Abstract:
It is one aspect of the present invention to provide a batting training apparatus for simulating ball trajectory prior to, during, and after the ball is impacted by a piece of sporting equipment such as a baseball bat. In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises a ball connected to a rotating tab wherein the tab is secured to a bearing configured to rotate within a bearing housing. The bearing housing may be mounted to a vertical support structure such as a pole or post.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/201,164 filed on Mar. 7, 2014 which is a U.S non-provisional patent application that claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/775,582 filed Mar. 9, 2013, the entire contents of the above-referenced patent applications are incorporated by reference herein and priority is claimed thereto. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to the field of ball sports training apparatuses. More specifically, the invention relates to tethered ball hitting and training apparatuses for ball sports including baseball, softball, tennis, and the like. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Learning how to impact or contact a ball is a fundamental skill needed for success in ball hitting sports such as baseball, softball, tennis, and the like. Many ball hitting and training devices have been developed but are unable to individually provide all of the key skill concepts and device characteristics including demonstrating the length of time the ball is in and out of the strike zone, the ability to practice switch hitting, demonstration of ball trajectory after being hit, and durability for sustained use. 
         [0004]    It is beneficial for the ball to remain in play for as long as possible after being hit to provide feedback to the hitter and improve their hitting skills. Training devices that do not allow the ball to remain in motion, or in play, after being hit will prove inadequate for training the batter to determine the best ball position, correct batter stance, and timing for proper swinging. 
         [0005]    A device that allows for switch hitting will improve a batter&#39;s skills and also allows for multiple players to train or play a game. And, when the ball is hit, it is important for the batter to see the trajectory of the ball in order to make changes to as to how high or low the ball&#39;s flight is going to be. Finally it is important for the device to withstand the jarring forces frequently put upon the mechanism. 
         [0006]    Most tethered ball batting training devices consist of a ball attached to a horizontal bar, either directly or with a rope or string. Then the bar is connected to a vertical bar to supply height. 
         [0007]    Tethering to a horizontal bar such as U.S. Pat. No. 5,454,561 filed on May 20, 1994 and issued to Smith prevents the ball from demonstrating the true trajectory. The ball will only travel up and over the bar, not at an angle that demonstrates actual flight. 
         [0008]    One method of tethering a ball to a vertical post is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,531,438 filed Oct. 23, 1994 and issued to Corley which uses a thimble around a bolt to allow rotation, but the friction created in rotation and centrifugal force will limit the number of cycles that the ball will complete and thus the amount of time the ball will be in play after being hit. 
         [0009]    Therefore, a need exists for a novel batting training apparatuses configured to demonstrate the length of time the ball is in and out of the strike zone. A further need exists for batting training apparatuses configured to allow the practice of pinch hitting. Another need exists for batting training apparatuses able to demonstrate of ball trajectory of a ball after being hit by allowing the ball to remain in play for extended periods of time. Finally, there exists a need for batting training apparatuses configured for extended durability and sustained use. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    A batting training apparatus configured to facilitate the horizontal rotational movement of a ball relative to a user is provided. In some embodiments, the apparatus may comprise a bearing housing which may be configured to be mounted within a vertical support. The bearing housing may have a first bearing seat and a second bearing seat positioned vertically below the first bearing seat. A first bearing may be secured within the first bearing seat, and the first bearing may have an inner race comprising a bearing aperture, an outer race, and a ball bearing positioned between the inner race and the outer race thereby allowing the inner race to rotate relative to the outer race with the outer race remaining stationary. A second bearing may be secured within the second bearing seat with the second bearing having an inner race comprising a bearing aperture, an outer race, and a ball bearing positioned between the inner race and the outer race thereby allowing the inner race to rotate relative to the outer race with said outer race remaining stationary. A rotating tab may be positioned vertically above the first bearing, and the tab may have a proximal tab aperture. An elongate male threaded fastener having a top end and a bottom end with the elongate male threaded fastener passing vertically through the proximal tab aperture of the rotating tab and also passing vertically through the bearing apertures of the first and second bearings. A first female threaded fastener may be positioned between the rotating tab and the first bearing with the first female fastener being coupled to the elongate male threaded fastener. A second female threaded fastener may be positioned between the second bearing and the elongate male threaded fastener bottom end with the second female fastener being coupled to the elongate male threaded fastener. The rotating tab, elongate male threaded fastener, first female threaded fastener, first bearing inner race, second inner bearing inner race, ball bearing, and second female threaded fastener may be configured to rotate while the outer races, vertical support, and bearing housing remain stationary. 
