Abstract: A ball practice device includes: a base member having a plurality of branch leg members branched from the base member, a plurality of cushioning pads each cushioning pad which may be a sandbag worn or secured on an end portion of each branch leg member of the base member, a telescopic post erected on a central portion of the base member, and a ball secured to the telescopic post by a connector, whereby upon batting or striking of the ball, the vibractional shock caused by the impact force for batting the ball will be dampened or depressed by the plurality of the cushioning pads for absorbing shock for preventing injury to the ball practice player.

Abstract: A portable ball batting practice apparatus for attachment to a pre-existing support includes an elongated member having two ends. The elongated member is attached at one of its ends to two tethers. The first tether is resilient and the second tether is a fixed-length tether. Both ends of the two tethers not attached to the elongated member are secured to a single ball. Incorporated into the elongated member is a releasable anchoring system for attaching the elongated member to the support.

Abstract: A shortened unitary golf tee includes a pointed base portion for insertion into the ground and a hollow body portion for receiving a golf ball. The body portion includes a side wall defining an inner cavity and a ball receipt surface which substantially surrounds a first aperture extending into the inner cavity. The side wall also defines a second smaller aperture, or vent, extending through the side wall into the inner cavity. Regardless of the location of the second aperture, if air is allowed to flow freely into the inner cavity, it is thought to minimize the effects of depressurization between the golf tee and an accelerating golf ball departing the golf tee so that the golf tee tends to remain stationary and the golf ball retains more momentum from the golf club.

Abstract: A collapsible game goal, such as for lacrosse, has joints at the intersections of the uprights with the crossbar and the lower frame members. The net is configured such that a portion of the net is installed inside the frame members. The goal can therefore be easily collapsed, such as for transport to a different location. The goal can then be easily put in place, by unfolding the frame members.

Abstract: A golf tee and a method of adjusting the golf tee to different heights. The golf tee has different sized body sections that are separable and may be reattachable. The top different sized section has a golf ball supporting concavity. The tee can be used both outdoors on natural grass and indoors on artificial turf. Outdoors, for high wind conditions, the top different sized section would be separated from the rest of the tee body and only the top section would be used to tee the ball, thus effectively lowering the ball. A lower trajectory is imparted to the ball causing less interaction with the wind. For low or no wind conditions, the full tee or several different sized parts of the tee are used to tee the ball at a greater height for a higher flight trajectory. For indoor use, different sized sections are removable to mimic outdoor shots in various wind conditions. Rubber feet and spikes can be added to the tee to position the tee.

Abstract: Ball bats of composite construction. These bats have a wooden handle and barrel and a metal sleeve which surrounds the barrel. The interaction between the sleeve and barrel keeps a batter's hands from being stung and/or the bat from being broken when a ball is struck.

Abstract: A pitcher's practice cage consists of a compactly-foldable fabric-covered tubular structure which provides a large ball-gathering area, within which hangs a target marked with areas whose striking "calls" the pitch, and a ball-collecting sloping back wall and floor which accumulates pitched balls. Bows which support the canvas cover, one bow rigidly-mounted on short left-and-right support members hinge-mounted closely adjacent to the bow so rigidly supported, permit the entire structure to be folded into a flat "package" for moving and storing.

Abstract: A device for training or breaking in a baseball glove or mitt includes a pair of longitudinal webs or straps that are disposed in spaced apart relationship, and a plurality of lateral webs or straps secured to the longitudinal straps in parallel, spaced apart relationship. The lateral straps are disposed to be secured about the baseball mitt to compress the mitt about a baseball disposed within the pocket of the mitt. An upper lateral strap is disposed to encircle the upper end portion of the mitt, a medial lateral strap is disposed to encircle the medial portion of the mitt, and a lower lateral strap is disposed to encircle the heel portion of the mitt. The lateral straps are formed of a resilient elastic material, and include adjustable fasteners such as hook and loop fabric patches at opposed ends. The fasteners permit the lateral straps to be secured about mitts of various sizes, and the elastic tension of the straps applies a constant constricting force to the mitt.

Abstract: An automatic batting tee apparatus includes a housing having a top opening, a chute for feeding balls one at a time to above the top opening, a drive member mounted upright in the housing for rotation about a vertical axis aligned with the top opening, and a tube disposed upright in the housing surrounding the drive member and aligned with the top opening. The tube is drivingly engaged with the drive member and coupled to the housing so that in response to rotation of the drive member in one and the other of opposite rotational directions the tube will undergo upward and downward reciprocal movement along the vertical axis relative to the rotating drive member through a ball receiving and positioning cycle.

Abstract: The invention is a pool stick in which the slide portion has a triangular cross-section tapering toward the tip.

Abstract: A batting practice apparatus includes a ball, an elongated support arm made from PVC pipe and various PVC fittings, and a strand of flexible material tethering the ball from the support arm. A PVC adapter fitting is provided on the first end portion of the support arm for removably attaching the support arm to a separate mounting member. A PVC tee fitting is provided on the second end portion of the support arm for providing a rotatable structure on the support arm. A PVC plug fitting is secured to the PVC tee fitting, and the strand is secured to the PVC plug fitting. Various mounting members are disclosed to mount the apparatus on various existing support structures, including a post, a chain-link fence, and an umbrella stand base.

