Abstract: A modular spa comprises a spa shell that includes at least one support member integrally molded therewith, and a support frame supporting the spa shell at the support members. The support frame consists of a number of elongate polymeric support struts that are secured to the support members. The spa shell is typically molded from a composite acrylic/ABS sheet, and has a substantially upright side wall and a rim extending outwardly from the side wall. The rim is integrally molded with and substantially surrounds the support member. The support member is typically a metal or polymeric extrusion, and includes a substantially vertical surface and a flange extending outwardly from the vertical surface. The rim includes a substantially vertical rim face having a lip that surrounds the flange. The spa is enclosed by a cabinet that is secured to the outer surface of the spa shell, below the lip.

Abstract: A baseball is desirably blasted with an abrasive material to attain a sufficient level of de-slicking. Baseballs are desirably delivered one at a time to a support and rotated while being sprayed with abrasive material from plural directions. Used abrasive material may be collected and recycled for reuse. Baseballs in a hopper are delivered one at a time in one embodiment to a support by selectively aligning an opening in a rotatable hopper element with an opening in a second element to permit the passage of a baseball through the second element and to the support at an appropriate time. Desirably, baseballs are ejected from the support following de-slicking, such as using an ejection lever or wand that is actuated by a timing rod to eject the baseball from the support ahead of the delivery of the next baseball to the support.

Abstract: A modular spa comprises a spa shell that includes at least one support member integrally molded therewith, and a support frame supporting the spa shell at the support members. The support frame consists of a number of elongate polymeric support struts that are secured to the support members. The spa shell is typically molded from a composite acrylic/ABS sheet, and has a substantially upright side wall and a rim extending outwardly from the side wall. The rim is integrally molded with and substantially surrounds the support member. The support member is typically a metal or polymeric extrusion, and includes a substantially vertical surface and a flange extending outwardly from the vertical surface. The rim includes a substantially vertical rim face having a lip that surrounds the flange. The spa is enclosed by a cabinet that is secured to the outer surface of the spa shell, below the lip.