Abstract: A baseball batting-training apparatus includes a base plate having a plurality of upright stub tubes, a telescopic stick selectively inserted into one of the upright stub tubes and adapted to hold a ball for batting, and a lock nut threaded onto the selected upright stub tube to lock the telescopic stick in position.

Abstract: The unitary structure includes a rear frame member from which oppositely disposed side frame members extend forwardly. Laterally extending forward frame members are provided on the side frame members to define batting boxes for left and right hand batters. A pair of upstanding spaced apart posts are mounted on the rear frame member and include a center line extending forwardly through the strike zone. The guidepost adjacent the batter helps to define a swing path.

Abstract: A soccer kicking training device used for placement on a surface and for allowing a soccer ball to be kicked thereof. The soccer ball kicking training device includes a base with stationary base connector and horizontal and vertical members, two ball holder means, a height adjustment means, and a ball. The base is supported by a surface in a horizontal plane with weighted material used to help stabilize the device. The stationary base connector is attached to the base and provides height adjustment. A vertical member and horizontal member slides freely inside the stationary base connector, which provides further height adjustments to the soccer kicking training device. A top and side ball holder by which a ball can be mounted and/or attached, by which a player standing on a surface can kick a stationary ball. The soccer kicking training device has quick setup and is easily transportable to and from the soccer field.

Abstract: A baseball training aid includes a hollow tubular member rotatably positioned on an adjustable height stand, for use in practice batting. The hollow tubular member is adjustably positioned to guide a bat during the initial movement of the bat by the batter. The apparatus can be configured as a bat guide, as a ball support, and for aligning the batting swing of a batter. A swing tube is pivotally secured to the base of the powertube apparatus, and may be adjustably positioned in relation to the hollow tubular member. A ball may be placed upon either the swing tube or on the hollow tubular member. The apparatus improves the power developed during a swing, by guiding the initial part of a swing in a forward direction, before the bat is rotated to meet the ball. The apparatus may be adjusted to suit the height and batting stance of the batter, and the hollow tubular member may be rotatably positioned and releasably secured to suit the needs of a variety of batters.

Abstract: An automated batting tee apparatus includes a housing having a top opening, a ball dispensing mechanism for feeding balls one at a time to above the top opening, a ball holder tube forming a batting tee disposed upright in the housing and aligned with the top opening thereof and having an upper end portion for receiving a ball and a lower end portion spaced below the upper end portion, and a drive mechanism arranged upright in the housing externally of and alongside the ball holder tube for vertically moving the ball holder tube and actuating the ball dispensing mechanism. The housing includes a base that rest on the ground and an enclosure having an inner shell on the base and an outer shell slidably mounted over the inner shell and adjustable to different vertical positions relative to the inner shell to adjust the height of the upper end portion of the ball holder tube above the ground.

Abstract: A batting tee in which the mount for the ball is positioned lower than the other components of the batting tee to encourage a level swing at the ball and to protect the mount from damage from the impact of a bat. The batting tee includes a base, an upright, and a swing arm, the mount for the ball being integral with the end of the swing arm opposite the end mounted to the upright. The swing arm is preferably pivotally and telescopically received in the upright so that the position of the ball can be varied.

Abstract: An insertable adapter for use with batting-T's which is translucent, flexible and designed to more faithfully reflect and promote proper mechanics of swinging a traditional baseball bat, therefore hitting a ball thrown through the air.

Abstract: An automatic teeing apparatus for a ball. A ball, preferably a baseball or softball, is affixed to one end of an elastic cord such as, for example, a “bungee” cord. The opposing end of the elastic cord is affixed to a stable platform or base plate adapted to support the teeing apparatus on the ground. The length of the elastic cord between the ball and the base portion is coaxially housed within a hollow, substantially cylindrical flexible pedestal mounted in a vertically upright position on the base portion. In a preferred embodiment of the device, the pedestal, the height of which is telescopically adjustable, includes a coil spring having a lower end rigidly affixed to the base portion and an upper end in opposition thereto. A rigid cylindrical tubular member has a lower end, which is concentrically disposed within the upper end of the coil spring and is adjustably attached thereto to permit telescopic adjustment of the tubular member within the coil spring.

