Patent ID: 7231913

Claim:
A ball pitching apparatus for pitching to a receiver, comprising: a propelling means for propelling a ball from a first entry point to a first exit point away from the pitching apparatus in a first direction; a ball track for introducing said ball to said first entry point of said propelling means, said ball track having a second entry point dimensioned to receive said ball and a second exit point for said introduction of said ball to said propelling means, wherein said ball track is dimensioned in a generally circular shape and constructed such that at least a portion of said ball is visible along a part of the path from said second entry point to said second exit point; and a frame means for supporting said propelling means and said ball track and for aligning said second exit point with said first entry point; wherein said receiver positioned at said first direction in a confronting relationship to the apparatus is able to see said portion of said ball as it is conveyed along the ball track, thereby enabling said receiver to anticipate a pitching of said ball in a manner similar to an anticipation that occurs with a live ball pitcher during a windup and release of a pitch; said apparatus further comprising a second propelling means attached to said frame means and positioned near said second entry point for engaging said ball entering said second entry point and propelling said ball past said second entry point.