Variable mode batting practice assembly

A batting practice assembly, comprising:

• (a) an adjustable frame assembly comprising a substantially horizontal ball release arm portion, and a height adjustable, substantially vertical pole assembly, the pole assembly being attached at its upper end portion to the ball release arm portion;
• (b) a ball release apparatus supported on the ball release arm portion, the ball release apparatus comprising at least two ball drop mechanisms or at least two ball chutes and a slide bar assembly, each ball drop mechanism comprising:
• at least one ball chute, at least one ball catch arm adjacent the ball chute, and a catch arm mechanism in communication with the at least one ball catch arm, each ball drop mechanism being slideable on a slide bar of the slide bar assembly;
• (c) an electronic controller-power system in communication with the ball release apparatus, the controller-power system comprising a variable mode controller and a power supply;
• and (d) a separate foot-activated mechanism in communication with the controller;
• wherein activation of the foot-activated mechanism activates the catch arm mechanism, which opens a bottom ball chute hole in the at least two ball chutes;
• and further comprising at least the following four selectable modes:
• Mode I—a lowermost ball drops from a first one of the at least two ball chutes;
• Mode II—the lowermost ball drops randomly from either the first ball chute or a second one of the at least two ball chutes;
• Mode III—the lowermost ball drops randomly from either the first ball chute or the second ball chute, or no ball is dropped at all;
• and Mode IV—the lowermost ball randomly drops from either the first ball chute or the second ball chute, no ball drops, or the lowermost ball drops with a delay from either the first ball chute or the second ball chute.

A batting practice assembly, comprising:

• (a) an adjustable frame assembly comprising a substantially horizontal ball release arm portion, and a height adjustable, substantially vertical pole assembly, the pole assembly being attached at its upper end portion to the ball release arm portion;
• (b) a ball release apparatus supported on the ball release arm portion, the ball release apparatus comprising at least two ball drop mechanisms and a slide bar assembly, each ball drop mechanism comprising:
• at least one ball chute, at least one ball catch arm adjacent the ball chute, and a catch arm mechanism in communication with the at least one ball catch arm, each ball drop mechanism being slideable on a slide bar of the slide bar assembly;
• (c) an electronic controller-power system in communication with the ball release apparatus, the controller-power system comprising a variable mode controller and a power supply;
• and (d) a separate foot-activated mechanism in communication with the controller;
• wherein activation of the foot-activated mechanism activates the catch arm mechanism, which opens a bottom ball chute hole in the ball chute;
• the ball release arm portion supports the slide bar assembly and two of the at least two movable ball chutes, each ball chute being slidable on the slide bar of the slide bar assembly, each ball chute being a part of a ball drop mechanism, the ball drop mechanisms being independently moveable along the slide bar;
• and wherein the catch arm mechanism comprises at least one solenoid in communication with a movable upper ball unit of the ball drop mechanism, the upper ball unit being movable using the ball drop solenoid.