Patent Application
20150290515
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a hitting mat or hitting deck and, more particularly, to a hitting mat for training players to hit a ball.
2. Description of the Related Art
Batting is a well known offensive technique utilized in various situations in baseball and softball. In order to train players to hit a baseball, batting mats or decks have been provided which support or receive a batting tee so that the player can hit a baseball that is situated on the tee. Some of the mats have predetermined spots for placing the batting tee. The batting tee supports the ball in a stationary position above the ground so that a batter can hit it. Two such systems include the Pitch Location Mat from Muhl Tech Baseball located in Wharton, Tex., and Papa Jack's Hitting Mat from Gap to Gap located in Tampa, Fla. One batting tee is the batting tee offered by Joe H. Tanner Baseball Products LLC of Sarasota, Fla., 34240, the assignee of this application. Patents relating to this device include U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,358,163; 6,682,445 and 7,281,998, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
One problem with the batting mats of the past is that they did not provide an accurate, repeatable and adjustable indication, training or guidance for multiple players of different sizes as to where the batter should stand and place his or her feet relative to each other and relative to the batting mat.
Still another problem with the prior art batting mats is that they were not ambidextrous and typically could not be used by both a left-handed and a right-handed hitter, but rather, a dedicated mat for each type of hitter was offered.
Another problem with is that the prior art mats did not allow a player to measure a distance between his or her feet when in a hitting position relative to the mat.
What is needed, therefore, is a system and method that overcomes these and other problems of the prior art devices.
It is an object of the invention to provide a hitting mat having a plurality of indicia arranged in a predetermined pattern to guide both a left-handed and a right-handed hitter where to place a batting tee.
Another object of the invention is to provide a hitting mat having a plurality of indicia arranged in the predetermined pattern which provides or defines an X pattern.
Another object of the invention is to provide a graphic indicia that provides a representation of a field and/or a direction indicia that identifies an area of the field where the hitter should or can expect to hit a ball that is placed on the batting tee used with the indicia.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a mat having an interval system, rule or ledger that can be used by at least one of either a right-handed hitter or a left-handed hitter.
Another similar object of the invention is to provide a mat having an interval system that can be used by both a right-handed or a left-handed batter.
Still another object of one embodiment of the invention is to provide an interval system in the form of a scale or a ruler to provide a player with the ability to measure a distance between a player's feet when the player is situated in operative relationship with the batting mat and to assist the player in consistently placing his or her feet relative to the plurality of indicia, home plate and/or the batting mat. In one aspect, one embodiment of the invention comprises a hitting deck system for training a hitter, comprising a hitting deck mat for placing on a surface, the hitting deck mat having a plurality of indicia adapted to identify a plurality of tee placement locations adapted to identify or define a plurality of points of contact, respectively, where a batting tee can be placed, and each of the plurality of indicia each comprise a direction indicia indicating a general direction, area or sector where a ball should be hit if the hitter hits the ball off of the batting tee after the batting tee is placed on or near one of the plurality of tee placement or points of contacts locations, the plurality of indicia being arranged in a predetermined pattern to facilitate training both a right-side hitter and a left-side hitter to hit a ball to at least one of the direction, area or sector.
In another aspect, one embodiment of the invention comprises a hitting deck system for training a hitter, comprising a hitting deck mat for placing on a surface, and the hitting deck mat further comprising an interval system adapted to define an interval or distance between the hitter's feet.
In still another aspect, one embodiment of the invention comprises a hitting deck system for training a hitter, comprising a hitting deck mat for placing on a surface, the hitting deck mat having a plurality of indicia adapted to identify a plurality of tee placement or points of contact locations, respectively, where a batting tee can be placed, and each of the plurality of indicia each comprise a direction indicia indicating a general direction, area or sector where a ball should be hit if the hitter hits a ball off of the batting tee after the batting tee is placed on or near one of the plurality of tee placement locations, the direction indicia comprises a graphic sector that visually represents an area of the field where the ball should be hit by the hitter.
In yet another aspect, one embodiment of the invention comprises a hitting deck graphic for use with a hitting deck, comprising a home plate graphic of a home plate, and a stadium graphic of a baseball field associated with or juxtaposed to the home plate graphic.
In another aspect, one embodiment of the invention comprises a method for training a batter to hit a ball to an area of a baseball field, the method comprising the steps of providing a hitting deck for positioning on a surface, providing a plurality of locations on the hitting deck for the batter to place a batting tee, enabling the batter to position his feet at a predetermined interval relative to the hitting deck, providing a plurality of indicia at the plurality of locations, respectively, each of the plurality of indicia identifying an area on the hitting deck where a batting tee may be placed.
