Baseball batting practice apparatus with control means

摘要

A baseball batting practice apparatus includes a display screen having a passage therethrough and a video projector for projecting a moving image of a baseball pitcher on the screen adjacent the passageway. An electronic control unit detects that the baseball pitcher of the moving image is about to release a pitch in the moving image and creates a signal. In response to the signal, a baseball retaining and releasing mechanism adjacent a conduit is controlled for allowing a baseball to be released and to travel, urged by gravity, along the conduit toward a baseball pitching machine which is positioned to one side of the display screen. The electronic control unit is adapted to synchronize the propelling of the baseball through the passageway with the moving image such that the propelled baseball appears to be thrown by the moving image of the baseball pitcher. The electronic control unit is associated with and controlled by a personal computer.