This invention provides sports ball having asymmetrical traction and/or asymmetrical surface structure. The asymmetrical traction is useful for differentially controlling ball spin and trajectory height as the ball is projected from a pitching machine. The asymmetrical surface structure is useful for differentially controlling the lateral component of the ball's trajectory. Optionally, the ball is a pitching machine ball. The method also provides a method of projecting the ball from a pitching machine.

A generic ball sport training machine is described. Propulsion modules containing belts are used to sequentially launch balls to replicate the result of an athlete's action. When a ball enters the launch corridor created by one or more propulsion modules, the belts accelerate it to a desired speed, spin magnitude and spin direction. These propulsion modules are assembled in various combinations and integrated with an advanced ball feeder/collection assembly, plus elevation and azimuth direction control, to create a complete functional machine.

A training device for ball sports comprises a launching structure comprising an aperture sized and shaped to allow balls to pass linearly through the aperture along the central axis of the aperture, and a launching means configured to contact a ball within the aperture at a plurality of contact locations spaced around the surface of the ball, and to drive the ball through the aperture, and; a supporting means configured to support the launching structure above a surface; the launching structure and supporting means configured such that in use the launching structure can be rotated about the central axis to alter the position of the contact locations.

A quarterback training device is an electric football launcher that is able to mimic the snap of a center as performed during a football game and to place a spin on the launched ball. The speed of the launch is adjustable via a remote control and the device provides for a handoff shelf to be attached.

A training device for ball sports comprises a launching structure comprising an aperture sized and shaped to allow balls to pass linearly through the aperture along the central axis of the aperture, and a launching means configured to contact a ball within the aperture at a plurality of contact locations spaced around the surface of the ball, and to drive the ball through the aperture, and; a supporting means configured to support the launching structure above a surface; the launching structure and supporting means configured such that in use the launching structure can be rotated about the central axis to alter the position of the contact locations.

A ball pitching device includes: a body portion including an upper frame and a lower frame; a first rotation shaft portion supported by the upper frame; a pitching unit configured to pitch a ball and rotate about the first rotation shaft portion and including a first pitching wheel and a second pitching wheel; a first pitching angle adjusting unit adjusting a vertical pitching angle by adjusting a relative length between a bottom surface of the upper frame and the pitching unit; and a second rotation shaft portion connecting the upper frame to the lower frame to be rotatable on a horizontal plane. The first rotation shaft portion is disposed between a center of the first pitching wheel and a center of the second pitching wheel.

A football throwing apparatus is described that utilizes air pressure to throw a football in a conventional spiral manner. How far the football can be thrown can be adjusted by an air pressure control. The football may be thrown immediately upon pressing a button, or it may be thrown after a predetermined period of time after the operation of a switch. The football throwing apparatus is initially charged with pressurized air in a first area and a second area. The button or switch causes the pressurized air in the first area to be immediately vented which creates a vacuum due to the pressurized air in the second area. The vacuum actuates a mechanical linkage that causes the pressurized air stored in the second area to be released and throw the football.

A ball pitching device includes: a body portion including an upper frame and a lower frame; a first rotation shaft portion supported by the upper frame; a pitching unit configured to pitch a ball and rotate about the first rotation shaft portion and including a first pitching wheel and a second pitching wheel; a first pitching angle adjusting unit adjusting a vertical pitching angle by adjusting a relative length between a bottom surface of the upper frame and the pitching unit; and a second rotation shaft portion connecting the upper frame to the lower frame to be rotatable on a horizontal plane. The first rotation shaft portion is disposed between a center of the first pitching wheel and a center of the second pitching wheel.