Abstract: A baseball instructional device for use teaches a hitter how to properly hit a ball depending on the location at which the ball is thrown by the pitcher. The device is capable of positioning a baseball, softball, or other ball, at proper hitting positions relative to the hitter, thus teaching the hitter when and where to swing to make proper contact with the ball. In addition to positioning the ball relative to the hitter, the device is provided with visual indicators to assist in teaching the hitter the proper location for striking the ball with the bat.

Abstract: An inexpensive, uncomplicated ball throwing apparatus to huff balls for hitting and fielding which includes a frame having a front end and a back end supported by a base. The frame has a firing bar hingeably attached to the frame. A pitching armature having a cup end, a hinged mid-point and an elastic band end is coaxially connected to the firing bar at the pivot hinge. A latching mechanism automatically releases the pitching armature at a firing point and includes a latch that attaches the pitching armature to the firing bar. An elastic firing band connects the elastic band end of the pitching armature and the back end of the frame. A latch release cord connects the latch to the front end of the frame and disengages the latching mechanism to release the pitching armature when the firing bar is pulled to a firing point thereby causing the elastic firing band to force the pitching bar to pivot about the pivot hinge.

Abstract: A machine for employing the recoil effect of four rubber cords (F) to propel balls at a target for hitting by a batter or as a game of accuracy. The rubber cords are secured to two support poles (A) inserted into the ground and stabilized by four guide wires (D) staked at the front and rear of each pole. These guide wires are offset to the outside of each pole about two feet. An alignment device (B) consisting of a 4'.times.5' mat with a line drawn up its center is used to properly align the support poles with a target (C). A harness (G) having a hole in the middle about 1" in diameter or a pouch into which a ball is placed is also attached to the four rubber cords. The harness is folded over the ball and drawn by hand to a aiming rod (E) which is staked at the end of the center line of the alignment device away from the target. By adjusting the aiming rod left or right and aligning the calibrations on the harness (H) with those on the aiming rod (I), accuracy in hitting the target can be achieved.

Abstract: An improved circular pool table comprised of a flat surface rimmed by a ball rebound cushion comprised of a plurality of rubber tipped bumper segments, any one of which can be pivoted to an upright position to expose a segment pocket. Two brackets are superimposed on the table top. Each bracket carries an elongated cushion. The cushions are spaced apart and parallel. A new playing area shape is created where an equal number of segments are left uncovered at its ends. One bracket face displays a plurality of diagramed game plays, in frames. The other bracket face displays a plurality of score indicator units that correspond to the plays. Each segment has a graduated grooved plate fastened to its top surface. The invention supports a new game system. A player, following a diagram, launches a ball onto said playing area via said plate and then shoots to sink the game ball. The opponent must make the same diagramed play and shot. Awarded points are registered on said indicators.

Abstract: A side basketball style backboard with attached hoop and net assembly is herein designed for mounting on both sides of a table tennis style table. The backboard has an upper surface area that can be used to deflect the game ball into the opposing playing area. The backboard is secured to the table by a bracket with screws or bolts as an attachment means. The upper end of the bracket attaches to the backside of the backboard and the lower end of the bracket attaches to the outside edge and the underside of the table. The game ball is made of foam and the ball striking instrument can be selected from a paddle, a racquet with strings or foam mitts with one on each hand.

Abstract: An illuminated pool game including balls each with a spherical shell and hollow spherical interior space. Also included is a plurality of optic fibers having an associated light located within the interior space of each ball. Each optic fiber includes a first end in communication with the interior space of the ball and a second end in communication with an outer surface of the ball for emitting light therefrom. Also included is a pool table comprising a multiplicity of light units each secured within an associated bore formed below a playing surface thereof. Such light units include both motion detection and timer circuitry for simulating an illuminated trail when a ball is rolled thereon. The table further includes a transparent peripheral bumper including a plurality of bulbs for the illumination thereof. A ball return cut out is formed on a side portion of the pool table. The ball return cut out comprises an optic fiber situated along a periphery thereof for illuminating the same.

Abstract: A horizontally-maintained table tennis table which comprises a table tennis table top having two sections, one section being provided with a lateral coupling hole and the other section being provided with a lateral bar, said lateral bar being inserted into the lateral coupling hole to connect the two sections together, locking means for locking the two sections together, level-measuring means provided in the peripheral edges of the table tennis table top, table tennis table legs for supporting the table top, and height-adjusting means provided in the table legs.

Abstract: A racquet sports training device which can be used by one person alone, either indoors or outdoors, and which enables the user to hit a ball with the racquet and have the ball returned to him thereby allowing repeated hitting and even while the user is on the run. An elastic cord is connected at one end to a ball of the type for hitting by the racquet during playing of the particular sport, and there is provided a component for releasably connecting the opposite end of the cord to the racquet. A swivel is connected to the cord in a manner preventing tangling of the cord during use of the training device. As a result, the user can practice hitting the ball with the racquet, and after each time the ball is hit in a direction away from the racquet the elastic cord returns the ball in a direction toward the racquet.

Abstract: A billiard cue having a separate handle and shaft utilizes a quick operating connector to join the handle and shaft. The connector consists of male and female sections which are secured in the ends of the handle and shaft. The male section contains a cylindrical bar having an accurately machined diameter which snugly fits into a cylindrical cavity of the female section which is slightly oversized with respect to the male bar's diameter. The male bar and female cavity are axially aligned in the cue sections, and the bar engages the cavity over a linear distance sufficient to ensure accurate alignment of the handle and shaft when joined. Two flats at the end of the male bar provide a reduced diameter portion of the bar tip which fits between partial bulkheads within the female cavity, allowing insertion of the bar into the cavity.