Instructional device with adjustable ball-striking sleeve

An instructional device for training a user to hit a ball. The device includes an elongate handle portion for being gripped by the user, and an elongate body portion extending from the handle portion. An enlarged diameter ball-striking sleeve is carried by the body portion and defines a hitting zone within which the user attempts to make contact with the ball. A sleeve-adjusting surface is formed with the ball-striking sleeve for moving the sleeve along the length of the body portion between a plurality of hitting positions. Friction holds the ball-striking sleeve in a selected one of the hitting positions as the instructional device is swung by the user.

TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
 This invention relates to an instructional device having an adjustable
 ball-striking sleeve for training a batter to consistently make contact
 with a pitched ball in an area representing the sweet spot of a standard
 baseball or softball bat, and for improving the hand-eye coordination of
 the batter. The invention has further application as an instructional
 device for other sports, such as tennis, racquetball, squash, and cricket.
 Numerous attempts have been made in the past to provide an instructional
 device which helps improve the ability of a batter to effectively hit a
 baseball or softball with a bat. The device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
 5,014,984 to Brockhoff is primarily intended to teach proper rotation of
 the batter's wrists during a swing. This device further includes a batting
 portion having a width corresponding generally to that of a standard
 baseball bat, and a body portion intermediate the handle and batting
 portion. The body portion is of reduced diameter to reduce the likelihood
 of contacting the ball in this area of the device. The batting portion is
 intended to represent the sweet spot of the bat. The batting portion,
 however, is not adjustable along the length of the device and would not
 accurately represent the sweet spot for every bat. Moreover, because the
 batting portion cannot be adjusted, the ability to effectively exercise
 the batter's hand-eye coordination is reduced.
 The present invention addresses these and other problems of such devices by
 providing an instructional device with an adjustable ball-striking sleeve
 which can be located to represent the sweet spot of any size bat, and
 which is easily moved along the body portion of the device to different
 fixed positions to better exercise the batter's hand-eye coordination. The
 outside diameter of the ball-striking sleeve is greater than the diameter
 of the body portion, and is formed of a relatively soft compressible
 material. The body portion is formed of a hard rigid material such that a
 ball struck with this part of the device will make a clearly distinct
 sound indicating improper ball contact. The ball used with the invention
 is preferably a lightweight plastic "whiffle" ball.
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
 Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide an instructional
 device having an adjustable ball-striking sleeve which is easily moved
 along the length of the device to different hitting positions.
 It is another object of the invention to provide an instructional device
 which improves the batter's ability to hit a baseball or softball.
 It is another object of the invention to provide an instructional device
 which improves the batter's ability to bunt a baseball.
 It is another object of the invention to provide an instructional device
 wherein the ball-striking sleeve can be positioned to represent the sweet
 spot for standard bats of all lengths.
 It is another object of the invention to provide an instructional device
 which uses the effect of friction to hold the ball-striking sleeve in a
 fixed position during a batter's swing.
 It is another object of the invention to provide an instructional device
 which can be used to exercise the batter's hand-eye coordination.
 It is another object of the invention to provide an instructional device
 which exercises the batter's "quick twitch" muscles located in the hands,
 wrists, and forearms to improve the bat speed of the batter.
 It is another object of the invention to provide an instructional device
 which is relatively light-weight such that the batter can practice
 increased consecutive swing repetitions to develop muscle memory without
 developing substantial muscle fatigue.
 It is another object of the invention to provide an instructional device
 which generates an audible indication of bat speed when swung.
 It is another object of the invention to provide an instructional device
 which creates a "swoosh" sound when swung.
 It is another object of the invention to provide an instructional device
 which helps prevent lunging, overswinging, and uppercutting.
 It is another object of the invention to provide an instructional device
 which helps develop top hand/bottom hand control of the batter.
 It is another object of the invention to provide an instructional device
 which helps the batter identify the ideal contact zone.
 It is another object of the invention to provide an instructional device
 which helps the batter develop a proper swing plane.
 It is another object of the invention to provide an instructional device
 helps the batter improve his timing.
 It is another object of the invention to provide an instructional device
 which builds confidence.
 These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in the
 preferred embodiments disclosed below by providing an instructional device
 for training a user to hit a ball. The device includes an elongate handle
 portion for being gripped by the user, and an elongate body portion
 extending from the handle portion. An enlarged diameter ball-striking
 sleeve is carried by the body portion and defines a hitting zone in which
 the user attempts to make contact with the ball. Adjusting means are
 provided for moving the ball-striking sleeve along the length of the body
 portion between a plurality of hitting positions. Retaining means holds
 the ball-striking sleeve in a selected one of the hitting positions as the
 instructional device is swung by the user.
 According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the adjusting
 means includes a raised, sleeve-adjusting flange integrally formed with
 the ball-striking sleeve, and adapted for being gripped by the user to
 move the ball-striking sleeve from one hitting position to another.
