Pitching machine

A pitching machine for propelling a ball a target using compressed air from a compressed air source, comprising:

• a reservoir storing compressed air received from the compressed air source;
• a barrel connected to the reservoir, the barrel holding the ball and directing the ball toward the target;
• a valve located between the barrel and the reservoir, the valve holding the compressed air in the reservoir when valve is closed and controlling the release of the compressed air into the barrel when the valve is opened;
• an engageable friction surface which is extendable into the barrel and imparts a spin to the ball when engaged;
• and
• a curve compensator formed by a main gear which turns in conjunction with said barrel and which adjust the aim of the pitching machine opposite the direction of the spin of the ball in order to compensate for the spin of the ball imparted by the engageable friction surface.

A pitching machine for propelling a ball toward a target using compressed air from a compressed air source, comprising:

• a reservoir storing compressed air received from the compressed air source;
• a barrel connected to the reservoir, the barrel holding the ball and directing the ball toward the target;
• a valve located between the barrel and the reservoir, the valve holding the compressed air in the reservoir when the valve is closed and controlling the release of the compressed air into the barrel when the valve is opened, wherein the valve is operated by a pneumatic firing cylinder and a spring which are operable to open the valve, and a pneumatic cocking piston which is operable to reset the valve;
• an engageable friction surface which is extendable into the barrel for imparting spin to the ball when engaged;
• and
• a curve compensator which automatically adjusts the aim of the pitching machine opposite the direction of the spin of the ball in order to compensate for the spin of the ball imparted by the engageable friction surface.

A pitching machine for propelling a ball toward a target using air compressed air from a compressed air source, comprising:

• a reservoir storing compressed air received from the compressed air source;
• a barrel connected to the reservoir, the barrel holding the ball and directing the ball toward the target;
• a valve located between the barrel and the reservoir, the valve holding the compressed air in the reservoir when the valve is closed and controlling the release of the compressed air into the barrel when the valve is opened, wherein the valve is operated by a pneumatic firing cylinder and a spring which which are operable to to open the valve, and a pneumatic cocking piston which is operable to reset the valve;
• a engageable friction surface which is extendable into the barrel for imparting spin to the ball when engaged;
• and
• a curve compensator formed by a main gear which turns in conjunction with said barrel and which adjusts the aim of the pitching machine opposite the direction of the spin of the ball in order to compensate for the spin of the ball imparted by the engageable friction surface.