SAMsports • Portable Tennis Ball Machines, and Top Quality Court Accessories.

What is SAM®?
SAM® is the registered brand name used and owned by Master Sports, LLC. It was developed as the acronym for "Sports Action Machines" and was first used in conjunction with the big SAM® Robot in mid-1990.

What is the difference between a "standard" charger and a "smart" charger?
A standard charger applies a specific set voltage that charges your battery. Once the battery is fully charged, a standard charger must be removed from the battery. If the charger is not disconnected from the battery, the battery may overcharge which will cause it to overheat and could damage the battery which will reduce battery life and its ability to retain a charge. Conversely, if the charger is disconnected from the battery before the battery is fully charged, the battery is not at a fully charged state and over time will lose its capacity to hold a charge (thereby shortening battery life.)
A smart charger has a "smart" chip in the charging circuit that monitors the voltage. The smart chip allows you to safely fast charge your battery without worrying about overcharging it. Smart chargers will charge your battery more consistently because it can sense when your battery has reached a full charge by measuring the voltage rise and change. It will then switch to a trickle charge which will keep the battery fully charged until use. The smart chip also protects your battery from overcharge and overheating which will further extend the life of your battery.
All of our battery operated machines come with smart chargers.

Is Smart Charging important?
With a smart charger you can leave your ball machine plugged in all winter and your battery will be topped off and ready to go in the spring. With a standard charger you will need to disconnect the ball machine after it is fully charged and then reconnect it every two weeks for an hour or two to top off the battery. Which scenario sounds more convenient to you? (Unlike our competitors, we don't charge extra for smart chargers--they come as a part of your ball machine purchase.)

What type of tennis balls should be used in a ball machine?
All standard size tennis balls (both pressurized and pressure-less) will work in our machines. Although the oversized "rally" balls will fit in our machines, we do not recommend using them as they can cause ball jams.

What is the difference between iSAM® and SAM®?
The iSAM® Portable machines throw a flat tennis ball without imparting any spin on the ball. The SAM® machines, both Professional Portable and Commercial machines, have the ability to impart varying degrees of top and back spin on the tennis balls, as well as no-spin balls.
(The iSAM® Portable machines were designed with the individual player in mind.)

Will iSAM® or SAM® portable machines fit in the trunk of my car?
Yes, both the iSAM® and SAM® portable machines will fit into the trunk of most cars. The iSAM® Portable machine base unit is less than 16 inches (~40 cm) tall. The SAM® portable machine is less than 20 inches (~50cm) tall.

How is the iSAM® Portable transported?
The iSAM® Portable machine has two reinforced web straps that are mounted to the front and back base of the machine, allowing the machine to be carried like a duffle bag.

How is the SAM® Professional Portable transported?
The SAM® Professional Portable machines have two transport wheels on one end of the machine and a retractable handle on the other end of the machine. (See picture below.)

How do the iSAM® and SAM® battery operated machines get recharged?
Every iSAM® and SAM® battery operated machine includes a smart charge battery charging system. The charger is plugged into the AC outlet and the other end of the charger is plugged into the charging connector on the machine.

What is included in the purchase of a machine?
All of our portable, battery operated machines include a battery, a smart charger, and oscillation.

Is the charger included with the battery operated machine?
Yes, a smart charger is included with the battery operated machine.

What kind of charger is included with a battery operated machine?
A smart charger is included with the battery operated machine.

Can the machine run off of the charger if the battery is dead?
No, a battery charger is designed to only charge the battery. To run a machine requires more current than the battery charger is capable of providing.

What kinds of batteries are used in the battery operated ball machines?
Our battery operated ball machines typically have one or two; 12 volt sealed lead acid 7.5 ampere hour batteries.

Does it cost extra for a battery operated ball machine?
Our battery operated machines are the same price as our electric-only operated machines. The only time we charge more is when someone wants both capabilities.

Does it cost extra for an electric-only operated ball machine?
Our electric-only operated machines are the same price as our battery operated machines. The only time we charge more is when someone wants both capabilities

Why shop with us?
Our goal is simple; provide you the customer with the best quality products at the lowest possible prices. With every purchase, you get our 30 day money back guarantee. If you're not happy with your purchase in any way, return it within 30 days for a full refund - no questions asked.

How do I order?
You may place an order by filling in the order form on this website. When you place your order, we will issue you with an order number by email.
We will confirm acceptance of your order when we send you an email confirming shipment of the goods you have ordered. If we cannot process or accept your order after payment is received we will contact you by email or telephone.

Do you ship products outside Australia? 
Yes. We ship products outside Australia. 

How much is delivery?
All prices indicated for products on our web site exclude delivery charges. Delivery is charged at flat-rate of $50 per item unless otherwise specified in the products description.

How long is delivery?
Delivery will be within 10 working days (usually a lot quicker depending on our stock levels).
If there are any unforeseeable delays, you will be contacted by our customer service team.

What warranty comes with your products?
All products come with an extensive manufacturer warranty - refer to product description.

How can I pay?
We accept Visa, MasterCard and PayPal only.

What is PayPal?
PayPal is a service that lets anyone with an email address securely send and receive online payments using their credit card or bank account.

Do your prices include GST?
All purchases include GST unless otherwise stated on the product listing.

Is it safe to shop online? What security measures do you have in place?
We have strict security measures in place to keep your privacy protected and your information confidential at all times. We use 128bit encryption, one of the highest levels of encryption technology available. Our secure certificate has been issued by RapidSSL, a secure certificate issuer - verified and audited by KPMG.

How do I get a Tax Invoice?
Once your order has been processed, we will email you a tax invoice with your order confirmation. Your tax invoice is your proof of purchase.

What is your returns policy?
Your satisfaction is important to us and we hope that you are delighted with your purchase. If for any reason you have an issue with the machine, we will endeavour to repair it first at no charge to you, if still under the warranty period, and the fault is deemed a warranty issue. If your machine can’t be repaired then we will replace it at no extra charge to you, while still within the warranty period. Should an issue arise outside the manufacturers specified warranty period, then this would be deemed a service call claim on the machine whereby the customer would be charged a service fee of $90 and would also have to pay for any replacement parts as required.

We will offer our customers a 10 working day money back Guarantee. Return shipping will be at the customer’s expense. Provided that the product is in its original condition (including packaging) we will offer you a full refund of the purchase price (excluding shipping fees) or the option to exchange the item.
Please either email us at sales@samsports.com.au or call our customer service team to organise your warranty claim/exchange/return. Shipping and handling charges are non-refundable unless the return is a result of our error (e.g. wrong product shipped). In the case of the wrong item being shipped, we will cover the return shipping costs.

What happens if I receive an item that is dead on arrival (DOA)?
We will endeavour to supply you with product your have ordered in good condition. However, on occasion goods that are sealed within cartons may be faulty as a result of a manufacturing defect from our suppliers. If this occurs please either email us at sales@samsports.com.au or contact our customer service team. We will supply you with a replacement product once the faulty product has been returned to us.

Can I send my own courier to pick up from your warehouse?
No, for product insurance reasons we must ship the product from our warehouse.

 

Machine Function FAQ's:

What is "Oscillation"?
"Oscillation" is the capability to have the machine swing back and forth, adding variation to the trajectory of the balls firing from the machines. In the picture below, if the oscillation is turned on, the ball machine will sweep back and forth such that the balls shot out of the machine will land between line A and Line B.

Note: All iSAM® and SAM® ball machines come standard with oscillation.

What is "Programmed Oscillation"?
"Programmed Oscillation" refers to fixed/preset zones that can be repeated. Our commercial machines have 7 unique zones (pictured below.)