Abstract: Practice batting of baseballs or the like is facilitated by apparatus having a gently inclined ball feeding trough from which balls drop onto a more steeply inclined ball acceleration chute. The chute has an upcurving lower end that directs the balls into a trajectory that initially extends upward and outward from the device. The lower end of the trough extends into a trough support at the upper end of the chute and is maintained in the operating position by pins on the trough or trough support which extend into slots on the other of the two components. The slot configuration enables pivoting of the trough towards the chute after a short longitudinal movement of the trough. This enables shipping, carrying and storage of the device in a much more compact form. Such compaction and set up of the apparatus prior to use does not require removal and reinstallation of threaded bolts, screws or the like.