Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for use with a ball throwing machine (e.g., baseball/softball pitching machines, tennis ball serving machines and the like) that may be employed for practice at hitting and/or catching balls thrown. In many conventional systems, such machines have a fixed position and are unable to vary the direction (horizontal) or angle (vertical) at which a ball is thrown. The present invention provides a simple, cost-effective device by which conventional machines may be adapted to provide randomly variable movement of the machine so as to enable a ball to move about a target location in order to simulate a competitive environment.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for the transfer of fluid or fuel, from a reservoir to a container, which may be a tank from which the liquid will be used or a tank in which the liquid will be temporarily stored. The apparatus includes a compliant base element, preferably having a tapered outer diameter and two holes therethrough. The first hole is adapted to sealingly receive one end of a length of tubing whereas the second hole is adapted to receive the intake end of a hand-operated vacuum pump. Upon insertion of the opposite end of the length of tubing into a liquid-filled reservoir, and insertion into and sealing of the compliant base with a container or tank, the pump may be operated to negatively pressurize the tank or container and initiate the flow of liquid from the reservoir to the tank or container.