I'm a true believer that remote control makes everything cooler. So....I found detailed steps online of how to make a baseball pitching machine powered by a a leaf blower. The problem was that all these machines required someone to manually load the balls :( So for $20 I decided to up my game and add remote control to my pitching machine. Now I'm sharing this great accomplishment with the world.....Your welcome.

Link to my Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/kitearmy

Here is a link to my video if you need to see more details: https://youtu.be/gOHqj8fqc7w

Step 1: Harness Your Inner Commitment - DO You Really Really Want This?

I tried to stop you! Here is your shopping list:

3”x3”x2” low-heel inlet elbow (this one is a little tough to find - I eventually tracked one down at Lowes)
10-foot-long, 3-inch-diameter PVC pipe
4-inch-long, 2-inch-diameter PVC pipe
3" PVC 45degree elbow
Remote control - Wireless Remote Switch ,12 V 1 Channel Rf Relay Transmitter and Receiver
Servo - Does not have to be expensive (plastic gears are fine)
Plastic baseballs - Franklin Sports Aero-Strike Plastic Baseballs
5v to 10v battery pack
DUCT TAPE

Links:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01NAI9K53/ref=o...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003GCJLC2/ref=o...

https://www.amazon.com/Futaba-FUTM0031-S3003-Stand...

Step 2: Assemble the PVC

See diagram.

All fittings can be pressure connected. No need to glue

Step 3: Build Servo Gate

This is the most difficult step in this project. You have to open up the servo (usually 4 screws from bottom). Remove any wiring from the potentiometer so that the servo will continue to rotate endlessly in a single direction. Connect a positive and negative wire to the servo motor. Depending on the polarity this will control the direction that the servo spins. Next, attach the popscle sticks to the top of the servo. Cut slot in PVC feeder tube and then mount servo. I used wire (see pics).

Here is an example video of how to make a continuous spinning servo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSFGBqhqvfk

Step 4: Mount Electronics

The electronics are easier to setup than you would think. The 9v powers the receiver and the servo is operated by another battery pack - I selected 2AA because it rotated my servo at the correct speed. Once you have it working on your desk, install on the pipe. Make sure to cut a slot for your popsicle stick servo.

Step 5: Scare Your Neighbors

Attach your blower and PLAY BALL!. You can adjust the speed of the servo and the behavior of the receiver to your liking. Let me know if you make one.

Link to my Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/kitearmy

Here is a link to my video if you need to see more details: https://youtu.be/gOHqj8fqc7w

HAVE FUN - Andrew