Portable Baseball Pitching Target

Abstract

A portable baseball/softball pitching target is disclosed. The portable baseball/softball pitching target has a single solitary exact target at which a baseball pitcher throws. The target can be adjusted left or right and/or in a height wise direction so that it can be moved to an exact spot allowing a pitcher to throw to an exact location. The target can be optionally moved remotely allowing the pitcher to practice pitching without having to approach the portable baseball pitching target. The target on the portable baseball pitching target can be moved using mechanical means or electrical means. The target dimensions can be adjusted to make the target smaller or larger. Other optional features include a radar that allows a pitcher to track his/her speed, a remote control device that allows the target to be moved, and a baseball/softball home plate. The portable pitching target may be a part of a kit.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Abner Doubleday was reputed to have invented the game of baseball in Cooperstown, N.Y. in 1839. The rules of baseball, as they are currently known, were established by New Yorkers in the 1840s. Through the years, although the fundamental aspect of the game has remained largely the same, the advent of various technologies and physical changes have changed some aspects of the game. There have been some back and forth between rules that favor the offensive aspects of the game (e.g., hitting) versus those rules that favor the defensive aspects of the game (e.g., pitching and fielding). In the late 1800s players may have needed as many as nine balls to garner a walk (with the understanding that the batter could request where the pitcher pitch the ball). Later, a strike zone was established so that a batter struck out if three pitches (untouched by the bat) were in the strike zone or a walk was garnered if four balls fell outside the strike zone.

The strike zone or other change has taken place through the years depending on whether the offensive aspects or defensive aspects of the game were dominating. As an example, in 1961, Roger Maris famously broke Babe Ruth's season home run record of 60 (Maris hit 61). Baseball reacted to this offensive display by a rule change that increased the size of the strike zone. However, by the 1968 season, pitchers were able to use this change to their advantage in such a way that the defensive aspects of the game were now dominating the game. In 1968, there were 339 shutouts by pitchers in the major leagues, pitcher Bob Gibson had an ERA of 1.12 runs per game, and Don Drysdale pitched 58 straight innings of scoreless ball. Thus, baseball again made a change to the game reducing the height of the pitching mound from a height of 15 inches to the height (and still current height) of 10 inches to once again aid the offensive aspects of the game.

Although the strike zone is laid out in the rules of baseball, the strike zone to a large extent relies on the judgment of umpires. One change that took place in baseball that many believe affected the size of the strike zone was a contract that major league baseball signed with the QuesTec company in 2001 that pioneered virtual replay from real-time measurements in baseball. The use of the this technology allowed the league to more accurately evaluate umpires performance in baseball to determine their abilities to accurately and repetitively call balls and strikes based upon the strike zone. However, many also believe that the strike zone in 2002-2006 was larger and kept changing because umpires used the technology to adjust their strike zones. In any event, the strike zone on the whole was larger than in the previous five years because of the evaluation of officials using this technology.

In 2009, a new system was instituted by major league baseball. This system was called the “Zone Evaluation” and the rule makers in baseball still believe that this new system will be a better way of grading umpires on their accuracy and ability to call games consistently and repetitively.

Although the rules of baseball change and the size of the strike zone has varied throughout time to either give advantages to the offense or the defense, it should be apparent that there is value to a pitcher that can throw a pitch with good velocity and to a given exact location. Greg Maddux, a pitcher who pitched from the 1980s to the 2000s, and is currently in the baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown was known to have only mediocre velocity on his fastball but was known for his ability to throw to a location. He was one of the best pitchers from the late 20^th century amassing 366 wins, over 3000 strike outs and fewer than 1000 walks in his career. It was reported that a few of the reasons why he had such control over being able to throw the ball to an exact location was his work throwing a whiffle ball to his brother (thus learning how to throw a curve) and his work at throwing at an exact target in his childhood (thus learning location control).

Even after he became a pro, Maddux continued to work on his ability to throw off speed pitches to a location. It is with Greg Maddux in mind that the present invention was developed.

