A tennis ball retriever for retrieving a tennis ball on and about a tennis court and for controllably releasing the ball includes a front-end ball collector having two spaced-apart blades defining a ball collection space. The retriever includes one or more detents for retaining the collected ball in the collection space until a programmed or manually-directed release toward a target location such as a tennis baseline. The retriever includes a processor-controller for controlling and directing the retriever during a retrieval session. The retriever may be remote-controlled such as by voice commands.

The sports ball catapult driven by mechanical means disclosed herein may comprise a main body, an arming mechanism, a drive mechanism, a cradle mechanism, and a firing mechanism. The system is designed to operate by purely mechanical means and without power, and is launch speed and launch angle adjustable. The action of the system is such that the arming mechanism may be engaged by a user to apply tension on the cradle mechanism and drive mechanism. The user may then place a ball into the cradle mechanism, and may launch the ball from the system by engaging the firing mechanism. The engaging of the firing mechanism releases the tension in the system, causing the cradle mechanism to accelerate the ball into the air. The entire system is contained within the main body, which is designed to provide an easily moveable, lightweight, and low maintenance solution for achieving such a purpose.

A basketball training system includes a server computer and a basketball training machine. The server computer executes a workout module that manages operation of a graphical user interface that presents a graphical representation of a portion of a basketball court and receives user inputs that define a workout program that includes selected ball delivery locations relative to the visual representation. The basketball training machine receives the workout program and delivers basketballs to the selected ball delivery locations.

A portable fielding system comprising a Chassis Assembly, a motorized Yaw Mechanism connected to said Chassis Assembly, a motorized Pitch Mechanism connected to said Yaw Mechanism, a Ball Launcher Mechanism connected to said Pitch Mechanism, a Ball Feeder Mechanism connected to said Chassis Assembly and Ball Launcher Mechanism, and a Control System Assembly connected to said Chassis Assembly, wherein said Yaw Mechanism positions the Pitch Mechanism and Ball Launcher Mechanism at some angle about their yaw axes, wherein said Pitch Mechanism positions the Ball Launcher Mechanism at some angle about its pitch axis.

The present invention comprises a unique system and method for providing adaptable ball delivery and tracking, including appropriate sensor hardware, interactive gameplay user interfaces and point of sales systems. The system and method of the present invention are especially relevant to baseball and softball as, among other components, the system comprises a vertical, ground-up soft toss ball delivery mechanism, automated player and ball-tracking devices, and ball-collection and transport systems. The ball collection and return components eliminate the need for “fielders” and enable the creation of the first “batting range”. The vertical, ground-up soft-toss pitch machine further enables the first multi-story batting facility with player batting bays that open onto a sports field. Further, certain embodiments of the present invention integrate hitting screens, augmented reality display and simultaneous coordination of gameplay and communication between players, regardless of the players' physical location.

The present invention comprises a unique system and method for providing adaptable ball delivery and tracking, including appropriate sensor hardware, interactive gameplay user interfaces and point of sales systems. The system and method of the present invention are especially relevant to baseball and softball as, among other components, the system comprises a vertical, ground-up soft toss ball delivery mechanism, automated player and ball-tracking devices, and ball-collection and transport systems. The ball collection and return components eliminate the need for “fielders” and enable the creation of the first “batting range”. The vertical, ground-up soft-toss pitch machine further enables the first multi-story batting facility with player batting bays that open onto a sports field. Further, certain embodiments of the present invention integrate hitting screens, augmented reality display and simultaneous coordination of gameplay and communication between players, regardless of the players' physical location.

An exercise apparatus includes an adjustable frame being attachable to an assistive ambulation device. The adjustable frame includes removable handles, fitting arms located on a lower portion of the adjustable frame to receive a fitness attachment, and attachment points on located on the lower portion of the adjustable frame to couple a resistance device. A jump rope trainer includes a handle; flexible tubing including a handle fastener to connect the handle to the flexible tubing; and a soft sphere shaped object. The flexible tubing includes a soft sphere shaped object fastener to connect the soft sphere shaped object to the flexible tubing.

A throwing apparatus and method for throwing objects are provided. More specifically, the throwing apparatus features improved arrangement of bearing assembly and location of movable parts which stabilize and improve the performance and accuracy of a throwing apparatus. A throwing arm lever and throwing arm are offset from one another with the bearing assembly disposed therebetween.

An exercise apparatus includes an adjustable frame being attachable to an assistive ambulation device. The adjustable frame includes removable handles, fitting arms located on a lower portion of the adjustable frame to receive a fitness attachment, and attachment points on located on the lower portion of the adjustable frame to couple a resistance device. A jump rope trainer includes a handle; flexible tubing including a handle fastener to connect the handle to the flexible tubing; and a soft sphere shaped object. The flexible tubing includes a soft sphere shaped object fastener to connect the soft sphere shaped object to the flexible tubing.

A device for automatically launching hockey pucks includes a vertical holder, a throwing arm, a spring, and a base. The vertical holder is configured to hold a plurality of hockey pucks therein. The throwing arm is positioned underneath the vertical holder and configured to rotate. The spring is connected to the rotating throwing arm and configured to accelerate the rotation of the arm so as to launch a hockey puck of the plurality of hockey pucks off of the arm at a rate of 10-40 mph. The base is configured to support the vertical holder, the throwing arm, and the spring such that the hockey puck is launched substantially horizontally.