Training baseball bat
A baseball or softball bat is provided for use by a batter during drills or practice. The training bat comprises a wooden or nylon composite barrel attached to an elongated aluminum handle or shaft, wherein the barrel has a significantly greater diameter than the handle. The bat feels like a traditional bat, while the barrel resembles the barrel and “sweet spot” of a traditional bat and performs similarly when used to strike a ball. Depending on whether the ball is struck by the sweet spot or some other portion of the bat, the batter is provided with differing feedback. This feedback is similar to that experienced during a typical game situation, but is accentuated by the configuration of the bat and teaches a repeatable swing that consistently places the sweet spot in contact with the ball.
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The present invention is directed to a training tool for baseball or softball. In particular, the present invention is directed to a training bat that is beneficial for improving hitting for baseball or softball.
DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ARTIn baseball or softball, it is important for a hitter to hit the ball with the “sweet spot” portion of the bat. In general, the sweet spot is considered the location of the center of percussion of the bat or the location that produces the greatest batted ball speed. While the exact location of the sweet spot depends on the characteristics of the bat, it is in general approximately six inches from the end of the barrel of the bat. The sweet spot is recognized by batters as the location that produces the least swing resistance and bat vibration, as well as the greatest power and control, when hitting the ball. Therefore, it is important for the batter to recognize the sweet spot on the bat and have a swing which consistently hits the ball with the sweet spot on the bat.
To learn to recognize the sweet spot and to consistently produce such a swing, a player needs to continually practice his/her swing. Such practice creates a muscle memory which will enable the player to recreate this swing when actually batting during a game. In addition, such practice is also necessary if a batter has a flaw in his/her swing or needs to improve his/her swing. Typical drills which batters work on to improve their swing include soft toss, short batting practice, hitting off a tee, etc. However, it is important when doing such drills and practicing his/her swing, that the batter receive feedback that he/she is performing a correct swing and hitting the ball with the sweet spot of the bat.
There are a variety of known training bats which aim to teach a sweet swing. Many training bats, such as the one disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,010,415 are weighted in order to develop faster bat speed, but such bats do not help the batter to develop a repeatable swing that consistently strikes the ball with the sweet spot. Some bats have been suggested for the purpose of teaching such a repeatable swing. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,565,462; U.S. Pat. No. 6,923,737; U.S. patent application Publication No. 2005/0124442; and the Torpedo® training bat from Jas. D. Easton, Inc. all provide training bats which allegedly teach a batter to strike the ball with the sweet spot of the bat. For example, the Torpedo® training bat has a thin handle which stretches from a lower end to an oversized portion, the alleged sweet spot portion, near an upper end of the bat. The Torpedo® training bat, however, is entirely made of aluminum, which results in a number of problems, such as an oversized sweet spot. Further, this bat does not provide the desired performance feedback. This bat also has a relatively low bat weight.
A problem to be addressed is to provide a training bat for use during drills and practice that teaches a repeatable swing that consistently strikes the ball with the sweet spot portion, while providing the batter with instant feedback during such drills and practice regarding whether the batter is hitting the ball with the sweet spot of the bat.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn accordance with the present invention, a training bat is provided which delivers instant feedback to the hitter with regard to whether the batter is hitting the ball with the sweet spot on the bat. In a preferred embodiment, the training bat comprises a barrel attached to an elongated aluminum handle or shaft, wherein the barrel has a significantly greater diameter than the handle and is comprised of a non-metallic material. The bat has the weight and feel of a traditional aluminum bat, while the barrel resembles the size, shape, and location of the barrel and sweet spot of a traditional bat and performs similarly when used to strike a ball.
Depending on whether the ball is struck by the sweet spot, the barrel, or some other portion of the bat, the batter is provided with differing feedback. For example, when the handle strikes the ball, the batter will hear a metallic “ping” sound caused by contact between the ball and the aluminum, feel a buzz or sting in his/her hands due to the vibration of the bat, and see the ball struck weakly. In contrast, when the ball is struck by the non-metallic sweet spot, the batter will hear the “crack” of the bat against the ball, feel little or no resistance and vibration, and see the ball struck solidly. This feedback is similar to that experienced during a typical game situation, but is accentuated by the configuration of the bat and teaches a repeatable swing that consistently places the sweet spot in contact with the ball.
In a further preferred embodiment, the barrel is made of wood or a nylon composite while the handle is made of an airplane grade aluminum. Furthermore, the bat may be provided in an assortment of lengths, weights, and weight distributions to simulate different types and sizes of baseball and softball bats.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In
Preferably, the barrel 12 is made of a different material than the handle 14 and, in a further preferred embodiment, comprises a wood or nylon composite construction. The barrel 12 is configured to replicate the shape and location of the barrel of a traditional bat.
