Baseball and Softball Alignment Training Device for Hitting

Abstract

A baseball or softball alignment training device comprising a first leg having a general length and having a first end at one end of the general length and a second end at the distal end opposite from said first end. A second leg having a general length and having a first end at one end of the general length and a second end at the distal and opposite from said first end. Aa first hinge member carried by the second end of said first leg. The first hinge member having a first abutment edge. The second hinge member carried by the second end of the second leg. The second hinge member having a second abutment edge. The first and second hinge members pivotally interconnected and wherein the first abutment edge of the first hinge member abuts the second abutment edge of the second hinge member at a position wherein the first leg and the second leg are perpendicular to each other forming a right angle.

Description

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a training device to assist children in properly aligning themselves with respect to home plate for swinging at a ball as it approaches home plate and more particularly to an alignment device which is easily manufactured, carried, stored and utilized in assisting in the proper alignment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Thousands of children ages eight and under with some as young as four participate in baseball and softball activities. As these children are learning the game, many features of the game must be taught. These features include catching a ball, throwing a ball, baserunning and hitting. Hitting requires the child to approach home plate in a ready position to swing at a ball as it is pitched or thrown to them. Proper alignment is essential to ensure that the child is in a ready position to swing at the pitch as it approaches them. However, as the children are young, they are easily distracted and positioning themselves in a ready position is not always correctly undertaken. The children may improperly align themselves, for instance, their body may be aligned to either first or third base or they may stand too far up in front of home plate or too far behind home plate. Proper alignment is critical for the child to enjoy the success of hitting a ball. Accordingly, coaches usually attend to the child as they stand in the batter's box and assist in positioning the child's feet, shoulders and hands to place them in a proper alignment. However, as most children are excited to be playing in front of their parents and such, once this alignment is correctly determined, it is soon forgotten at the next pitch. The result is the pace of play of the game is severely slowed down as each child is consistently positioned correctly for each pitch. The slow pace of play is cumbersome to the enjoyment of the game.

Accordingly, there is a need for a hitting alignment device for youth baseball and softball players which will assist the young child in proper placement for hitting a ball thrown or pitched to them. The hitting alignment device should be easily positioned and maintained in position for each subsequent hitter to ensure that the pace of play is maintained. The alignment device should be of a low enough profile not to impede the movement of the child once the ball is hit and the alignment device should also be easily be carried by a coach and stored in a standard baseball bat bag or the like for transportation to a game site.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the preferred embodiment, a baseball or softball alignment training device comprises a first leg having a general length and having a first end at one end of the general length and a second end at the distal end opposite from said first end. A second leg having a general length and having a first end at one end of the general length and a second end at the distal end opposite from said first end. Aa first hinge member carried by the second end of said first leg. The first hinge member having a first abutment edge. The second hinge member carried by the second end of the second leg. The second hinge member having a second abutment edge. The first and second hinge members pivotally interconnected and wherein the first abutment edge of the first hinge member abuts the second abutment edge of the second hinge member at a position wherein the first leg and the second leg are perpendicular to each other forming a right angle.

Additionally, a method of facilitating in teaching the proper alignment of a ball player for hitting a pitched ball is provided. The method comprises providing a home plate having a front edge and a side edge and providing an alignment training device having a first leg and a second leg interconnected via a hinge mechanism. The first leg of the alignment training device is aligned with the side edge of the home plate; and the second leg of the alignment device is aligned with the front edge of the home plate by rotating the second leg with respect to the first by utilizing the hinge mechanism, wherein the hinge mechanism prevents movement of the second leg when the second leg is at a ninety degree angle with the first leg.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Implementations of the invention will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which like elements bear like reference numerals.

FIG. 1 illustrates an alignment training device for hitting according to the present invention positioned for use by a batter in a hitting stance in front of a home plate.;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded bottom view of an alignment training device for hitting according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates one hinge of an alignment training device for hitting according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates an assembled bottom view of an alignment training device for hitting in a partially folded position;

FIG. 5 illustrates an assembled bottom view of an alignment training device for hitting in a folded position for storage; and

FIG. 6 illustrates a method of utilizing an alignment training device for hitting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrate an alignment training device 104 for hitting according to the present invention positioned for use by a batter102 in a hitting stance in front of a home plate 100. In particular, the alignment training device 104 is intended for utilization in children's baseball and softball games. The children may range from ages four and up. A primary purpose of these youth sports is to interest the children in the respective games while providing an enjoyable learning experience. As the youths are young, they are easily distracted, so a goal of the invention is to provide a simple easy to replicate training aid which may be easily and readily positioned and utilized for use by the youth without slowing down the game.

