Abstract: A batting tee is provided that includes a base to which a post is removably mounted. The post includes an upper, distal end for supporting a ball at a height convenient for a batter to hit, and a lower, proximal end to engage the base. The base includes a member that is spring-biased into engagement with the post, the post including an aperture. The aperture removably receives the member so that the post may be released from the base by pulling the member against the spring bias, and the post can be engaged with the base by releasing the member, permitting spring bias to move the member into engagement with the aperture.

Abstract: A machine for throwing balls is provided that can accurately adjust the vertical height or pitch and the lateral placement or yaw of balls being thrown. The machine includes a pitch housing, a threaded pitch adjustment shaft rotatably mounted to the pitch housing, a pitch yoke threadably mounted to the pitch adjustment shaft, a yaw housing to which the pitch housing is fixed, and a threaded yaw adjustment shaft rotatably mounted to the yaw housing. Also included is a yaw yoke mounted to the yaw housing and to the yaw adjustment shaft, and a stand to which the yaw housing is rotatably mounted.

Abstract: A machine for throwing balls is provided that includes a pitch housing, a rotatable threaded pitch adjustment shaft rotatably mounted to the pitch housing, a pitch yoke threadably mounted to the pitch adjustment shaft to travel with respect to the pitch adjustment shaft as the pitch adjustment shaft is rotated, a pitch pivot arm having proximal and central portions, the proximal portion of the pitch pivot arm being pivotally mounted at a pivot point, the pitch yoke being mounted to the central portion of the pitch pivot arm, at least one rotary wheel mounted to the pitch pivot arm such that the pitch yoke is mounted to the pitch pivot arm between the pivot point and the rotary wheel mounting, and at least one motor coupled to the at least one rotary wheel and configured to rotate the at least one rotary wheel to throw the ball toward an athlete. A method may also be provided for precisely adjusting, along a first plane, a throw by a throwing machine.

Abstract: A base for a batting tee may be provided that includes a first and a second base half that are pivotally mounted to each other such that they can pivot from an open position to one with the two halves flush against one another. The base may also include at least one batting tee mount disposed on at least one of the base halves. Each base half may define an aperture at complementing positions so that a hand hole is defined and extends through each base half for carrying the base when the base halves are flush against each other.

Abstract: A base for a batting tee may be provided that includes a first and a second base half that are pivotally mounted to each other such that they can pivot from an open position to one with the two halves flush against one another. The base may also include at least one batting tee mount disposed on at least one of the base halves. Each base half may define an aperture at complementing positions so that a hand hole is defined and extends through each base half for carrying the base when the base halves are flush against each other.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a ball throwing machine including a motor coupled to a rotary wheel and configured to rotate the rotary wheel at a rotational speed to throw a ball forward toward an athlete. A speed control module may be coupled to the motor and configured to rotate the rotary wheel, via the motor, at a first rotational speed during a fastball setting and a second rotational speed during a changeup setting. The speed control module may determine the second rotational speed based on the first rotational speed so that a ball thrown by the ball throwing machine will arrive in a target zone when the ball throwing machine is in the fastball setting and the changeup setting. In some embodiments, the speed control module may utilize resistive braking to transition the rotary wheel from the first rotational speed to the second rotational speed.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a ball throwing machine including a motor coupled to a rotary wheel and configured to rotate the rotary wheel at a rotational speed to throw a ball forward toward an athlete. A speed control module may be coupled to the motor and configured to rotate the rotary wheel, via the motor, at a first rotational speed during a fastball setting and a second rotational speed during a changeup setting. The speed control module may determine the second rotational speed based on the first rotational speed so that a ball thrown by the ball throwing machine will arrive in a target zone when the ball throwing machine is in the fastball setting and the changeup setting.

Abstract: Embodiments of systems, apparatuses, articles, methods, and tires for throwing machines are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

