Abstract: A starting pad, a landing pad and a target are spaced along a beam. The device may be used to train an athlete, such as a baseball pitcher, to accurately repeat a sequence of coordinated leg, arm and torso movements. The athlete stands on the starting pad and grips a suitable striking implement, such as a hand towel. The athlete executes a sequence of movements in the manner required by the sport, beginning with the athlete stepping off the starting pad and ending with the athlete stepping onto the landing pad. During the movement sequence, the athlete swings the implement in the manner of the sport to which the sequence pertains and attempts to strike the target with the implement. For example, a baseball pitcher begins a delivery with a leg lift on the starting pad and strides to the landing pad while swinging the implement as though it were a baseball in an attempt to strike the target.

Abstract: A spark igniter is disclosed. The igniter comprises a metal shell having a firing end which terminates at its lower end in an annular ground electrode, an insulator, a center electrode and a plurality of inserts embedded within and bonded to the metal shell. The insulator is sealed within the metal shell and has a central bore within which the center electrode is sealed and a surface extending inwardly toward the bore from the ground electrode. The center electrode has a firing end which is in spark gap relation with the ground electrode of the metal shell and is so positioned that a spark discharge between the firing end and the ground electrode occurs along the inwardly extending surface of the insulator. The inserts are composed of an oxidation and erosion resistant material, for example iridium, platinum, rhodium, ruthenium, osmium, tungsten or an alloy or ductile alloy of one of the foregoing metals.