A ground based launching assembly for feeding balls vertically upwards to a user. The user may takes strokes at fed balls, thereby delivering the balls towards a catching assembly. The catching assembly receives the balls and gently returns the ball back to the launching assembly. Disposed between the catching assembly and the launching assembly is a return ramp and a ball sequencer. These require no more than ten feet in length. Such a device may be readily used in a single car garage or other small room.

A system can include a delivery device that projects an object that is no greater than 1.40 inches in diameter toward a target along a trajectory, a sensor configured to detect eye characteristics of a trainee, and a computing system configured to determine a score of the trainee based upon the detected eye characteristics. A system can include a delivery device that projects an object that is no greater than 1.40 inches in diameter toward a target along a trajectory, a human machine interface (HMI) device that receives an input from a trainee when the trainee identifies an estimated characteristic of the object after the object exits the delivery device, where the HMI device creates a representative signal of the input, and the signal indicates the estimated characteristic to a computing system that can determine a score of the trainee based upon the representative signal.

A ball pitching device including a launching surface for receiving balls, the launching surface being configured to receive and hold a ball in the launching position prior to the ball being launched, a launching system including at least one impulse mechanism configured to impact the ball in the launching position, and one or more control components configured to control at least one of a pitch power and a pitch trajectory of the ball launched from the launching position.

A unique configuration is introduced herein for providing a ball machine pitching tip. A linear actuator is coupled to the disclosed ball tip herein having at least one member protruding outwardly from a base and radially positioned about a coupling aperture. Positioned selected frictional contact points configured to an inner surface of the at least one protruding member enables an imbalance of torque on the object as released from the gripping tip from a velocity provided by the linear accelerator. The result is the ability to provide a variety of flight patterns (spins) of a ball for a given sport.

A machine catches a pitched baseball or softball, and pneumatically returns the ball to the pitcher without damage to the ball. The pitcher throws the ball into a mat hung inside a housing, which absorbs the ball impact, such that the ball drops onto a sloped floor and roles into a ball return tube. A pressurized air tank delivers air on demand by the pitcher to the tube to project the ball back to the pitcher. The machine is self-contained on wheels for portability.

A machine catches a pitched baseball or softball, and pneumatically returns the ball to the pitcher without damage to the ball. The pitcher throws the ball into a mat hung inside a housing, which absorbs the ball impact, such that the ball drops onto a sloped floor and roles into a ball return tube. A pressurized air tank delivers air on demand by the pitcher to the tube to project the ball back to the pitcher. The machine is self-contained on wheels for portability.