 According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the adjusting
 means includes first and second raised sleeve-adjusting flanges integrally
 formed at opposite ends of the ball-striking sleeve.
 According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the body
 portion and ball-striking sleeve are formed of different materials adapted
 for generating distinct sounds upon contacting the ball.
 According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the body
 portion is formed of fiberglass.
 According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the
 ball-striking sleeve is formed of a resilient, foam rubber material.
 According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the handle
 portion and the body portion are integrally formed together.
 According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, a synthetic
 leather strip is wrapped around the handle portion to enhance the grip of
 the user.
 According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, markings
 are applied to the body portion for indicating the proper location of the
 ball-striking sleeve for each of the plurality of hitting positions.
 According to another embodiment, the instructional device includes an
 elongate handle portion for being gripped by the user, and an elongate
 body portion extending from the handle portion. A resilient, enlarged
 diameter ball-striking sleeve is carried by the body portion and defines a
 hitting zone within which the user attempts to make contact with the ball.
 The ball-striking sleeve has an inner diameter slightly less than an outer
 diameter of the body portion, such that the ball-striking sleeve is
 frictionally held in a selected one of a plurality of fixed hitting
 positions as the device is swung. At least one raised, sleeve-adjusting
 surface is formed with the ball-striking sleeve for being gripped by the
 user to move the ball-striking sleeve along the length of the body portion
 between the plurality of fixed hitting positions.
 According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the
 sleeve-adjusting surface includes first and second raised flanges
 integrally formed at opposite ends of the ball-striking sleeve.
 According to another embodiment of the invention, a method of training a
 batter to hit a ball includes the steps of providing an instructional
 device having an elongate handle portion, an elongate body portion
 extending from the handle portion, and a ball-striking sleeve carried by
 the body portion. The batter swings the instructional device at the ball
 in an effort to hit the ball with the ball-striking sleeve. The location
 of the ball-striking sleeve on the length of the body portion is then
 adjusted and the previous step repeated.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT AND BEST MODE
 Referring now specifically to the drawings, an instructional device with an
 adjustable ball-striking sleeve according to the present invention is
 illustrated in FIG. 1 and shown generally at reference numeral 10. The
 device 10 is applicable for training a batter to consistently make contact
 with a pitched ball in an area representing the sweet spot of a standard
 baseball or softball bat, and for improving the hand-eye coordination of
 the batter. The term "sweet spot" is defined herein as the optimal hitting
 area around the center of mass of the bat. For a standard 33-inch bat, for
 example, the sweet spot is generally defined by an 8-inch length extending
 from about 3 inches from the barrel end of the bat towards the handle.
 As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the device 10 includes an integrally formed
 handle portion 11 and body portion 12 preferably formed of lightweight,
 utility-strength continuous spun-fiberglass interwoven with a structured,
 non-moisture honeycomb core. The fiberglass provides flexibility and
 strength sufficient to withstand 2500 psi. Alternatively, plastic PVC
 tubing or wood may be used. A flexible, elongate synthetic leather strip
 14 is wrapped around and adhered to the handle portion 12 of the device 10
 to provide a soft, comfortable grip. According to another embodiment, the
 handle includes a wrapped, cork strip such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
 4,373,718. The complete disclosure of the '718 Patent is incorporated
 herein by reference.
 A tubular, ball-sting sleeve 15 is positioned on the device 10 by placing
 it on the end of the body portion 12, and sliding it to the proper
 position. The sleeve 15 is held in the desired fixed position by friction
 as the device 10 is swung. Preferably, the sleeve 15 is formed of a
 compressible, closed-cell, extruded, tubular foam rubber material, such as
 EPDM, neoprene, nitrile, or acrylonitrile/PVC blend, and is uniform and
 homogeneous throughout its entire structure. The resilient exterior of the
 sleeve 15 produces a "trampoline effect" upon striking the ball, while
 absorbing shock without discomfort to the batter. The diameter of the
 longitudinal center opening 16 through the sleeve 15 is slightly smaller
 than the diameter of the body portion 12 of the device 10 and expands as
 the sleeve 15 is slid onto the body portion 12 to frictionally hold the
 sleeve 15 on the device 10. According to an alternative embodiment (not
 shown), small screws or other fasteners are passed through the sleeve and
 into the device to retain the sleeve in a fixed position while the device
 is swung.
 Raised, sleeve-adjusting annular flanges 17 and 18 are formed on opposite
 ends of the sleeve 15 for being gripped by the batter to adjust of the
 location of the sleeve 15 on the body portion 12. The center portion of
 the sleeve 15 between the flanges 17 and 18 is preferably slightly tapered
 to further isolate the targeted hitting zone.
