Abstract:
A baseball training system configured to instruct a proper foot placement of a hitter in a hitters box includes a home plate having a body that forms an interior cavity, a foot positioning device secured to the home plate and configured to engage within the interior cavity. The foot positioning device is configured to extend outwardly from the interior cavity to a predetermined position within the hitters box and to provide visual location of a desired foot position.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to baseball training systems, and more specifically, to a system configured for proper footing position in the hitters box. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Baseball is a long-loved sports activity played by persons of all ages. When batting, the player will position the feet in accordance to a comfortable stance; however, it should be understood that an improper stance will decrease the batting efficiency of the player. As shown in  FIG. 1 , a batting area  101  includes a home base  103  with two adjacent batter&#39;s boxes  105 ,  107 . Two footprint outlines  109 ,  111  represent the positioning and orientation of the relative to plate  103 . As shown, the footprint outlines  109 ,  111  are indicative of an improper stance that could reduce the bating performance of the player. 
     To overcome the above-referenced stance problem, the coach will typically realign the batter to the correct stance. This process is commonly repeated for younger and/or new players. The process is time consuming and has been found an ineffective method to teach an optimal stance position. 
     Accordingly, there is a long-felt need to provide a rapid and effective method to train a batter the proper stance within the batter&#39;s box. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The novel features believed characteristic of the embodiments of the present application are set forth in the appended claims. However, the embodiments themselves, as well as a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a top view of a conventional batting area; 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of a training system and method of use in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application; 
         FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3   c  are top views of the training system of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIGS. 4, 5, and 6  are training systems in accordance with an alternative embodiments of the present application; 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of a retractable member of the system of  FIG. 6 ; and 
         FIGS. 8, 9, and 10  are training systems in accordance with an alternative embodiments of the present application. 
     
    
    
     While the system and method of use of the present application is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present application as defined by the appended claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Illustrative embodiments of the system and method of use of the present application are provided below. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions will be made to achieve the developer&#39;s specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. 
     The system and method of use in accordance with the present application overcomes one or more of the above-discussed problems commonly associated with conventional batting areas. Specifically, the system and method of the present application provides rapid and effective means to train proper footing to a baseball player while at bat. These and other unique features of the system and method of use are discussed below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
     The system and method of use will be understood, both as to its structure and operation, from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description. Several embodiments of the system are presented herein. It should be understood that various components, parts, and features of the different embodiments may be combined together and/or interchanged with one another, all of which are within the scope of the present application, even though not all variations and particular embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should also be understood that the mixing and matching of features, elements, and/or functions between various embodiments is expressly contemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate from this disclosure that the features, elements, and/or functions of one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment as appropriate, unless described otherwise. 
     The preferred embodiment herein described is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It is chosen and described to explain the principles of the invention and its application and practical use to enable others skilled in the art to follow its teachings. 
     Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters identify corresponding or similar elements throughout the several views,  FIGS. 2-3C  depict front views of a training system and method of use in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application. It will be appreciated that system  201  overcomes one of more of the above-listed problems commonly associated with the conventional batting footing positioning. 
     In the contemplated embodiment, system  201  includes one or more of a home plate housing  203  having a body  204  that forms an internal cavity  305  configured to receive two foot positioning devices  301 ,  303  therein. As shown, the devices  301  are completely disposed within the cavity  305  when stored. This feature facilitates easy and rapid transport. When used, the devices  301 ,  303  with traverse relative to the housing  203  to an extended position. In the preferred embodiment, the devices  301 ,  303  are configured to slidingly engage within the cavity  305  and interlock with a locking device  307  for incremental movement and settings. However, in alternative embodiments, it is contemplated having devices pivot relative to housing  203  in lieu of sliding. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3A-3B , the process of assembling system  201  is shown. First, the devices  301 ,  303  are pulled from housing  203  in directions D 31 , D 33  to a selective position. As shown in  FIG. 3C , the positions are not always equal in length relative to the housing  203 , as indicated by arrows L 33 , L 35 . Accordingly, the length from the housing  203  can be manipulated in accordance with a desired position, e.g., the size and stance of the player. 
     Device  303  is substantially similar in form and function to device  301 . For the sake of clarity, one of the two devices is discussed in detail; however, both share the same features. As shown in  FIG. 3B , the device  303  includes a retractable member  304  that pivotally engages with a first arm member  306  via a joint  307 . During assembling, the arm member  306  pivots relative to retractable member  304  in a direction indicated by arrow R 31 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3C , a second arm member  309  is pivotally attached to first arm member  306  and extends the overall length of the elongated arm  317 . During assembling, the arm member  309  pivots relative to arm member  306  in a direction indicated by arrow R 33 . 
     It will be appreciated that system  201  utilizes four arms: arm  313 ,  311 ,  315 , and  317  to create two foot lines that the player uses for feet positioning, e.g., see  FIG. 5 , in the batters boxes  105 ,  107 . Accordingly, the player now has a reference position via the arms to determine proper foot positioning. 
     It will be appreciated that the arms could include a single arm member in lieu of a plurality, as shown in system  201 . For example,  FIG. 4  depicts an alternative embodiment substantially similar in form and function to system  201 ; however, in this embodiment the device  303  includes retractable member  304  with an arm  405  that pivots relative to retractable member  304  about a pivot joint  407  in a direction R 41 . 
     Another contemplated embodiment includes the option of telescopically extending the elongated member. For example,  FIGS. 6 and 7  illustrate a system  601  substantially similar in form and function to system  201  with the additional features of telescopically extending member  603  relative to housing  203 . In the contemplated embodiment, member  603  includes a first member  701  having an interior area configured to slidingly receive a second smaller member  703  and arm member  705  therein, as indicated by arrow D 61 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 8-10  different systems substantially similar in form and function to system  201  are shown. In  FIG. 8 , a system  801  includes a plurality of markers  803  on arm  805  and elongated member  807  for selective positioning of the arm and member relative to housing  203 . Accordingly, the markers can be used as placement lengths of the arm and/or elongated member of to be used as foot placement. In  FIG. 9 , system  901  includes a foot positioning arm member  903  configured to pivotally and slidingly engage relative to arm  905  in directions D 91  and R 91 . This feature allows the player to position the feet relative to the center of the housing  203 . In  FIG. 10 , a system  1001  is shown having an attachment means  1003  secured to a top surface  1005  of housing  203  and configured to engage with an object to secured a ball at a height relative to housing  203 . System  1001  is further provided with an alert system  1007  having a control system  1009  with a light display  1011 . During use, the alert system  1007  could be used to notify that player when a correct and incorrect foot position is present. 
     The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the embodiments may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified, and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the application. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the description. Although the present embodiments are shown above, they are not limited to just these embodiments, but are amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.