Patent attributes
A hitting training aid is provided, such as a mechanical tee for batting practice. The mechanical tee may present a ball to a batter at various heights, positions, speeds, and angles to simulate real game conditions. The mechanical tee may include a vertical stand with a variable position, retractable post that supports flexible tubing with a suction cup at the end to hold a ball in a suspended manner for striking. The mechanical tee may have a motor and vacuum pump configuration to provide suction, and may automatically feed balls to a batter. The vertical stand may additionally have an air compressor and an attachment for pneumatically tossing or propelling a ball upward for striking. The mechanical tee may move, or toss, a ball to variable and/or random placements within a three dimensional strike zone. A portable stand may have several telescopic pistons for lifting a ball at various placements.
