The current invention is a throwing machine for softballs or hardball (baseball). It comprises a loading tube, a loader, a pressure means, a locking pin and a throwing tube. The throwing machine is placed on a frame with a set of wheels in the preferred embodiment.

A method includes anchoring a loop strap and a hook strap at a first surface of a rectangular arcuate panel proximate a first end of the first surface, providing a retaining element anchored to the rectangular arcuate panel, with the retaining element forming a loop, and providing an extension strap anchored to the rectangular arcuate panel proximate the retaining element to form a fielding aid accessory. The method also includes wrappably attaching the anchored first hook strap with the anchored first loop strap around a forearm of an athlete and securely positioning fingers of a hand thereof by way of the loop of the retaining element such that the forearm contacts a second surface of the rectangular arcuate panel. The fielding aid accessory is configured to be used by the athlete in two modes of operation based on a configuration of coupling of the extension strap.

A sports signaling system comprises a manager unit and a player unit. The manager unit comprises an input device, a wireless transmitter, and a processor. The player unit comprises a wireless receiver, an output device, and a processor. The player unit is embedded in a chest protector worn by a catcher of a baseball game or a softball game. The chest protector comprises a shield protecting the player unit. The shield is made of a polycarbonate material. In one example, an entirety of the player unit is between an inner layer of the chest protector and an outer layer of the chest protector. The player unit does not contact the catcher.

A ball throwing machine system comprising: a housing, the housing comprising a bottom of the housing; an adjustable stand with a base, the base in operational communication with the bottom of the housing via a mechanical joint means, and wherein the housing can lockably move with respect to the base, a first ball inlet located in the housing; a first ball corridor located in the housing and in communication with the first ball inlet; a first ball outlet located in the housing and in communication with the first ball corridor and the first ball inlet; a second ball inlet located in the housing; a second ball corridor located in the housing and in communication with the second ball inlet; a second ball outlet located in the housing and in communication with the second ball corridor and the second ball inlet; a single wheel configured to rotate at user adjustable speeds, and further configured to impart spin and velocity to a ball, wherein the outer surface of the single wheel is located on the floor of the first ball corridor, and wherein the outer surface of the single wheel is located on the ceiling of the second ball corridor. A ball throwing machine comprising: a housing, the housing comprising a bottom of the housing; a first ball inlet located in the housing; a first ball corridor located in the housing and in communication with the first ball inlet; a first ball outlet located in the housing and in communication with the first ball corridor and the first ball inlet; a second ball inlet located in the housing; a second ball corridor located in the housing and in communication with the second ball inlet; a second ball outlet located in the housing and in communication with the second ball corridor and the second ball inlet; a single wheel configured to rotate at user adjustable speeds, and further configured to impart spin and velocity to a ball, wherein the outer surface of the single wheel is located on the floor of the first ball corridor, and wherein the outer surface of the single wheel is located on the ceiling of the second ball corridor and wherein the bottom of the housing is configured to moveably and lockably attach to an adjustable stand, and wherein the housing can lockably move with respect to the adjustable stand.

An interactive baseball gamification system can be facilitated via the use of sensors, data tracking, gamification, and virtualization. A first user can play against a second user in real-time, near real-time, or based on historical user data. Additionally, the first user can be geographically remote from the second user. The interactive baseball gamification system can be used to train baseball players or baseball teams. Alternatively, the interactive baseball gamification system can be used for recreational purposes to pit users against each other.

A covert sports communication system has a transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit coded audio track selection signals. The system includes a receiver that may be worn within headgear. The receiver includes stored audio tracks and is configured to receive coded audio track selection signals from the transmitter, decode the audio track selection signals, and play at least one stored audio track in accordance with the decoded audio track selection signals. The audio tracks may include audio instructions to a participant of a sporting event.

A ball throwing machine system comprising: a housing, the housing comprising a bottom of the housing; an adjustable stand with a base, the base in operational communication with the bottom of the housing via a mechanical joint means, and wherein the housing can lockably move with respect to the base, a first ball inlet located in the housing; a first ball corridor located in the housing and in communication with the first ball inlet; a first ball outlet located in the housing and in communication with the first ball corridor and the first ball inlet; a second ball inlet located in the housing; a second ball corridor located in the housing and in communication with the second ball inlet; a second ball outlet located in the housing and in communication with the second ball corridor and the second ball inlet; a single wheel configured to rotate at user adjustable speeds, and further configured to impart spin and velocity to a ball, wherein the outer surface of the single wheel is located on the floor of the first ball corridor, and wherein the outer surface of the single wheel is located on the ceiling of the second ball corridor. A ball throwing machine comprising: a housing, the housing comprising a bottom of the housing; a first ball inlet located in the housing; a first ball corridor located in the housing and in communication with the first ball inlet; a first ball outlet located in the housing and in communication with the first ball corridor and the first ball inlet; a second ball inlet located in the housing; a second ball corridor located in the housing and in communication with the second ball inlet; a second ball outlet located in the housing and in communication with the second ball corridor and the second ball inlet; a single wheel configured to rotate at user adjustable speeds, and further configured to impart spin and velocity to a ball, wherein the outer surface of the single wheel is located on the floor of the first ball corridor, and wherein the outer surface of the single wheel is located on the ceiling of the second ball corridor and wherein the bottom of the housing is configured to moveably and lockably attach to an adjustable stand, and wherein the housing can lockably move with respect to the adjustable stand.

A sports signaling system comprises a manager unit and a player unit. The manager unit comprises an input device, a wireless transmitter, and a processor. The player unit comprises a wireless receiver, an output device, and a processor. The player unit is embedded in a chest protector worn by a catcher of a baseball game or a softball game. The chest protector comprises a shield protecting the player unit. The shield is made of a polycarbonate material. In one example, an entirety of the player unit is between an inner layer of the chest protector and an outer layer of the chest protector. The player unit does not contact the catcher.

A system for teaching a catcher the proper form for the traditional blocking position comprising a wrist strap, a wrist-to-facemask adjustable tether, a retractable tether, an automatic tether retraction system, a release trigger system, and a leg attachment component. The wrist-to-facemask adjustable tether is detachably engaged to the wrist strap as is the retractable tether. The automatic tether retraction system is mechanically engaged to the retractable tether, and is configured to automatically retract and spool the retractable tether. The release trigger system is mechanically engaged to the retractable tether, and is configured to, at least in part, lock and prevent any extension of the spooled retractable tether. The retractable tether in conjunction with the release trigger system is configured to restrict the distance the wrist strap may range from the leg attachment component, while the wrist-to-facemask adjustable tether is configured to restrict the distance the facemask may range from the wrist strap.

A catcher's chest protector with electronic components. The device includes a padded chest protector including adjustable straps for securement to a baseball or softball catcher's torso. The chest protector includes a wireless receiver, an LED display, and a vibration mechanism. The LED display is disposed on a front side of the chest protector. The wireless receiver is configured to receive a remote signal corresponding to a particular instruction or strategy, whereby the instruction or strategy is displayed on the LED display for viewing by the pitcher and the other defensive position players. The wireless receiver is further configured to cause the vibration mechanism to vibrate in a predefined pattern upon receiving an instruction meant for the catcher, such that the catcher is secretly notified of the instruction. The chest protector can be utilized to speed up a game, or to accurately relay strategies and instructions to players.