         [0011]    Accordingly several advantages are to provide an improved batting apparatus to allow a batter to improve hand eye coordination and batting skills, to provide input to the batter on how well the ball was hit, to provide a durable and stable batting device, and to provide a more user-friendly, yet economical batting device. Still further advantages will become apparent from the study of the following description and the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as an example and are not limited by the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references may indicate similar elements and in which: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  depicts an exploded perspective view of an example of a batting training apparatus according to various embodiments described herein. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of an example of a batting training apparatus with the components vertically stacked along a central vertical axis (labeled as a dashed line) and  FIG. 2  also shows the horizontal rotational motion of a rotating tab along a horizontal axis (labeled as a dashed line) according to various embodiments described herein. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3A  shows a perspective view of an example of batting training apparatuses according to various embodiments described herein. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3B  shows a perspective view of an example of batting training apparatuses according to various embodiments described herein. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4A  depicts an elevation view of an example of mounting batting training apparatuses according to various embodiments described herein. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4B  depicts an elevation view of an example of mounting batting training apparatuses according to various embodiments described herein. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4C  depicts an elevation view of an example of mounting batting training apparatuses according to various embodiments described herein. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5A  illustrates a perspective view of an example of a method of using a batting training apparatus according to various embodiments described herein. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5B  illustrates a perspective view of an example of a method of using a batting training apparatus according to various embodiments described herein. 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  shows perspective view of an example of a bearing housing according to various embodiments described herein. 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  depicts a sectional view of an example of a bearing housing according to various embodiments described herein. 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  shows a cross sectional view through line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 2  but with the tab rotated approximately 45 degrees clockwise showing a portion of an example of a batting training apparatus according to various embodiments described herein. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0025]    The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
         [0026]    Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. 
         [0027]    In describing the invention, it will be understood that a number of techniques and steps are disclosed. Each of these has individual benefit and each can also be used in conjunction with one or more, or in some cases all, of the other disclosed techniques. Accordingly, for the sake of clarity, this description will refrain from repeating every possible combination of the individual steps in an unnecessary fashion. Nevertheless, the specification and claims should be read with the understanding that such combinations are entirely within the scope of the invention and the claims. 
         [0028]    New batting training apparatuses and methods of using the apparatuses are discussed herein. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be evident, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. 
         [0029]    The present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated by the figures or description below. 
         [0030]    The present invention will now be described by example and through referencing the appended figures representing preferred and alternative embodiments.  FIG. 1  illustrates an exploded perspective view of an example of a batting training apparatus (“the apparatus”)  100  according to various embodiments described herein. In this example, the apparatus  100  comprises a rotating tab  13  configured to be coupled a tether  18  secured at a second end to a ball  19  and rotationally secured at a first end to a vertical support  21  through the rotating tab  13  distal tab aperture  13 B apparatus  100 . The ball  19  may be selected from one of a baseball, softball, tether ball, basketball, or the like. In some embodiments, the tether  18  may be a rope, cord, chain, flexible plastic, flexible metal, or other suitable tethering device. In preferred embodiments, the tether  18  is a rope or cord. The tether  18  may be made from nylon, braided steel cable fibrous materials, or any other similar material. One skilled in the art will immediately recognize that many different tether  18  lengths and types are contemplated, and that the relative dimensions of the tether  18  in the figures is not intended to limit the actual dimensions of the tether  18  in any way. 
         [0031]    In some embodiments, the vertical support  21  has a hollow core at a top end (as shown by  FIG. 1 ) and may comprise a pole, a post, or a tube. The vertical support  21  may be made from metal, plastic, or any other suitable durable and substantially rigid material. 
