A goal apparatus comprising a cross bar, a first side post and a second side post is described. The first side post and the second side post are connected to the cross bar such that the first side post, the second side post and the cross bar form a plane (a goal plane). Further, one or more sensor pairs are coupled to the first side post and the second side post, wherein a first sensor pair of the one or more sensor pairs includes a first sensor and a second sensor. The first sensor is coupled to the first side post and the second sensor is coupled to the second side post and is also aligned horizontal to the first sensor. In addition, the first sensor pair is located in a first zone, wherein the first zone is a first portion of the goal plane.

A smart ball-machine uses artificial intelligence to train a player or to play with a player. For example, the ball-machine can adjust the tennis ball speed, topspin, bounce according to the player's successful ball return rate. The ball-machine can be preconfigured with a profile of a player. For example, the ball-machine may download a complete profile of a tennis player from a game recording or may download a file with a customized profile of a player to train a player using the ball-machine. The ball-machine is equipped with a plurality of wheels, motors, and shafts to provide a fully customizable launch of one or more balls. For example, the ball can be launched from the machine from one side of a tennis court to another side of a tennis court with a variety of speeds, trajectories, topspin, bounce etc.

An apparatus for launching a ball is disclosed. An embodiment of the apparatus includes a ball launching unit including a port for ejecting a ball and a support for supporting the ball launching unit. The ball launching unit is pivotably coupled to the support to permit angular adjustment of the ball launching unit about a horizontal axis of rotation to vary a launch angle of an ejected ball, and wherein the horizontal axis of rotation intersects the port.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to devices, systems, and methods for measuring values obtained from one or more sensors installed on a player's tennis racket and/or worn on the player's body, and using those values to calculate various parameters, such as the physical position and motion of the tennis racket. Embodiments may translate the parameters and derive one or more occurrences corresponding to phases of a tennis point or drill and then generate real-time audible, visual, and/or haptic coaching prompts and other related commands and signals, for the purpose of improving a player's motor skills. Embodiments may also send and receive messages to/from other embodiments, thereby permitting a player to interact with other players, coaches, or devices, such as ball machines and cameras.

Systems and methods of ball tossing machines. Ball tossing machines having reconfigurable joints are contemplated. Embodiments having dynamically articulating joints create tossing arms that mimic human arms completing underhanded tosses. In other embodiments, the tossing arm's elbow and fingers can be locked into place and pivoted about a shoulder to accomplish a basic tossing motion with an altered effective tossing arm length.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to devices, systems, and methods for measuring values obtained from one or more sensors installed on a player's tennis racket and/or worn on the player's body, and using those values to calculate various parameters, such as the physical position and motion of the tennis racket. Embodiments may translate the parameters and derive one or more occurrences corresponding to phases of a tennis point or drill and then generate real-time audible, visual, and/or haptic coaching prompts and other related commands and signals, for the purpose of improving a player's motor skills. Embodiments may also send and receive messages to/from other embodiments, thereby permitting a player to interact with other players, coaches, or devices, such as ball machines and cameras.

A game ball throwing machine utilizing a rotating arm to pitch a game ball, able to induce a variety of spins and types of pitches interchangeably. The ball thrower includes a base, a support frame attached to the base, rotating arm mechanism attached to the support frame, a source of power rotating the arm, ball holding means attached to the arm, and a human-machine interface which enables control of ball spin, release point, speed and target location. A novel software program integrates the throwing machine, indexing elements and one or more human-machine interface screens, calculating pitch parameters and converting them to machine outputs to enable customization of pitch variety and characteristics to the same or different locations rapidly with a high degree of accuracy, including means to simulate a known pitcher's unique pitch collection.

An automatic game ball throwing machine. The ball thrower includes a base, a support frame attached to the base, a drive wheel mechanism attached to the support frame, and a human-machine interface which enables customization of ball spin, speed and target location. A light source can be attached to the machine to illuminate each ball at one or more launch points. Further, a launching frame indexing element can be positioned to control the location of the ball target. A resident software program integrates the throwing machine, indexing element and human-machine interface, calculating pitch parameters and converting them to machine outputs to enable customization of pitch variety and characteristics.

The present invention provides a screen baseball system including a pitching machine that shoots a baseball, a screen having a screen hole through which the baseball shot from the pitching machine passes, and a screen shutter that is provided between the pitching machine and the screen and comprises a safety screen that closes the screen hole. The present invention can fundamentally prevent a safety accident that may occur during a screen baseball game. Even when a user does not recognize or neglects a warning image, the safety accident is prevented.

The present invention generally relates to portable golf ball launching device for analyzing golf balls for short game performance attributes. The preferred golf ball launcher is able to shoot a golf ball at the ground at preselected speed, spin rate and angle.