Although there are available portable targets allowing one to practice throwing a baseball to a particular location, these portable targets tend to have other distractions in addition to the target to which one is to throw. Having an exact and defined target that is approximately the size of a catcher's mitt (or possibly smaller) without additional distractions would be ideal and is one of the reasons the present invention was developed.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a portable baseball/softball pitching target. In one variation, the portable baseball/softball pitching target has a single solitary exact target at which a baseball pitcher throws. In an embodiment, the portable baseball pitching target can be adjusted in a width wise direction and/or a height wise direction so that it can be moved to an exact spot allowing a pitcher to throw to an exact location for height and an exact location in a leftward or rightward direction. In one embodiment, the target on the portable baseball pitching target can be moved remotely meaning that the pitcher can practice pitching without having to approach the portable baseball pitching target. The target on the portable baseball pitching target in one embodiment can be moved in a manner that uses mechanical means or in a manner that combines a mechanical means with an electrical means. In an embodiment, the target dimensions can be adjusted to make the target smaller or larger. Other embodiments of the present invention may include a radar that allows a pitcher to track his/her speed, remote control device that allows the target to be moved, a baseball/softball home plate (or baseball/softball home plate mimic).

The present invention also relates to methods of improving a pitchers control by using the portable baseball pitching target of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the portable baseball pitching target as a pitcher would view it.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the telescoping vertical arm, the horizontal tract, and the chain in one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 shows another perspective view of an embodiment of the portable baseball pitching target as a pitcher would view it.

FIG. 4 shows a cross sectional area of the embodiment of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a portable baseball/softball pitching target. In one variation, the portable baseball/softball pitching target has a single solitary exact target at which a baseball pitcher throws. In an embodiment, the portable baseball pitching target can be adjusted in a width wise direction and/or a height wise direction so that it can be moved to an exact spot allowing a pitcher to throw to an exact location for height and an exact location in a leftward or rightward direction. In one embodiment, the target on the portable baseball pitching target can be moved remotely meaning that the pitcher can practice pitching without having to approach the portable baseball pitching target. The target on the portable baseball pitching target in one embodiment can be moved in a manner that uses mechanical means or in a manner that combines a mechanical means with an electrical means. In an embodiment, the target dimensions can be adjusted to make the target smaller or larger. Other embodiments of the present invention may include a radar that allows a pitcher to track his/her speed, remote control device that allows the target to be moved, a baseball/softball home plate (or baseball/softball home plate mimic).

The present invention also relates to methods of improving a pitchers control by using the portable baseball pitching target of the present invention.

The invention will now be described in reference to the figures. It should be understood that the embodiments that are shown are for illustrative purposes only and they are not meant to limit the invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the portable baseball/softball pitching target 1 is shown that has a horizontal tract 2 and a chain 3. The portable baseball/softball pitching target 1 also has a motor 4 and telescoping vertical arm 5 comprising a lower telescoping vertical arm 5b and an upper telescoping vertical arm 5a. In the embodiment that is shown, at the top of upper telescoping vertical arm 5a is attached to target 8, which comprises flaps 9 and central target area 10. It should be noted that although the upper telescoping vertical arm is shown with a smaller diameter of the cylindrically shaped arm so that it fits inside the lower telescoping vertical arm, it should be understood that the opposite is contemplated and therefore within the scope of the invention (i.e., the lower telescoping vertical arm has a smaller diameter than the upper telescoping vertical arm). It is also contemplated that there may be more than two telescoping vertical arm units. For example, it is contemplated and therefore within the scope of the invention that three arm units are in the telescoping vertical arm (i.e., a lower telescoping vertical arm, an intermediate telescoping vertical arm, and an upper telescoping vertical arm).

In an embodiment, the lower telescoping vertical arm 5b may have a hole in it that allows it to pass along the horizontal tract 2 in a rightward or leftward direction as is shown by horizontal double headed arrow 6. The telescoping vertical arm 5 allow the target 8 to be lifted to a higher position or lowered to a lower position in a direction that is shown by vertical double headed arrow 7. In an embodiment, motor 4 has the function of both moving the target in a horizontal direction as shown by horizontal double headed arrow 6 and in a vertical direction as shown by vertical double headed arrow 7. In an embodiment, the chain may be used to move the telescoping vertical arm 5 using the chain 3 and one or more sprockets (not shown in FIG. 1) that may allow the position of the target to be moved left or right (as shown by horizontal double headed arrow 6). Similarly, the motor 4 may have the requisite parts to move (perhaps by hydraulics) the telescoping arms 5a and 5b so that the height of target 8 can be adjusted in an upward or downward manner as shown by vertical double headed arrow 7. It should be noted that one or more sprockets may be present in the telescoping vertical arm or alternatively and/or additionally in the stands that may be associated with the apparatus.