         [0032]    In preferred embodiments, the apparatus  100  is operably connected to the tether  18  via a tab  13  on the top end of the apparatus  100  and a quick link  17  operably connected to the tab  13  with said apparatus  100  secured within the vertical support  21 . The quick link  17  may be a carbiner, hook, or other suitable attachment means configured for the quick attachment and detachment of two items. The tab  13  may be rotationally attached to the apparatus  100  by an elongate male threaded fastener  11  having a top end  11 A and a bottom end  11 B that may be inserted through a proximal tab aperture  13 A on the tab  13  (as shown by  FIG. 1 ) and through a bearing housing  16  inserted into the vertical support  21  and optionally held in place by one or more set screws  22  or similar fasteners. The tab  13  may be a metal elongate article with a proximal tab apertures  13 A and a distal tab aperture  13 B at opposing ends as shown by example in  FIG. 1 . In some embodiments, the elongate male threaded fastener  11  may comprise a bolt, screw, rod, a threaded metal bolt, a threaded metal screw, a threaded metal rod, or other suitable type fastener. 
         [0033]    The bearing housing  16  is configured to rotatably secure a bearing  15  having a bearing aperture  15 A allowing it to spin or rotate within the housing  16  while the housing  16  and vertical support  21  remain stationary (i.e. the do not rotate). In preferred embodiments, bearing housing  16  is configured to rotatably secure two bearings  15  with each of the first bearing  15  and second bearing  15  housed in bearing seats  16 A ( FIG. 7 ) slightly apart from each other. Bearing  15  is preferably a wheel bearing of a round or wheel shape with an aperture  15 A in the center and having a body with rounded perimeter sides (as shown by  FIG. 1 ) and a substantially flat top end and a substantially flat bottom end (as shown by  FIG. 1 ). In the examples shown, bearings  15  comprise an inner race  150  and an outer race  151  separated by a sphere shaped ball bearing  152  with said sphere shaped ball bearing  152  capable of spinning or rotating thereby permitting bearing inner race  150  to rotate or spin while outer race  151  may remain substantially stationary. Bearing  15  and bearing components may be made from plastics such as urethane, polyurethane, nylon, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, rubber, metals alloys such as aluminum, or any other suitable durable and substantially rigid material. One or more female threaded fasteners  14  may be positioned adjacent to the two or more sets of bearings  15  and be threadedly attached to the male threaded fastener  11 . In some embodiments, the female threaded fastener  14  may comprise a nut, locking nut, or other suitable female type threaded fastener  14  which may be coupled to the distal end (i.e. lowest end pointing downwards in  FIG. 1 ) of the elongate male threaded fastener  11  (as shown by example in  FIG. 1 ). 
         [0034]    The male threaded fastener  11  and the female threaded fasteners  14  secure and attach the tab  13  to the bearings  15  by passing vertically through the entire body of the bearings  15  (as shown  FIG. 1  and in an assembled form in  FIG. 2 ), within the bearing housing  16  allowing the tab  13 , fastener  11 , and bearings  15  (attached to the tab  13 ) to freely rotate while the bearing housing  16  and vertical support  21  remain stationary. In some embodiments, one or more washers  12  may be positioned on the male threaded fastener  11  to facilitate positioning and securing of elements on the male threaded fastener  11 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of an example of a batting training apparatus  100  according to various embodiments. In this embodiment, the rotational movement of the tab  13  and therefore the optional quick link  17 , tether  18 , and ball  19  is aptly illustrated. The tab  13  is able to freely rotate in a horizontal plane which is substantially perpendicular to the vertical support  21  allowing the ball  19  to freely rotate around the vertical support  21  thereby remaining in play for extended periods of time while limiting the vertical rotational movement of the ball  19 . In preferred embodiments, the tab  13  has minimal contact to the quick link  17  decreasing the amount of friction. In this embodiment, the male threaded fastener  11  rotationally secures a washer  12 , tab  13 , and female threaded fastener  14  to the bearing housing  16 . The bearing housing  16  may also be attached to the vertical support  21  by an optional set screw  21 . In other embodiments, the bearing housing  16  may be press fit, adhesively bonded, heat bonded, or joined by any other suitable method to the vertical support  21 .  FIG. 2  also illustrates a perspective view of an example of a batting training apparatus with the components vertically stacked along a central vertical axis  200  (labeled as a dashed line) and  FIG. 2  also shows the horizontal rotational motion  301  of a rotating tab  13  along a horizontal axis  300  (labeled as a dashed line) with said horizontal axis  300  perpendicular to said vertical axis  200 . 