In yet another aspect, another embodiment of the invention comprises a batting station comprising a surface, and a plurality of indicia or points of contact applied to or embodied in the surface for training both a right-side hitter and a left-side hitter to hit a ball to at least one of a direction, area or sector.
In still another aspect, one embodiment of the invention comprises an applicator for providing or defining a batting trainer, the applicator comprising a device for creating or adapting a surface to have a plurality of indicia or points of contact for training both a right-side hitter and a left-side hitter to hit a ball to at least one of a direction, area or sector.
These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.
In the following detailed description, for purposes of explanation and not limitation, representative embodiments disclosing specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the claimed invention and of various embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one having ordinary skill in the art having had the benefit of the present disclosure that other embodiments according to the present teachings that depart from the specific details disclosed herein remain within the scope of the appended claims.
Referring now to
In the illustration being described, the hitting deck or mat 12 is adapted for placing on a surface 14, such as a floor, the ground, on a baseball field, such as a home plate area (not shown) of a baseball field or the like. For ease of illustration of use,
In the illustration being described, the hitting deck or mat 12 further comprises an image or graphic of a home plate 20 having a conventional shape. The home plate 20 includes a front side 20a, a right side 20b, a left side 20c, a right angled portion 20d and a left angled portion 20e that defines the home plate 20. Note that the front side 20a is associated and generally opposed to and parallel with the front side or edge 12a of the hitting deck or mat 12. In the illustration being described, the home plate 20 is dimensioned to have the same dimensions as a conventional home plate, which is 17 inches (20a) by 8.5 inches (20b) by 12 inches (20c)×12 inches (20d).
One advantageous feature of one embodiment of the invention is illustrated in
In the illustration being described, each of the at least one first and second scale or ruler 22 and 24 comprises a scale, ruler, placement, guide or measurement indicia located in proximate relationship to at least one of the first edge 12b or second edge 12c, respectively, of the hitting deck or mat 12. In one illustrative embodiment, the at least one first and second scale or ruler 22 and 24 comprises a numeric scale or numeric ruler associated with at least one or both of the sides or edges 12b, 12c. Again, it should be appreciated that while the embodiments shown in
In the illustration being described, the at least one first scale or ruler 22 comprises the first numeric ruler 26 and the at least one second scale or ruler 24 comprises the second numeric ruler 28. The first and second numeric rulers 26 and 28 are marked off in inches as shown. In one embodiment, the first and second numeric rulers 26 and 28 start at zero inches at beginning ruling edges 26a and 28a, respectively, which begin at an edge 12d of the hitting deck or mat 12. In the illustration being described, the at least one first and second scales or rulers 22 and 24 progress in inches to the front edge 12a of the hitting deck or mat 12 as shown. Although not shown, the at least one first and second scale or ruler 22 and 24 could begin at the other end or at any point between the edges 12a and 12d, such as where a lead or forward foot FF is placed.
Advantageously, the hitting deck system 10 comprises the interval, guide or placement system 21 which facilitates training either a right-side or right-handed hitter or player P1 or a left-side or left-handed hitter or player P2 where to place the player's feet (which are shown in phantom in
As will be described later herein with respect to other embodiments, the hitting deck system 10 further comprises a plurality of indicia or points of contact 40a-40i which define a plurality of tee placement locations defined as points of contact where a batting tee BT(shown schematically in
One advantage of the first and second scale or numeric rulers 26 and 28, which are in the form of at least one numeric scale or ruler in the illustration being described, is that they enable a determination of a distance D1 (
Referring back to
In one illustrative embodiment, each of the at least one first and second foot landing zones 32 and 34 provides or defines a color-coded graphic, image, portion or area on the hitting deck or mat 12. In a preferred embodiment, the at least one first and second foot landing zones 32 and 34 are integral with the at least one first and second scales or rulers 22 and 24 as illustrated in
Again, one important feature of the embodiment being described is that the foot landing zones 32 and 34 are adapted to guide the right-side or right-handed hitter or player P1 or the left-side or left-handed hitter or player P2 to land or place a lead or forward foot FF in a desired or predetermined position relative to the hitting deck or mat 12 and/or home plate 20 and relative to the plurality of indicia or points of contact 40a-40i as described later.
