Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a tethered baseball in position for batting practice and automatically retrieving the ball after it has been hit with a bat, which includes an adjustable height stand, a fishing reel and a variable speed motor connected thereto. Tethered by a small gauge fishing line which is attached to the reel, the ball, prior to being hit, rests atop the adjustable strand. When the ball is hit, the line is released nearly effortlessly from the reel; and the ball is allowed to travel virtually unobstructed during its flight. When the ball has traveled its full distance, the batter, by pushing a switch with a foot pedal, starts the motor, causing the reel to rewind the line. A control on the switch allows the batter to vary the speed of the motor from fast when the ball is at a distance to slow when the ball approaches the batter.

Abstract: A connecting means for connecting frangible and/or friable aritcles comprises a generally helical spring of resilient material, one end which is adapted for insertion and engagement with a frangible or friable article, the other end of which is adapted for connection to an article to be held to the frangible or friable article which object itself may comprise a frangible or friable article. The invention has particular application to the connection of objects to floral foam or the connection of one piece of floral foam to another.