It should be understood that motor 4 may have a receiving device associated with it that allows one to remotely control both the leftward and rightward motion as shown by horizontal double headed arrow 6 and the upward and downward motion as shown by vertical double headed arrow 7. Thus, it should be understood that a remote control device may be associated with the portable baseball/softball pitching target 1 that allows the target 8 to be positioned remotely by a pitcher who is at a distance that the pitcher does not have to approach the portable baseball/softball pitching target 1 in order to move the target 8 to the desired position.

With the target 8, there may be flaps 9 associated with the target so that a pitcher that throws a ball at the flaps 9 see them move when the pitcher throws the ball through the flaps. In an embodiment, the central target area 10 may be of a size wherein the diameter is smaller than the ball that is thrown at it. That way, the flaps 9 are always touched (and moved) when a ball hits the target 8. The flaps 9 may also have electronics associated with them that allow a pitcher to get feedback on the speed of the ball that traverses through the target 8 (and flaps). These electronics may also provide additional information to the pitcher such as the exact location that the pitch hit the flaps 9. Associated with the electronics may be a computer that allows for the storage of the data allowing the pitcher to see how he/she has pitched (e.g., velocity, location, spin) over a series of pitching workouts. The data may be stored temporally and accessed so that the pitcher can ascertain if he/she loses or gains velocity as he/she continues to pitch (for example, determining when the pitcher starts to tire or loosen up). Similarly, the pitcher may also be able to ascertain the location of the pitches as he/she tires or loosens up. This data feedback will provide the pitcher with information that will make the pitcher better. For example, if the pitcher knows that he/she starts to throw the ball higher as he/she tires, the pitcher will focus on keeping the ball lower and adjust his/her mechanics accordingly as he/she begins to tire.

In an embodiment, the telescoping vertical arm 5 are of a size that allows one to adjust the height of the target 8 so that the height of the target 8 is below or slightly below a typical batter's knees and alternatively the telescoping vertical arm 5 can be adjusted so that the height of the target is above a typical batter's waste. It should be understood that the height of the target should be adjustable to be outside of the strike zone of a batter so that a pitcher can practice throwing to those areas. In that way, the pitcher can practice throwing to an area that is an area where a batter would typically chase a pitch that is out of the strike zone.

It should be noted that in one embodiment, the size of target 8 is approximately the size of a catcher's mitt. Thus, a pitcher can practice hitting the exact target much as that pitcher would a catcher's mitt when pitching in an actual game. In an alternate embodiment, the target 8 may be larger than a catcher's mitt so that a pitcher may practice hitting the strike zone. It should be understood that with a larger target, the pitcher should be able to get more data available as more of the pitches will pass through the target 8 when practicing pitching. If electronics are associated with the flaps 9, the pitcher will be able to ascertain a set of data that shows the location of all of his/her pitches. Evaluation of the data sets will allow the pitcher to become better as the pitcher can work on different locations.