With continued reference to
The plurality of indicia or points of contact 40a-40i facilitate providing instruction to the right-side or right-handed hitter or player P1 or the left-side or left-handed hitter or player P2 about where a ball should or will likely be hit and/or training the right-side or right-handed hitter or player P1 or the left-side or left-handed hitter or player P2 to hit a ball (not shown) in a particular direction toward a particular area or section of the baseball field. As will be described in more detail later herein, note that each of the plurality of indicia or points of contact 40a-40i comprises a direction indicia, such as direction indicia 40a1 associated with the indicia or point of contact 40a. Each direction indicia 40a1-40i1 indicates a general direction, area or sector where the ball should be hit if, for example, the right-side or right-handed hitter or player P1 hits the ball either when the ball is generally over the plurality of indicia or points of contact 40a-40i or the ball is hit off the batting tee BT located on or near the plurality of indicia or points of contact 40a-40i. Thus, the plurality of indicia or points of contact 40a-40i define tee placement locations to guide a user where to place the batting tee BT as well as the plurality of indicia or points of contact 40a-40i as well as suggested direction of what part of the field the ball placed on the batting tee BT over what indicia should be hit.
Advantageously, portions of the plurality of indicia or points of contact 40a-40i may be provided on the hitting deck or mat 12. For example, the hitting deck or mat 12 may comprise the plurality of indicia or points of contact 40a-40i in combination with either one or both of the at least one first and second scales or rulers 22 and 24, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3A-3D, for use by both the right-side or right-handed hitter or player P1 or the left-side or left-handed hitter or player P2. Alternatively, the plurality of indicia or points of contact 40a-40i, or a subset thereof, may be used in combination with one of the at least one first and second scales or rulers 22 and 24 for use by one of the right-side or right-handed hitter or player P1 (
The plurality of indicia or points of contact 40a-40i comprise indicia or points of contact graphics 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d and 40e which are used by the right-side or right-handed hitter or player P1 and the plurality of indicia or points of contact graphics 40f, 40g, 40c, 40h and 40i which are used by the left-side or left-handed hitter or player P2. Note that the plurality of indicia or points of contact 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d and 40e generally lie in a first plane PL1 (
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 5A-5I, details of the plurality of indicia or points of contact 40a-40i will now be described. In one illustrative embodiment, note that the plurality of indicia or points of contact 40a-40i comprises a direction indicia 40a1-40i1, respectively, as illustrated in
In the illustration being described, each of the graphic sectors 40a1i-40i1 is color-coded to facilitate guiding or identifying the plurality of indicia or points of contact 40a-40i for the right-side or right-handed hitter or player P1 or the left-side or left-handed hitter or player P2. In the illustration being described, the hitting deck or mat 12 may comprise a color-coded right-side hitter graphic 44 (
As alluded to earlier herein, the hitting deck or mat 12 may comprise the foot landing zones 32 and 34 which facilitate causing the right-side or right-handed hitter or player P1 or the left-side or left-handed hitter or player P2 to generally align his lead or forward foot FF in proper relationship to the home plate 20 and also in proper relationship to the plurality of indicia or points of contact 40a-40i, which facilitates ensuring the accuracy of the general direction, area or sector where the ball should be hit as identified by the direction indicia 40a1-40i1.
While the plurality of indicia or points of contact 40a-40i have been shown and described as comprising color-coded direction indicia 40a1-40i1 and the graphic images of home plate 40a2-40i2, infield areas 40a3-40i3 and outfield areas 40a4-40i4, respectively, it should be understood that other indicia or means may be provided for identifying the general direction, area or sector where the ball should be hit, such as direction indicator lines, arrows and the like.
Referring now to
Thus, the plurality of indicia or points of contact 40a-40i guide the player where to place the batting tee BT and provide guidance and training as to where the ball will or should go when hit from each of the locations. Thereafter, the right-side or right-handed hitter or player P1 positions himself or herself in the right-handed batter box area 16 and with his or her front foot FF generally positioned in the first foot landing zone 32 and if the right-side or right-handed hitter or player P1 hits the ball off of the batting tee BT, the ball should go toward or in the direction indicated by the direction indicia 40a1-40e1. The same holds true for the left-side or left-handed hitter or player P2 and the general direction indicia 40f1, 40g1, 40c5 (described later), 40h1 and 40i1 and their respective indicia or point of contact 40f, 40g, 40c, 40h and 40i, respectively.
