The present invention relates to a sports apparatus (100). The sports apparatus (100) comprises: a ball holder (102); and a motor (110) arranged to rotate said ball holder (102); wherein an axis of rotation of a drive of the motor (110) is offset from the axis of rotation of the ball holder (102). The sports apparatus (100) is used for practicing football kicking skills.

The invention disclosed comprises an apparatus, method of using, assembling and stowing the apparatus, and a kit including the apparatus and components for training players to achieve lift when kicking a football that requires an angled trajectory. The invention functions to provide a physical point of reference and visual target for a kicker to establish consistent kicking skills and achieve predictable angles. The apparatus is sturdy, easily and reversibly disassembled, and stored as part of a durable, packable kit to organize the required training gear. The method includes a series of steps whereby the apparatus is assembled; a kicker kicks the ball; if the angle of the kick is sufficient to lift the ball over the apparatus it will go over the visual target, if not it will fall under the visual target. The kit comprises at least a carry bag with various pockets for the device and related equipment.

There is provided a system for hydrodynamic and/or air levitation of an object, such as a ball by a stream of water, and a striking object for hitting the object, and a method of play comprising the system.

An apparatus and method for improving batter technique is herein disclosed. In certain embodiments, the apparatus is a batting tee that includes a base, a vertical shaft assembly that is mounted to the base and has a ball support at an uppermost end thereof, a light source housed within the vertical shaft assembly and designed to illuminate an area proximate the ball support, and a controller for activating the light source. In certain embodiments, the method includes providing the above-described batting tee, placing a ball on the ball support of the tee, hitting the ball off the ball support to activate the light source, and keeping eye contact with the illuminated area.

A ball tee with motorized retrieval for re-seating a ball after hitting includes a base having a top surface. A housing is attached to and extends upwardly from the base. The housing has a top wall and an interior surface. The top wall has an aperture extending therethrough to the interior surface. A tether container is positioned within the housing. A tee is attached to and extends upwardly from the top wall. A ball is attached to the tether container by a tether. A driver mechanism is mounted on the interior surface. The driver mechanism is coupled to a drive roller such that the drive roller is rotatable by the driver mechanism. An actuating mechanism actuates a wheel toward the drive roller to engage with the tether and the drive roller. The drive roller rotates to retract the tether into the tether container and reseat the ball.

A batting tee and/or hitting training device is provided that includes a platform, a support extending upwardly from the platform and a holder disposed on the support opposite the platform for holding the ball to be hit. The holder includes a lower tubular member and an upper ball-retaining portion that are integrally formed with one another.

A batting tee system includes a base, a first carriage moveably coupled to the base, and a second carriage moveably coupled to the first carriage. The second carriage may hold an external system having a neck and a ball holder. The batting tee system further includes a first actuator attached to the base, and a second actuator attached to the first carriage. The first actuator may move the first carriage and the second carriage along a first horizontal axis relative to the base. The second actuator may move the second carriage along a second horizontal axis relative to the base and the first carriage. The batting tee system further includes a control system that may cause the first carriage and the second carriage to move to random positions along the first horizontal axis and the second horizontal axis.

A batting training device is disclosed that incorporates a ball arranged secured in an aerial position in order to be batted; has a column, wherein a tube is incorporated, arranged vertically with axial freedom of movement, an elastic cord passing through the tube, the lower end of which is fastened to the lower end of the tube, while the ball is fastened at the upper end of the elastic cord. The ball rests on the upper end of the tube. The tube is made up of segments, each segment provided on the outside with a guide slot with respect to a rod, has a bend that communicates with the slot of the adjacent segment, except for in the last lower segment, wherein the bend in the corresponding slot communicates with a return channel running along the entire length of the tube and communicates with the slot of the upper segment.

A hitting practice device allows a batter to swing the bat, make contact with the device, and then to follow-through with the swing while maintaining contact with the device. In embodiments, the hitting practice device includes a pivoting base, a post connected to the base, a pad attached at the upper portion of the post, and a stopper that prevents the base from pivoting beyond a recovery angle. In other embodiments, the base includes a base plate and stabilization plate connected by a hinge. In embodiments, a pad and dampener absorb most of the initial impact of the hit, pausing the swing for analysis. The pivoting base then allows the batter to continue, follow-through and completing the swing.

A bat swing training device has a base assembly, an arm assembly adjustably connected to the base assembly, and a suction assembly that extends through and out of the arm assembly to hold a ball in a stationary position. The suction assembly includes a coil hose connected to a pump, and an upper hose connected to the coil hose at one end, and removably connected to a nozzle assembly at an opposite end.