It should be noted that the target 8 is different and superior from many of the other apparatuses of the prior art in that the target 8 is able to mimic the size of a catcher's mitt without having other distractions. For example, there are prior art devices that allow a pitcher to throw through a series of different holes on a given apparatus. These devices have the drawback of providing distractions to a pitcher. In contrast, the present invention has a single solitary target that a pitcher can/will focus on thereby providing an improved pitching apparatus. The pitching apparatus of the instant invention is superior because it has a small target at which a pitcher can throw allowing a pitcher to practice by “aiming small, missing small”. In contrast a pitcher that has a large target to throw at will not be as precise with his/her accuracy because the pitcher will only be concerned with hitting the large target. Thus, the pitching device of the present invention will give better and more consistent results.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention. The lower telescoping vertical arm 5b has three holes associated with it that allow passage of the horizontal tract 2 from one side of the lower telescoping vertical arm 5b to the other side. The large hole 21 allows the passage of the horizontal tract through this lower telescoping vertical arm 5b . Similarly, there may be smaller holes 23 that allow passage of the chain from one side of the lower telescoping vertical arm 5b to the other. Inside the lower telescoping vertical arm 5b there may be a sprocket (not shown) that allows the lower telescoping vertical arm 5b to move along the horizontal tract 2 in one way or the other thereby also allowing target 8 (as shown in FIG. 1) to move in a horizontal direction in either a leftward or rightward direction. Although a motor is not shown in FIG. 2 (but is shown in FIG. 1) it should be understood that a motor may be present in the portable baseball/softball pitching target that facilitates the movement of the lower telescoping vertical arm 5b in the leftward or rightward direction. The motor may not be present as shown in the location as in FIG. 1 but may rather be at one or the other end of the horizontal tract.

In an embodiment, the ends of the horizontal tract may have (a) stand(s) associated with it that stabilizes the horizontal tract.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the portable baseball/softball pitching target 31 of the invention. In this embodiment, there are two horizontal tracts 32a and 32b associated with the portable baseball/softball pitching target 31. The telescoping vertical arms 5a and 5b sit on platform 35. Platform 35 is designed so that it can slide along horizontal tracts 32a and 32b so that the target 38 can move in a direction towards or away from stand 34a or stand 34b. Also associated with this embodiment, the portable baseball/softball pitching target 31 may have rope 33 associated with it that allows a pitcher to pull on the rope 33 to move the target. It should be understood that although this embodiment has rope 33 associated with it, the means of moving the target 38 can also be achieved by a chain (as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1) or by a motor using a rope or a chain. In an embodiment, the rope 33 may be sufficiently long so that a pitcher does not have to move in order to move the target 38. As shown in FIG. 3, if the pitcher pulls on rope the left rope 33a and releases right rope 33b, the target moves in a direction towards left stand 34a. Similarly, by pulling on right rope 33b and releasing left rope 33a, the target 38 moves in a direction towards right stand 34b. It should be understood that rope 33 is attached to platform 35 allowing platform 35 to move the target 38 and the telescoping vertical arms 5a and 5b (collectively, 5) that are attached to the platform 35. In an embodiment there may be one continuous rope that goes from the left side of rope 33a through the left stand 34a to and through the platform 35 to the right stand 34b and to right side of rope 33b. Alternatively, the rope 33 may be comprised of two ropes with both being attached to the platform. In this variation, there is both a left rope that goes from rope 33a to and through left stand 34a to platform 35 (where it is attached) and a right rope that goes from rope 33b to and through right stand 34b to platform 35 (where it is attached). Having two ropes allows the pitcher to pull on either left rope 33a or right rope 33b to move target 38 in a side to side direction.

Stands 34a and 34b should be sufficiently long in length so as to stabilize the portable baseball/softball pitching target 31 so it does not fall over when target 38 is hit and/or when rope 33 is pulled by the pitcher. The length should be sufficient so that the torque that results from having the telescoping vertical arms 5a and 5b fully extended when a ball hits it does not topple the portable baseball/softball pitching target 31. Stands 34a and 34b should also be sufficiently tall in height so that the height of target 38 is set appropriately to go from just outside and below the knees of a strikezone to the shoulders of a batter above a typical strikezone.

It should be noted that the telescoping vertical arms 5a and 5b are shown with two arms, the lower telescoping vertical arm 5b and the upper telescoping vertical arm 5a. It should, however, be noted that more than two telescoping vertical arm units are contemplated as being part of the inventive concept.

In the embodiment shown, there are no flaps shown with the target 38 but it should be understood that those flaps may be present. Similarly, there is no motor shown in the embodiment but it should be understood that a motor may be present that is able to move the target up and down and side to side. As in the previous embodiment, the target 38 may also have electronics associated with it that allows a pitcher to ascertain relevant data regarding the pitches that the pitcher throws (e.g., velocity, location, spin rate, etc.). A computer or other data storage and processing device may also be associated with the portable baseball/softball pitching target 31 that allows a pitcher access to the stored data and the ability to process said stored data. It should be noted that a “computer” herein may also include a smart phone (with applications), a tablet, or any other electronic device upon which data can typically be stored.