Speed of the game is a critical purpose of the invention. As youth's struggle with understanding the fundamentals of the game, the pace of play is delayed. With the pace of play delayed, children in the field lose focus, children in the dugout get antsy and parents also struggle with the time involved in the actual total time lapse of the game. One of the key areas to expedite the pace of play involves hitting. Hitting in baseball and softball involves a batter with a bat facing the pitcher. A home plate 100 is present as a target for the pitcher to position a ball over the plate in order for the batter to hit the ball. A home plate has a pentagon shaped profile with a horizontal base generally seventeen inches in width facing toward the pitcher, a first and opposite second side extending from the horizontal base at a ninety-degree angle at a length generally eight point five inches. At the end of the respective sides, the first and second side include an extension which is generally twelve inches in length which meet at point aligned with the center of the base, or eight point five inches from the respective edges of the base. The point wherein the first and second side edges meet is the farthest point. Ironically, not known by most people, the entire layout of the baseball diamond, such as the foul lines, the positioning of the bases and pitching mound are all based on the position and placement of home plate. Accordingly, positioning of the batter with respect to home plate is critical to ensure that the batter is in the proper place for interfacing with the pitch thrown by the pitcher. A key aspect of the present invention is to assist the batter in positioning themselves with respect to home plate. The homeplate also has a general height.

As shown in FIG. 1, (not to scale) a batter 102 is positioned to one side of the homeplate 100, in more advanced games a batter's box may be created wherein the batter must stay within the box during the pitch. However, in young youth games, even when a batter's box is initially created, the lines are generally destroyed by the young children walking through them. Positioning of the batter with respect to the home plate is critical for the young child to develop proper hitting skills. Unfortunately, young children tend to not understand where to stand requiring coaches to consistently reposition the youth during the at bat. The alignment training device 104 is positioned with respect to home plate 100 to assist the batter in understanding where to stand. Alignment training device 104 includes a first leg 105 which is intended to run offset and parallel to one of the sides of the home plate depending on the orientation of the youth with respect to being left-handed or right-handed dominant for hitting. A second leg 106 is perpendicularly oriented with respect to first leg 105 and is intended to be positioned in line with the front of Homeplate 100. To facilitate the positioning of the alignment training device 104, the hinge which connects the first and second leg is constructed with abutting surfaces which abut when the first and second legs are at a ninety-degree angle. Positioning the hinge offset from the intersection of the front and side of the Homeplate ensures that the legs are properly positioned for the batter. Utilizing the corner of the home plate as a guide ensures that the alignment training device can consistently be positioned for the respective batters. The alignment training device is preferably no higher than home plate.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of the alignment training device 104. In the preferred embodiment, alignment training device 104 includes a first leg 105, a second leg 106, a first hinge member 110 and a second hinge member 112. In the preferred embodiment, first leg 105 and second leg 106 are of similar construction and style such that they may be utilized interchangeably in defining the alignment training device. Each leg includes a body 125 of a generally length and width having a first end 130 and a second end 135 opposite and distal from the first end. Preferably the length of the respective legs is greater than eight and a half inches to extend past the sides of the home plate. Preferably second end 135 has profile defining a tab 140 which is narrower than the width of first end 130 and smaller than the height of first end 130. With this configuration, second end 135 includes a periphery which encircles tab 140. Tab 140 will be utilized for mating with a respective hinge member 110 or 112. Tab 140 may include indentures 142 or other securing member for establishing a semi-secure connection with a respective hinge member. Preferably the bottom of each leg includes an embossed surface 145 for engaging the dirt associated around a home plate and for securing the respective legs in position with respect to the ground. Preferably, the embossed surface 145 includes a raised serpentine grounding surface for interacting with the dirt. The serpentine configuration resists lateral and longitudinal movement.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a hinge 111 includes first hinge member 110 and second hinge member 112. Hinge members 110 and 112 are designed for mating attachment. In the preferred embodiment, first hinge member 110 is constructed to be carried by first leg 105 and second hinge member 112 is constructed to be carried by second leg 106. In the preferred embodiment, first hinge member 110 includes first hinge member recess 150 defined by first hinge member base 152 and first hinge member sidewall 154 which is an integral part of first hinge member attachment leg 156. As shown in FIG. 3, first hinge member attachment leg 156 includes a top 158 and an offset bottom 160. A left sidewall 162 and right sidewall 164 in conjunction with top 158 and bottom 160 define first leg receptacle or channel 166 for receiving first leg 105. The length of channel 166 is preferably the same length as tab 140 of first leg 105 enabling tab 140 to be fully inserted within channel 166. When fully inserted, the peripheral portion of second end 135 which encircles tab 140 will abut and engage the top, bottom, left sidewall and right sidewall of first hinge member attachment leg 156 thereby defining a flush junction such that the combined exterior profile of the first leg 105 and first hinge member attachment leg 156 is smooth along its entire length with no noticeable raised surfaces or detents. Also, in the preferred embodiment, bosses 172 are defined within channel 166 for engaging with indentures 142 for maintaining first leg 105 in connection with first hinge member 110. As shown in FIG. 3, first hinge member 110 include a central pivot 170. Central pivot 170 extends upward from first hinge member base 152 having a circular sidewall 174 which communicates with a central pivot top 176. In the preferred embodiment, circular sidewall 174 in conjunction with central pivot top 176 define a lip 178 such that preferably the central pivot 170 has a mushroom configuration. Central pivot 170 is offset from first hinge member sidewall 154 defining second hinge receptacle area 179.

