners, send the pitch rightdown the middle. Work with playerson watching the ball and makingcontact with it. Synchronize athrowing motion with each pitch,to help with timing.

• Have skilled players practice hittingmore difficult pitches on the lowoutside corner or up and in tight.

• For more scatter around the strikezone, use real baseballs rather thandimple balls.

• Practice bunting.

• Practice “pulling” the ball.

• Practice hitting outside pitchesto the opposite field.

Tips for Outfield Practice• Adjust the pitch angle and power

level setting to throw high fly ballsor line drives.

• Practice “catch on the run” drills.Line the players up on the rightfield sideline. When the ball islaunched, have the first fielder runinto right field to make the catch.Launch the next ball and have thenext fielder run the same drill. Asthe players gain skill, increase thedistance to be run. Practice varia-tions of this drill having playerscatch balls while running to theright, left, in, or out.

Tips for Infield Practice• Have fielders practice judging and

catching pop-ups and line drives.Keep the pitch speed low until theplayers gain skill.

• Practice catching line drives to theleft and right.

• Practice catching short overheadpop-ups.

6

DIAGRAM 17 LIFTING MACHINE OFF THE TRIPOD

Handle

Mounting bracket

Loosenorangeclampingknob.

Storing the Machine Taking the Machine Off the TripodTo remove the machine from the tripod:1. Make certain that the machine

is turned OFF.

2. Hold the handle on the top ofthe machine while loosening theorange knob on the right side ofthe machine one full turn. SeeDiagram 17.

3. Lift the machine off the tripod.

4. Recharge the battery, even if it isonly partially discharged.

You must recharge the batterypromptly after every use or itslife will be severely shortened.

Batteries which are stored in adischarged condition will fail inless than one month.

Long Term StorageStore the machine in a cool, drylocation. To store the machine for over4 months, the best way to maintainthe battery charge is to keep themachine connected to the charger andhave it plugged into a power source.The following provides therecommended storage procedures.1. Clean the barrel, cup and optics

as described on page 25.

2. Store the pitching machine in acool, dry place where temperaturesare between -30° to +75°F.

3. Make sure that the rear panelswitch is set at the INTERNALbattery position.

4. Attach the charger to the pitchingmachine and plug it into a powersource. Charge the battery (prefer-ably overnight) before using it again.

NOTE: If you decide not to leave thepitching machine continuously pluggedinto a power source, you will need torecharge the battery fully every 4 months.

7

ACCESSCODE


1

ACCESSCODE


1

DIAGRAM 18 CHANGING THE LEFT DIGIT DIAGRAM 19 ENTERING THE FIRST 2 DIGITSChanging theAccess Code

The preset code 1919 should bechanged to a number that you canremember easily. Any number between0001 and 9999 is allowed.To change the ACCESS CODE, takethe following steps:

1. Turn the pitching machine OFF.

2. Simultaneously press and hold theON and the ENTER buttons untilthe unit beeps.

3. Immediately after the beep sounds,press and hold both ▲▼ buttons forabout 6 seconds while the displayruns through a short diagnostictest. Hold the ▲▼ buttons until themachine beeps twice.

NOTE: If you do not hear twobeeps, you will have to start overby turning the machine OFF.

4. A prompt for the first 2 digits ofyour new ACCESS CODE appearson the display. Use the ▲▼ buttonsto change the numbers. Entry ofthe new code must begin within afew seconds or the machine willshut down and you will need tobegin again.

5. Press the ▲ key to change the leftdigit. See Diagram 18.

6. Use the ▼ key to change theright digit.

7. When the two digits of the code aredisplayed, press ENTER.

8. The display prompts you to enterACCESS CODE 2, the second set of2 digits. Follow steps 5–7 above.

The machine beeps twice whichconfirms the entry of your new ACCESSCODE. The code appears briefly onthe display and then the displayadvances to PITCH mode.9. Write down your new ACCESS CODE.

8

Avoiding Problems

A few easy steps can be taken beforeyou need to call Customer Serviceregarding ERROR codes or pitchingproblems. Write ERROR codes downand follow the instructions given here.One of the first things to do is verifywhether a problem exists with thecharger or the battery.

