Abstract:
A device for teaching a baseball or softball pitcher includes a storage unit for holding a pre-marked tape measure, a pitching rubber, and a home plate along with fastening devices for securing the pitching rubber and home plate in their desired position.

Description:
[0001]    This invention relates to a device for teaching a baseball or softball pitcher and more particularly to a device for teaching a baseball or softball pitcher which facilitates setting of pitching distances and a proper pitching area. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    In the teaching of baseball or softball skills, many assisting devices for training are known. Baseball and softball are used interchangeably throughout this application and have the same meaning. With either baseball or softball, one position, which is very critical, is the pitcher. Great skill is required for a pitcher. To develop that great skill, much practice is required. Not only much practice, but proper practice is required. 
         [0003]    Essential elements of pitching are a pitching rubber where the pitcher stands, a home plate which assists in determining the proper target for a pitch, and a proper distance between the pitching rubber and home plate. Since the pitching rubber must be a proper distance from the home plate, in order for a pitcher to practice the mechanics or movements required of a good pitcher, a great problem is created. The problem derives from the varying distances between the pitching rubber and home plate, for the various levels of baseball or softball. 
         [0004]    It thus becomes clear it is very desirable to have a good method of setting up the distance between home plate and the pitching rubber. Such a set up becomes more complicated because there are different levels of baseball or softball, with each level varying the required distances between the pitching rubber and home plate. It thus becomes desirable to provide for efficient setting of that distance between home plate and the pitching rubber. 
         [0005]    While there exist many ways of doing this, there is no one efficient way of accomplishing this goal. To simplify this procedure, a device which permits the installation of the pitching rubber and home plate in that desired fashion to the desired distance is necessary. 
         [0006]    Another problem with pitching practice is that a catcher helps. Usually, the catching position is uncomfortable. A catcher is required to squat down behind the plate, while the pitcher throws a ball to the catcher from the pitching rubber. Such a position can be extremely uncomfortable. If the device also provides for improved comfort for the practice catcher, great demand for the product as well as other advantages can be obtained. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    Among the many objectives of the present invention is the provision of a device for teaching a baseball or softball pitcher, which can be used to quickly and efficiently to set up a proper pitching area. 
         [0008]    Another objective of the present invention is the provision of a device for teaching a baseball or softball pitcher, which can store a tape measure, a pitching rubber, and a home plate, with appropriate fastening devices. 
         [0009]    Also, an objective of the present invention is the provision of a device for teaching a baseball or softball pitcher, which can easily measure an appropriate distance between the pitching rubber and home plate. 
         [0010]    Moreover, an objective of the present invention is the provision of a device for teaching a baseball or softball pitcher, which simplifies the function of the catcher. 
         [0011]    These and other objectives of the invention (which other objectives become clear by consideration of the specification, claims and drawings as a whole) are met by providing a device for teaching a baseball or softball pitcher, which includes a case for holding a pre-marked measuring tape, a pitching rubber, and a home plate along with fastening devices for securing the pitching rubber and home plate in its desired position. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  depicts a block diagram of a teaching device  100  for a baseball or softball pitcher  160  of this invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  depicts an exploded perspective view of the teaching device  100  of this invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  depicts a top, plan view of the teaching device  100  of this invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  depicts a perspective view of a teaching device  100  for a baseball or softball pitcher  160  of this invention in use. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  depicts a perspective view of a teaching device  100  for a baseball or softball pitcher  160  of this invention in use. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  depicts a perspective view of a teaching device  100  for a baseball or softball pitcher  160  of this invention in use. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  depicts a perspective view of a teaching device  100  for a baseball or softball pitcher  160  of this invention in use. 
       
    
    
       [0019]    Throughout the figures of the drawings, where the same part appears in more than one figure of the drawings, the same number is applied thereto. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0020]    The device for teaching a baseball or softball pitcher of this invention includes a case which cooperates with the other elements of the device in order to store and transport those elements. If desired, the case can be subdivided and receive each of the elements in its own compartment. Furthermore, other compartments can be available for other desired material. 
         [0021]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , teaching device  100  of this invention includes a storage unit  110 , into which, components of the invention may be placed. Such components permit the pitching area of a baseball or softball field to be substantially duplicated and provide a proper area for practice. To that end, the storage unit  110  includes a home plate  120 , a pre-marked measuring tape  150 , and a pitching rubber  130 . If desired, ground stakes  140  may be present to secure the home plate  120  and the pitching rubber  130  in an appropriate position, which may be in front of the pitcher&#39;s mound  164 . Pre-marked measuring tape  150  may have baseball markings or softball markings for various home plate to pitching rubber distances as required by the different leagues or playing levels, or various distances between the bases. 
         [0022]    Storage unit  110  may be open or closeable, and may also have any suitable shape. Typical of the suitable shapes for storage unit  110  are open rectangular or open cylindrical. Either open shape has a closed end, with the elements of the teaching device  100  insertable or removable through an open end. It is preferred however that the open end be closable and latchable. 
         [0023]    Adding  FIG. 2  to the consideration, storage unit  110  has a storage area  111  with a latch  113  thereon along with a handle  115  secured thereto. Hinge  114  connects the catcher&#39;s seat  112  to the storage area  111 . As the home plate  120 , the pre-marked measuring tape  150 , and the pitching rubber  130 , are placed into storage area  111 , hinge  114  and latch  113  combine to lock storage unit  110 . Pre-marked measuring tape  150  can have markings suitable for any level of baseball or softball to determine the distance between the home plate  120  and the pitching rubber  130 . 
         [0024]    Turning now to  FIG. 3 , the teaching device  100  is set out. The storage unit  110  is positioned next to home plate  120 . Pre-marked measuring tape  150  is stretched from home plate  120  to pitching rubber  130 . Pre-marked measuring tape  150  has a mustang mark  170  for the Mustang league. Pre-marked measuring tape  150  has a bronco mark  172  for the Bronco league. Pre-marked measuring tape  150  has a pony mark  174  for the Pony league. Pre-marked measuring tape  150  a colt mark  176  for the Colt league. 
         [0025]    Other desired marks can also be placed on the pre-marked measuring tape  150 . Typical examples include the distance between the home plate  120  and the pitching rubber  130  for softball. Pre-marked measuring tape  150  can also set out the distance between home plate, first base, second base, and third base. 
         [0026]    With  FIG. 4 , the pitcher  160  is at mustang mark  170  and is throwing the ball  163  to the catcher  162  who is sitting behind home plate  120 . Catcher  162  is seated on catcher&#39;s seat  112  of storage unit  110  set up as above described.  FIG. 5  is similar to  FIG. 4 , with bronco mark  172  replacing the mustang mark  170 .  FIG. 6  is similar to  FIG. 4 , with pony mark  174  replacing the mustang mark  170 .  FIG. 7  is similar to  FIG. 4 , with the colt mark  176  positioned on pitcher&#39;s mound  164  replacing the mustang mark  170 , bronco mark  172 , and pony mark  174 . 
         [0027]    This application—taken as a whole with the abstract, specification, claims, and drawings—provides sufficient information for a person having ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention disclosed and claimed herein. Any measures necessary to practice this invention are well within the skill of a person having ordinary skill in this art after that person has made a careful study of this disclosure. 
         [0028]    Because of this disclosure and solely because of this disclosure, modification of this tool can become clear to a person having ordinary skill in this particular art. Such modifications are clearly covered by this disclosure.