The application is directed to an apparatus for developing the act of fielding ground balls in the game of baseball. The application is also directed to an apparatus for developing the act of throwing a baseball following fielding of a ground ball. The apparatus is operationally configured to locate the glove hand and/or feet of a user of the apparatus in one or more fielding positions and the feet in one or more throwing positions. The apparatus may be used to train individual infielders and outfielders for fielding ground balls and throwing a baseball according to their respective player positions and/or according to various game scenarios or game situations.

A shielded seating assembly configured to shield a user from projectiles includes a seat. A brace is coupled to a bottom of the seat. The brace is configured to support the seat in a substantially horizontal position above a surface upon which the brace is positioned. A panel is coupled to is the seat and is configured to extend upwardly from the seat and down to the surface upon which the brace is positioned. The panel is configured to shield the user positioned on the seat from projectiles, such as a ball, directed at the panel.

An athletic training device for selectively and removably urging a user's limbs together is provided. The device includes two arm/leg cuffs, each having a flexible band with securing means for removably securing the band to a user's limb. Extending from each band is a spacer component having a sidewall and a top wall. Located on or within the top wall is a magnet. The magnets in each cuff are configured with opposing polarity so that the top walls of each cuff are urged together when placed in close proximity to one another. The device can be used by securing each cuff around a user's arms/legs. When the user places his/her arms/legs in close proximity to one another, the magnets urge the cuffs in an attached arrangement and the user can only separate his/her arms/legs by intentionally applying a separating force sufficient to overcome the force of the magnets.

A shielded seating assembly configured to shield a user from projectiles includes a seat. A brace is coupled to a bottom of the seat. The brace is configured to support the seat in a substantially horizontal position above a surface upon which the brace is positioned. A panel is coupled to is the seat and is configured to extend upwardly from the seat and down to the surface upon which the brace is positioned. The panel is configured to shield the user positioned on the seat from projectiles, such as a ball, directed at the panel.

A baseball or softball fielding aid accessory comprises an arcuate panel, at least two first straps, at least a second strap, and at least one retaining element. The arcuate panel comprises an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface is in contact with a forearm of the fielder. The first straps are fixedly attached to the outer surface of the arcuate panel. The first straps are positioned at a first end of the arcuate panel for fastening the arcuate panel to the forearm of the fielder. The second strap is positioned at a second end of the arcuate panel for fastening the glove of the fielder to the arcuate panel. The at least one retaining element is fixedly attached to the inner surface of the arcuate panel defining a space. The hand of the fielder is retained in the space to properly field ground balls.

A system that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a device that includes a supporting member having an outer edge and an exposed surface having a shape defined by the outer edge. The supporting member is attachable to a personal sports equipment item. The device further includes a message attached to the supporting member and an attachment feature positioned at a location on the supporting member. One of the attachment feature, the location, the shape or a combination thereof is based on a configuration of the personal sporting goods item. Other embodiments are disclosed.

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.

An example ball glove ball catch system includes a ball glove and a ball catch. The ball glove may comprise webbing and a hand opening. The ball catch may be located between the hand opening and the webbing.

The present invention provides a sports training device having at least two stanchions, wherein the stanchions are spaced a horizontal distance apart from each other and wherein the stanchions telescope vertically and are portable; a plurality of horizontal dividers, wherein the plurality of horizontal dividers span between the at least two stanchions; and a plurality of vertical dividers, wherein the plurality of vertical dividers depend from at least one of the plurality of horizontal dividers and wherein the plurality of horizontal dividers and the plurality of vertical dividers overlap to define a plurality of zones. Also provided is an embodiment in which lasers are used as the horizontal and vertical dividers.