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General Cricket => Cricket Training, Fitness and Injuries => Topic started by: thecord on March 03, 2016, 06:38:46 PM

Title: New Bola Junior
Post by: thecord on March 03, 2016, 06:38:46 PM
I'm guessing some people will have already seen this but thought some might be interested as a cheaper Bola would be quite attractive. Pics are available on their website http://bola.co.uk/BOLA-Junior-Bowling-Machine.html (http://bola.co.uk/BOLA-Junior-Bowling-Machine.html):

"Dear Youth Contact,

I hope all is well and your plans for 2016 are well underway.
The reason for my email is to personally introduce you to the new, “BOLA Junior”, the latest cricket bowling machine to be developed by BOLA Manufacturing.
The BOLA Junior has been specifically designed to enable juniors to practice in the same way as their senior counterparts by delivering high quality, accurate bowling for endless hours of batting practice and fun for young cricketers of all ages.
Like the senior BOLA machines the BOLA Junior has 2 ball throwing wheels which simulates realistic bounce and swing, crucial when coaching young batters how to develop techniques to counter the moving and bouncing ball in match situations.
The BOLA Junior features Selectable Electronic Random Mode, which will vary the speed and length of deliveries at random, to offer batters the most realistic experience of facing top quality bowling, bringing an added competitiveness to net-practice and planned coaching sessions.
For the more competent or high performing batters, set Junior up to deliver from 16 yards for simulated high speed practice.
Like all BOLA bowling machines, Junior can accommodate an Automatic Ball Feeder holding a maximum of 13 balls, which will deliver balls into the machine every 4, 7 or 10 seconds, depending on your preference, to allow players to practice alone when supervised and to develop the concentration levels required to improve batting technique by focussing only on the next delivery without any interruptions.
Like all BOLA machines the Junior is made from quality materials featuring:
Steel fabricated chassis
Vacuum formed plastic casings
The very latest brushless electric motors for light weight and long term reliability
Fully enclosed moving parts for operator safety
The BOLA Junior is powered by a 22 ah 12 volt battery supplied with the machine, which means that users, coaches and players can operate Junior just about anywhere from the back garden, the indoor cricket centre or the non-turf nets at their club or school with confidence and for up to 5 hours at a time.
Please see the attached images of the BOLA Junior and view our short video of us putting it through its paces in the net lane here at BOLA HQ.

http://bit.ly/1p5ne8V (http://bit.ly/1p5ne8V)

We’re very excited about the possibilities of the new BOLA Junior and we’d be delighted to visit you and your colleagues to demonstrate the features and benefits of this long anticipated product for young cricketers everywhere.

I look forward to hearing from you very soon and welcome your initial feedback."
Title: Re: New Bola Junior
Post by: edge on March 03, 2016, 06:47:52 PM
Interesting that they've branded it as Bola Junior rather than aiming squarely at Paceman, did they include any info on prices? Looks a very good alternative, 65mph is quick enough to give most adult club cricketers decent practice anyway.
Title: Re: New Bola Junior
Post by: ProCricketer1982 on March 03, 2016, 06:48:16 PM
Miles better for really young guys than a normal bola but useless for older kids and adults. Good that they have separate systems though but bad for clubs as that's more expense to keep up
Title: Re: New Bola Junior
Post by: ProCricketer1982 on March 03, 2016, 06:48:59 PM
Interesting that they've branded it as Bola Junior rather than aiming squarely at Paceman, did they include any info on prices? Looks a very good alternative, 65mph is quick enough to give most adult club cricketers decent practice anyway.

Don't quote me but somewhere in the £1k mark I believe
Title: Re: New Bola Junior
Post by: thecord on March 03, 2016, 07:29:57 PM
No prices mentioned in the email or on the website, I have asked though.
As you say @edge that speed more than enough for us mere mortals so if it's a good bit cheaper I'm sure it will be popular.
Title: Re: New Bola Junior
Post by: smilley792 on March 03, 2016, 07:33:37 PM
Just have it off 18 yards!!


If it's a reasonable price I want one!!
Title: Re: New Bola Junior
Post by: thecord on March 03, 2016, 07:41:49 PM
Just have it off 18 yards!!


If it's a reasonable price I want one!!

Exactly my thinking
Title: Re: New Bola Junior
Post by: cricketbadger on March 03, 2016, 09:11:41 PM
I like the look of that. Fantastic idea if you ask me, would love to be able to get one myself for personal use
Title: Re: New Bola Junior
Post by: InternalTraining on March 04, 2016, 04:03:06 PM
Spoke to the owner (Nye?) this morning. Price is  850 GBP; includes battery and a dozen balls. Second batch will be ready in 2 weeks. 
Title: Re: New Bola Junior
Post by: ProCricketer1982 on March 04, 2016, 05:52:53 PM
Spoke to the owner (Nye?) this morning. Price is  850 GBP; includes battery and a dozen balls. Second batch will be ready in 2 weeks.