As shown in FIG. 2, second hinge member 112 includes pivoting member 180 which is integrally formed as an extension of second hinge member attachment leg 182. Second hinge member attachment leg 182 has a similar construction as first hinge member attachment leg 156.

Preferably, pivoting member 180 has a circular profile for being received within second hinge receptacle area 179. Additionally, pivoting member 180 includes a central channel 186 for receiving central pivot 170. In the preferred embodiment, central channel 186 of pivoting member 180 has an internal circumference slightly smaller than lip 178 such that by the deformation of lip 178 and central channel 186, central channel 186 may pass over lip 178 and wherein lip 178 retains the second hinge member 112 in pivotal communication with first hinge member 110.

A key feature of the invention is the presence of a stop which includes first stop wall 190 formed at the edge of first hinge member sidewall 154 and second stop wall 192 formed at the edge of second hinge attachment leg 182. In operation when pivoting member 180 is received within second hinge receptacle area 179, first stop wall 190 and second stop wall 192 are axially aligned such that when pivoting member 180 pivots around central pivot 170 second stop wall 192 abuts first stop wall stopping further rotational movement of second attachment leg with respect to first attachment leg and in this stopped orientation, first attachment leg and second attachment leg are perpendicularly disposed forming a right angle as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 illustrates the alignment training device in a position intermediary a fully open or closed position. FIG. 5 illustrates the alignment training device in a closed position for ready placement. In operation the alignment training device can be separated into three distinct components, the first attachment leg, the second attachment leg and a completed hinge construction which is readily adaptable for being attached to the respective legs. By being easily separated, the three components can be readily stored in a batting bag or other similar carry device making the alignment training device easily portable to and from the respective games.

FIG. 6 illustrates a method 600 for training children to hit a baseball or softball utilizing the alignment training device. The method includes providing a home plate 610 which is commonly provided at a field wherein a ball game is undertaken. With the provision of the home plate, one leg of the alignment device is aligned with the side of the home plate at step 620. The alignment leg will be offset from the side edge of home plate depending on if the batter is left-handed or right-handed. Once the first leg of the alignment training device is positioned, the second leg is rotated with respect to the first leg until the hinge mechanism stops any further rotation of the second leg. When the movement of the second leg is stopped, the second leg is at a ninety-degree angle with the first leg. The second leg is aligned with the front edge of home plate providing a hitting area for the child. It is understood that movement of the second leg can be done prior to positioning of the first leg on the ground. It is preferred that that hinge be positioned offset from where the front of home plate meets the side of home plate as shown in FIG. 1.

