Ball retrieval system and method

A remote-controlled retriever (12) for collecting a ball on a sports playing surface and for controllably releasing the ball includes a front end ball collector (24) having two spaced-apart blades (26) defining a ball collection space (30). Each blade (26) includes a passive or an active detent (50) for retaining the collected ball in the collection space until a programmed or manually-directed release toward a target location such as a tennis baseline. The retriever (12) includes a processor-controller (21) for controlling and directing the retriever (12) during a retrieval session.