Training device and pivotal swing method for improving accuracy of hitting a ball with a bat

#This invention was not federally sponsored.

#This invention relates to the general field of sports, and more specifically toward a training device and training method for pivotally swinging and hitting a baseball or softball. Swinging a baseball or softball bat (a simple machine), to hit a baseball or softball, also called “hitting” or “a swing,” is a process that involves a number of discrete steps or elements. Some of these steps can or must be performed sequentially, while other steps can or must be performed in parallel. If each of the steps or a combination thereof, is not performed optimally, the outcome will be negatively affected.

#The term hitting is defined herein as any condition in which a person, i.e. the “batter,” uses his or her hands to swing a bat at a ball with the intent to strike the ball. Often the ball follows a trajectory toward the batter after having been thrown or hit by a person or another device. Examples of this condition are found in the games of baseball and fast-pitch softball. Other such conditions exist. A “great hit” is a desired output, such as a line drive in baseball, and is created by the optimal connection between the bat and the ball. This optimal connection occurs when the center line of the bat hits the center line of the ball, producing the result of both the bat and ball, at the instantaneous moment of contact, traveling in the same plane in opposite directions, with the bat reversing the direction (changing the state) of the ball to an essentially opposite direction of its travel prior to contact with the bat. In addition to the two aspects described above with regard to the optimal connection, there is a third aspect to the optimal connection, namely that of the direction of the ball after coming into contact with the bat. For example, a great hit in baseball has a directional limit defined by the first and third baselines of the playing field. Other games have similar directional limitation ranges for a desired hit outcome. Although the above information regarding a “great hit” as a desired output of baseball is fully applicable to the game of softball, other games in which the ball hitting swing method is used may have a different desired output and the description of a “great hit” in each will have to be adjusted for that game.

#The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this invention.

#FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a batter in a ready position for performing the pivotally swinging and hitting method in accordance with exemplary embodiments.

#FIG. 2 is a back perspective view of a batter in a ready position for performing the pivotally swinging and hitting method in accordance with exemplary embodiments.

#Many aspects of the invention can be better understood with the references made to the drawings below. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. Instead, emphasis is placed upon clearly illustrating the components of the present invention. Moreover, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts through the several views in the drawings.

#This document describes training devices and training methods for a pivotal swing process or pivotal hitting technique, embodied in various methods and processes that produce an improved swing process, thereby maximizing swing quality and desired outputs. The following description relates primarily to the context of the game of baseball and fast-pitch softball, with a baseball or softball bat, a type of machine used to change the state of the baseball or softball. The example illustrated by the following figures is a right-handed batter in baseball or softball. The method is equally applicable to a left-handed batter, but it should be understood that for a left-handed batter the various positions and actions are the opposite as are the case, as illustrated here, for a right-handed batter.

#To assure the training and development of the batter in effective implementation of the elements of the Pivotal Swing method, use of a training device is beneficial. There are two types; one using electronic measurement (Type 1) and one using mechanical rods (Type 2) referred to herein as enlargers. Both types are used to assess the achievement of the targeted improvements and elements. An example is the measurement of head movement. A major improvement of the Pivotal Swing method is to eliminate head movement. The electronic measurement in the first embodiment of the training device, Type 1, will give actual measurements of how much the head has moved in any of the 3 dimensions. This information can be fed back to the batter so they can better develop their knowledge of and muscle memory to implement the new method most effectively. Similarly measurements of detrimental leg movements or bending of the knee are made.