ChargerThe charger is operating properly if themachine turns ON when the charger isconnected to the machine and pluggedinto a power source. If the machineremains OFF, then you need to:

check that the rear panel batteryselector switch is depressed towardthe INTERNAL battery position.

use a volt meter to check whetherthe charger is defective. Note thatmost electronic supply stores will dothis for you.

9 BatteryIf the battery is suspect, then youneed to:

check that the rear panel batteryselector switch is depressed towardthe INTERNAL battery position.

press the ON button, hold it for afew seconds and then release itafter you hear a beep. If themachine does not turn ON, it ismost likely a dead or deeply dis-charged battery. Charge the batteryfor a full 24 hours. Refer to “Charg-ing the Battery.” If the machine stilldoes not turn ON, the battery mayneed replacement.

check that the internal batterycables have not become discon-nected. This requires opening themachine. Refer to the instructionsfound in “Replacing the Battery.”

Error CodesIf an error occurs, the machine displays:

Error Code Description Solution

10 Program memory error Call service department at 425.861.0111.

11 Low battery voltage Charge battery. (see Section 3)

12 Sunlight on optics Reposition machine or shade optics.

13 Blocked optics Clear or clean optics. (see Section 10) Push cup backa few inches if it is near the front of the barrel.

14 Incorrect access code Enter correct access code or change code.(see Section 8)

20 Optics blocked while pitching Clear or clean optics. Avoid placing fingers intobarrel while feeding ball. Feed ball faster.

21 Manual emergency shutdown Restart machine.

22 Battery completely discharged while pitching Charge battery.

30 Incorrect or defective charger Use correct charger—Zooka Part No. 14001.

31 No battery or very low battery Set rear panel switch to ‘INTERNAL’ position orcharge battery. (see Section 3)

32 Battery did not charge fully Disconnect then reconnect charger, this willinitiate a new charge cycle. If error continues,replace battery. (see Section 10)

If other error codes appear, check with Customer Service at 425.861.0111.

TroubleshootingSolutions to the most commonly-reported pitching machine problems are provided below.

Power-related Symptom Solution

Machine doesn’t turn ON. Check that the rear panel battery selector switch is depressed at theINTERNAL battery position.

Press the ON button, hold it for a few seconds, and then release it after youhear a beep.

Recharge or replace the battery. Refer to “Charging the Battery.”

Machine turns itself ON. The ON button may have been pressed. Press the button again to turnOFF the machine.

The machine is connected to the battery charger. The machine turns ONautomatically when the charger is plugged into a power source. Refer to“Charging the Battery” for more information.

Machine won’t turn OFF. Check to see if the machine is connected to the battery charger. If it is,the machine is operating correctly. The machine should turn OFF within10 seconds when you disconnect the charger. If the battery charger is notconnected, call Customer Service immediately. Switch the battery selectorswitch on the rear panel to EXTERNAL and do not use the machine!Keep it away from children.

Troubleshooting - continued

Power-related Symptom Solution

Machine turns itself OFF. You may not have used it for over 10 minutes. If the optical sensors or displaykeypad receive no input for 10 minutes, an automatic shutdown occurs.The optical sensors may be blocked. Clear the optical path. Keep fingersout of the barrel when loading balls. Clean optics.

An error may have occurred. Check the display for an ERROR code andwrite it down. If you can, solve the problem and restart the machine.Otherwise, call Customer Service.

Recharge or replace the battery. Refer to “Charging the Battery.”

ACCESS CODE-related Symptom Solution

I forgot my ACCESS CODE. Change the 4-digit ACCESS CODE. Refer to “Changing the Access Code”on page 17.

Pitching-related Symptom Solution

The compressor doesn’t start Clean the optical sensors with a moist cotton swab. Refer to page 25.

Check the display. If an ERROR code appears, write it down and refer topage 19. If necessary, turn the machine OFF and start over.



Some balls do not throw straight. Refer to page 14, “Selecting the Type of Ball,” to make sure that the ball isan approved type and size for the pitching machine.