FIG. 4 shows a cross sectional view of the horizontal tracts 32a and 32b and the platform 35. It should be noted that platform is able to slide along notches 43a and 43b that run the length of horizontal tracts 32a and 32b. In an embodiment, the platform 35 and the horizontal tracts 32a and 32b may be made of metal. To facilitate the sliding of platform 35 from one side of the horizontal tracts 32a and 32b to the other, there may be oil or a silicone based lubricant associated with the horizontal tracts 32a and 32b that eases sliding of the platform. It should be understood that other means of facilitating the sliding of the platform may be used such as ball bearings and/or other lubricants. In alternate embodiments, the platform may be made of a hard plastic or any other material that demonstrates sufficient structural strength so as to be sufficiently rigid without being prone to breaking. In FIG. 4, there may also be a hole 42 that runs the length of the platform 35 that allows entry of a rope or chain (such as rope 33 as shown in FIG. 3). It should be noted that although embodiments with a rope and a chain have been shown, a chord or cable are also contemplated and may also be used as potential means of manually being able to move the telescoping arm of the instant apparatus (e.g., using the apparatus which comprises the platform or one that does not).

In an embodiment, the portable baseball/softball pitching target 1 may be a part of a kit. The kit may contain additional items such as a computer (or some data storing means) that are able to store data that results from pitches hitting the flaps 9. The kit may also contain a home plate that allows a pitcher to place it in front of the portable baseball/softball pitching target so that the pitcher even has a more realistic experience when practicing pitching. The kit may also have a netting catcher that is rather large that and is placed behind the portable baseball/softball pitching target 1 that is able to allow the gathering of balls that are thrown at the portable baseball/softball pitching target 1. This netting catcher device may also have electronics associated with it that allows a pitcher to be able to tally the number of pitches thrown. With this netting catcher device, a pitcher can compare the data of balls that pass through target 8 to the balls that are “caught” in the netting catcher allowing the pitcher to ascertain what percentage of balls thrown pass through the target 8. The kit may also have a number of replaceable targets 8 that allow a pitcher to vary the size of the target. The targets 8 in all cases may have electronics associated with them (e.g., the flaps 9) that allow one to gather data relating to the pitches hitting the target (as discussed herein).

In an embodiment, the kit may have additional different targets that can be used for other sports. For example, the apparatus of the present invention may be adapted so that a different target is placed that allows one that plays American football to throw a football at said target. In this instance, the target might be significantly larger to accommodate a quarterback that is practicing throwing to a wide receiver. In this variation, the telescoping vertical arm might be needed to accommodate a higher target area. Thus, in this variation, one might need more than two telescoping vertical arms. Similarly, because the weight of an American football is more than a baseball, the stand may have to be longer to accommodate greater torque when a football hits the target. Thus, in one embodiment, it is contemplated that additional different stands may be present that can be substituted out with the stands that are used with the apparatus when used for baseball or softball pitchers.

In an embodiment, a kit may also comprise a different target that may be changed so that it can accommodate a flying disc (e.g., a FRISBEE™, Wham-O) that an ultimate, disc guts, or a disc golf player throws at the target.

In an embodiment, the portable baseball/softball pitching target comprises one or more horizontal tracts that comprise a proximate side and a distal side of the one or more horizontal tracts, with each side optionally attached to stands on each side of the horizontal tract. The horizontal tract is operationally connected perpendicularly to a lower telescoping vertical arm which is a part of two or more telescoping vertical arms. The telescoping vertical arm is able to be extended and contracted so that a target attached to the upper telescoping vertical arm is respectively raised and lowered. The telescoping vertical arm that is operationally connected to the one or more horizontal tracts are able to slide along the one or more horizontal tracts thus allowing the telescoping vertical arms to travel in a direction towards either the proximate side or the distal side (or away from the proximate or the distal side) of the one or more horizontal tracts. That is, the telescoping vertical arms are able to slide along the one or more horizontal tracts towards or away from the distal side and towards or away from the proximate side of the one or more horizontal tracts.