         [0036]    In some embodiments, a rotating tab  13  may comprise a proximal tab aperture  13 A. In further embodiments, a rotating tab  13  may comprise a distal tab aperture  13 B. The distal tab aperture  13 B may be coupled to a tether  18  having a first end  18 A and a second end  18 B. In still further embodiments, the rotating tab  13  may be coupled to the first end  18 A of the tether  18  through a quick link  17 . In even further embodiments, the first end  18 A of the tether  18  may be removably coupled to the rotating tab  13  and the second end  18 B of the tether  18  may be coupled to a ball  19 . 
         [0037]    Turning now to  FIG. 3 , a perspective view of two examples of batting training apparatuses  100  according to various embodiments is shown. In the example shown in  FIG. 3A , the vertical support  21  comprises a fixed length post so that the distance of the tab  13  from the base of the vertical support  21  may not be altered. 
         [0038]    In other embodiments and as shown in  FIG. 3B , the vertical support  21  may comprise one or more collapsible vertical support extensions  23  with may be expanded to increase the distance of the tab  13  from the base of the vertical support  21  and conversely collapsed to decrease the distance of the tab  13  from the base of the vertical support  21  for example in a telescoping manner. 
         [0039]      FIG. 4  depicts an elevation view of three examples of mounting batting training apparatuses  100  according to various embodiments. In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 4A , the vertical support  21  may be mounted into a ground surface by encasing it with a rigid material, such as concrete, dirt, stones, or other suitable material. 
         [0040]    As depicted in  FIG. 4B , in some embodiments, the vertical support  21  may be movably mounted to a ground surface such as a tire, a form, or other suitable base, then secured using a rigid material, concrete, dirt, stones, or other suitable material. 
         [0041]    Referring now to  FIG. 4C  in some embodiments, the vertical support  21  may be mounted on a sleeve. The vertical support  21  may be attached to a short vertical support  31  of smaller diameter that is already secure to the ground or other suitable base. 
         [0042]    As perhaps best shown by  FIG. 5 , a perspective view of two examples of a method of ball sport training according to various embodiments is shown. In  FIG. 5A , the method may comprise a user  400  practicing batting skills whether right handed or left handed and stopping the ball after each hit, or switch hitting and keeping the ball in continual motion. 
         [0043]    In other embodiments and referring to  FIG. 5B , a method of ball sport training may comprise two users  400  one batting right handed and one batting left handed keeping the ball in continual motion while using the apparatus  100 . Or two users  400  can hit in the same direction attempting to hit the ball before their opponent. 
         [0044]      FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of an example of a bearing housing  16  according to various embodiments described herein. In this view the cylindrical shape of the bearing housing can be seen. In preferred embodiments, the bearing housing comprises one or more bearing seats  16 A ( FIG. 7 ) located within the bearing housing  16  wherein bearing seats  16 A are preferably separated from each other by one or more bearing spacers  16 B ( FIG. 7 ). The bearing housing  16  may be made from plastics such as urethane, polyurethane, nylon, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, rubber, metals alloys such as aluminum, or any other suitable durable and substantially rigid material. Additionally, the elongate male threaded fastener may be constructed from a rigid material, such as metal and metal alloys, plastic, ceramic, carbon fiber, resins, or any other substantially rigid material. In preferred embodiments, the bearing housing  16  is comprised of a material that will absorb shock from the ball being hit, increasing stability and durability of the entire apparatus  100 . The plane  7  for which the section view of  FIG. 7  is based is shown as a broken line. 
