GRIP AID DEVICE FOR BATS USED FOR SPORTS

Abstract

Grip aid devices and methods for developing proper technique and mechanics for gripping a bat used for sports are disclosed. The grip aid device may include first and second ridges on an elongated body. The first and second ridges are aligned parallel to a length of the elongated body and protrude outward from an outer surface of the elongated body. The second ridge is spaced about the circumference of the body from the first ridge. The grip aid device can be removably installed on a bat or can be fashioned integral with a bat handle. The opposing ridges of the grip aid device position the player's hands in a wrist-over-wrist alignment that enables the player to maintain a generally planar travel path of the bat through a hitting zone.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to sports equipment and, in particular, to grip aid devices for bats used in sports to develop proper grip technique.

BACKGROUND

Various sports around the world, such as baseball, softball, or cricket, for example, involve the use of a bat to strike a ball traveling through a hitting zone in order to place the ball in a field of play. Bats used for these sports are often made of wood or metal, such as aluminum, and can have a handle that can be gripped by a player for swinging the bat. The manner in which a player grips the bat can have a dramatic effect on the ability of the player to hit the ball with the bat. Grip technique can also impact the trajectory of the ball leaving the bat and the power transferred from the player to the ball through contact with the bat.

Improved grip aid devices that provide better alignment of the hands and wrists are needed for bats.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment of the invention, a grip aid device is disclosed that includes first and second ridges on an elongated body. The first and second ridges are aligned parallel to a length of the elongated body, and the first and second ridges protrude outward from an outer surface of the elongated body. The second ridge is spaced about the circumference of the elongated body from the first ridge.

According to another embodiment, a grip aid device is disclosed that includes a bat having a barrel, a handle contiguous with the barrel, and a knob positioned at an end of the handle. The grip aid device also has a first ridge and a second ridge on the handle. The first and second ridges are aligned parallel to a length of the handle, and the first and second ridges protrude outward from an outer surface of the handle. The second ridge is spaced about the circumference of the handle from the first ridge.

According to another embodiment, a method is disclosed for improving a player's grip. The method includes obtaining a grip aid device having an elongated body and a first ridge and a second ridge on the elongated body. The first ridge and the second ridge are aligned parallel to a length of the elongated body, and the first ridge and the second ridge protrude outward from an outer surface of the elongated body. The second ridge is spaced about the circumference of the elongated body from the first ridge. The method also includes installing the grip aid device on a bat, properly aligning hands of a player on the grip aid device, and swinging the bat through a hitting zone.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a grip aid device installed on a bat.

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the grip aid device of FIG. 1 installed on a bat.

FIG. 3 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the grip aid device of FIG. 1 taken along section line 3-3 on FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the grip aid device of FIG. 1 taken along section line 4-4 on FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a transverse cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a grip aid device.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a grip aid device.

DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a grip aid device 10 for an athletic bat 12 used in various sports includes longitudinal ridges 14, 16 that function to properly aligning a player's hands and wrists to develop a proper grip. The bat 12 may be used, for example, when hitting a baseball or a softball, and generally includes a barrel 18, which provides a surface for contacting the ball; a handle 20, which provides a place to grip the bat 12; and a knob 22, which is present at the end of the handle 20 to keep the bat 12 from slipping out of the player's hands while swinging the bat 12. The grip aid device 10 can be used with other types of bats, such as cricket bats having a generally flattened barrel, and may also be useful with various other rackets, clubs, or other sports equipment requiring proper alignment of the hands and wrists. The grip aid device 10 can be integral with a handle 20 of the bat 12 (FIG. 6) or can be a removable sleeve that can be installed and removed from the handle 20 of the bat 12 (FIG. 1). The longitudinal and circumferentially spaced apart ridges 14, 16 provide for proper alignment of both the player's knuckles on the bat 12 and the player's wrists relative to one another. Proper alignment of both the knuckles and wrists enables a player to develop a smooth level swing without looping or hiccups that may occur when the player rotates one hand over the other during the swing.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, the grip aid device 10 further includes a body 24, which has an outer surface 26. The longitudinal ridges 14, 16 extend or protrude outward from the outer surface 26 of the body 24. The body 24 can be generally elongated and cylindrical in shape having a center axis 28 (FIGS. 2-4) and a length L that can be sufficient to accommodate two hands positioned simultaneously side by side on the grip aid device 10 with minimal or no overlap of the hands. The length L can be in a range of about 6 inches to about 10 inches in one embodiment, or about 7 inches to about 9 inches in another embodiment, or about 9 inches in yet another embodiment. The length L can be selected to accommodate various hand sizes from youth to adult.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-4, the body 24 can be a sleeve 30 having an inner surface 32 that defines an opening 34 extending longitudinally through the body 24 (FIG. 4). The opening 34 can be open at both longitudinal ends of the sleeve 30. The sleeve 30 can thus receive a handle 20 of a bat 12 through the longitudinal opening 34 as shown in FIG. 2 for installing the grip aid device 10 on the handle 20 of the bat 12. The longitudinal opening 34 can be centered about the center axis 28 of the sleeve 30. The inner surface 32 defines a cross-sectional shape that can conform to an outer periphery 36 of the handle 20 upon which the grip aid device 10 is installed. The inner surface 32 can define the cross-sectional shape to be round or circular resulting in the longitudinal opening 34 being generally cylindrical. The inner surface 32 can have an inner radius R that is constant along the axial length L of the body 24. The inner surface 32 can also have an inner radius R that varies along the axial length L of the body 24. Although the inner surface 32 is described as being circular, it is understood that the inner surface 32 can define any other convenient cross-sectional shapes, such as oval, square, triangular, polygonal, irregular shape, or other shape. In one embodiment, the longitudinal opening 34 has an inner dimension that is less than an outer dimension of the handle 20 upon which the grip aid device 10 is intended to be installed. In one embodiment, the body 24 of the grip aid device 10 is solid and is integrally formed with the handle 20 of the bat 12 so that the grip aid device 10 and the bat 12 are one contiguous piece (FIG. 6).

The ridges 14, 16 can be integral with the body 24 such that the ridges 14, 16 and the body 24 form a single contiguous piece. The ridge 16 is spaced about the circumference of the body 24 from the ridge 14. In one embodiment, ridge 16 extends from an opposite side of the body 24 from the ridge 14 such that ridges 14, 16 are diametrically opposed. The ridges 14, 16 are generally aligned parallel to the length L of the body. In one embodiment, the ridges 14, 16 extend along the axial length L of the body 24. In one embodiment, ridge 16 is circumferentially spaced 175 degrees to 180 degrees relative to ridge 14 (i.e., a midplane of ridge 16 is circumferentially spaced 175 degrees to 180 degrees relative to a midplane of ridge 14). Each of the ridges 14, 16 can be sized to provide proper hand and wrist alignment as well as an appropriate degree of comfort to players having either large or small hands. The size and shape of ridge 14 can be the same as or different from a size and shape of ridge 16. The ridges 14, 16 can have an outermost surface 40 and a height H, which is defined as a distance from the inner surface 32 of the body 24 to the outermost surface 40 of the ridges 14, 16. The height H of the ridges 14, 16 can be in a range from about ¼ inches to about ¾ inches in one embodiment, from about ⅜ inches to about ⅝ inches in another embodiment, or about ⅜ inches to about ½ inches in yet another embodiment. In one embodiment, the height H can be about 0.55 inches

Referring to FIG. 3, each of the ridges 14, 16 can have sides 42, 44 extending outward from the outer surface 26 of the body 24 to the outermost surface 40 of the ridge 14, 16. The sides 42, 44 of each ridge 14, 16 can extend radially between the outer surface 26 of the body 24 and the outermost surface 40 of each ridge 14, 16 or can extend at an angle (not shown) from the outer surface 26 of the body 24 to the outermost surface 40 of each ridge 14, 16. In one embodiment, the sides 42, 44 form a right angle with the outermost surface 40 of the ridges 14, 16. The sides 42, 44 may also be curved, in one embodiment. Each of the ridges 14, 16 can have a width W defined as the greatest distance between side 42 and side 44. The width W can be in a range from about ¼ inches to about ¾ inches in one embodiment, from about ⅜ inches to about 11/16 inches in another embodiment, or about ⅝ inches in yet another embodiment. The ridges 14, 16 can have any convenient transverse cross-sectional shape, which can include, but is not limited to, square, rectangle, triangle, trapezoid, multi-faceted, irregular shaped or other shape. The corners at the intersection of the outermost surface 40 and one or both of sides 42, 44 of the ridges 14, 16 can be squared, rounded, beveled, chamfered, or otherwise shaped.

