Baseball and softball training device for improving batting skills

Abstract

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to enable athletes, mainly baseball and softball players, to learn and practice the proper swing position and develop muscle memory for easy repetition of that position. The invention is of particular utility for indicating to the athlete whether or not each individual practice swing is correct and how to correct and further prevent any errors in form, barring of the lead arm or improper, premature extension of the lead arm or casting, for example. The present invention may be portable and may be used simultaneously with multiple components. The present invention may also comprise a lanyard to enable the user to efficiently practice multiple swings without having to retrieve the training device. The training device comprises one main component and thus avoids complexity and safety issues inherent in the related art. The training device is of shape and comfort to meet the versatile needs of athletes regardless of age or body type. The invention is of particular utility for enabling athletes, in field of softball and baseball for example, to develop proper arm, hands and torso positions in order to hit more accurately and with more power.

Description

[0001]This application claims priority over provisional patent application 60 / 957,451 Filed on 22 Aug. 2007BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of Invention[0003]The present invention generally relates to sports training devices, and more specifically to baseball and softball instructional devices which indicate the proper position of the batter's arms, hands and upper torso in the batting position and to train the batter and establish muscle memory in the correct batting position so that such batter will be able to assume the proper position and execute the swing consistently.[0004]2. Related Art[0005]The popularity of baseball among children, teen and adult athletes provides a market whereupon coaches, trainers and the players themselves seek to improve the skills of the players both offensively and defensively. With batting averages being a point of contention in a player's progression through the levels of the sport, the ultimate level being Major League Baseball, methods o...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0023]It is accordingly an object of the present invention to enable athletes, mainly baseball and softball players, to learn and practice the proper swing position and develop muscle memory for easy repetition of that position. The invention is of particular utility for indicating to the athlete whether or not each individual practice swing is correct and how to correct and further prevent any errors in form, barring of the lead arm or improper, premature extension of the lead arm or casting, for example.

[0024]In one aspect of the present invention a portable cutout component may comprise an oval shape with a concave scalloped cutout in the center of each of a plurality of sides, for example four sides. The plurality of concave scalloped cutouts may serve to naturally and comfortably fit the component into the various positions to set a batter in the proper arm and hand position in relation to the torso. The basis of this aspect of the present invention serves a somewhat similar purpose as traditional batting aids in that it enables the batter to maintain proper hand and arm form. The cutout component, however does not require a coupling with a striking object such as a baseball or tennis ball or a striking devise, such as a baseball bat or a tennis racket. The concavities of the cutout component may fit to an arm and a torso size of children, adolescents or adults without requiring any adjustments. The cutout component may be inserted into the various positions with the concavities secured in contact with an arm and a torso of a batter. After the cutout component is inserted at a desired position in contact with the arm and torso of the batter, the batter may take practice swings as though the batter was using a striking object or device. Upon the practice swing the cutout component may be released from position and may take a path that indicates whether or not the swing was correct. The portable cutout component may be transported to any location at which a batter desires to practice.

[0025]In another aspect of the present invention, a portable cutout component may be comprised of soft or flexible material. The material may further comprise a plurality of layers of flexible material to create a thickness and weight sufficient to create a flight path indicating correctness of a batter's swing while creating a softness to minimize injuries. The layers of the cutout component may cooperate to maximize safety and maximize versatility for use by batters of various ages.

[0026]In another aspect of the present invention, a portable cutout component may further comprise an optional adjustable elastic lanyard for connection to a batter's clothing. The lanyard may be comprised of flexible, cord-like material and may be coupled with a clip. The clip may connect one end of the lanyard to the clothing of the batter while the other end of the lanyard may be coupled to the portable cutout component. The optional lanyard may be used for easy retrieval and repetition of a batter's practice swings without having to move from an original batting stance position.

[0029]Through repetitive use of the training device or training devices the batter may improve their batting style, mechanics, muscle memory and skills. Muscle memory is developed when a particular motion is repeated several times with accompanying realistic sensations to verify proper execution so as to enable a person to precisely reenact the motion in a competitive setting without the assistance of a training device. When using the training device or devices of the present invention the batter stands in a natural shoulder width stance training the batter's muscles to conform to, and become comfortable in, the appropriate batting stance position. Further, the proper movement of the batter's swing, which the training device(s) encourage the batter to complete, prevent the batter from barring or from incorrectly extending his or her lead arm (arm closest to the pitcher) back towards the catcher. As described above, if the batter does bar or extend his or her lead arm, the training device falls straight down in an incorrect flight path and indicates improper position. The repetitive use indicates batting swing errors and trains the muscles to automatically complete the proper hand positioning, arm swing and upper body rotation.

Problems solved by technology

The traditional devices that are in existence are limited in that they utilize and focus upon a connection between the bat and the ball or the bat and another similar object.

These devices are further limited in that they require a striking component, such as a baseball bat, as known in the art, a tennis racket, as known in the art, or similar component.

While the traditional related art is effective when focusing on the contact or when using the restraint, it is limited in that there must be some type of contact in the former and a constant restraint in the latter.

Hence there is an embedded requirement of numerous components which are not a worthwhile improvement in simplicity from the usual baseball bat, as known in the art, coupled with a baseball, as known in the art, that is used in traditional batting practices.

The numerous components in some situations require analysis of the many parts which may not be feasible for young athletes trying to train with the devices.

This traditional connection between the components is limited based on the contact between the bat and the ball and the ball's interaction with the stop.

These devices are limited in that they require a constant restraint on the athlete or batter and can lead to a dependency upon the device for the proper swing rather than the development of sufficient muscle memory.

This type of traditional restraint may cause reliance of the batter upon the restraint rather than developing muscle memory independent of force.

Both features run the risk of the user becoming reliant upon the restraint and audible indicator instead of developing independent muscle memory.

This vest and harness comprise complex parts that may lead to reliance upon devices and restraints that will not be available to the batter during the actual competition.

Smull not only requires a restraint to restrict the top hand from dominating the batting swing, but it also does not provide for any adjustments for the various age groups that participate in the sports.

While fairly effective in training, the related art is deficient not only in the complexity of the necessary components but also in the lack of versatility in use among the various ages and body types.

This creates a problem since both children and adults have different size necessities.

The safety of the related art is also problematic.

The multitude of various components of hard or resistant material increases the risk of a user being injured by stray parts coming loose during a practice swing.

The complexity and numerousity of the apparatus make it difficult for use by an athlete of any age.

The suspended weight may be unsafe for athletes of young age wishing to improve their swing mechanics.

Such a device would not be appropriate or safe for persons or athletes of any age.

Not only does Andrews illustrate the problem with the related art of focusing mainly on the contact between the ball and bat, but it also contains various moving parts which could easily compromise the safety of a swing training device.

The multiplicity of parts increases the chances of unsafe conditions and the inability to adjust the height of the post and swing guide connectors makes use of each apparatus restricted to one size and shape athlete.

As with Laseke, Hardison is not readily adjustable to different sized athletes.

As evidenced above, related art has attempted to create training devices that solidify an athlete's swing, such as in golf, tennis or baseball, but have failed to deal with the problems of complexity, adjustability and safety.

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