Kit for converting conventional, spring-actuated pitching machine into a video pitching machine

A conversion kit for converting a pitching machine of the type having a spring actuated arm for propelling a ball toward a hitter into a video pitching machine, said kit including:

• a projection screen adapted to be positioned between said pitching machine and a batter,
• a video projector for projecting the video image of an actual pitcher on said screen;
• a clutch motor unit having a clutch brake for holding the arm in a queued position while the video image of the pitcher is being displayed on the screen and for releasing said clutch brake at a predetermined time so as to synchronize the release of the ball with the video image;
• and
• a relay unit including a first relay for causing said arm to be held in a queued position and a second relay for releasing said arm from the queued position and deliver a ball toward the batter.

A method for converting a pitching machine of the type having a spring actuated arm for propelling a ball toward a hitter into a video pitching machine, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing a conversion kit including:
• a projection screen adapted to be positioned between said pitching machine and a batter,
• a video projector for projecting the video image of an actual pitcher on said screen;
• a clutch motor unit including a clutch brake for holding the arm in a queued position while the video image of the pitcher is being displayed on the screen and for releasing said clutch brake at a predetermined time so as to synchronize the release of the ball with the video image;
• and
• a relay unit including a first relay for causing said arm to be held in a queued position and a second relay for releasing said arm from the queued position and deliver a ball toward the batter;
• and
• installing said conversion kit onto a spring-actuated pitching machine.