 Markings 20A-20E representing different hitting positions are provided
 along the length of the body portion 12 to indicate the proper location of
 the ball-striking sleeve 15 for a given size bat. For example, by moving
 the end 15A of the ball-striking sleeve 15 into alignment with the first
 marking 20A located about 1 inch from the end of the body portion 12, the
 batter can practice making proper ball-contact with a hitting zone
 representing the sweet spot of a standard 33" bat. With the ball-striking
 sleeve 15 located at the marking 20E about 5 inches from the end of the
 body portion 12, the batter can practice making proper ball-contact with a
 hitting zone representing the sweet spot of a standard 28" bat. Markings
 20B-20D represent locations of the sleeve 15 for other standard bats of
 different lengths.
 According to one technique of using the instructional device 10, the sleeve
 15 is moved to a desired position on the body portion 12 corresponding to
 the area of the sweet spot for a given size baseball or softball bat.
 Whiffle balls or other small plastic balls or tennis balls are then
 pitched to the batter who attempts to hit the ball directly on sleeve 15,
 or sweet spot. A "mis-hit" occurs when the ball is struck with the handle
 11 or body portion 12 of the device 10. Because of the different material
 construction of the sleeve 15 and handle and body portions 11 and 12, the
 "hits" make a distinctively different sound from the "mis-hits" thereby
 indicating the proficiency and improvement of the batter.
 The instructional device 10 focuses on improving the batter's hand-eye
 coordination. By varying the position of the sleeve 15 on the device 10,
 the batter learns to "see" the ball and to properly adjust the swing in
 order to strike the ball on the sleeve 15. The instructional device 10 can
 also be used in a similar manner to improve the bunting skills of the
 batter.
 Other drills using the instructional device 10 of the present invention
 include:
 (i) Simple Dry Swings: The batter takes "dry" swings paying close attention
 to the details of proper swing mechanics while emphasizing bat speed. This
 exercise builds muscle memory without creating muscle fatigue, and
 stimulates the quick-twitch muscles used to improve bat speed.
 (ii) Side Toss: An instructor positioned a short distance to the side of
 the batter tosses the ball to the batter who attempts to hit the ball
 while concentrating on the specific point of contact in the hitting zone.
 This exercise focuses on improving hand-eye coordination and bat speed.
 (iii) Side Bounce: An instructor positioned a short distance to the side of
 the batter bounces the ball to the batter who attempts to hit the ball
 while tracking the ball to contact. This exercise further improves
 hand-eye coordination.
 (iv) Short Toss: An instructor positioned a short distance (about 15-20
 feet) in front of the batter throws the ball into the strike zone. The
 batter attempts to hit the ball in the proper hitting zone of the device
 10. This exercise builds confidence, emphasizes proper swing plane, and
 improves hand-eye coordination.
 (v) Top Hand/Bottom Hand Short Toss: An instructor positioned a short
 distance in front of the batter throws the ball into the strike zone. The
 batter attempts to hit the ball in the proper hitting zone while swing the
 device 10 with only one hand. The batter alternates using the top hand and
 the bottom hand. This exercise emphasizes proper swing plane and swing
 mechanics.
 (vi) Three-Position Short Toss: From a short distance, the instructor moves
 in an arc in front of the batter between a position directly in front of
 the batter, a position in-line with a point between second base and third
 base, and a position in-line with a point between second base and first
 base. The batter practices tracking the ball from different angles, and
 then hitting the ball back towards the area it was pitched. This exercise
 teaches the batter to hit the ball hard to all fields, helps develop
 proper swing plane, and improves hand-eye coordination.
 When swinging the instructional device 10, the speed of the ball-striking
 sleeve 15 though the air creates a "swoosh" sound. For right-hand batters,
 this sound should be distinctly heard in the right ear. This indicates
 that maximum bat speed has been generated from the beginning of the swing
 to the point of ball contact. Detecting the "swoosh" sound in the left ear
 indicates an improper swing, as maximum bat speed is then generated from
 the point of contact to the end of the swing or follow-though.
 According to one preferred embodiment, the total length of the device 10 is
 about 33 inches--the handle portion 11 being about 11 inches and the body
 portion 12 being about 22 inches. The length of the ball-striking sleeve
 15 is preferably about 8 inches. The circumference of the body portion 12
 is about 2.75 inches, while the circumference of the ball-striking sleeve
 15 between the raised flanges 17 and 18 is about 4.25 inches. The
 circumference of the raised flanges 17 and 18 is about 5 inches. The
 length of each raised flange 17 and 18 is about 0.5 inches. In addition,
 plastic caps 21 and 22 are preferably located on opposite ends of the
 device 10.
 An instructional device is described above. Various details of the
 invention may be changed without departing from its scope. Furthermore,
 the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention and
 the best mode for practicing the invention are provided for the purpose of
 illustration only and not for the purpose of limitation--the invention
 being defined by the claims.