Abstract: Disclosed is a self-contained batting practice apparatus including a cage or enclosure preferably formed by resilient flexible material supported within an exterior frame so that a batted ball only engages a flexible surface. A ball throwing unit is arranged to throw a ball from one end of the cage to a batter positioned at the opposite end. A batted ball engages the flexible cage walls and drops to the bottom, which is sloped so that the ball rolls to an opening and drops therethrough to a conveyor system which recycles the ball to the throwing unit through a ball control unit which delivers the balls in timed sequence for repeated throws to the batter.

Abstract: A ball throwing machine which includes a pair of rotary discs supported for rotation in angularly opposed relation so as to laterally engage a ball and effect propulsion thereof, each disc being composed of a back-up plate with an annular groove and a flat resilient section thereover, the discs being mounted on connected shafts enabling rotation by a single prime mover, and being capable of offset connection so that the ball will be engaged by the discs at different radial positions.