         [0045]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , a sectional view is provided of an example of a bearing housing  16  according to various embodiments described herein. In this embodiment, two bearing seats  16 A, also called a first bearing seat and a second bearing seat are separated by a bearing spacer  16 B. The bearing seats  16 A are complementarily shaped to receive and secure one or more bearings  15  ( FIG. 1 ). The bearing spacer  16 B prevents one or more bearings  15  ( FIG. 1 ) from contacting each other and as such prevents the bearings  15  ( FIG. 1 ) from traveling within the bearing housing  16 . Bearing spacer  16 B also facilitates better balance in the rotation of the male threaded fastener  11 . In some embodiments, the bearing housing  16  may comprise a first bearing seat  16 A adapted to receive a first bearing  15  and a second bearing seat  16 A adapted to receive a second bearing  15 . In further embodiments, a bearing spacer  16 B may be integrally formed or molded within the bearing housing  16  and positioned between a first bearing seat  16 A and a second bearing seat  16 A. 
         [0046]    In preferred embodiments, bearing seats  16 A and bearing spacer  16 B are cavities formed within the body of bearing housing  16  and surrounded by radial sidewalls on all lateral sides. Bearing seats  16 A are substantially open on at least one side (either top or bottom side) to removably accept bearings  15  ( FIG. 1 ). In preferred embodiments, bearing seats  16 A have a diameter larger than bearing spacer  16 B as bearing spacer side wall  16 C preferably forms a protrusion into the hollow core of bearing housing  16 . In this regard, a first bearing  15  ( FIG. 1 ) may be placed into the top cavity of a first bearing seat  16 A and the protruding bearing spacer sidewall  16 C makes contact with the bottom facing portion of said first bearing  15  ( FIG. 1 ) preventing the first bearing  15  ( FIG. 1 ) from dropping further into the bearing housing  16 . In some embodiments, a second bearing  15  ( FIG. 1 ) may be placed into the bottom cavity of a second bearing seat  16 A and the protruding bearing spacer sidewall  16 C makes contact with the upper facing portion of said second bearing  15  ( FIG. 1 ) preventing the second bearing  15  ( FIG. 1 ) from entering further into the bearing housing  16 , thereby maintaining a distance between a first bearing  15  ( FIG. 1 ) and a second bearing  15  ( FIG. 1 ) secured within the bearing housing  16 . 
         [0047]    Turning now to  FIG. 8 , a cross sectional view through line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 2  but with the rotating tab  13  rotated approximately 45 degrees clockwise is provided showing of an example of a batting training apparatus  100  according to various embodiments described herein. In some embodiments, the rotating tab  13 , elongate male threaded fastener  11 , first female threaded fastener  14  (top female threaded fastener  14  shown in  FIG. 8 ), second female threaded fastener  14  (bottom female threaded fastener  14  shown in  FIG. 8 ), first bearing  15  (top bearing), second bearing  15  (bottom bearing), bearing housing  16 , and vertical support  21  may be vertically stacked relative to each other along a vertical axis  200  ( FIG. 2 ) thereby allowing the rotating tab  13  to rotate in a horizontal rotational motion  301  ( FIG. 2 ) along a horizontal axis  300  ( FIG. 2 ) that is perpendicular to the vertical axis  200 . In preferred embodiments, female threaded fastener may be threadably coupled to the elongate male threaded fastener  11  by screwing the female threads of the female threaded fastener  14  around the male threads on the elongate male threaded fastener  11 . This horizontal instead of vertical rotating mechanic is not merely a design choice. In some preferred embodiments, the horizontal rotational motion  301  of the rotating tab  13  allows for relatively uniform horizontal rotation of a ball  19  such as a baseball which will assist a baseball batter in training exercises. Unlike other sports such as volleyball, in baseball and softball the ball  19  is normally presented to the batter along a horizontal axis (i.e. the pitcher throws the ball directly at the batter with very slight vertical movement) therefore the unique vertical stacking and horizontal rotational motion  301  of the apparatus  100  allows for improved functionality. 
