Abstract: An automatic pin setting machine having a striker which periodically passes through the flow path of the pins and ball on the way to their elevating wheels and which removes the ball from the flow path without interrupting the flow of pins. The striker preferably moves downwardly and rearwardly as it approaches the position where it normally engages the ball and then moves upwardly and forwardly. The striker is also preferably driven in timed relation to the pin elevating mechanism. In the embodiment shown and described, the striker rotates about a stub shaft having a longitudinally centerline which extends forwardly and downwardly at an angle to the centerline of the ball elevating wheel.