In an embodiment, a motor may be associated with the portable baseball/softball pitching target that moves the telescoping vertical arm along the one or more horizontal tracts and/or moves the telescoping vertical arm so that it is extended or contracted consequently raising or lowering a target attached to the upper side of the upper telescoping vertical arm. In an embodiment, the motor is able to move the telescoping vertical arm both horizontally (along the one or more horizontal tracts) and vertically (so that the telescoping arm extends and contracts).

In an embodiment, the telescoping vertical arm may extend or contract by use of hydraulics. In a variation, the motor may also have associated with it a receiver that allows a pitcher to remotely control the motor.

In an embodiment, a motor may not be associated with the portable baseball/softball pitching target but rather the telescoping vertical arms can be moved manually by the pitcher.

In an embodiment, the present invention relates to a portable baseball/softball pitching target comprising one or more horizontal tracts, a telescoping vertical arm comprising at least two arms, and a target, said one or more horizontal tracts having a proximal side(s) and a distal side(s), wherein said one or more horizontal tracts are perpendicular to said telescoping vertical arm, said one or more horizontal tracts operationally connected to a bottom of said telescoping vertical arm and said target connected to a top of said telescoping vertical arm, said telescoping vertical arm being able to move in a direction from the proximal side(s) to the distal side(s) or from the distal side(s) to the proximal side(s) of the one or more horizontal tracts, and said telescoping vertical arm being able to extend or contract in a direction along a length of said telescoping vertical arm.

In a variation, the portable baseball/softball pitching target further comprises a proximate stand that is attached to the proximate side(s) of the one or more horizontal tracts, and a distal stand that is attached to the distal side(s) of the one or more horizontal tracts.

In a variation, the portable baseball/softball pitching target has a target that further comprises flaps, said flaps being connected to an inside of said target and said flaps having an electronic system associated with the flaps that allows a recording and a storage of data related to a baseball or a softball that passes through said flaps.

In a variation, the electronic system associated with the flaps that allows a recording and a storage of data related to a baseball or a softball that passes through said flaps allows a pitcher to determine velocity, exact location, and/or spin rate of a baseball of softball.

In an embodiment, the portable baseball/softball pitching target comprises a telescoping vertical arm that contracts and extends to a height that is slightly below about 6″ to a height that is slightly above about 60″. Alternatively, the telescoping vertical arm that contracts and extends to a height that is slightly below about 10″ to a height that is slightly above about 48″. Alternatively, the telescoping vertical arm that contracts and extends to a height that is slightly below about 12″ to a height that is slightly above about 36″.

In an embodiment, the portable baseball/softball pitching target comprises two horizontal tracts. In a variation, the portable baseball/softball pitching target further comprises a platform, said platform being a plane that is attached to and accommodates the bottom of the telescoping vertical arm. In a variation, the bottom of the telescoping vertical arm is attached in the middle of the plane. The means of attachment may include nuts and bolts, welding, or soldering, or alternatively, it may have been produced by in a mold (for example, iron casting mold or plastic molding depending on the material that is used).

In an embodiment, the portable baseball/softball pitching target is designed to have the platform slide along notches that run the length of the two horizontal tracts thereby moving the telescoping vertical arm in a direction from the proximal sides of the horizontal tracts to the distal sides of the horizontal tracts, or vice versa.

In an embodiment, the portable baseball/softball pitching target may further comprise a rope or chain, said rope or chain providing the means of moving the telescoping vertical arm in a direction from the proximal side(s) of the one or more horizontal tracts to the distal side(s) of the one or more horizontal tracts, or vice versa.

In an embodiment, the portable baseball/softball pitching target comprises a chain and further comprises one or more sprockets, the one or more sprockets designed to accommodate the chain allowing the telescoping vertical arm to move in a direction from the proximal side(s) of the one or more horizontal tracts to the distal side(s) of the one or more horizontal tracts, or vice versa.

In a variation, the portable baseball/softball pitching target further comprises a motor, the motor configured to move the telescoping vertical arm in a direction from the proximal side(s) of the one or more horizontal tracts to the distal side(s) of the one or more horizontal tracts, or vice versa, and/or to contract and extend the telescoping vertical arm thereby moving the target in a left or right direction and an up and down direction.

