An automatic ball launcher includes a ball feed control system that includes a meter wheel with radially-spaced ribs or grooves to selectively block and pass balls to the flywheels of the launcher. The meter wheel rotates to selectively block and release a single ball to pass at a time. The controller of the launcher can be programmed to stop the meter wheel when a ball has been metered by monitoring the current at peak of the motor driving the meter wheel. A meter-event can be determined to have occurred when the current of the drive motor drops to a trough by a pre-set magnitude following a rise to a peak value. A remote control can be provided for the user to operate the launching machine and adjust a plurality of parameters.

An automatic ball launcher includes a ball feed control system that includes a meter wheel with radially-spaced ribs or grooves to selectively block and pass balls to the flywheels of the launcher. The meter wheel rotates to selectively block and release a single ball to pass at a time. The controller of the launcher can be programmed to stop the meter wheel when a ball has been metered by monitoring the current at peak of the motor driving the meter wheel. A meter-event can be determined to have occurred when the current of the drive motor drops to a trough by a pre-set magnitude following a rise to a peak value. A remote control can be provided for the user to operate the launching machine and adjust a plurality of parameters.

The disclosed system can comprise a device that can be used to provide induction heating to one or more golf balls. The disclosed device comprises at least one induction coil and a housing that holds one or more golf balls. In some embodiments, the induction coil can take one or more turns around the housing. The induction coil generates a magnetic field surrounding the golf ball, inducing eddy currents in the central magnetic reactor within the golf ball interior. As a result, the golf ball is quickly, cleanly, and consistently heated without physical contact between the coil and the golf ball.

An automatic ball launcher includes a base unit and a feed tube coupled to the base unit. The base unit includes an enclosure defining a forward opening where the balls eject and a top opening for receiving the feed tube. A pair of counter-rotating flywheels are disposed in a common plane and located inside of the enclosure. The feed tube includes an elongated tubular body with an open top end covered by a removable cap and an open bottom end configured to be securely inserted into the top opening of the enclosure. The feed tube can include a heating element to heat the balls to a desired temperature prior to launch. The feed tube can be used to collect balls from the ground without the user needing to bend over.

A device for maintaining sports equipment is provided. The device may comprise a lower housing, a controller, a wall, a fan, and a heat element. The device may further comprise a top member, a mount connecting member, and a mount. The controller may be in communication with a display and an interface that may each be carried by the lower housing. The wall may be removably positioned extending upwardly from the lower housing. The wall may define an interior area defined by the interior face of the wall. The fan may selectively circulate air within the interior area. The heat element may selectively generate heat. The mount connecting member may be carried by a portion of the lower housing. The mount may matingly engage with the mount connecting member.

A device for maintenance of sports equipment is provided. The device may comprise a lower housing, a wall, and a top member. The device may also comprise a heat element, a controller, and a mount. The wall may be removably connected to and extended upwardly from the lower housing. The top member may be removably carried by an upper portion of the wall. The heat element may be carried by the lower housing. The controller may be carried by the lower housing and may be in communication with the heat element. The mount may carry the sports equipment.

Described are balls for a ball sport, wherein the ball includes at least one heating element.

Methods and apparatus for aiding golfer gameplay are disclosed. Embodiments may involve a heated cover (2) for a golf bag (201). Golf club heads (202) may be received within an inner warmth area or areas (24) of the cover (2), and golf balls (224) may be received within an inner warmth area or areas (24) of one or more pouches (6) (20). Processed golf round data (216) may be utilized by a golf gameplay aid (223), which in some embodiments may be one or more thermostats (214). Thermostats (214) may raise, lower, or otherwise regulate the temperature in one or more inner warmth areas (24) by controlling one or more heat sources (204). Golf equipment may be heated to achieve specific, desirable performance characteristics to aid golfer gameplay.

Methods and apparatus for aiding golfer gameplay are disclosed. Embodiments may involve a heated cover (2) for a golf bag (201). Golf club heads (202) may be received within an inner warmth area or areas (24) of the cover (2), and golf balls (224) may be received within an inner warmth area or areas (24) of one or more pouches (6) (20). Processed golf round data (216) may be utilized by a golf gameplay aid (223), which in some embodiments may be one or more thermostats (214). Thermostats (214) may raise, lower, or otherwise regulate the temperature in one or more inner warmth areas (24) by controlling one or more heat sources (204). Golf equipment may be heated to achieve specific, desirable performance characteristics to aid golfer gameplay.

A pickleball warming device generally includes a housing, a heating assembly, and a power source. The housing includes a chamber designed to temporarily hold a plurality of pickleballs therein and a cover assembly to open and close the chamber. The heating assembly is positioned in the housing and adjacent the chamber to heat pickleballs in the chamber to a temperature sufficient to minimize damage to pickleballs when playing in colder temperatures. The power source is positioned in the housing and operatively connected to the heating assembly to supply electricity to the heating assembly.