Referring to FIG. 3, the spacing of the ridges 14, 16 can be characterized by a spacing angle o, which can be defined as the angle between planes 55 and 57. Plane 55 passes through the center axis 28 of the elongated body 24 and a point 56 at which side 42 of ridge 14 connects to the outer surface 26 of the elongated body 24. Plane 57 passes through the center axis 28 of the elongated body 24 and a point 58 at which side 44 of ridge 16 connects to the outer surface 26 of the elongated body 24. The spacing angle o can be in a range of 30 degrees to 140 degrees in one embodiment, or 45 degrees to 120 degrees in another embodiment, or 80 degrees to 105 degrees in yet another embodiment.

The outermost surface 40 of each of the ridges 14, 16 can be smooth or can be textured, such as by adding dimples and/or bristles, for example. Referring to FIG. 5, the ridges 14, 16 can include a plurality of bristles 50 extending outward from the ridges 14, 16. The bristles 50 can be spaced apart and can have a bristle height H′ in a range of about 1/64 inch to about 3/16 inch in one embodiment, or about 1/32 inch to about ⅛ inch in another embodiment, or about 1/16 inch in yet another embodiment. The height H of the ridges 14, 16 generally includes the bristle height H′. For ridges 14, 16 having bristles 50, the outermost surface 40 of each of the ridges 14, 16 is considered to be the outer ends 52 of the bristles 50 for determining the height H of the ridges 14, 16. The bristles 50 can provide a more attractive outer appearance to the grip aid device 10 and can provide a more comfortable and/or ergonomic grip for the user. The bristles 50 can have any convenient size and shape in cross section, such as round, polygonal, square, or triangular, for example. Each of the ridges 14, 16 can have a number of bristles 50 along the width W of the ridge 14, 16 in a range of about 4 to about 8 in one embodiment, or about 6 in another embodiment.

Sports rules, such as the rules of baseball and softball, generally prohibit the use of training aids or practice devices during games, which necessitates either the removal of the grip aid device 10 from the bat 12 or, in the case of the grip aid device 10 formed integral with the bat 12 (FIG. 6), use of a different bat during games. Anticipated usage of the removable embodiment of the grip aid device 10 may result in the grip aid device 10 being repeatedly drawn over the knob 22 of the bat 12, as the grip aid device 10 is repeatedly taken on and off of the bat 12 at transitions between practice and game play.

The grip aid device 10 can be made of a resilient material that is capable of being plastically deformed or expanded outward and of returning to its original shape following the expansion. The resilient material is strong enough to expand over the knob 22 of the bat 12 without ripping and is durable enough to withstand repeated installation on and removal from the bat 12 without substantial degradation of the grip aid device 10. Materials suitable for the grip aid device 10 can have a tensile modulus (i.e., elasticity) in a range of about 300 pounds per square inch (psi) to about 1000 psi in one embodiment, or about 600 psi to about 1000 psi in another embodiment, or about 700 psi to about 1000 psi in yet another embodiment. Resilient materials include, but are not limited to natural rubbers, such as polyisoprene, or synthetic rubbers, which include, but are not limited to, silicone rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, isoprene rubber, chloroprene rubber, polyacrylate rubber, polyester urethane rubber, other synthetic rubber, or combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the grip aid device 10 can be a silicone rubber. One or more colorants, dyes, or pigments can be added to the material used to make the grip aid device 10. The grip aid device 10 can be made by injection molding or transfer molding, both of which are well-known in the art. A brand logo or other textured design can be added to the surface of a mold used for the injection molding or transfer molding in order to incorporate the brand logo or other textured design into the outer surface 26 of the body 24, outermost surface 40 of the first and second ridges 14, 16, or any other surface of the grip aid device 10.

