Patent Application
20160008690
The present invention relates to a batter hitting tool and, more particularly, to a batter hitting tool that prevents the front foot from pivoting.
Baseball and softball are both a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a diamond. Players on the batting team take turns hitting against the pitcher of the fielding team. The teams switch between batting and fielding whenever the fielding team records three outs. The team with the most runs at the end of the game wins.
Hitting the baseball or softball well enough to score runs is an important aspect of the game. A player tends to hit the ball better when their hitting form is perfected. Therefore, when a player is training for baseball or softball, the player tries to perfect their swinging form. A common improper form for swinging at a ball may include pivoting the front foot outwards to an open stance. There are limited devices that help prevent the front foot from pivoting.
As can be seen, there is a need for a training device that prevents the front foot from pivoting to an open stance.
In one aspect of the present invention, a method of batter training comprises: providing a hitting tool comprising a support bracket comprising a first side and a second side forming a foot opening in between; a stopping plate fixed to the first side and the second side of the support bracket, wherein the stopping plate is substantially perpendicular relative to the support bracket; placing the support bracket on a surface; securing the support bracket to the surface by at least one stake; placing a foot within the foot opening; and hitting a baseball or softball using a baseball bat, and thereby preventing the foot from pivoting beyond the stopping plate.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.
The FIGURE is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention.
The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a hitting tool used for baseball or softball. The hitting tool may include a stopping plate affixed to a support bracket. The stopping plate may be substantially perpendicular relative to the support bracket. The present invention may keep the front foot in a locked position, and thereby prevents the front foot from pivoting to an open stance.
Referring to the FIGURE, the present invention may include a hitting tool 10. The hitting tool 10 may include a support bracket 12 and a stopping plate 16. The support bracket 12 may be attached to the stopping plate 16 and the stopping plate 16 may be substantially perpendicular relative to the support bracket 12.
The support bracket 12 may include a first side 20, a second side 22 and a back portion 18. The first side 20 may connect the stopping plate 16 to the back portion 18 of the support bracket 12. The second side 22 may also connect the stopping plate 16 to the back portion 18. The back portion 18 may connect the first side 20 and the second side 22. The first side 20, the second side 22, and back portion 18 are planar and form a foot opening in between.
The stopping plate 16 is fixed to ends of the first side 20 and the second side 22. The stopping plate 16 may be a rigid plate made of metal, hard plastic, or the like. The plate 16 may form a wall protruding from the ground when the support bracket 12 is resting on the ground. The plate 16 may be sized to run from the ground to an ankle of the user, thereby stopping a foot from pivoting.
The hitting tool 10 may be mounted to the ground during use. The hitting tool 10 may be mounted to the ground by a securing component. For example, the support bracket 12 may include drill holes 14 so that stakes may be driven through the drill holes 14 and into the ground, thereby securing the support bracket 12 to the ground. The drill holes 14 may be located on the first side 20 and the second side 22. In alternative embodiments, stakes may be attached directly to and protrude from the bottom of the support bracket 12. Therefore, the protruding stakes may be driven into the ground and support the device.
A method of using the present invention may include the following. A user may place the hitting tool on the ground where the user would like to practice hitting. The user may drive stakes through the drill holes on the support bracket and into the dirt or grass for outside use. Alternatively, the use may drive the stakes into a piece of wood for indoor use. Once the hitting tool is mounted to the ground, the stopping plate may be at a right angle relative to the ground. During the swing, the user may place their front foot in the foot opening of the hitting tool and swing at the ball. The stopping plate may than prevent the player's foot from pivoting to an open position.
It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
This application is a continuation in part to U.S. non-provisional application Ser. No. 13/862,523 filed Apr. 15, 2013, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61624790 | Apr 2012 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 13862523 | Apr 2013 | US |
| Child | 14863930 | US |
