First Pitch, Inc.

What is First Pitch?
First Pitch, Inc. is a privately held American sporting goods manufacturer based in Maple Plain, Minnesota. The company designs and builds pitching machines for baseball, softball, football, and soccer. Its products are positioned in the mid-range segment, offering US-made quality at prices below premium competitors. The company offers a five-year residential warranty on its machines. Steve Vanoss has served as president since 2004.

Who owns First Pitch?
First Pitch is owned by First Pitch, Inc., a privately held company based in Maple Plain, Minnesota. The company is led by president Steve Vanoss, who has run the business since 2004. There is no parent company, no private equity backer, and no outside investors. First Pitch, Inc. owns and operates the business independently.

Is First Pitch publicly traded?
No. First Pitch, Inc. is a privately held company. It is not listed on any stock exchange and does not file public financial reports. Revenue and employee figures are not publicly disclosed. Dun & Bradstreet estimates approximately $573,000 in annual revenue and 8 employees, though figures vary across data providers.

When was First Pitch founded?
Steve Vanoss has served as president since January 2004, according to his LinkedIn profile. Dun & Bradstreet lists First Pitch, Inc. as incorporated in 2010. Some retail sources indicate the company has been making pitching machines since 1999. The discrepancy suggests the business operated informally before formal incorporation under First Pitch, Inc.

Who founded First Pitch?
Steve Vanoss has led First Pitch as president since 2004. He is the public-facing leader of the company and the longest-running executive in its history. Detailed information about other founding members is not publicly available. Vanoss oversees the company's operations from its Maple Plain, Minnesota headquarters.

Where is First Pitch based?
First Pitch is headquartered at 1799 County Road 90, Suite #5, in Maple Plain, Minnesota, USA. Maple Plain is a small city in the Twin Cities metropolitan area, roughly 25 miles west of Minneapolis. The company states that its machines are made in the USA in the Maple Plain area. Some sources also reference a location at 5130 Industrial Street in Maple Plain.

What warranty does First Pitch offer?
First Pitch offers a five-year warranty for residential use and a one-year warranty for commercial use. Schools and leagues are classified as non-commercial use, qualifying for the five-year coverage. The warranty covers all mechanical and electrical parts against premature wear, failure, and electrical malfunction. This warranty period is longer than what most competitors in the pitching machine market offer.

First Pitch is located in Maple Plain, Minnesota, a small city in the Twin Cities metropolitan area west of Minneapolis. The company started by supplying pitching machines to local leagues and teams. According to the company's own account, demand grew through word-of-mouth, and inquiries began arriving from coaches, players, and parents across the United States.

Steve Vanoss has served as president since January 2004, according to his LinkedIn profile. The company's origins may trace back earlier. Some retail sources indicate that First Pitch has been making pitching machines since 1999, with operations in the Twin Cities area. Dun & Bradstreet lists First Pitch, Inc. as incorporated in 2010. The discrepancy between these dates suggests the business operated in some form before formal incorporation under First Pitch, Inc.

The company's early growth was driven by word-of-mouth among coaches and parents. First Pitch started by supplying local leagues and teams in Minnesota. As coaches and players used the machines and shared their experiences, inquiries began arriving from other parts of the country. This organic growth pattern is common among small, niche sporting goods manufacturers that lack large marketing budgets.

The product line centers on pitching machines for baseball and softball. First Pitch positions its machines as high-quality, versatile tools suitable for training at home or in league settings. The machines are marketed as capable of supporting numerous training drills and routines, which appeals to programs that want a single device for multiple uses.

First Pitch expanded beyond baseball and softball into football and soccer. The company manufactures a football passing machine and a soccer ball delivery machine for goalkeeper and fielding drills. This multi-sport approach gives the company a broader revenue base than single-sport competitors and appeals to athletic programs that serve multiple sports.

A key selling point for First Pitch is its warranty. The company offers a five-year warranty for residential use and a one-year warranty for commercial use. Schools and leagues are classified as non-commercial use, qualifying for the longer five-year coverage. The warranty covers all mechanical and electrical parts against premature wear, failure, and electrical malfunction. This warranty period is longer than what most competitors in the pitching machine market offer.

The company's address has been listed at multiple locations in Maple Plain over time, including 1799 County Road 90, Suite #5, and 5130 Industrial Street. This suggests the business has operated from different facilities in the area. The current primary address is 1799 County Road 90, Suite #5, Maple Plain, Minnesota 55359. Some sources also reference a location in nearby Greenfield, Minnesota, which is part of the same Twin Cities area.

First Pitch emphasizes that its machines are made in the USA. The company states that it takes pride in producing quality products domestically. Manufacturing takes place in the Maple Plain area. The company does not publicly disclose detailed component sourcing information or the percentage of US-sourced versus imported parts.

As of 2026, First Pitch has been in business for over 20 years under Steve Vanoss's leadership. The company remains small and privately held. Its customer base includes youth leagues, high school programs, and individual buyers who want US-made machines at a mid-range price.

First Pitch, Inc. does not publish a sustainability report and is not a Certified B Corporation. As a small manufacturer of sports training equipment, the company's environmental footprint is limited. The company does not publicly disclose carbon emissions, supply chain audits, or materials sourcing policies.

The company states that its machines are made in the USA at its Maple Plain, Minnesota facility. Domestic production reduces shipping distances for US customers and supports local manufacturing employment in the Twin Cities area. First Pitch does not publicly state what percentage of components are US-sourced versus imported. The company does not disclose detailed manufacturing or component sourcing information.

No independent certifications such as Leaping Bunny, PETA, or Fair Trade apply to First Pitch products, as these programs typically cover personal care, apparel, and food categories. The company has not faced public scrutiny over environmental or labor practices.