Abstract: A batting tee is provided that includes a base to which a post is removably mounted. The post includes an upper, distal end for supporting a ball at a height convenient for a batter to hit, and a lower, proximal end to engage the base. The base includes a member that is spring-biased into engagement with the post, the post including an aperture. The aperture removably receives the member so that the post may be released from the base by pulling the member against the spring bias, and the post can be engaged with the base by releasing the member, permitting spring bias to move the member into engagement with the aperture.

Abstract: A machine for throwing balls is provided that can accurately adjust the vertical height or pitch and the lateral placement or yaw of balls being thrown. The machine includes a pitch housing, a threaded pitch adjustment shaft rotatably mounted to the pitch housing, a pitch yoke threadably mounted to the pitch adjustment shaft, a yaw housing to which the pitch housing is fixed, and a threaded yaw adjustment shaft rotatably mounted to the yaw housing. Also included is a yaw yoke mounted to the yaw housing and to the yaw adjustment shaft, and a stand to which the yaw housing is rotatably mounted.

Abstract: A base for a batting tee may be provided that includes a first and a second base half that are pivotally mounted to each other such that they can pivot from an open position to one with the two halves flush against one another. The base may also include at least one batting tee mount disposed on at least one of the base halves. Each base half may define an aperture at complementing positions so that a hand hole is defined and extends through each base half for carrying the base when the base halves are flush against each other.

Abstract: A base for a batting tee may be provided that includes a first and a second base half that are pivotally mounted to each other such that they can pivot from an open position to one with the two halves flush against one another. The base may also include at least one batting tee mount disposed on at least one of the base halves. Each base half may define an aperture at complementing positions so that a hand hole is defined and extends through each base half for carrying the base when the base halves are flush against each other.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a ball throwing machine including a motor coupled to a rotary wheel and configured to rotate the rotary wheel at a rotational speed to throw a ball forward toward an athlete. A speed control module may be coupled to the motor and configured to rotate the rotary wheel, via the motor, at a first rotational speed during a fastball setting and a second rotational speed during a changeup setting. The speed control module may determine the second rotational speed based on the first rotational speed so that a ball thrown by the ball throwing machine will arrive in a target zone when the ball throwing machine is in the fastball setting and the changeup setting.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a ball throwing machine including a motor coupled to a rotary wheel and configured to rotate the rotary wheel at a rotational speed to throw a ball forward toward an athlete. A speed control module may be coupled to the motor and configured to rotate the rotary wheel, via the motor, at a first rotational speed during a fastball setting and a second rotational speed during a changeup setting. The speed control module may determine the second rotational speed based on the first rotational speed so that a ball thrown by the ball throwing machine will arrive in a target zone when the ball throwing machine is in the fastball setting and the changeup setting. In some embodiments, the speed control module may utilize resistive braking to transition the rotary wheel from the first rotational speed to the second rotational speed.

Abstract: Embodiments of systems, apparatuses, articles, methods, and tires for throwing machines are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

Abstract: A collapsible backstop for stopping and collecting balls is provided that includes a rigid, collapsible, peripheral structure having a plurality of frame members that can be snugly and removably fit to each other to form the peripheral structure. Frame members may be interconnected with a cord to facilitate reassembly. Also included is a web formed of flexible material. A plurality of engagement members are provided for removably mounting the web to the structure to form the backstop. Finally, a rigid base to which the structure is removably mounted is also included. The base may include a plurality of base components that may be removably connected to each other, but interconnected with one or more additional cords, again, to facilitate reassembly. A method of assembling and disassembling such a collapsible backstop may also be provided.

Abstract: Methods and kits for practicing pitching and evaluating pitching proficiency using a backstop are provided herein. In various embodiments, the backstop may include a target-defining assembly to define a plurality of target regions. In various embodiments, a pitcher may selectively throw balls through the plurality of target regions, e.g., based on pitching contexts provided by the balls. In various embodiments, a plurality of baskets may be mounted adjacent the plurality of target regions, to allow a pitcher to track pitches and evaluate pitching proficiency. In some embodiments the pitching contexts provided by the balls are pitching instructions provided directly on the balls.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a ball throwing machine including a motor coupled to a rotary wheel and configured to rotate the rotary wheel at a rotational speed to throw a ball forward toward an athlete. A speed control module may be coupled to the motor and configured to rotate the rotary wheel, via the motor, at a first rotational speed during a fastball setting and a second rotational speed during a changeup setting. The speed control module may determine the second rotational speed based on the first rotational speed so that a ball thrown by the ball throwing machine will arrive in a target zone when the ball throwing machine is in the fastball setting and the changeup setting.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a ball throwing machine including a motor coupled to a rotary wheel and configured to rotate the rotary wheel at a rotational speed to throw a ball forward toward an athlete. A speed control module may be coupled to the motor and configured to rotate the rotary wheel, via the motor, at a first rotational speed during a fastball setting and a second rotational speed during a changeup setting. The speed control module may determine the second rotational speed based on the first rotational speed so that a ball thrown by the ball throwing machine will arrive in a target zone when the ball throwing machine is in the fastball setting and the changeup setting. In some embodiments, the speed control module may utilize resistive braking to transition the rotary wheel from the first rotational speed to the second rotational speed.

Abstract: Embodiments of systems, apparatuses, articles, methods, and tires for throwing machines are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.