Abstract: A durable batting tee utilizes an adjustable compression nut to provide a range of adjustable heights for extensible vertical pipes, and an inverted flexible cone atop the vertical pipes upon which a baseball is placed for hitting, such that the compression nut will maintain the rubber cone at a predetermined height, and the flexible cone will maintain its integrity throughout a lifetime of repeated strikes with a baseball bat. The baseplate is dimensioned and weighted to hold the tee upright during normal use, and to permit tipping when subjected to errant swings of a bat.

Abstract: A stand for a vertical pole support for a tether ball type game includes a base which can contain ballast and a lid, through which the pole passes and a formation on its floor for receiving the end of the pole. The lid and base are attached by a two stage attachment arrangement. The first stage includes inter-engageable tongue and groove formations which are capable of attachment and detachment by application of finger pressure, and the second stage includes locking devices at points around the periphery of the base container for a positive lock of the lid to the base, so that the first stage cannot be broken other than by the use of excessive force having regard to the conventional use of the stand.

Abstract: A device for practicing striking a standard sports ball that also has means to be held, particularly by magnetic or magnet-attractable materials located beneath the ballcover and not exposed to the atmosphere. The ball is usually retained on a minor portion of the upper 75 percent (relative to vertical) of the outer surface of the suspended ball so that its propelled trajectory and the striker's path are essentially not hindered before, during and after the strike and release against gravity and released upon sufficient impact. A ball contains means for both retaining and releasing itself from a mating pivotable, attachment arm that is generally downwardly supported to allow the ball to be suspended above the ground, be struck, released and propelled in a preferred downward trajectory, e.g. a volleyball spike.

Abstract: A batting tee device for training a batter to contact a pitched baseball only along an optimal line of contact, the batting tee including a tee member for holding a ball to batted above a ground surface and a base member for supporting the tee member in a generally vertical position relative to the ground surface. The tee member includes a ball support member disposed at a free end thereof and the base member includes a portion representing a baseball home-plate. The batting tee is adapted to allow at least the ball support member of the tee member to be selectively located only along a single predetermined optimal line of contact located relative to the portion of the base member representing the baseball home-plate for left-handed or right-handed batters.

Abstract: The powered, moveable hitting tee of the instant invention is basically made up of a vertical tee, a reciprocating, horizontally disposed rod supporting the vertical tee, and a drive assembly or mechanism that is coupled to horizontally disposed rod to move the vertical tee towards the player. A moveable sled or carriage assembly movably supports the horizontally disposed rod. In one embodiment, a motor and pulley assembly is used for rotating a drive belt, which in turn moves the sled, the rod and the vertical tee. In another embodiment, a chain drive is used for moving the sled, the rod and the vertical tee. In another embodiment, a lead screw is used for moving the sled, the rod and the vertical tee. The particular structure that moves the vertical tee is not critical to the basic concept of the present invention. Rather, it will be apparent from this disclosure that various drive mechanisms can be made used to move the vertical tee towards the player.

Abstract: A ball tossing or teeing device (20) includes a housing (21) which carries an operating mechanism (22). A pedal (30) is depressible to actuate the operating mechanism (22) such that upon a single depression and release of pedal (30), the operating mechanism (22) launches a ball and positions another ball in place for launching. A chute (24) can be attached to the housing (21) and carries a tee (25). When the chute (24) is attached to the housing (21), the ball will move up the chute (24) and be placed on the tee (25) upon activation of the operating mechanism (22).

Abstract: A batting tee device for training a batter to contact a pitched baseball only along an optimal line of contact, the batting tee including a tee member for holding a ball to batted above a ground surface and a base member for supporting the tee member in a generally vertical position relative to the ground surface. The tee member includes a ball support member disposed at a free end thereof and the base member includes a portion representing a baseball home-plate. The batting tee is adapted to allow at least the ball support member of the tee member to be selectively located only along a single predetermined optimal line of contact located relative to the portion of the base member representing the baseball home-plate for left-handed or right-handed batters.

Abstract: A football training and evaluation apparatus has a frame, a contacting element, and a force transferring member connected to the frame and the contacting element. A measuring-signaling element is connected to the force transferring member and is adapted to measure the force subjected on the force transferring member in response to an impact force subjected onto the contacting element and deliver a signal "S" responsive to said measurement. A visual signaling apparatus is connected to the frame and adapted to be actuateable and moveable in response to actuation.

