Patent ID: 7677994

Claim:
A ball-throwing apparatus, comprising: a three-prong claw-shaped member operative to grasp a ball including a diameter; and a handle attached to the three-prong claw-shaped member; wherein the three-prong claw comprises: a first prong; a second prong operatively attached to the first prong; a third prong operatively attached to the first prong; the first prong, the second prong, and the third prong configured to define a space for receiving the ball, the space defining a spherical diameter less than the diameter of the ball; the first prong, the second prong, and the third prong further configured to expand away from the space when receiving the ball within the space and to exert a force on the ball sufficient to retain the ball within the space; and the first prong extends further from a longitudinal axis of the handle than the second and third prongs wherein the first prong comprises a first length and a first width; and the first width is curved along at least a portion of the first length; and, wherein the second prong comprises a second width and second length; the third prong comprises a third width and a third length; the second length is at least partially curved; and the third length is at least partially curved.