Abstract: A tennis ball throwing machine includes a support frame for carrying the machine, a pair of round pitching wheels, and a hopper mounted on the frame and above the pitching wheels. A ball chute connects the bottom of the hopper and a launch point that is proximate the point where the pitching wheels are closest together. The ball chute includes a plurality of guide rails that are spaced apart and open between them such that the guide rails are separated but are close enough together that they may support and carry a ball down the chute. The open rails allow for dirt and other debris to fall through the machine and away from the ball chute.