Accordingly, it may be seen that an advantageous alignment device may be had according to the present invention to facilitate in teaching young children where to position themselves with respect to an on coming pitch by providing a simple to use device which is lightweight and portable for easy maneuverability to ball fields while being sturdy and weighted enough to stay in position on the ground once placed. It is presumed that the young children using the device will routinely step on the device, kick the device, etc., hence the weight of the device is important to ensure that it stays on the ground. A contoured bottom surface also facilitates in maintaining the alignment device on the ground. The device consists of three separate components which preferably are detachably attached enabling the alignment device to be constructed on site will maintaining a smaller footprint for being carried in a bat bag. The hinge mechanism enables the alignment device to easily obtain a ninety-degree perpendicular configuration for positioning with respect to a home plate providing an instructional alignment training guide. The use of the guide is intended to facilitate the increase in speed of play of the game as the device removes the continued engagement of a coach and young child in how to position themselves for receiving a pitch. The alignment device is easy to use, easy to maneuver and easy to understand by a child.

Claims

1: (canceled)

2. (canceled)

3. (canceled)

4. The alignment training device of claim 5 wherein the first and second legs are at least eight and a half inches in length.

5. A method of practicing a hitting stance for a baseball or softball player comprising:

providing a baseball or softball alignment training device comprising: a first leg having a general length and having a first end at one end of the general length and a second end at the distal end opposite from said first end; a second leg having a general length and having a first end at one end of the general length and a second end at the distal end opposite from said first end; a first hinge member carried by the second end of said first leg; a second hinge member carried by the second end of said second leg; said first and second hinge members pivotally interconnected;

positioning said baseball or softball alignment training device relative to an object representing a home plate;

positioning said first and second legs apart from each other defining a baseball or softball player hitting stance area in relation to a home plate enabling a baseball or softball player to enter in said player hitting stance area to establish a hitting stance in relation to a home plate.

6.. A method of practicing a hitting stance for a baseball or softball player comprising:

providing a baseball or softball alignment training device comprising: a first leg having a general length and having a first end at one end of the general length and a second end at the distal end opposite from said first end; a second leg having a general length and having a first end at one end of the general length and a second end at the distal end opposite from said first end; a first hinge member carried by the second end of said first leg; said first hinge member having a first abutment edge; a second hinge member carried by the second end of said second leg; said second hinge member having a second abutment edge; said first and second hinge members pivotally interconnected; and wherein said first abutment edge of said first hinge member abuts said second abutment edge of said second hinge member at a position wherein said first leg and said second leg are perpendicular to each other forming a right angle;

a tab extension at the distal ends of said first and second legs and said first and second hinge members include receptacles respectively for receiving a respective tab of each leg such that when assembled the height of the first leg and first hinge member define a continuous planar surface;

positioning said baseball or softball alignment training device relative to an object representing a home plate;

positioning said first and second legs apart from each other defining a baseball or softball player hitting stance area in relation to a home plate enabling a baseball or softball player to enter in said player hitting stance area to establish a hitting stance in relation to a home plate; and

positioning the right and left feet relative to said first and said second legs of said baseball or softball alignment training device for defining a stance in relation to said home plate.

7. The alignment training device of claim 6 wherein said first hinge member includes a first hinge member recess defined by a first hinge member base and first hinge member sidewall, said first hinge member sidewall having an arcuate profile and terminating at a first stop wall formed at the edge of first hinge member sidewall; a central pivot extending upward from said first hinge member base, said central pivot located centrally within the body of said first hinge member base.

8. The alignment training device of claim 7 wherein said second hinge member includes a pivoting member carried by a second hinge member base, said pivoting member having a central channel for receiving said central pivot of said first hinge member.

9. The alignment training device of claim 8 wherein said second hinge member includes a sidewall defining a stop for abutting the first stop wall formed at the edge of the first hinge member sidewall terminating rotational movement of said second leg wherein said second leg is perpendicular to said first leg.

10. The alignment training device of claim [2] 8 wherein said first and second legs each have a bottom respectively and said bottoms of said first and second legs include extending bosses for engaging the ground.

11. The alignment training device of claim 10 wherein said extending bosses define a serpentine configuration.

12-16. (canceled)

17. (canceled)

18. (canceled)

19. A method of facilitating in teaching the proper alignment of a ball player for hitting a pitched ball, said method comprising:

providing a home plate having a front edge and a side edge;

providing an alignment training device having a first leg and a second leg interconnected via a hinge mechanism;

aligning said first leg of said alignment training device with said side edge of said home plate; and

aligning the second leg of said alignment device with said front edge of said home plate by rotating said second leg with respect to said first utilizing said hinge mechanism, wherein said hinge mechanism prevents movement of said second leg when said second leg is at a ninety degree angle with said first leg.