Abstract: A bowling ball thrower includes a frame positionable adjacent to a bowling lane, a throwing arm pivotably attached to the frame, the throwing arm having a rest position and a pivoted position and including a ball-gripping mechanism for gripping a bowling ball, and a cocking arm pivotably attached to the frame, the cocking arm being selectively couplable to the throwing arm such that the cocking arm is pivotable with the throwing arm. A method for throwing a bowling ball includes holding the bowling ball with a ball thrower having a throwing arm and a cocking arm, and coupling the throwing arm to the cocking arm. The method also includes pivoting the throwing arm to a pivoted position to achieve a velocity, uncoupling the throwing arm from the cocking arm, and releasing the bowling ball such that the bowling ball moves at the velocity.

Abstract: An apparatus including a bowling lane, pins positioned on one end of the bowling lane, a bowling ball adapted to be launched down the bowling lane toward the bowling balls, and a spin detector for determining a spin rate of the bowling ball as the bowling ball travels down the bowling lane. An angle detector detects the angle of the spin axis of the bowling ball. The apparatus also measures and displays information relating to ball velocity, ball position, coefficient of friction, launch angle, and entry angle.