Abstract: A transmitter in a member (e.g. bat) transmits signals when a switch on the bat is pressed. A pop-up apparatus receives the signals. A member in the apparatus prevents an element (e.g. ball) from being popped upwardly in a first positioning of the member and provides for the element pop-up in a second positioning of the member. Normally disposed in the first position, the member is operable to the second position by the received signals. The apparatus includes a housing and a bin pivotally coupled to the housing to hold the element. The bin provides for a substantially vertical element pop-up in a first pivotal position and for an element pop-up with a horizontal component in a second position. In the vertical pop-up, a player hits the ball with the bat. In the other pop-up, the player catches the ball.

Abstract: A light weight, pressurized hitting implement, such as a baseball bat, is disclosed that has a one piece outer shell having both a striking portion and a handle portion. The striking portion end of the outer shell furthest from the handle portion is open and a tubular element is inserted therein and pressurized to provide improved rigidity and rebound to the hitting implement. There is a support means cap attached to the open end of the striking portion to provide protection against splitting of the open end of the hitting implement during use, and to retain the pressurized tubular element inside the outer shell of the hitting implement.

Abstract: A propulsion member (e.g. a bat) has an external switch and an internally disposed transistor which transmits signals when the switch is manually closed. A receiver in a tee mechanism receives the signals and causes a tee in the mechanism to move upwardly from a rest position to an operative position. As the tee moves upwardly to the operative position, an element (e.g. a wiffle ball) moves on a ramp to a supportive position at the top of the tee. When the tee is in the operative position, a player holding the propulsion member swings the member against the ball. This is helpful to young children (e.g. eight (8) years old or younger) in learning how to hit a baseball.

Abstract: An illuminated throwing toy is provided which is adapted to be thrown by a user for a flight through the air. The toy includes a hollow, inflatable, football-shaped head portion made of a flexible, translucent material, that is centered about a longitudinal axis, an elongate tail portion with fins that extend axially rearward from the head portion along the longitudinal axis, and a coupling, which interconnects the head and tail portions and allows the portions to be movable relative to each other, particularly to be rotatably movable about the longitudinal axis. The tail portion has a front section that is permanently affixed to rear of the football-shaped head portion and a rear section that comprises fins. The front section is permanently attached to the rear of the head portion and the rear section is removably attached to the front section.

Abstract: An illuminated game ball for use in playing a game at night. The ball includes a translucent outer wall that can be tinted with various colors, a light with rechargeable power source mounted in the interior of the ball, and an electrical connector mounted substantially flush with the outer surface of the ball that is connected to the power source. When it is desired to illuminate the ball for nighttime play an electrical power source is plugged into the connector for a short time to charge the rechargeable power source which then discharges through the light to illuminate same.

Abstract: A transmitter in a member (e.g. bat) transmits signals when a switch on the bat is pressed. A pop-up apparatus receives the signals. A member in the apparatus prevents an element (e.g. ball) from being popped upwardly in a first positioning of the member and provides for the element pop-up in a second positioning of the member. Normally disposed in the first position, the member is operable to the second position by the received signals. The apparatus includes a housing and a bin pivotally coupled to the housing to hold the element. The bin provides for a substantially vertical element pop-up in a first pivotal position and for an element pop-up with a horizontal component in a second position. In the vertical pop-up, a player hits the ball with the bat. In the other pop-up, the player catches the ball.

Abstract: A propulsion member (e.g. a bat) has an external switch and an internally disposed transistor which transmits signals when the switch is manually closed. A receiver in a tee mechanism receives the signals and causes a tee in the mechanism to move upwardly from a rest position to an operative position. As the tee moves upwardly to the operative position, an element (e.g. a wiffle ball) moves on a ramp to a supportive position at the top of the tee. When the tee is in the operative position, a player holding the propulsion member swings the member against the ball. This is helpful to young children (e.g. eight (8) years old or younger) in learning how to hit a baseball.

Abstract: Hitting practice training equipment is disclosed having an hitting instrument such as a bat paddle or racket, an apparatus for propelling a game piece such as a ball or puck in front of an individual holding the hitting instrument, and a transmitter remote from the hitting instrument for initiating the propelling apparatus to propel a game piece in front of the individual. The propelling apparatus includes a receiver for receiving signals transmitted by the transmitter to initiate a game piece being propelled in front of the individual. The individual actuates the transmitter when they wish to initiate the operation of the game piece propelling apparatus, and may send different signals from the transmitter to propel a game piece in a different manner for each of the different signals. The individual may also activate the transmitter using voice commands.