Ball tossing apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus for practicing hitting skills including a ball dispenser and a pivoting ball deflector. In some embodiments, the ball is dropped from the ball dispenser where it bounces off of the pivoting ball deflector and into the hitting zone of a hitter, in a manner similar to the soft toss of a baseball coach.

1 . A ball tossing apparatus comprising: 
 a ball dispenser; and    a pivoting ball deflector.    
   
   
       2 . The ball tossing apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said pivoting ball deflector comprises: 
 a frame;    a rotatable resilient member; and    means for affixing said rotatable resilient member to said frame.    
   
   
       3 . The ball tossing apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said pivoting ball deflector is detached from said ball dispenser.  
   
   
       4 . The pivoting ball deflector of  claim 2  wherein said frame encases said rotatable resilient member.  
   
   
       5 . The pivoting ball deflector of  claim 2  wherein said frame contacts said rotatable resilient member in at least one point.  
   
   
       6 . The pivoting ball deflector of  claim 2  wherein said frame supports said rotatable resilient member such that said rotatable resilient member pivots about an axis.  
   
   
       7 . The pivoting ball deflector of  claim 2  wherein said affixing means can secure said rotatable resilient member at a predetermined angle about an axis.  
   
   
       8 . The pivoting ball deflector of  claim 2  further comprising a locking mechanism that can secure said rotatable resilient member to said frame at a predetermined angle about an axis.  
   
   
       9 . The pivoting ball deflector of  claim 2  wherein said rotatable resilient member is a net composed of either polymers, gut, strings, threads, cords, fibers, filaments or any other elastic substance capable of deflecting a ball.  
   
   
       10 . The pivoting ball deflector of  claim 2  wherein the rotatable resilient member comprises cloth.  
   
   
       11 . The ball tossing apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said ball dispenser comprises: 
 a releaser having a first position retaining balls and a second position that releases a ball; and    a pivotable lever that manipulates the releaser between said first position and said second position.