Abstract: A practice tee for holding a tennis ball, has a base, a flexible stem extending upward from the base, and an upwardly opening cup at the upper end of the cup. The stem has sufficient flexibility to bend in response to the impact of a tennis racket hitting a tennis ball held by the cup so as to not damage the racket.

Abstract: A "baseball hitting exerciser" serving as both a hitting exerciser and a home base plate, including a flexible post, a connecting tube, a fixing tube, an anti-dust cover and a bottom cover. On the bottom end of the fixing tube is a neck connected to a push block; the push block serves to push the anti-dust plate that is compressed by the springs inside the fixing hole, so the push block may be turned and accommodated inside the wing plate troughs in the fixing hole; then, the fixing tube is fixed inside the fixing hole. If the connecting tube is turned again, the bias force of the springs pushing on the anti-dust cover will push the push block away from the fixing hole; so the base plate is restored to the shape of a normal base plate; so the base runner can safely use the base.

Abstract: A practice batting tee that includes a base having a first shaft mounted on a sliding member which slides from side to side on the base. The height of the first shaft is adjustable. Rotatably mounted on top of the first shaft are two baseballs connected by a rod. The base also has a recessed region for receiving an adjustable platform. A second shaft and a third shaft are mounted on the adjustable platform and adjusted to teach the hitter to swing in a slight downward motion. The second shaft and third shaft may be coupled together using a sliding member attached to the top of the first and second shaft. The second and third shaft are connected to a platform that can be moved towards or away from the first shaft and can be moved clockwise or counter-clockwise in order to be "in line" with the first shaft.

Abstract: The present invention provides a baseball support device for holding a baseball in position for batting practice. The device has a base shaped like home plate. A first support strut is engagable with an engagement lip on the base such that the first support strut extends upwardly in a vertical attitude. A swing arm assembly, having a second support strut and a third support strut connected by an integral horizontal arm, is rotatably engaged with the first support strut, either by the second or third support strut. The horizontal arm terminates with a ball holder at either end. The base includes a handle and an three battery type clips for holding the first support strut and the swing arm assembly when the invention is disassembled for travel or storage.

Abstract: A multiple-adjustable batting tee includes base and tube assemblies. The base assembly includes a base plate and a rotating plate. The rotating plate is rotatably mounted on the base plate by an axle subassembly. The tube assembly includes telescopically interconnected first and second tubes. The first tube is concentrically mounted on the rotating plate.

Abstract: A device for practicing striking a standard sports ball that also has means to be held against gravity and released upon sufficient impact. A ball contains means for both retaining and releasing itself from a mating pivotable, attachment arm that is generally downwardly supported to allow the ball to be suspended above the ground, be struck, released and propelled in a preferred downward trajectory, e.g. a volleyball spike. The ball is usually retained on a minor portion of the upper 75 percent (relative to vertical) of the outer surface of the suspended ball so that its propelled trajectory and the striker's path are essentially not hindered before, during and after the strike and release.

Abstract: An adjustable ball support device for holding a ball stationary in an elevated position in order that the ball may be struck by a bat, club or the like. The device has particular utility for supporting a baseball in a number of positions to enable the ball to be struck by a baseball bat. The ball support device is easily adjustable and is less susceptible to damage than prior devices. The ball support device which is easily assembled and disassembled and is relatively compact when disassembled.

Abstract: The powered, movable hitting tee made up of a vertical tee, a reciprocating, horizontally-disposed rod supporting the vertical tee, a movable sled or carriage assembly within which the reciprocating rod is mounted, a drive belt or, in the alternative, a chain and sprocket assembly arranged parallel to and in operable contact with the rod, thus engaging the rod and driving the same, a motor for rotating the drive belt or chain, thus to move the sled, rod and vertical tee, and a box enclosure for all the components of the invention, save for a portion of the reciprocating rod and the vertical tee. The rod free-end and the base of the vertical tee are, in a first embodiment, only loosely, frictionally interfitted together so that, should the vertical tee be accidentally struck, then it will simply fall off of the rod, without damage to any of the parts of the invention. The vertical tee may include a rather rigid lower segment and a somewhat flexible upper segment made of memory-retentive material (e.g.

