Patent ID: 8425352
Filing Date: 2013-04-23
Classification: A63B

Abstract:
1. A ball hitting training device comprising: a vertical stand; a retractable post configured to extend upward from the vertical stand; an electronic controller enclosed within the vertical stand, the electronic controller being configured to move the retractable post (1) side-to-side horizontally, (2) inward-and-outward horizontally, and (3) up and down with respect to the vertical stand; a vacuum pump enclosed within the vertical stand, the vacuum pump configured to create a suction force; and a suction line that is vertically and horizontally supported by the retractable post, the suction line further being attached to the vacuum pump at one end and having a suction cup at the other end such that during use the suction force created by the vacuum pump can vertically support a ball; wherein the electronic controller directs the retractable post that is supporting the suction line holding the ball vertically to move the ball through a three-dimensional strike zone at various heights during use to mimic game situations and train the hand-eye movement of a batter to hit the ball at varying random locations within the three dimensional strike zone as defined by the Major League rule book.