Catching machine

Abstract

A catching machine 5 that enables a pitcher to pitch a ball toward a predetermined target includes a ball collecting portion 20 for catching a ball pitched toward the target 11 and a ball returning portion 30 for returning the ball caught by the ball collecting portion 20 to the pitcher. The ball returning portion 30 includes a ball-return-distance setting device 32 for changeably setting a ball return distance.

1 . A catching machine that enables a pitcher to pitch a ball toward a predetermined target, comprising: catching means for catching a ball pitched toward the target; and ball returning means for returning the ball caught by the catching means to the pitcher, wherein the ball returning means operates with instructions by a remote controller. 
     
     
         2 . The catching machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the ball returning means includes a ball returning arm with a ball shovel for holding a ball and;
 the ball returning means includes a ball supply means for supplying the ball returning arm with the ball by one by one.   
     
     
         3 . The catching machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the ball supply means has a protruding portion for holding only one ball and the ball is supplied to the ball returning portion one by one by driving the protruding portion. 
     
     
         4 . The catching machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the ball returning arm is driven by a motor, and rotation force from the motor to ball returning arm is transmitted with a one-way cam clutch. 
     
     
         5 . The catching machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the ball returning means returns includes holding means for holding a spare ball, and the ball returning means returns the spare ball.