Abstract: A sport training apparatus for projecting a ball into the air for training an athlete in the proper technique of hitting or catching the ball. The apparatus includes ball projecting means and a spring connected thereto for movement between a cocked state and an actuated state. The spring is held in the cocked state by a partial vacuum automatically developed within an air chamber which is created when a piston enters a cylinder. To cock the apparatus for use, the ball projecting means is pushed down which, in turn, causes the piston to enter the cylinder and create the air chamber. A check valve is connected to the air chamber to provide unrestricted air exit from the air chamber as the piston enters the cylinder. A pneumatic control release is connected to the air chamber for allowing ambient air to enter the air chamber for releasing some or all of the partial vacuum to actuate the spring thereby causing the ball projecting means to propel the ball into the air where it can be hit or caught by the athlete.

Abstract: A batting practice device wherein a vertically disposed leaf spring supports a ball securely affixed to its top end. The spring limits movement to a single plane and thereby automatically prevents a batter, standing to one side of the devices, from being struck by the ball or spring upon batting the ball. The use of a leaf spring also provides for a substantial service life.

Abstract: A batting practice device includes a base frame, a flexible tube having a lower portion fixedly mounted on the base frame, and a target object detachably mounted on the upper portion of the flexible tube.

Abstract: A game apparatus having a plurality of game pieces to be pulled, kicked or struck for removal from a base. The base includes a sound emitting circuit to indicate removal of the game piece from the base.

Abstract: An automatic batting tee apparatus includes a housing having a top opening, a chute for feeding balls one at a time to above the top opening, a drive member mounted upright in the housing for rotation about a vertical axis aligned with the top opening, and a tube disposed upright in the housing surrounding the drive member and aligned with the top opening. The tube is drivingly engaged with the drive member and coupled to the housing so that in response to rotation of the drive member in one and the other of opposite rotational directions the tube will undergo upward and downward reciprocal movement along the vertical axis relative to the rotating drive member through a ball receiving and positioning cycle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a golf ball teeing apparatus. The apparatus is adapted to rotate about a frame and deliver golf balls to be automatically teed. The golf ball elevating apparatus is a levered system which positively loads and elevates golf balls above the platform. The golf ball delivery apparatus includes a golf ball magazine adapted to deliver golf balls to a delivery chute while preventing jamming of the golf balls.

Abstract: A simple training device to teach a baseball batter to utilize a proper batting position. The training device is a mat marked with a first indicia designating home plate and a plurality of second indicia showing sequential segments for the batter to place his feet. The mat further includes a pressure sensitive area for temporarily indicating the position of the batter subsequent to the swing of the bat. The mat may be used alone to achieve a proper batting stance and proper foot positioning in relation to home plate or with at least one measuring means for measuring a point located in the strike zone of the batter identifying the height of a level swing of the bat. This measured specific distance correlates to a proper distance from home plate the batter should position himself to hit the ball with the "power zone" of the bat with a full arm extension of the leading arm. The training device teaches the novice batter the most advantageous position to consistently hit the ball with the bat.

Abstract: The present invention provides for projecting supported objects, such as baseballs, footballs or golf balls. The apparatus includes a movable striker having a first surface (a target surface) for receiving a force, and a second surface (a projecting surface) for projecting the object, with the object being supported by a supporting surface. The supporting surface may be a portion of the second (projecting) surface or another surface on the striker, or alternatively may be a portion of a support member separate from the striker. The target surface receives a force from the user, the force being subsequently transmitted through the striker to the supported object via the projecting surface. The striker may be movably coupled to a base, with the striker being limited to fore-and-aft movement relative to the base, so that the object will be projected forwardly in a predetermined direction even if the target surface is not struck in a squarely forward direction.

Abstract: A bat swing guide. The guide includes a vertical support member and an arcuate guide attached at one end to the vertical support member. The arcuate guide is generally semi-circular and may be positioned to accommodate either a righthanded or lefthanded hitter. A pivoting tee is attached to the vertical support member for supporting a ball. An adjustable bat stop is attached to the distal end of the arcuate guide.

Abstract: A ball tossing device includes a ball tossing mechanism for mechanically tossing a ball into the air, a timer assembly, and a remote manual actuating mechanism for remotely actuating the timer assembly for releasing the ball tossing mechanism to toss the ball into the air upon the expiration of a predetermined time interval. The device further includes a launching tube which is alternatively positionable in a first position for launching the ball in a vertical direction or a second position for launching the ball in an upward and outward direction.