In an embodiment the motor of the portable baseball/softball pitching target is remotely controlled.

In an embodiment, the portable baseball/softball pitching target is a part of a kit.

In an embodiment, the target in the portable baseball/softball pitching target can be removed from the top of said telescoping vertical arm and replaced by a second target. The second target may be any of the targets mentioned herein. The targets may have electronics associated with the targets. The electronics may record and aid in storing data from a pitch thrown by a pitcher. It is contemplated and therefore within the scope of the invention that data may be stored and recorded locally or remotely by a computer.

In an embodiment, the target in the portable baseball/softball pitching target is about the size of a catcher's mitt. The size is between about 29″-36″ in circumference.

In a variation, the portable baseball/softball pitching target allows for recording and storage of data on a computer, and the data can be accessed to evaluate a performance of a pitcher.

In an embodiment, the present invention relates to methods and kits said method using the portable baseball/softball pitching target comprised herein and said kit(s) that comprises a portable baseball/softball pitching target that has one or more horizontal tracts, a telescoping vertical arm that comprises at least two arms, and a target, the one or more horizontal tracts having a proximal side(s) and a distal side(s), wherein the one or more horizontal tracts are perpendicular to said telescoping vertical arm, said one or more horizontal tracts operationally connected to a bottom of said telescoping vertical arm and said target connected to a top of said telescoping vertical arm, said telescoping vertical arm being able to move in a direction from the proximal side(s) to the distal side(s) or from the distal side(s) to the proximal side(s) of the one or more horizontal tracts, and said telescoping vertical arm being able to extend or contract in a direction along a length of said telescoping vertical arm, wherein the kit further comprises one or more of a home plate, a netting catcher, and additional targets.

In an embodiment, the kit may further comprise one or more stand parts that can be attached to the proximal side(s) and the distal side(s) of the one or more horizontal tracts. The stand parts may be of a dimension that provides stability and height allowing the target to attain the appropriate location for practicing pitching.

In an embodiment, the kit may further comprise one or more of a motor, a computer, stand parts, a rope, a chain, one or more sprockets, or a platform.

In an embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of improving location of pitches of a pitcher comprising using the portable baseball/softball pitching target as described herein. The method may further comprise a method of increasing velocity of a pitch by a pitcher.

It should be understood that the present invention is not to be limited by the above description. Modifications can be made to the above without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is contemplated and therefore within the scope of the present invention that any feature that is described above can be combined with any other feature that is described above (even if those features are not described together). Moreover, it should be understood that the present invention contemplates and it is therefore within the scope of the invention that any element that is described can be omitted from the apparatus and/or methods of the present invention. In any event, the scope of protection to be afforded is to be determined by the claims which follow and the breadth of interpretation which the law allows.

Claims

1. A portable baseball/softball pitching target comprising one or more horizontal tracts, a telescoping vertical arm comprising at least two arms, and a target, said one or more horizontal tracts having a proximal side and a distal side, wherein said one or more horizontal tracts are perpendicular to said telescoping vertical arm, said one or more horizontal tracts operationally connected to a bottom of said telescoping vertical arm and said target connected to a top of said telescoping vertical arm, said telescoping vertical arm being able to move in a direction from the proximal side to the distal side or from the distal side to the proximal side of the one or more horizontal tracts, and said telescoping vertical arm being able to extend or contract in a direction along a length of said telescoping vertical arm and wherein said portable baseball/softball pitching target comprises a rope, chain or cable, said rope, chain or cable providing the means of moving the telescoping vertical arm in a direction from the proximal side of the one or more horizontal tracts to the distal side of the one or more horizontal tracts, or in a direction from the distal side of the one or more horizontal tracts to the proximal side of the one or more horizontal tracts, and wherein said rope, chain or cable being sufficiently long so that a pitcher does not have to move from where the pitcher pitches in order to move the target.

2. The portable baseball/softball pitching target of claim 1, further comprising a proximate stand that is attached to the proximate side of the one or more horizontal tracts, and a distal stand that is attached to the distal side of the one or more horizontal tracts.