The barrel 12 is most preferably made of a nylon composite, because it is more durable than wood and easily provided in team colors or the like. When using wood, the barrel 12 is preferably made of maple. While other types of wood, such as ash, could be used, maple has been found to provide good feedback for letting the batter know whether he/she is hitting the ball with the sweet spot on the bat 10.
In a further preferred embodiment, the barrel 12 is approximately 6½ inches long and has a diameter of approximately 2½ inches. In a most preferred embodiment, the barrel 12 is approximately 4 inches long and has a diameter of 2⅛ inches, which is slightly smaller than the barrel of a typical bat. The decreased size makes it more difficult to successfully strike a ball, which is useful for training purposes. However, it is contemplated that barrels having other sizes would also fall within the scope of the present invention. For example, a larger barrel may be used with a larger bat or a smaller barrel which is more difficult to strike the ball with may be used by more experienced batters to further develop their swing.
Preferably, knob 18, which is located at a distal end of barrel 12, is made of rubber. However, other materials such as plastic or metal could also be used. As shown in
As described above, the sweet spot of a bat is typically around six inches from the distal end of the bat, represented in
While the region of a traditional bat between the sweet spot and the distal end of the bat, generally shown in broken lines in
As shown in
The ends of barrel 12 and adhesive or snap rings 22 are preferably covered by a covering 24. Preferably, covering 24 has an accordion shape and is made of rubber or plastic.
In the embodiment of
Preferably, handle 14 is made of aluminum, though other metals can also be used. In the preferred embodiment, handle 14 is made of an airplane grade aluminum that provides the bat 10 with the balance and feel of a traditional aluminum bat. A specification for an example of such an aluminum which can be used for the handle 14 of the bat 10 of the present application is attached as Table 1. Baseball bats and softball bats are balanced differently, so the weight distribution of the handle 14 may vary in order to reproduce the proper feel. In one embodiment, the diameter of the handle 14 is approximately ⅞ inch, but can be larger or smaller depending on the size of the bat 10.
A traditional bat has a tapered region between the handle and barrel, which region is shown in broken lines in
Knob 16 is preferably made of the same material as handle 14 and preferably welded to the end of handle 14. Knob 16 is not limited to being made of aluminum but could also be made, for example, of plastic, rubber or other types of metal. Other ways of attaching the knob to the handle are also contemplated as being within the scope of the invention.
Preferably, handle 14 has a grip 20 covering at least the proximal end of the handle 14. Such a grip is well known in the industry and can be made of a synthetic leather or other material that is typical in the industry.
A logo 26 can be located on the handle 14, preferably between the grip 20 and the barrel 12a, as illustrated in
In use, a batter grasps the handle 14 of the bat 10 at a location along the grip 20. The batter then swings the bat 10 at a thrown or stationary ball and, when contact is made, a variety of possible feedback results. One possible outcome is that the ball may be struck by the handle 14, in which case the batter will feel a sensation in his/her hands due to the vibration of the bat 10, hear the “ping” sound of the ball striking the metal, and see the ball hit with poor power and control.
If the ball is instead struck with covering 24, then different feedback will be produced. In particular, the batter will feel a sensation in his/her hands which is less intense than the sensation resulting from striking the ball with the handle 14, hear a dull sound of the ball striking the rubber or plastic, and see the ball hit with poor power and control. Feedback of this nature informs the batter that his/her swing was not successful, but did place the barrel 12 of the bat 10 in the vicinity of the ball. Accordingly, the batter will be signaled to adjust his/her swing.
If knob 18 is provided, then feedback similar to handle 14 will be produced if it is used to strike a ball. However, the resulting sound will differ depending on the construction of the knob 18. It should be noted that knob 18 provides bat 10 with an outwardly stepped, intermediate cross-sectional area at a distal end of the inwardly tapered covering 24 of barrel 12. Such a profile is preferred to a distal end that continues to taper inwardly, because the generally opposing taper angles cause a struck ball to travel in different directions, thereby providing clearly distinct visual feedback. For example, a ball struck with covering 24 will tend to be hit to the “opposite field,” i.e., in the direction that the batter's body is facing, whereas a ball struck with knob 18 will tend to be “pulled,” i.e., it will travel in the direction that the bat is being swung. Feedback of this nature informs the batter that his/her swing was not successful and did not place the barrel 12 or sweet spot 28 of the bat 10 in the vicinity of the ball. Accordingly, the batter will be signaled to adjust his/her swing in order to be successful.
