Abstract: An improved retention system for retaining fuel rods in a fuel assembly is disclosed. The retention system includes a plurality of first engagement surfaces on the bottom nozzle of a fuel assembly. There is at least one engagement surface for each fuel rod. A second engagement surface is formed on the bottom end plug of each fuel rod. The first and second engagement surfaces are configured for engagement with each other for axially and laterally retaining each fuel rod within the fuel assembly. Debris deflectors may also be provided to deflect debris from coolant channels surrounding the fuel rods.

Abstract: Adjustable pitching platform allows for users such as coaches to automatically and selectively adjust trajectories of balls being pitched by ball dispensing machines. The platform can be positioned beneath a stand for supporting machines for dispensing balls, such as softballs, baseballs, and tennis balls. The platform can have two sandwiched layers with the top layer have a rearward extending tab. The top layer can pivot up and down relative to the bottom layer, and the top layer can also swivel relative to the bottom layer, so that depressing the tab raises the front of the pitching machine, and moving the tab side-to-side rotates the pitching machine for changing the pitched ball trajectories over the vertical and horizontal axes. The platform allows for the machine to continuously pitch balls along different trajectories between each of the pitches without having to physically handle and move the machine, and without causing delay times between the pitched balls.