3. The portable baseball/softball pitching target of claim 1, wherein the target further comprises flaps, said flaps being connected to an inside of said target and said flaps having an electronic system associated with the flaps that allows a recording and a storage of data related to a baseball or a softball that passes through said flaps.

4. The portable baseball/softball pitching target of claim 2, wherein the target further comprises flaps, said flaps being connected to an inside of said target and said flaps having an electronic system associated with the flaps that allows a recording and a storage of data related to a baseball or a softball that passes through said flaps.

5. The portable baseball/softball pitching target of claim 1, wherein the telescoping vertical arm contracts and extends to a height that is slightly below about 12″ to a height that is slightly above about 36″.

6. The portable baseball/softball pitching target of claim 1, wherein the portable baseball/softball pitching target comprises two horizontal tracts.

7. The portable baseball/softball pitching target of claim 6, wherein the portable baseball/softball pitching target further comprises a platform, said platform being a plane that accommodates the bottom of the telescoping vertical arm.

8. The portable baseball/softball pitching target of claim 7, wherein the platform slides along notches that run the length of the two horizontal tracts thereby moving the telescoping vertical arm in a direction from the proximal sides of the horizontal tracts to the distal sides of the horizontal tracts, or in a direction from the distal side of the horizontal tracts to the proximal side of the horizontal tracts.

9. (canceled)

10. The portable baseball/softball pitching target of claim 9, wherein the portable baseball/softball pitching target comprises a chain and further comprising one or more sprockets, said one or more sprockets designed to accommodate said chain allowing the telescoping vertical arm to move in a direction from the proximal side of the one or more horizontal tracts to the distal side of the one or more horizontal tracts, or in a direction from the distal side of the one or more horizontal tracts to the proximal side of the one or more horizontal tracts.

11. The portable baseball/softball pitching target of claim 1, further comprising a motor, said motor configured to contract and extend the telescoping vertical arm.

12. The portable baseball/softball pitching target of claim 11, wherein the motor is remotely controlled.

13. The portable baseball/softball pitching target of claim 1, wherein the portable baseball/softball pitching target is a part of a kit.

14. The portable baseball/softball pitching target of claim 1, wherein the target can be removed from the top of said telescoping vertical arm and replaced by a second target.

15. The portable baseball/softball pitching target of claim 1, wherein the target is about a size of a catcher's mitt.

16. The portable baseball/softball pitching target of claim 3, wherein the recording and storage of data is on a computer, wherein said data can be accessed to evaluate a performance of a pitcher.

17. A kit comprising a portable baseball/softball pitching target that comprises one or more horizontal tracts, a telescoping vertical arm that comprises at least two arms, and a target, said one or more horizontal tracts having a proximal side and a distal side, wherein said one or more horizontal tracts are perpendicular to said telescoping vertical arm, said one or more horizontal tracts operationally connected to a bottom of said telescoping vertical arm and said target connected to a top of said telescoping vertical arm, said telescoping vertical arm being able to move in a direction from the proximal side to the distal side or from the distal side to the proximal side of the one or more horizontal tracts, and said telescoping vertical arm being able to extend or contract in a direction along a length of said telescoping vertical arm, and wherein said portable baseball/softball pitching target comprises a rope, chain or cable, said rope, chain or cable providing the means of moving the telescoping vertical arm in a direction from the proximal side of the one or more horizontal tracts to the distal side of the one or more horizontal tracts, or in a direction from the distal side of the one or more horizontal tracts to the proximal side of the one or more horizontal tracts, and wherein said rope, chain or cable being sufficiently long so that a pitcher does not have to move from where the pitcher pitches in order to move the target wherein the kit further comprises one or more of a home plate, a netting catcher, and additional targets.

18. The kit of claim 17, further comprising one or more stand parts that can be attached to the proximal side and the distal side of the one or more horizontal tracts.

19. The kit of claim 17, further comprising one or more of a motor, a computer, stand parts, one or more sprockets, or a platform.

20. A method of improving location of pitches of a pitcher comprising using the portable baseball/softball pitching target of claim 1.

21. The portable baseball/softball pitching target of claim 1, wherein if the pitcher pulls on a left rope and releases a right rope, the target moves in a direction leftward and if the pitcher pulls on the right rope and releases the left rope, the target moves in a direction rightward.