Another possible result is that the ball can be struck by the barrel 12 at a location away from the sweet spot 28, such as at tapered region 23 of
Finally, if the batter strikes the ball with the sweet spot region 28 of the bat 10, then another type of feedback will result. In particular, the ball will provide no noticeable resistance and the bat 10 will not noticeably vibrate, so the swing through the ball will feel effortless to the batter. Also, the contact between the sweet spot region 28 and the ball will produce a “crack” sound which is louder than the sound resulting from any other location on the barrel 12 and the batter will see the ball hit with maximum power and control. This informs the batter that his/her swing brought the sweet spot 28 of the bat 10 into contact with the ball and should be repeated for future success.
It will be understood that the embodiments of the present invention which have been described are illustrative of some of the applications of the principles of the present invention. Numerous modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention, including those combinations of features that are individually disclosed or claimed herein. For example, wood may be used in the handle. In such an embodiment, the bat may be configured to mimic the balance and feel of a wooden bat for training a batter to use a wooden bat in a game situation. For these reasons, the scope of the invention is not limited to the above description, but is as set forth in the following claims.
Claims
1. A bat for use in practice and training exercises, comprising:
- an elongated, generally cylindrical handle having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and a handle cross-sectional area, wherein said handle is substantially comprised of a first material; and
- a generally cylindrical barrel at said distal end portion of the handle,
- wherein the barrel has a cross-sectional area which is larger than the handle cross-sectional area,
- wherein said barrel is substantially comprised of a second material, and
- wherein the first material is different from the second material.
2. The bat of claim 1, wherein said first material is a metal.
3. The bat of claim 2, wherein said metal is aluminum.
4. The bat of claim 2, wherein said metal is airplane grade aluminum.
5. The bat of claim 2, wherein said second material is wood.
6. The bat of claim 2, wherein said second material is a nylon composite.
7. The bat of claim 1, wherein the barrel includes a generally hollow central opening for receiving said distal end portion of the handle.
8. The bat of claim 1, wherein the bat has weight and balance characteristics substantially identical to a bat with a barrel substantially comprised of the first material.
9. The bat of claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional area of said handle is generally uniform between said proximal end of the handle and said barrel.
10. The bat of claim 1, further comprising a knob at a distal end of the barrel, wherein the knob has a larger cross-sectional area than the handle.
11. The bat of claim 1, further comprising coverings at a proximal end and a distal end of the barrel, wherein the coverings are substantially comprised of a third material, and wherein the third material is different from the first material and the second material.
12. The bat of claim 1, further comprising means for securing the barrel to the handle.
13. A bat for use in practice and training exercises comprising:
- an elongated, generally cylindrical handle having a proximal end and a distal end; and
- a generally cylindrical barrel having a distal end and a proximal end, said barrel being located at said distal end of said handle, wherein said barrel is slightly tapered downward at the proximal end and sharply tapered at the distal end.
14. The bat of claim 13, wherein said handle is substantially comprised of a first material, wherein said barrel is substantially comprised of a second material, and wherein said first material is different from said second material.
15. The bat of claim 14, wherein said first material is a metal.
16. The bat of claim 15, wherein said second material is wood.
17. The bat of claim 15, wherein said second material is a nylon composite.
18. The bat of claim 13, wherein the barrel includes a generally hollow central opening for receiving said distal end portion of the handle.
19. The bat of claim 13, wherein the cross-sectional area of said handle is generally uniform between said proximal end of the handle and said barrel.
20. The bat of claim 13, further comprising a knob at a distal end of the barrel, wherein the knob has a larger cross-sectional area than the handle.
21. The bat of claim 20, further comprising coverings at a proximal end and a distal end of the barrel, wherein the coverings are substantially comprised of a third material, and wherein the third material is different from the first material and the second material.
22. The bat of claim 14, further comprising means for securing the barrel to the handle.
23. A bat for use in practice and training exercises comprising:
- an elongated, generally cylindrical, non-tapered handle having a proximal end, a distal end, and a handle cross-sectional area; and
- a generally cylindrical, non-tapered barrel, said barrel being located between said proximal end and said distal end of said handle, wherein a barrel cross-sectional area is larger than said handle cross-sectional area.
24. The bat of claim 23, wherein said handle is substantially comprised of a first material, wherein said barrel is substantially comprised of a second material, and wherein said first material is different from said second material.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 8, 2005
Publication Date: Jun 14, 2007
Applicant:
Inventors: Josh Stoffel (Campbellsport, WI), Dean Haase (Germantown, WI)
Application Number: 11/298,270
International Classification: A63B 69/00 (20060101);