Look the ball over. Discard worn or damaged balls. Do not use balls that areirregular in shape or have unusually large seams. Use a clean cloth to wipedirt off balls prior to using them.

Some throws are duds. A hollow sound occurs and the ball’s momentum slows. The ball is notseating properly in the cup. Most duds result from rolling the ball into thebarrel too quickly, especially at low pitching angles. First try rolling the ballin more slowly. If that doesn’t work, try rolling the ball in more quickly.

Look the ball over. Discard worn or damaged balls. Do not use balls that areirregular in shape or that are too large.

For speeds over 50 mph, try moving the machine 10 feet further from theplate and slightly increasing the angle of the pitch. Refer to “Changing thePitch Angle.”

If the pitcher’s mound is raised, place the tripod either behind the mound orin front of the mound to avoid pointing the barrel of the machine downward.

Cup comes all or part way out Turn OFF the machine. Remove the cup (page 24). Clean the barrel andof the barrel cup. Replace worn or damaged cups.



Speed measurement too highor too low Look the ball over. If the ball is too large or not an approved ball type (refer

to page 14), do not use it.

Clean the optical sensors. When the sensors are dirty, they cannot properlymeasure the ball’s speed. Refer to page 24, “Cleaning the Machine.”

Turn OFF the machine and wipe the barrel clean. Remove the cup. Refer topage 24. Look the cup over. Clean it if necessary. A dirty cup can stick inthe barrel and block the sensors. Replace worn or damaged cups.

Charging-related Symptom Solution

Fewer than 200 pitches on a charge Check battery status as described on page 14. The battery may not havebeen fully charged when you began throwing. If necessary, charge thebattery.

Review and follow the instructions found in the first few paragraphs of“Avoid Problems.” If the battery is not holding a charge you may need toreplace it. See “Replacing the Battery.”



DIAGRAM 21 REMOVING THE CUP

DIAGRAM 20 TIPPING THE BARREL DOWN

Maintenance

To keep the pitching machine runningsmoothly, you need to clean the unitand charge the battery after each use.This section describes these and othermaintenance tasks, such as obtainingservice and replacing the battery.

Cleaning the Machine

CAUTION: Unplug the charger andturn OFF the machine before per-forming any cleaning tasks.

To pitch successfully, the cup andbarrel must be cleaned after each use.Grit and dirt easily transfer from theballs into the barrel and shorten thelife of the cup and barrel.

To clean the barrel and cup, take thefollowing steps:1. Remove the cup from the barrel.

Reach into the barrel and grasp thecup in your fingertips.

2. Rotate the cup as you pull it out.Pull slowly and steadily.

3. When the cup reaches the ballscoop, you will need to pull therubber away from the sides ofthe cup to facilitate removal.

4. Dump any dirt from the barreland wipe the inside of the cupwith a clean, dry cloth. The barrelshould be smooth and clean.Deposits or marks on the barrelcan be wiped with a clean clothdampened with isopropyl rubbingalcohol or a mild solution ofdishwashing liquid and water.

NOTE: If the cup is out of reach,position the machine so that thebarrel faces down. Gravity helps thecup settle forward.

10

DIAGRAM 22 REPLACING THE CUP DIAGRAM 23 CLEANING THE OPTICAL SENSORS

5. Wipe off the cup and removeany embedded grit or gummybuildup. If necessary, scrapecarefully with a putty knife or otherdull blade. Wash the cupin a mild solution of dishwashingliquid and water.

6. Replace the cup and push it backinto the barrel. See Diagram 22.

The optical sensors that detect theball and measure its speed are locatedin the orange plastic recesses onopposite sides of the barrel just insidethe ball scoop. Clean the sensorswith a moist cotton swab.Cleaning the optical sensors isrecommended after every fewpractice sessions, or more oftenunder unusually dirty conditions.

Replacing the BatteryAccording to current environmentalregulations, the pitching machine’sbattery contains hazardous materials.If you need to replace it, the batterymust be disposed of according toHazardous Waste Regulations.

