A device for attachment to a chute of a ball pitching machine includes a ball feeder tube having a first end for receiving a first ball. A retaining member is fixed relative to the ball feeder tube and extends transversely to the ball feeder tube into the bore for selectively retaining the first ball in the bore. The retaining member is resiliently deformable toward the ball feeder tube for allowing the first ball to move past the retaining member toward the chute upon application of a predetermined force on the first ball. The ball feeder tube defines a bore having a diameter. The retaining member is spaced along the bore a first distance from the first end. The first distance is shorter than the diameter of the bore so that insertion of a second ball into the first end with the predetermined force displaces the first ball toward the chute.