[JellyMan]

We are not actually considering a curved hood to deflect the ball AFTER leaving the wheel. The curved hood would force contact of the ball to the wheel over a 45 degree arc. The hood would not further deflect the ball after it leaves the wheel.
This is not a new idea. We have seen pictures of this from the 2006 game, as balls were fed into a ball pitching turret from below. We are also thinking that longer contact might allow for lesser crush of the ball. Wouldn't this be more efficient?
Thanks.