Batting training apparatus

Abstract

A batting training system utilizes an adjustable belt which is worn around the waist of a batter. One end of a tether line is connected to the belt and the other end to a hook which is configured to be attached to a fixed structure such as a fence. Releasable connectors which use Velcro® or its equivalent, are located between the ends of the tether. With the belt around the batter's waist and the tether extended from the belt to the fixed structure, the batter takes his stance, awaiting the pitched ball. If the batter takes a proper swing, i.e. he properly shifts his weight, the tether will remain attached between the batter and the fixed structure. If the batter improperly moves his body forward before swinging or shifts his weight forward during the swing, the connectors will detach, allowing the tether to fall to the ground. This provides immediate feedback to the batter, who can then reattach the connectors and continue to practice swinging correctly.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is important, while executing a good batting stroke, that the batter be in the proper, balanced position at all times during the swinging process. Thus, while in the process of swinging, it is critical that the batter shift his or her weight from the back leg to the front leg at the appropriate point in the swing. Many batters, however, do not properly shift their weight when swinging. Instead, they shift their weight far forward and a batter will often actually move the upper body towards the pitched ball. This will usually result in hitting a foul or weak fair ball or actually missing the ball entirely. It is therefore important that batters be trained to maintain their upper bodies or torsos in a relatively stationary position during the batting stroke, properly shifting the weight and allowing only the arms to move forward to hit the pitched ball.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is thus the object of the present invention to provide a batting training system which can easily and readily be used by a batter during hitting practice to provide direct and instant feedback that he or she is properly shifting weight and taking a correct swing.

This and other objects are accomplished by the present invention, a batting training system which comprises an adjustable belt which is worn around the waist of a batter. One end of a tether line is connected to the belt and the other end to a hook which is configured to be attached to a fixed structure such as a fence. Releasable connectors which use Velcro® or its equivalent, are located between the ends of the tether. With the belt around the batter's waist and the tether extended from the belt to the fixed structure, the batter takes his stance, awaiting the pitched ball. If the batter takes a proper swing, i.e. he properly shifts his weight, the tether will remain attached between the batter and the fixed structure. If the batter improperly moves his body forward before swinging or shifts his weight forward during the swing, the connectors will detach, allowing the tether to fall to the ground. This provides immediate feedback to the batter, who can then reattach the connectors and continue to practice swinging correctly.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention, itself, however, both as to its design, construction and use, together with additional features and advantages thereof, are best understood upon review of the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the batting training system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts the batting training system of the present invention in use on a batter.

FIG. 3 shows the batting training system of the present invention in use on a batter, with the batter in proper position while swinging a bat at a pitched ball.

FIG. 4 depicts the batting training system of the present invention in use on a batter, with the batter in an improper position while swinging a bat at a pitched ball.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The batting training system 1 of the present invention comprises belt 10 configured to fit around torso 2 of batter 3. The length of belt 10 is adjustable by means of buckle 12 through which the end of the belt extends. Belt 10 can thus fit the torso of batters of various sizes and dimensions.

Batting training system 1 further comprises tether 16 attached to belt 10 by means of connection system 14 consisting of belt end connector 15 and tether end connector 17. Tether 16 can be a line, a rope, cable, or equivalent non-stretchable flexible line. Connectors 15 and 17 are removeably attached, such that they can readily be separated if tugged apart and then easily reattached. It is anticipated that connectors 15 and 17 will be configured with hook and eye attachments, i.e. Velcro® or equivalent attachment means. The invention is not to be considered restrictive to the type of attachment means used. Suffice to say, it is contemplated that the attachment means, with releasable clasps, snaps, Velcro®, or the like, must be capable of being separated when a pulling force, caused by the forward movement of batter 1, is applied. The attachment means must then just as easily and simply be capable of being reattached.

Hook 18 of batting training system 1 is connected to the second end of tether 16. Hook 18 is configured to be attached to a fixed structure, such as fence 22.

In use, belt 10 is secured loosely around torso 2 of batter 3 and adjusted by means of buckle 12 for the comfort of the batter. Batter 3 then sets up in a correct batting stance, as shown in FIG. 2. In taking this proper stance, there is an imaginary vertical plane 20 which extends perpendicular to the oncoming pitched ball. Vertical plane 20 runs through center location 4 of the batter's torso 2, as is also depicted in FIG. 2. At this time, tether 16, secured at one end to belt 10, is secured at its other end by hook 18 to a fixed structure like fence 22. Hook 18 can also be fixed in position by manually, immoveably, holding it.

Batting training system 1 of the present invention is specifically designed as an instructional guide, providing immediate feedback to the batter that while taking a proper swing at a pitched ball, the weight must be shifted from back leg to front leg, with no movement of the torso. This is clearly depicted in FIG. 3 in which batter 3 uses bat 6 to swing at pitched ball 8. Here, batter 3 takes a proper swing by properly shifting his weight and thus keeping his torso 2 relatively stationary, such that center location 4 of the torso remains substantially in vertical plane 20. The resulting swing ensures that connector device 14 remains attached and, hence, tether 16 remains secured between batter 3 and fence 22.

As depicted in FIG. 4, however, batter 3 shifts his weight too far forward or actually lunges ahead towards pitched ball 8. The resulting forward movement of torso 2 of the batter results in center location 4 also advancing forward of vertical plane 20. This forward movement causes connectors 15 and 17 to detach and tether 16 to fall to the ground. If the batter moves his body forward, towards the pitched ball before swinging, connectors 15 and 17 will also detach, causing tether 16 to fall to the ground. In either case, the batter is provided clear, immediate evidence that he is not swinging property. Nonetheless, batter 3 can then retrieve tether 16, reattach connectors 15 and 17, and practice swinging correctly.

Thus, the batting training system of the present invention simply, yet effectively instructs the batter to keep his weight back and his torso stationary while swinging at a pitched ball. When the batter takes swings while maintaining the correct swinging position, tether 16 will not detach. Continual and repeated practice will result in the batter swinging correctly, without the use of the present invention.

Certain novel features and components of this invention are disclosed in detail in order to make the invention clear in at least one form thereof. However, it is to be clearly understood that the invention as disclosed is not necessarily limited to the exact form and details as disclosed, since it is apparent that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A training system for improving the batting position of a batter during the process of swinging a bat at a pitched ball comprising:

belt means for encircling the torso of the batter;

a tether having two ends;

first means at one end of the tether to maintain said end of the tether in a fixed position, and second means at the other end of the tether to removeably attach the tether to the belt means, said second means being detachable from the belt means solely upon forward movement of the torso of the batter, whereby when the center of the batter's torso, during the swinging process, remains substantially in the vertical plane extending perpendicular to the oncoming pitched ball, the second means remains connected to the belt means, and when there is forward movement of the batter's torso out of the vertical plane, said second means becomes detached from the belt means solely as a result of the forward movement of the batter's torso.

2. The training system as in claim 1 wherein the belt means comprises buckle means for adjusting the size of the belt means to accommodate various torso sizes.

3. The training system as in claim 1 wherein the means at the first end and the second end of the tether comprises detachable and re-attachable members.

4. The training system as in claim 3 wherein the attachable and detachable members comprise eye and hook attachment elements.

5. The training system as in claim 1 wherein the first means of the tether comprises a hook for securing the tether to a fixed structure.