A tennis ball retriever for retrieving a tennis ball on and about a tennis court and for controllably releasing the ball includes a front-end ball collector having two spaced-apart blades defining a ball collection space. The retriever includes one or more detents for retaining the collected ball in the collection space until a programmed or manually-directed release toward a target location such as a tennis baseline. The retriever includes a processor-controller for controlling and directing the retriever during a retrieval session. The retriever may be remote-controlled such as by voice commands.

A ball trainer with a launcher function and a dropper function is provided. The ball trainer includes: a dropper unit that is disposed on one side in a housing and is formed in a holder shape capable of dropping a ball downward, the dropper unit including a storage space with a variable length in which two or more balls are stored; a launcher unit that is disposed on the other side in the housing and launches a ball which is received from outside; a control module that selectively controls the dropper unit and the launcher unit depending on an operation mode; and a communication module that is connected to the control module and transmits a signal received from the outside in a wireless or wired manner.

A basketball training system includes a server computer and a basketball training machine. The server computer executes a workout module that manages operation of a graphical user interface that presents a graphical representation of a portion of a basketball court and receives user inputs that define a workout program that includes selected ball delivery locations relative to the visual representation. The basketball training machine receives the workout program and delivers basketballs to the selected ball delivery locations.

A bowling ball launcher has a frame and a rail oriented from a front of the frame to a back of the frame. A push pad is configured to slide along the rail. An elastic mechanism is coupled to the push pad and extends toward the front of the frame. A winch is coupled to the push pad toward the back of the frame. The winch includes a motor, a winch wheel, and a cable extending from the winch wheel to the push pad. The winch also includes a clutch between the motor and winch wheel. A shock absorber is disposed near the front of the frame. A plurality of position sensors is attached to the frame along the rail. A power meter is configured to move the push pad to one of the position sensors by operation of the winch.

A remote ball launcher designed to allow an individual to practice striking an incoming ball when alone. The remote ball launcher includes a cylindrical launch tube designed to house at least one ball therein, having a first end and a second end. The first end of the launch tube is operably connected to a base and the second end of the launch tube has an aperture designed to expel a ball therefrom. A spring mechanism is disposed at the first end and is designed to propel a ball along the launch tube. A ball track is operably connected to the launch tube such that the ball track feeds balls into the launch tube. A control switch is disposed within a foot pedal, wherein the control switch is operably connected to the spring mechanism such that actuating the foot pedal causes the spring mechanism to launch the ball towards the user.

A device for vertically launching a ball up into the air. The device has a holding tee for selectively holding a ball. The holding tee is supported by an actuator. The actuator is movable between a first position, where the holding tee is extended, and a second position, where the holding tee is retracted. A main spring biases the actuator into its first position. When moved to its retracted second position against the force of the mainspring, the actuator engages a release mechanism. The release mechanism maintains the actuator in its second position for a period of time before the release mechanism automatically releases. Upon release, the mainspring immediately returns the actuator to its first position. This rapidly forces the holding tee upwardly. Any ball resting on the holding tee is subsequently launched into the air.

A basketball training system includes a server computer and a basketball training machine. The server computer executes a workout module that manages operation of a graphical user interface that presents a graphical representation of a portion of a basketball court and receives user inputs that define a workout program that includes selected ball delivery locations relative to the visual representation. The basketball training machine receives the workout program and delivers basketballs to the selected ball delivery locations.

An exercise apparatus includes an adjustable frame being attachable to an assistive ambulation device. The adjustable frame includes removable handles, fitting arms located on a lower portion of the adjustable frame to receive a fitness attachment, and attachment points on located on the lower portion of the adjustable frame to couple a resistance device. A jump rope trainer includes a handle; flexible tubing including a handle fastener to connect the handle to the flexible tubing; and a soft sphere shaped object. The flexible tubing includes a soft sphere shaped object fastener to connect the soft sphere shaped object to the flexible tubing.

A portable automatic football snapper may be built as a tube to launch football snaps while being lightweight and able to be carried by handle, shoulder-strap, or clipped onto another backpack. The snapper is small and can store a football within, and, when stood upright, may serve as a stand for a football placed on top to simulate an under center exchange. A stand built into a side of the bag extends to establish a base and ideal snap angle for shotgun snap use. Inside the snapper, a cup may be used to hold the football, may be pulled down and clipped into a pre-snap position, and upon release is pulled upwards, launching or snapping the ball in a spiral to the quarterback. The release may be manual, automatic based on a mechanical or electronic timer, or sound-activated or remote controlled allowing snap control by the quarterback.

The present invention relates to an automatic batting tee apparatus that includes a ball storage unit for continuously feeding balls therein for batting; a lifting unit for putting the balls discharged from the ball storage unit onto an upper end of a tee rod for T-batting; and a feeding unit disposed between the ball storage unit and the lifting unit. The apparatus can smoothly and quickly feed balls, particularly, baseballs to the lifting unit with the tee rod, using the ball storage unit having a variable internal space and rotary equipment. The automatic batting tee apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention allows for not only batting practice, but fielding practice by a cylinder unit.