DANGER: Do not drop or openthe battery case! The chemicalcomponents inside the batterycan damage human tissue andthe surrounding environment.

The machine’s battery is built to lasta long time. However, if you find thatany of the following consistently occur,you may want to replace the battery.• errors 11, 22, or 31 continually

appear on the display afterminimal use.

• the machine won’t turn ON afterfully charging the battery.

• the battery display consistentlyshows a low charge (less than 25%)after minimal use.

EXT. BATTERY / AUTOLOADER

CHARGER

w w w z o o k a c o m

BATTERY SELECTINTERNAL EXTERNAL

Mode NumberZC740

Seria Number

DIAGRAM 24 SWITCHING TO EXTERNAL BATTERY DIAGRAM 25 REMOVING THE KNOB AND SPACER DIAGRAM 26 REMOVING THE TOP OF THE CASE

To replace the battery, take thefollowing steps.Tools required: Phillips head screwdriver.1. Turn the power OFF. Make sure

that the machine is OFF anddisconnected from its charger.

2. Press the switch on the rear panelto EXTERNAL. See Diagram 24.

3. Remove the machine from itstripod. Refer to page 16.

4. Hold the machine by its handle andremove the orange knob by rotatingit counterclockwise. Set the knobaside. See Diagram 25.

5. Tilt the machine slightly to slidethe aluminum spacer off thethreaded bolt.

6. Lay the machine on its side so thatthe case’s 10 mounting screws areaccessible. Support it so that themachine remains level.

NOTE: The threaded bolt, that isattached to the inside of the case,lifts out when you remove the topof the case.

7. Remove the 10 screws with aPhillips head screwdriver. Set thescrews aside.

8. Carefully, open the case. Set it aside.

NOTE: When you lift off the top ofthe case, the rear panel may bepulled from its mounting location.Remember to replace it properly,prior to replacing the screws.

DIAGRAM 29 RESETTING THE REAR PANEL27 REMOVING/REPLACING THE BATTERY DIAGRAM 28 REPLACING THE CONNECTORS

Notches inrear panel

9. Remove the battery connectorsby lifting the battery slightly fromthe case bracket to gain access.Gently, slide both connectors offthe terminals of the old battery.Pull on the connectors, not onthe wires.

IMPORTANT: Do not forcethe removal. Gently wigglethe connector side to sidewhile pulling on it.

10. Lift the “old” battery out of themachine and set it aside. SeeDiagram 27. Place the new batteryin the case with its terminal endnear the fan and the batteryterminals facing toward the barrel.

11. Lift the battery slightly to gainaccess to the battery wires.Reconnect the wires to the batteryterminals. Connect the red wire tothe + terminal. Connect the blackwire to the - terminal. Afterconnecting the wires, lower thebattery into position in the case.

NOTE: The battery is markedwith + and - on the top of thebattery. It is essential that the wireconnections are replaced correctly.Otherwise the machine will notoperate properly.

IMPORTANT: Check that the rearpanel is properly positioned prior toreplacing the case. Do not tighten thescrews until the rear plate is secure.The two notches in the rear panelalign it properly. See Diagram 29.

DIAGRAM 30 APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE CASE

12. Replace the top of the case andalign the mounting holes. If it isproperly aligned, you will hear aclick as you apply gentle pressureto the top of the case.

13. Replace the 10 screws and tightenthem gently.

IMPORTANT: Do not apply somuch pressure or tighten thescrews so severely that you causehairline fractures in the case.

14. Perform an operational check bypressing the rear panel batteryselect switch to INTERNAL, andthen take the following steps.

a. Set the machine upright andturn it ON.

b. The display should promptyou for your ACCESS CODE.If the display is blank, recheckthe battery connections byperforming steps 1 through 9and steps 11 through 14 untilyou receive the prompt.

c. Turn the machine OFF.

15. Replace the aluminum spacer andorange knob on the threaded bolt.Refer to Diagram 25.

16. Attach the charger and plug itinto a power source. Charge thenew battery to full capacity beforeusing the machine. Refer to“Charging the Battery.”

