Abstract: A computer-controlled pitching machine in an operative connection with a controller interface controlled by the user, wherein the controller interface can connect with a variety of ball pitching machines and display pitch selection interfaces unique for the particular ball pitching machine. Based on the machine capability and the pitch selected by the user on the controller display, the computer-controller machine automatically pitches a ball according to control parameters determined in the controller. The controller may also include or be linked to a pitcher database wherein a user selection retrieves a saved pitch set for a particular pitcher and the system subsequently provides unique control parameters based on the attributes of the selected pitcher and throw parameters for a particular pitch. Further, the system described provides multiple methods of user input into the system for selecting, creating and saving pitches and pitchers.

Abstract: A game ball throwing machine that shoots balls with motorized spinning wheels has a computer processor with wheel speed equations that determine the wheel speeds according to input parameters of pitch speed, ball spin amount, and ball spin direction that a user enters through a human-machine interface on a control panel. The processor includes acceleration equations that determine the trajectories of the balls and also has a time in flight equation that is used with the acceleration equations and a distance to a target location to determine the impact point of a ball according to the same input parameters used to determine the wheel speeds. The processor determines variations in the orientation of the machine to change the impact point to a reference aim-point. The HMI can also include an aim-point change input. The ball spin direction indicator on the HMI has either a linear configuration or a polar configuration.

Abstract: An automatic game ball throwing machine. The ball thrower includes a base, a support frame attached to the base, a drive wheel mechanism attached to the support frame, and a human-machine interface which enables customization of ball spin, speed and target location. A light source can be attached to the machine to illuminate each ball at one or more launch points. Further, a launching frame indexing element can be positioned to control the location of the ball target. A resident software program integrates the throwing machine, indexing element and human-machine interface, calculating pitch parameters and converting them to machine outputs to enable customization of pitch variety and characteristics.