Patent ID: 8932156
Filing Date: 2015-01-13
Classification: A63B

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for pitching football shaped balls to a player, comprising: a first propelling wheel powered by a first motor; a second propelling wheel powered by a second motor; a frame having a substantially vertical configuration and having disposed therein selectable, lockable positions for said first propelling wheel along a first arc and selectable positions for said second propelling wheel along a second arc, said first and second arcs configured in an opposing relationship with respect to each other, said selectable positions controlling the direction of spin of a ball passing between said first propelling wheel and said second propelling wheel; a ball cradle to present the ball between the first propelling wheel and the second propelling wheel wherein the cradle has a ball positioning component engaging the ball at or near the intersection of seams on an end of the ball, and a base on which the cradle slides; and a slide affixed to the frame comprising an elongated member with a first end and a second end on which the cradle slides between the first end and the second end, wherein the slide is positioned such that the ball may be loaded on the cradle at the first end and when the cradle slides towards the second end, the ball is presented between the first and second propelling wheels to be pitched.