System and Method to Pitch Footballs

摘要

A system and method for pitching balls, particularly footballs and other football-shaped balls. The system and method are flexibly designed to simulate different types of pitches including but not limited to passes, punts, kick-offs and snaps. A cradle for use in the system and method holds the ball in any one of a number of positions such that when it is fed into the system, the ball is propelled to simulate a different type of pitch. The apparatus and system for pitching balls includes a support for a ball throwing head, two opposing variable speed motor powered wheels that can be tilted in relation to each other to control the spin and distance, a slide configured to present the ball on the cradle into the wheels at different angles to provide right or left handed spirals and end over end pitches, and adjustments for height and horizontal pivot. A removable throwing head allows balls to be pitched from different heights from ground level to an upright arm motion to simulate different types of pitches.

主权项

1. A method of pitching a ball from a ball pitching machine, comprising;
positioning a first propelling wheel and a second propelling wheel on a frame wherein the first propelling wheel and the second propelling wheel are opposed with respect to each other; adjusting the speed and position of the first and second propelling wheels to impart a desired level and direction of spin to a ball passing between the first and second propelling wheels; selectably locking said first propelling wheel along a first arc at a desired position; selectably locking said second propelling wheel along a second arc at a desired position; spinning the first propelling wheel powered by a first motor; spinning the second propelling wheel powered by a second motor; providing 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 in at least one seam at or near an end of the ball; and sliding the cradle along a slide that is affixed to the frame wherein the slide comprises an elongated member with a first end where the ball is placed on the cradle and a second end that is positioned such that when the cradle slides towards the second end, the ball is presented between the first and second propelling wheels to be pitched.