I've been through baseball with four sons, it's the best swing trainer for the money. Obviously, it does not simulate a pitched ball. However it can: be adjusted to different elevation pitches, help teach the batter to time their swing, to maintain eye contact with the ball, to hit a moving ball, to adjust the bat's swing path to the ball location, and it provides the feel of striking a real ball in the sweet part of the bat (and ball), it provides instant (satisfying) feedback whether the ball was struck well (or not), and it can be used alone. A little on the lightweight side of being stout, but it is intended to be portable. A hard-hitting teen could bring it down if not securely placed. UPDATE- I gave the original trainer I purchased to my son in law and purchased the new improved version. No longer a lightweight, It is now heavy duty and doesn't require attachment to the ground to use. Just set it up and swing away. While heavy, it came with a carry bag and folds up. Still by far in my opinion, the best device for the money. I recommend purchasing a home plate to place on the ground so that the ball strike can be visually connected with the plate location.