The outer surface 26 or inner surface 32 of the grip aid device 10, including the surfaces 40, 42, 44 of the ridges 14, 16, can be coated, printed, or silk screened to add one or more trademarks, company names or logos, advertisements, team names or logos, identifying marks, decorative graphics, other graphics, or combinations thereof.

Referring to FIG. 4, the grip aid device 10 can have a slip agent 54 applied to the inner surface 32 of the body 24 that defines the opening 34. The slip agent 54 applied to the inner surface 32 can reduce frictional forces between the inner surface 32 of the body 24 and the handle 20 and knob 22 of the bat 12 (FIG. 1) that occur while sliding the grip aid device 10 on and off of the bat 12. The slip agent 54 can reduce a force required to install and remove the grip aid device 10, which in turn can reduce shear stress and other forces acting on the grip aid device 10. Use of the slip agent 54 on the inner surface 32 can reduce wear on the grip aid device 10 and increase the useful life, among other benefits. Slip agents 54 that may be suitable for use with the grip aid device 10 may include, but are not limited to cornstarch, fine dirt, talcum powder, other slip agents, or combinations thereof. A single application of the slip agent 54 to the inner surface 32 of the grip aid device 10 can be effective to reduce frictional forces throughout multiple installations and removals of the grip aid device 10 from the bat 12. A single application of the slip agent 54 can provide about 15 to about 25 installations and/or removals of the grip aid device 10.

In an embodiment, the grip aid device 10 can be marketed and sold as a grip aid kit (not shown) that can include the grip aid device 10 and the slip agent 54. The slip agent 54 may be included in any convenient package or container, such as a pouch, jar, bag, or packet, for example. Optionally, the grip aid kit may include an applicator, such as a brush, scoop, paddle, or other applicator, for applying the slip agent 54 to the inner surface 32 of the grip aid device 10. The grip aid kit can also include instructions for installing and removing the grip aid device 10 from a bat 12 and/or instructions for applying the slip agent 54 to the inner surface 32 of the grip aid device 10. The grip aid kit may also optionally include further instructions on using the grip aid device 10 to improve a player's grip.

The grip aid device 10 can be removably installed on a wooden or metal bat 12, and can be removably installed over a grip or grip tape 52 (FIG. 1) previously installed on the handle 20 of the bat 12 to provide a grip aid assembly. To install the grip aid device 10 on the bat 12, the bat 12 may first be secured to limit movement of the bat 12 during installation. With the bat 12 secured, the grip aid device 10 can be plastically (i.e., elastically) expanded outward to enlarge the opening 34 to fit over the knob 22 of the bat 12. The grip aid device 10 can be pulled over the knob 22 of the bat 12 and onto the handle 20 of the bat 12. Once the grip aid device 10 clears the knob 22 of the bat 12, the grip aid device 10, being resilient, elastically returns to its original shape, and in doing so, the inner surface 32 of the grip aid device 10 exerts compressive and frictional forces against the handle 20 of the bat 12 to generally hold the grip aid device 10 in place on the handle 20. In some embodiments, the grip aid device 10 may be movable relative to the handle 20 of the bat 12 for adjusting the position of the grip aid device 10 to accommodate user preferences. Though movable, the grip aid device 10 becomes unmovable relative to the handle 20 of the bat 12 when the player grips the grip aid device 10. To remove the grip aid device 10 from the bat 12, the bat 12 is secured to limit movement of the bat 12 during removal. The grip aide device 10 can then be plastically expanded and pulled over the knob 22 and off of the bat 12.

