A method can include providing an object having a size smaller than a size of a known regulation object, projecting the object, via a delivery device, toward a trainee, and training the trainee to follow the object. A method can include determining a game parameter of a game trajectory of a sports object that was projected along the game trajectory in a real-time sports event, and based on the game parameters, adapting a delivery device to deliver a training object along a training trajectory that mimics at least a portion of the game trajectory, with the training object being smaller than the sports object.

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 protective screen apparatus including a central protective screen, and a free-standing, hinged side wing. Hinged side wing may be configured and capable of being rapidly decoupled from a primary frame of the central protective screen. The hinged side wing may be readily moved from the right to the left side of the primary frame, thereby easily converting the protective screen apparatus to left-handed configuration or right-handed configuration. Some embodiments include spring biasing of the hinged side wing to absorb at least some ball impact when the hinged side wings pivots upon being struck with a ball. Methods of reconfiguring and protecting a batter with the protective screen apparatus, and an attachable/detachable ball basket are provided, as are other aspects.

A system and method for analyzing and improving the performance of a body motion of an animal or human subject requires instrumenting a subject with inertial sensors, monitoring a body motion of interest, converting sensor data into motion data and animation, comparing the motion data with existing data for motion related performance parameters, providing a real-time, information rich, animation and data display of the results in color coded displays; and based on the results prescribing a training regime with exercises selected from a library of standardized exercises using standardized tools and training aids.

A baseball swing trainer. The baseball swing trainer includes a housing having a base, a rear wall, and a top portion defining an open center area. A plurality of resistance blades extend downward from the top portion such that they are positioned within the open center area. A fastener is disposed on the rear wall for securing the swing trainer to a vertical structure such as a pole or tree. When a user swings a bat through the open center area, the resistance blades resist the motion of the bat. This enables the user to develop the muscles that are activated during the swing, which helps to increase swing speed and strength. A resistance band removably affixed to the vertical structure can be connected to the end of a bat to accelerate the bat through the natural swing plane, which enhances the neurological firing rate related to swing musculature.

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 variety of swing training devices that are arranged to support a ball to be struck are described. At least one moveable object is positioned within a chamber located adjacent the ball support. The moveable object is arranged such that it can be seen by a hitter after the ball is struck when the hitter is looking at a point of contact where the ball is struck. The moveable objects are arranged to move when the ball is stuck and a variety of challenge games can be played that require the batter to identify something that happened to the moveable objects—thereby providing motivation to encourage the batter to focus his or her eyes on the region of contact.

A system and method for measuring motion properties of a movable object, such as a sporting device, wherein the movable object has an embedded magnetized unit creating a magnetic field. A measurement device, having a first magnetic field sensor positioned a known distance away from a second magnetic field sensor, is positioned in the vicinity of the movable object's trajectory, whereby the first and second magnetic field sensors output signals when the movable object passes within their respective proximities. A control module, that is responsive to the output signals created by the magnetic field sensors, is configured to record the times of output signal events. The control module is further configured to calculate motion properties, such as the speed and rate of spin, of the movable object based upon the recorded times of various sensor output events and the known distance between the first and second magnetic field sensors.

An adjustable batting tee comprising: a base with a lower planar support surface; an outer tube extending from the base, wherein the outer tube includes a hollow core; an inner tube, wherein the inner tube is disposed within the hollow core of the outer tube; and a locking mechanism which locks inner tube relative to the outer tube at one of at least two discrete positions relative to the floor, ground and/or home plate so as to present a ball supporting distal end of the inner tube at one of the discrete heights from the floor, ground and/or home plate. The locking mechanism includes a projection, at least two circularly shaped grooves, and a longitudinal groove in communication with the at least two circularly shaped grooves. A visual indicator is provided to indicate to the user the discrete heights.

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.