| 摘要 |
A batting practice assembly includes a controller-power system, and preferably two ball chutes on a slide bar assembly of a ball release apparatus, which is mounted on a height adjustable frame assembly. Four modes of operation are initiated by a foot-activated mechanism of the practice assembly: I-Ball drops from one ball chute; II-Ball drops randomly from either chute; III-Ball drops randomly from either or neither chute; and IV-Random ball drop from either or neither chute, or ball drops with a slight delay from either chute. Difficulty can be increased by adjusting the height of the ball chutes, increasing the distance between the chutes, or changing the angle of the chutes in relation to the hitter. Along with hitting mechanics, the decision-making aspects of hitting and in swing adjustments are developed using the practice assembly. This simplified abstract is not intended to limit, and should not be interpreted as limiting, the scope of the claims. |
| 主权项 |
1. A batting practice assembly, comprising:
(a) an adjustable frame assembly comprising a substantially horizontal ball release arm portion, and a height adjustable, substantially vertical pole assembly, the pole assembly being attached at its upper end portion to the ball release arm portion; (b) a ball release apparatus supported on the ball release arm portion, the ball release apparatus comprising at least two ball drop mechanisms and a slide bar assembly, each ball drop mechanism comprising: at least one ball chute, at least one ball catch arm adjacent the ball chute, and a catch arm mechanism in communication with the at least one ball catch arm, each ball drop mechanism being slideable on a slide bar of the slide bar assembly; (c) an electronic controller-power system in communication with the ball release apparatus, the controller-power system comprising a variable mode controller and a power supply; and (d) a separate foot-activated mechanism in communication with the controller; wherein activation of the foot-activated mechanism activates the catch arm mechanism, which opens a bottom ball chute hole in the at least one ball chute; wherein the ball release apparatus comprises a mechanism for randomly selecting one of a first of the at least two ball drop mechanisms, a second of the at least two ball drop mechanisms, or none at all; the slide bar allowing for independent sliding of the at least two ball drop mechanisms.
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