Abstract: An apparatus for use in practicing the fundamentals of baseball is provided. The apparatus includes an opening for accepting and capturing baseballs thrown at the apparatus. The opening is covered by a number of vertical flaps, behind which is a padded backstop. The flaps are colored appropriately to designate a typical strike zone. A pitchback machine is provided to propel baseballs from the apparatus. A ball holding tray is positioned beneath the opening and backstop to accumulate thrown balls or to retain a reservoir of balls. A motor-driven spinner plate is situated integral to the holding tray for circulating the balls resting therein and for facilitating the movement of the balls to an outlet path. The holding tray outlet path leads to a motor-driven helical auger. The auger conveys the balls from the outlet path to the pitchback machine.

Abstract: The present invention is a pressure indicating ball for training baseball or softball pitchers. The ball contains a mass/weight control material to give the ball the proper heft. The ball has a perimeter envelope fillable by means of a valve located on a flexible exterior surface of the ball. The envelope is filled with a pressure indicating substance that allows an imprint of the pitcher's fingers to be created in the ball's flexible exterior surface. The ball is provided with a number of pressure transducers for sensing pressure exerted on the ball and translating pressure into electrical impulses. The electrical impulses are then transmitted to means for processing electrical impulses, such as a summation circuit, via a battery powered electrical circuit. The summation circuit is, in turn, electrically connected to a digital readout screen located on the ball's exterior surface where pressure data is displayed.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in practicing pitching of baseballs to enable the user to improve pitching accuracy and to indicate pitched balls delivered within a strike zone having a vertical backboard with a rectangular opening therethrough, four trapezoidal shaped wings secured to the backboard and serving to form an opening defining a strike zone, each of the wings being pivotal when engaged by a baseball, electrical contacts activated as each trapezoidal wing is pivoted when struck by a baseball and electrical indicators for signaling when a baseball strikes one of the trapezoidal wings to indicate that the baseball has been pitched high, low, inside or outside of the strike zone.