As mentioned earlier, note that each of the plurality of indicia or points of contact 40a-40i are comprised of multiple images or graphics that define a stadium graphic. In this regard, each plurality of indicia or points of contact 40a-40i comprises the home plate graphic image or area 40a2-40i2, the infield graphic image or area 40a3-40i3, the outfield graphic image or area 40a4-40i4 and the direction indicia 40a1-40i1 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5A-5I. For example,
It should be understood that each of the direction indicia 40a1-40i1 for the plurality of indicia or points of contact 40a-40i, respectively, is enlarged relative to the stadium graphic of the entire stadium as represented by the images of the baseball stadium or field comprised of the infield area, such as infield graphic image or area 40a3 and the outfield graphic image or area 40a4. Also, each home plate image, such as home plate graphic image or area 40a2 for the indicia or point of contact 40a, is enlarged in scale relative to the images of the infield graphic image or area 40a3 and outfield graphic image or area 40a4. In the illustration being described, the home plate graphic image or area 40a2 is shown in combination with the infield graphic image or area 40a3 and outfield graphic image or area 40a4 for each of the plurality of indicia or points of contact 40a-40i , but it should be understood that any one of the home plate image, infield image or outfield image could be used either alone or in combination with the directional indicia 40a1.
Advantageously, each of the plurality of indicia or points of contact 40a-40i comprises at least one of the hitting deck graphics or indicia 40a2-40i2, 40a3-40i3 and 40a4-40i4, and each of the hitting deck graphics or indicia 40a2-40i2, 40a3-40i3 and 40a4-40i4 is unique because each comprises at least one of the direction indicia 40a1-40i1 for identifying the direction, area or sector of the baseball field where the ball should be hit if the batting tee BT is situated at or near the plurality of indicia or points of contact 40a-40i and the batter hits the ball off of the batting tee BT. As explained earlier, for example, if the right-side or right-handed hitter or player P1 places the batting tee BT at the indicia or point of contact 40a and hits a ball off the batting tee BT while the batting tee BT is on or near that indicia or point of contact 40a, it is expected that the ball will be driven toward right field (RF) as indicated by the direction indicia 40a1. Likewise, if the left-side or left-handed hitter or player P2 hits a ball off of the batting tee BT when the batting tee BT is situated on or near the indicia or point of contact 40g, then the left-side or left-handed hitter or player P2 would expect that the ball would travel toward the left center field (LC) as indicated by the direction indicia 40g1, as shown in
It is important to note that the foot landing zones 32 and 34 (
Another important feature and use of the color-coded direction indicia 40a1-40i1, is that the direction indicia 40a1, 40b1, 40c1, 40d1 and 40e1 comprise a first color for the right-side or right-handed hitter or player P1 and the direction indicia 40f1, 40g1, 40c1, 40h1 and 40i1 comprise a second color different from the first color for the left-side or left-handed hitter or player P2. This facilitates providing at least one of or both the right-side or right-handed hitter or player P1 and the left-side or left-handed hitter or player P2 with visual guidance as to which of the predetermined indicia 40a-40i the right-side or right-handed hitter or player P1 or the left-side or left-handed hitter or player P2 should use, as well as where the ball will be hit as described earlier herein. In the illustration, the red direction indicia 40a1-40i1 identify indicia for the right-side or right-handed hitter or player P1, whereas the blue direction indicia 40a1 -40i1 identify indicia for the left-side or left-handed hitter or batter P2. Note that these colors correspond to the colors defined by the color-coded right-side hitter graphic 44 and the color-coded left-side hitter graphic 46.
Regarding the indicia or point of contact 40c (
In the embodiment being described, the hitting deck or mat 12 is an integral one-piece construction having the plurality of indicia or points of contact 40a-40i, with the directional indicia 40a1-40i1 integrally formed in the material comprising the hitting deck or mat 12. As mentioned earlier, at least one or a plurality of the plurality of indicia or points of contact 40a-40i could be provided in a single decal or sticker or separate decals or stickers, for example, which could be applied to the hitting deck or mat 12. It should also be understood that features of the embodiments described herein, such as the plurality of indicia or points of contact could be printed, painted, embossed, drawn or otherwise applied to a hitting station, surface or area. For example, a stencil, template, die, mold, embosser or imprinter could be provided that is adapted to define or apply the predetermined pattern PP for applying the predetermined pattern PP directly to a surface, such as the turf, carpet, wood, ground, pavement, concrete or the like.