         [0048]    In further embodiments, the first female threaded fastener  14  may be in frictional contact at a frictional contact point  150 A with the inner race  150  of the first bearing  15  but may not be in frictional contact with the outer race  151  of the first bearing  15 . Frictional contact may comprise a frictional contact point  150 A between two objects, such as contact between a first female threaded fastener  14  and an inner race  150 , that may prevent the movement or rotation of one object relative to the other object (i.e. they rotate together). Located between inner race  150  and outer race  151  of the bearing  15  may be an optional dust cover  155  suitable for protecting the ball bearings  152  from dust and other undesirable elements. In preferred embodiments, the dust cover  155  does not permanently or rigidly attach to inner race  150  or outer race  151  thereby allowing inner race  150  and outer race  152  to rotate or spin relative to each other. For example, by tightening a female threaded fastener  14  against an inner race  150 , the friction between the female threaded fastener  14  and the inner race  150  may be increased until the frictional forces between the two elements prevents the two from moving or rotating relative to each other. In this regard, the first female threaded fastener  14  may be screwed down or tightened thereby forcing the first bearing  15  and in particular the outer race  151  against the bearing seat  16 A. As shown by example in  FIG. 8 , because the first female threaded fastener  14  is only in frictional contact with the inner races  150  and because the outer races  151  are in frictional contact with the bearing seat  16 A and not with the female threaded fastener  14 , the inner races  150  of the bearing  15  are free to rotate or spin along with the elongate male threaded fastener  11 , and rotating tab  13  in unison with each other (i.e. spin at the same speed in the same direction) while the outer races  151 , bearing housing  16 , and vertical support  21  remain stationary. One of ordinary skill will understand the inner race  150  of bearings  15  are able to spin or rotate by way of ball bearings  152  positioned between the inner race  150  and outer race  151 . 
         [0049]    In some embodiments, when the apparatus  100  is assembled, the first female threaded fastener  14  may apply frictional rotating forces to the inner race  150  of the first bearing  15  allowing the inner race  150  to rotate along with the male threaded fastener  11  and the rotating tab  13  while the outer race  151  of the first bearing  15  remains stationary within the bearing housing  16 . Frictional rotating forces may comprise a frictional contact between two or more objects, such as a between a female threaded fastener  14  and an inner race  150 , so that while the objects may be prevents the two from moving or rotating relative to each other, by rotating a first object, any other object in frictional contact with that object may be rotated in the same manner as the first object. 
         [0050]    In further embodiments, the second female threaded fastener  14  may be in frictional contact with the inner race  150  of the second bearing  15  but may not be in frictional contact with the outer race  151  of the second bearing  15 . 
         [0051]    In further embodiments, the second female threaded fastener  14  may apply frictional rotating forces to the inner race  150  of the second bearing  15  allowing the inner race  150  to rotate along with the male threaded fastener  11  and the rotating tab  13  while the outer race  151  of the second bearing  15  remains stationary against the bearing seat  16 A within the bearing housing  16 . Table 1 provides an example of the elements which are configured to rotate (for example after a ball  19  is struck) as well as some of the elements which remain stationary. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Rotating or Spinning Elements 
                 Stationary Elements 
               
               
                 Location = Inner Most Portions of 
                 Location = Outer 
               
               
                 apparatus 100 
                 Portions of apparatus 100 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 Rotating Tab 13 
                 Vertical support 21 
               
               
                 Elongate male threaded fastener 11 
                 Bearing housing 16 
               
               
                 Washers 12 (optional) 
                 Bearing seats 16A 
               
               
                 Female threaded fasteners (first/top and 
                 Outer races 151 (of first/top and 
               
               
                 second/bottom) 14 
                 second/bottom bearings 15) 
               
               
                 Inner races 150 (of first/top and 
               
               
                 second/bottom bearings 15) 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0052]    As shown by example in Table 1 above, in preferred embodiments the inner portions of the apparatus  100  such as the elongate male threaded fastener  11 , washers  12 , female threaded fasteners  14 , and inner races  150  of the bearings  15  spin or rotate relative to the outer portions of the apparatus  100  such as the vertical support  21 , the bearing housing  16 , the bearing seats  16 A, and the outer bearing races  151  of the bearings  15 . In some embodiments, this arrangement is not merely a design choice as by placing the rotating elements internal to the apparatus  100 , an increase in strength and durability of the apparatus  100  was observed when undergoing strong forces such as after the ball  19  is struck by a batter. 
         [0053]    Although the present invention has been illustrated and described herein with reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and examples may perform similar functions and/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the present invention, are contemplated thereby, and are intended to be covered by the following claims.