Abstract: A collapsible backstop for stopping and collecting balls is provided that includes a rigid, collapsible, peripheral structure having a plurality of frame members that can be snugly and removably fit to each other to form the peripheral structure. Frame members may be interconnected with a cord to facilitate reassembly. Also included is a web formed of flexible material. A plurality of engagement members are provided for removably mounting the web to the structure to form the backstop. Finally, a rigid base to which the structure is removably mounted is also included. The base may include a plurality of base components that may be removably connected to each other, but interconnected with one or more additional cords, again, to facilitate reassembly. A method of assembling and disassembling such a collapsible backstop may also be provided.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a ball throwing machine including a motor coupled to a rotary wheel and configured to rotate the rotary wheel at a rotational speed to throw a ball forward toward an athlete. A speed control module may be coupled to the motor and configured to rotate the rotary wheel, via the motor, at a first rotational speed during a fastball setting and a second rotational speed during a changeup setting. The speed control module may determine the second rotational speed based on the first rotational speed so that a ball thrown by the ball throwing machine will arrive in a target zone when the ball throwing machine is in the fastball setting and the changeup setting.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a ball throwing machine including a motor coupled to a rotary wheel and configured to rotate the rotary wheel at a rotational speed to throw a ball forward toward an athlete. A speed control module may be coupled to the motor and configured to rotate the rotary wheel, via the motor, at a first rotational speed during a fastball setting and a second rotational speed during a changeup setting. The speed control module may determine the second rotational speed based on the first rotational speed so that a ball thrown by the ball throwing machine will arrive in a target zone when the ball throwing machine is in the fastball setting and the changeup setting. In some embodiments, the speed control module may utilize resistive braking to transition the rotary wheel from the first rotational speed to the second rotational speed.

Abstract: Embodiments of systems, apparatuses, articles, methods, and tires for throwing machines are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pitching machine arranged specifically to pitch small diameter balls utilized in baseball and softball training and practice exercises for increasing a batter's proficiency for regular batting play. The pitching machine includes a body housing one or more electric motors to turn one or more wheels which, in turn, can project a ball toward a batter. The pitching machine includes a feeder tube configured to capture and store a number of balls for use with the pitching machine, and which can be reversibly attached to the pitching machine for automatic feeding of stored balls to the one or more wheels. In the illustrated embodiment, the machine is configured to pitch balls smaller than standard baseballs or softballs.

Abstract: A ball throwing machine includes a frame mounting a pair of rotary wheels provided with substantially identical pneumatic tires preferably made of non-marking rubber or synthetic elastomer and each having a diameter ranging between about 6-14 inches (15-35 cm); a wall depth ranging between about 1-4 inches (2.5-10 cm); and a footprint ranging between about 0.25-6 inches (0.6-15 cm). The frame mounts a pair of electric motors each associated with one of the rotary wheels for rotating the latter, and the frame may support a battery source of electric potential for the electric motors.

Abstract: The ball throwing apparatus of this invention is formed of a flat main frame plate which mounts a rotary ball throwing wheel and a confronting pad spaced from the wheel slightly less than the diameter of a ball to be thrown. The pad is mounted for adjusting said space for alternatively engaging and throwing baseballs and softballs. The main frame plate is mounted on the upper end of a vertical post by a first pivot for adjustable rotation about a horizontal axis for adjusting the curvature of flight of a thrown ball. The lower end of the post is mounted on a second pivot for rotation about a horizontal axis perpendicular to the first pivot for adjusting the trajectory of flight of a thrown ball, the bearing for the second pivot is mounted on a leg supporting cup for rotation about a vertical axis for adjusting the horizontal direction of a thrown ball.

Abstract: The ball throwing apparatus of this invention is formed of a flat main frame plate which mounts a rotary ball throwing wheel and a confronting pad spaced from the wheel slightly less than the diameter of a ball to be thrown. The pad is mounted for adjusting said space for alternatively engaging and throwing baseballs and softballs. The main frame plate is mounted on the upper end of a vertical post by a first pivot for adjustable rotation about a horizontal axis for adjusting the curvature of flight of a thrown ball. The lower end of the post is mounted on a second pivot for rotation about a horizontal axis perpendicular to the first pivot for adjusting the trajectory of flight of a thrown ball, the bearing for the second pivot is mounted on a leg supporting cup for rotation about a vertical axis for adjusting the horizontal direction of a thrown ball.

Abstract: The ball throwing machine of this invention includes a vertical base plate mounting a wheel support plate for pivotal movement about a pivot axis which defines an arcuate slot in the base plate through which a clamp bolt extends from the wheel support plate. The wheel support plate mounts top and bottom pneumatic tired wheels for rotation to grip a ball between them and project it forward. An electrical control circuit affords adjustment of wheel rotational speed by a single rotary switch and also allows selection of a variety of types of pitches by a single rotary switch. The electrical circuit also provides for the setting of a differential rotational speed between the top and bottom wheels, for optimum quality of pitching control, and also provides for limiting the minimum and maximum wheel rotating speeds to achieve realistic pitching speed range.

Abstract: A ball throwing machine which includes a tripod leg support is provided with the rearwardly positioned leg formed as a pair of telescopic sections. Rack and pinion components are mounted one on each leg section and the pinion is operated by a crank to effect lengthening or shortening the telescopic sections, to effect an incremental change in the trajectory of a ball thrown by the machine.