In the illustration being described, the hitting deck or mat 12 may comprise the plurality of indicia or points of contact 40a-40i in the predetermined pattern with the direction indicia 40a1-40i1, respectively, and without the interval, guide or placement system 21 described earlier herein. Alternatively, the interval, guide or placement system 21 could be used alone (i.e., without the plurality of indicia or points of contact 40a-40i) as shown in
The method and process for training a batter to hit a ball to an area of a baseball field using the hitting deck system 10 will now be described. First, the hitting deck or mat 12 is provided and positioned on the surface 14, such as at an actual home plate area of a baseball field (not shown). The plurality of indicia or points of contact 40a-40i are provided on the hitting deck or mat 12 as described earlier herein. The hitter or player P1 or P2 places the batting tee BT on one of the plurality of indicia or points of contact 40a-40i. As mentioned earlier herein, the plurality of indicia or points of contact 40a-40e are intended for the right-side or right-handed hitter or player P1, while the plurality of indicia or points of contact 40f, 40g, 40c, 40h and 40i are intended for the left-side or left-handed hitter or player P2. The hitter or player P1 or P2 situates a lead foot or forward foot FF in the appropriate foot landing zone 32 or 34, depending on whether the hitter or player P1 or P2 is right-handed or left-handed, respectively. Once situated in the batting box area, either right-handed batter box area 16 for the right-side or right-handed hitter or player P1 or left-handed batter box area 18 for the left-side or left-handed hitter or player P2, the hitter or player P1 or P2 is aligned or positioned relative to the hitting deck or mat 12 and the plurality of indicia or points of contact 40a-40i. The hitter or player P1 or P2 can then swing a conventional baseball bat (not shown) and hit the baseball.
As mentioned earlier, the direction indicia 40a1-40i1 for the placement indicia being used, such as the direction indicia 40a1 for the indicia or point of contact 40a for the right-side or right-handed hitter or player P1, will provide the hitter or player P1 with information as to where the ball should be hit. This facilitates training the hitter or player P1 to hit the ball to a desired area. For example, if the right-side or right-handed hitter or player P1 had placed the batting tee BT on the indicia or point of contact 40d, then the direction indicia 40d1 of indicia or point of contact 40d would indicate to the right-side or right-handed hitter or player P1 that the ball should be hit to left-center (LC) field. If, however, the hitter or player P1 hit the ball to a different area other than left-center (LC) field, such as toward third base, which is left of this area, then the hitter or player P1 would know that he “pulled” the hit, which can be an indication, for example, that the hitter or player P1 is “hanging back” on his right foot during the swing.
Advantageously, the plurality of indicia or points of contact 40a-40i comprises the direction indicia 40a1-40i1, respectively, for at least one or a plurality of the traditional areas of the baseball field as shown. For example, the direction indicia 40a1-40i1 may comprise a right field (RF) indicia for the right-side or right-handed hitter or player P1, such as the direction indicia 40a1 in
Advantageously, the system and method described herein allows a hitter or player P2 or P2 to know where the baseball should be hit based on where it is pitched or based upon where the hitter or player P1 or P2 hits the ball, for example, off a batting tee BT. In one embodiment the hitting deck or mat 12 could be provided with only predetermined plurality of indicia or points of contact 40a-40i in a predetermined pattern, such as the X pattern shown in
Another advantageous feature of the embodiments being described is that the at least one first and second scales or rulers 22 and 24 and the foot landing zones 32 and 34 show the hitter or player P1 or P2 exactly where to place his or her foot each time they get into the batter box area 16 or 18. The interval, guide or placement system 21 defined by the at least one first and second scales or rulers 22 and 24 facilitate training the hitter or player P1 or P2 to consistently place his or her feet a predetermined or desired distance apart and at a predetermined position relative to home plate 20 and the plurality of indicia or points of contact 40a-40i. Further advantageous features include the following features that may be taken alone or in any combination:
Another embodiment of the invention may comprise an applicator for providing or defining a batting trainer, the applicator comprising a device for creating or adapting a surface to have a plurality of indicia or points of contact for training both a right-side hitter and a left-side hitter to hit a ball to at least one of a direction, area or sector. The applicator is at least one of a die, mold, embosser, imprinter, template or stencil. As with prior embodiments, the plurality of indicia or points of contact comprises a graphic sector that visually represents an area of a field where the ball should be hit by at least one of the right-side hitter or the left-side hitter. This graphic sector may be color codes. Also, the graphic sector may comprise a first color for the right-side hitter and a second color for a left-side hitter, wherein the first and second colors are different. Each of the plurality of indicia or points of contact may comprise a stadium graphic of a baseball field and a direction indicia identify the direction, area or sector of the baseball field where the ball should be hit.
While the system, apparatus and method herein described constitute preferred embodiments of this invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise system, apparatus and method, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.
