Abstract: A pitching device initiator mechanism provides an improved ball magazine and pitch initiator mechanism for a ball pitching device designed to selectively pitch a ball to a batter in a "soft-toss" drill. The mechanism includes an elongated ball capture cavity portion defining a ball magazine, a stop member positioned to capture and stabilize a single ball at a ready position, and a pivotable lever extending beneath the magazine, such that downward movement of one end of the lever extends a ball lifting element on the other end of the lever up into the capture cavity to lift the ball in the ready position over the stop member, to begin its roll down the ramps to the batter.