Referring to FIG. 6, ridges 114, 116 can be made integral with a handle 120 of a bat 102 to make grip aid device 100 then is a unitary practice-bat-type grip aid device rather than a removable sleeve (FIG. 1). The grip aid device 100 includes a barrel 118, a handle 120 contiguous with the barrel 118, and a knob 122 positioned at an end of the handle 120. The handle 120 has ridges 114, 116 extending or protruding from an outer surface 112 of the handle 120. The ridges 114, 116 are longitudinal ridges extending along a length M of the handle 120. Ridges 114, 116 are generally aligned parallel with the length M of the handle 120 and are spaced apart about a circumference of the handle 120. Ridge 116 can be circumferentially spaced _175 degrees to 180 degrees from ridge 114. Grip aid device 100, including the handle 20, ridges 114, 116, barrel 118, and knob 122, can be made from wood or metal (e.g., aluminum). In one embodiment, the grip aid device 100 is made as a solid unitary piece from a single piece of wood such that the ridges 114, 116 are built-in to the handle 120. In one embodiment, the grip aid device 100 is a metal (e.g., aluminum) and is cast/molded as a single unitary piece having ridges 114, 116 cast as a contiguous part of the handle 120. In one embodiment, the ridges 114, 116 can be formed separate from the bat 102 and adhered to or otherwise bonded to the handle 120 of the bat 102 to form the grip aid device 100 that is a unitary piece. In another embodiment, the grip aid device 100 can be over-molded to the handle 120 of the bat 102. A grip or grip tape (not shown) can be applied to the handle 120 and ridges 114, 116 of the grip aid device 120.

Referring back to FIG. 1, to use the grip aid device 10, a player grips the grip aid device 10 in both hands and aligns the middle knuckles of both hands with ridge 14. The middle knuckles refer to the knuckles corresponding to the proximal interphalangeal joint positioned between the proximal phalanx and the middle phalanx of each of the index, middle, ring, and small fingers. The hands are aligned so that the proximal interphalangeal joints of the index, middle, ring, and small fingers of both hands generally align with ridge 14. Ridge 16 is aligned with the v-shaped notch defined between the thumb and index finger of both hands. The v-shaped notch is adjacent to the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb and can sometimes be referred to as the thenar space of the hand. Aligning the v-shaped notch of both hands with ridge 16 generally places the metacarpophalangeal joint of both thumbs against ridge 16. When properly gripping the grip aid device 10, the player will have the middle knuckles of both hands aligned with ridge 14 and the v-shaped notch of the thumbs of both hands aligned with ridge 16. The above described alignment of both hands with the grip aid device 10 places the hands in a wrist over wrist alignment, referred to as an “axe-grip.” A player is generally not able to properly grip and swing the bat 12 having the grip aid device 10 positioned thereon without properly aligning the knuckles with ridge 14 and properly aligning the wrists by aligning the v-shaped notch between the thumb and index finger with ridge 16. Being generally symmetrical in shape, the grip aid device 10 is equally effective for use by both left-handed and right-handed players.

In accordance with embodiments of the invention, the implementation of multiple ridges may overcome deficiencies of grip aids that are included on a grip with a single ridge that fails to provide an adequate mechanism for aligning the player's wrists. With the knuckles aligned on the single longitudinal ridge, the player is still free to move the wrists away from each other by, for instance, flaring out the elbows. Allowing the wrists to rotate away from each other creates a “hole” or loop in the player's swing. Spacing the wrists apart such that the wrists are not in a wrist-over-wrist alignment causes a player to roll the top hand over the bottom hand when the bat is traveling through a hitting zone. Rolling the hands over in the hitting zone can cause the barrel of the bat to loop out of a plane of the swing, which can result in the player mis-hitting the ball traveling through the hitting zone or completely missing the ball altogether.

The grip aid device 10 disclosed herein minimizes or eliminates this looping of the barrel 20 of the bat 12 in the hitting zone caused by rolling the top wrist over the bottom wrist. As previously described, grip aid device 10 aligns the knuckles as well as properly aligning the hands in a wrist-over-wrist configuration. Positioning the hands in a wrist over wrist alignment enables a player to keep the bat 12 traveling in a continuous plane through the hitting zone and minimizes or eliminates the looping movement of the barrel 20 of the bat 12 caused by rolling the top hand over the bottom hand. Maintaining a consistently planar swing through the hitting zone results in better contact with the ball and better transfer of power and trajectory to the ball, which, in baseball and softball, leads to increases in desirable hits, such as ground balls and line drives, for example.

In an embodiment, the use of exactly two ridges 14, 16 may permit the middle knuckles of both hands to contact and be aligned with one of the ridges and the v-shaped notches of both hands to contact and be aligned with the other of the ridges. In this embodiment, a third ridge is not needed to provide the desired alignment between the hands and the grip aid device 10 on the bat 12. In addition, the use of only a single ridge is not adequate to provide the desired alignment between the hands and the grip aid device 10 on the bat 12.