Disposing of the BatteryThe high-capacity battery is asealed lead acid battery. Thoughthis type of battery is non-spillableand can be shipped, it is alsoconsidered hazardous waste andmust be disposed of according tothe Hazardous Waste Laws thatgovern the area where you live.Please be considerate of the environ-ment and educate yourself on theHazardous Waste Laws in your area.Dispose of the battery properly.

Battery Charger Power CordWhen the battery charger is in use,ensure that the power supply cordis placed away from moving partsso that it cannot be damaged. If thepower supply cord or battery chargermodule is damaged, it can only bereplaced by Zooka Sports.

Replacing the Throwing CupReview the steps found in “Cleaningthe Machine” on page 24. The stepsinvolved in cleaning the cup aresimilar to removing and replacing it.

Optional AccessoriesWatch our web site at www.zooka.comfor announcements of accessoriesand new products.

Obtaining ServiceDo not attempt to service theZooka Sports Pitching Machineyourself except for the assemblyand maintenance tasks describedin this manual.For information about productoperation or service, contact anauthorized Zooka Sports CustomerService representative at 425.861.0111.

Zooka Sports Limited Warranty

Warranty PeriodZooka Sports, Inc. warrants ZookaSports pitching machines for a periodof one year from the date of originalpurchase or 100,000 pitches, whichevercomes first. Save the sales receipt todocument date of purchase.

Scope of WarrantyThis warranty covers all defects inmaterial and workmanship under normaluse and service conditions. The followingare not covered by the warranty:1. Units on which the serial number has

been deleted, modified or removed.2. Units which have been used in

commercial service.3. Units damaged by accident, misuse,

abuse, neglect, unauthorized productmodification or failure to followinstructions contained in theowner’s manual.

4. Units damaged by repair by anyonenot authorized by Zooka Sports.

5. Units damaged during shipment(claims must be presented to shipper).

6. Batteries that have not been rechargedpromptly after use.

Who is protected: This warranty protectsthe original purchaser and any subsequentowner(s) during the warranty period, solong as the pitching machine was pur-chased in the United States and a copyof the original bill of sale is submittedwhenever warranty service is required.What Zooka Sports will pay for: ZookaSports will pay for all labor and materialsto repair a warrantable defect. ZookaSports will also pay for return shippingto you at a U.S. shipping address.Customers will be charged for shippingto other countries.How to obtain warranty service:Call Zooka Sports Technical Serviceat 425.861.0111 and have your serialnumber and model number ready. Often,we can resolve the problem promptly onthe phone. If we cannot, an R.A. numberwill be issued which must be clearlydisplayed on the shipping label. Deliverthe unit SHIPPING PREPAID to Zooka

Sports. Include your name, address,daytime phone number, copy of originalbill of sale, and a brief description ofthe problem.Limitation of implied warranties:All implied warranties, including fitnessfor a particular purpose and merchant-ability are limited in duration to thelength of this warranty. We neitherassume nor authorize any representativeor other person to assume for us anyother liability in con-nection with thesale or shipment of our products.Limitation of incidental or consequentialdamages: Zooka Sports is not respon-sible for any incidental or consequentialdamages of any kind. Our liability islimited to the repair or replacement, atour option, of a defective product. Somestates do not allow limitations on howlong an implied warranty lasts and/or donot allow the exclusion of incidental orconsequential damages so the abovelimitations or exclusions may not applyto you. This warranty gives you specificlegal rights and you may also have otherrights which vary from state to state.

Date of Purchase: Model/Serial Number:

Purchased from (name of dealer, rep. pro, etc.):

City/State/Zip:

Phone number:

Fill out and keep for your records.

Effective date: December 20, 2002Zooka Owner’s Manual P/N 20006-001

©2000,2002 Zooka Sports, Inc. • Patents Pending Zooka is a registered trademark of Zooka Sports, Inc.Tretorn is a registered trademark of Tretorn AB, Sweden.

www.zooka.com

8569 154th Ave NE Redmond WA 98052Toll free 877 854 9319 425 861 5552 [email protected]

Zooka Sports, Inc.

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