Abstract: A batting practice or baseball pitching device having a bat tethered by cord with an elastic section. The cord is anchored by a primary anchor midway between the pitcher and the batter. An auxiliary anchor is coupled proximate the primary anchor to prevent the primary anchor from being propelled toward the pitcher. The ball is lighter in weight, and preferably softer, than a regulation baseball, and the elastic section of the cord is sufficiently short to permit pitching or propelling the ball by using a lean forward, lean backward pitching technique.

Abstract: A durable, composite safety ball is disclosed which is formed with a soft, resilient, substantially closed-cell plastic foam core. The safety ball, including the cover, has a type A durometer less than about 60 and preferably in the range of about 25 to about 45. Preferably the core is surrounded by an inner skin which is formed to substantially prevent the entry of water into the foam of the core and, together with an outer heavy, tightly knit nylon cover, to provide sufficient strength to hold the soft cellular plastic foam together as a unit. The soft foam core is preferably a urethane foam and enables the formation of balls which have a performance similar to regulation baseballs and softballs and yet will not produce a substantial risk of injury to players or risk of property damage. Examples of balls having a circumference ranging from 9 to 16 inches, a weight ranging from 3.25 to 8.

Abstract: A durable, composite safety ball is disclosed which is formed with a soft, resilient, substantially closed-cell plastic foam core. The safety ball, including the cover, has a type A durometer less than about 60 and preferably in the range of about 25 to about 45. Preferably the core is surrounded by an inner skin which is formed to substantially prevent the entry of water into the foam of the core and, together with an outer heavy, tightly knit nylon cover, to provide sufficient strength to hold the soft cellular plastic foam together as a unit. The soft foam core is preferably a urethane foam and enables the formation of balls which have a performance similar to regulation baseballs and softballs and yet will not produce a substantial risk of injury to players or risk of property damage. The composite safety ball is also sting-free and has a long useful life.