The grip aid device 10 can be used to help a player develop a proper grip of the bat. A method for improving a player's grip can include providing a grip aid device 10 as disclosed herein; installing the grip aid device 10 on the handle 20 of a bat 12; positioning the player's hands on the grip aid device 10 as described herein to align the knuckles and align the wrists in a wrist over wrist alignment; and engaging in repeated swinging of the bat 12 through a hitting zone, while having the wrists properly aligned on the handle 20 by way of the grip aid device 10. The grip aid device 10 can be used for repetitive practice swings and/or live hitting practice. Repetitive swinging of the bat 12 with the knuckles and wrists properly aligned enables the player to develop muscle memory and physical memory of the proper alignment and proper grip technique such that the player can effectively duplicate the proper alignment and grip mechanics during a game situation, in which the grip aid device 10 may be prohibited by the rules of the game.

While all of the invention has been illustrated by a description of various embodiments and while these embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the Applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and method, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of the Applicant's general inventive concept.

Claims

1. A grip aid device comprising:

an elongated body; and

a first ridge and a second ridge on the elongated body, the first ridge and the second ridge aligned parallel to a length of the elongated body, and the first ridge and the second ridge protruding outward from an outer surface of the elongated body,

wherein the second ridge is spaced about the circumference of the elongated body from the first ridge, the first ridge and the second ridge extend substantially along an entire length of the body, and the body comprises an inner surface defining an opening extending longitudinally through the body, and the opening is configured to receive a handle of a bat.

2. (canceled)

3. The grip aid device of claim 1 wherein the grip aid device comprises a material selected from the group consisting of silicone rubber and natural rubber.

4. The grip aid device of claim 1 wherein the grip aid device comprises silicone rubber.

5. The grip aid device of claim 1 further comprising:

a slip agent applied to the inner surface of the body.

6. The grip aid device of claim 1 wherein the body has an elasticity in a range of about 700 psi to about 1000 psi.

7. The grip aid device of claim 1 wherein the body is comprised of a material selected to deform plastically to permit the handle of the bat to be received in the opening.

8. The grip aid device of claim 1 wherein the first ridge includes a first outer surface, the second ridge includes a second outer surface, and further comprising:

a plurality of bristles on at least one of the first outer surface or the second outer surface.

9. (canceled)

10. The grip aid device of claim 1 wherein the second ridge is circumferentially spaced 175 degrees to 180 degrees from the first ridge.

11. The grip aid device of claim 1 wherein the body is configured to be removably installed on a bat.

12. The grip aid device of claim 1 wherein the first ridge and the second ridge are capable of maintaining a player's wrists in a wrist-over-wrist alignment.

13. A grip aid device comprising:

a bat having a barrel, a handle contiguous with the barrel, and a knob positioned at an end of the handle;

a first ridge and a second ridge integral with the handle, the first ridge and the second ridge aligned parallel to a length of the handle, and the first ridge and the second ridge protruding outward from an outer surface of the handle,

wherein the second ridge is spaced about the circumference of the handle from the first ridge.

14. The grip aid device of claim 13 wherein the second ridge is circumferentially spaced 175 degrees to 180 degrees from the first ridge.

15. The grip aid device of claim 13 wherein the first ridge and the second ridge are capable of maintaining a player's wrists in a wrist-over-wrist alignment.

16. A method for improving a player's grip, the method comprising:

obtaining a grip aid device having an elongated body and a first ridge and a second ridge on the elongated body, the first ridge and the second ridge aligned parallel to a length of the elongated body, and the first ridge and the second ridge protruding outward from an outer surface of the elongated body, wherein the second ridge is spaced about the circumference of the elongated body from the first ridge;

installing the grip aid device on a bat;

properly aligning hands of a player on the grip aid device; and

swinging the bat through a hitting zone.

17. The grip aid device of claim 1 wherein the grip aid device does not include a third ridge.

18. The grip aid device of claim 1 wherein the grip aid device includes the first ridge and the second ridge as exactly two ridges.