You sure it comes with a auto feeder?? Would be surprised... That's a nice way to add 100-200'quid on the price
Title: Re: New Bola Junior
Post by: thecord on March 04, 2016, 06:51:43 PM
Machine - £757.00
Auto Feeder - £140.00
Battery - £38.00
Charger - £39.00
12 Balls - £46.00
 
Total price - £1020.00 inc. VAT
(£850 ex. VAT)
 
Introductory Package price £985.00 inc. VAT
(£820.83 ex. VAT).
Title: Re: New Bola Junior
Post by: smilley792 on March 04, 2016, 07:19:28 PM
Machine - £757.00
Auto Feeder - £140.00
Battery - £38.00
Charger - £39.00
12 Balls - £46.00
 
Total price - £1020.00 inc. VAT
(£850 ex. VAT)
 
Introductory Package price £985.00 inc. VAT
(£820.83 ex. VAT).


And how much is the paceman that does hard balls at similar speeds?

Anywhere near this?
Title: Re: New Bola Junior
Post by: ProCricketer1982 on March 04, 2016, 07:43:04 PM
Don't quote me but somewhere in the £1k mark I believe

So I was about right then :)
Title: Re: New Bola Junior
Post by: thecord on March 04, 2016, 07:46:09 PM

And how much is the paceman that does hard balls at similar speeds?

Anywhere near this?
Around 700 I believe mate
Title: Re: New Bola Junior
Post by: Six Sixes Cricket on March 04, 2016, 07:47:47 PM
Can you visit bola? Do they have an indoor showroom or bowling lane?
Title: Re: New Bola Junior
Post by: smilley792 on March 04, 2016, 07:49:31 PM
Around 700 I believe mate


Now is the extra 5 mph us random mode and better swing ability worth the extra 300 quid?
Title: Re: New Bola Junior
Post by: Woodyspin on March 04, 2016, 07:53:17 PM

And how much is the paceman that does hard balls at similar speeds?

Anywhere near this?
New one is about £800 i thought thats with VAT though... Maybe?
Title: Re: New Bola Junior
Post by: thecord on March 04, 2016, 07:56:16 PM
New one is about £800 i thought thats with VAT though... Maybe?

A quick Google finds it for £700.

Is the Bola worth the extra? Hard to say without seeing one in person.
Not sure if you can visit them @d7bow but they were offering to come demo at clubs.
I think I'd trust the Bola brand a bit more
Title: Re: New Bola Junior
Post by: Woodyspin on March 04, 2016, 09:34:51 PM
A quick Google finds it for £700.

Is the Bola worth the extra? Hard to say without seeing one in person.
Not sure if you can visit them @d7bow but they were offering to come demo at clubs.
I think I'd trust the Bola brand a bit more
Ahh ok i was out and was just jumping in the car. But yeah not too different in price really!

Plus not sure about paceman but bola you can get servicing on so i guess thats a plus?
Title: Re: New Bola Junior
Post by: ProCricketer1982 on March 04, 2016, 10:44:58 PM
Can you visit bola? Do they have an indoor showroom or bowling lane?

Yes they have two sites, one has a indoor lane. You see it on the tube videos
Title: Re: New Bola Junior
Post by: Six Sixes Cricket on March 04, 2016, 11:08:01 PM
Yes they have two sites, one has a indoor lane. You see it on the tube videos
Yeah I seen there videos, just wondered if anyone had visited them.
Title: Re: New Bola Junior
Post by: ProCricketer1982 on March 05, 2016, 12:11:43 AM
Yeah I seen there videos, just wondered if anyone had visited them.

Yep, couple of times a year. Pretty much 1 min drive max between sites too
Title: Re: New Bola Junior
Post by: InternalTraining on March 05, 2016, 12:21:15 AM
You sure it comes with a auto feeder?? Would be surprised... That's a nice way to add 100-200'quid on the price

Without VAT as it was quoted for the US.

If I remember correctly, the balls are lighter or smaller size - they are not the regular BOLA balls. It is worth double checking.
Title: Re: New Bola Junior
Post by: ProCricketer1982 on March 05, 2016, 12:32:47 AM
Without VAT as it was quoted for the US.

If I remember correctly, the balls are lighter or smaller size - they are not the regular BOLA balls. It is worth double checking.

I've not looked into it as I have bolas already so have no need for a baby one. It would be good sales for them if they are lighter balls as it means it's different and costs more. I'd hope they are the same but as you say, if people are interested just email them,

1k seems reasonable in the modern world for something that'll help you more than a net crown bat or two
Title: Re: New Bola Junior
Post by: InternalTraining on March 05, 2016, 01:16:48 AM
^ I think it is a better more stable option than single wheel machines.

Also, it is portable and easier to put in your car. The legs (poles) are approx 1.5 meters. Regular Bola is very heavy and a pain the in rear to set up, forget about taking it in your car with you.