Abstract:
A portable baseball practice device for training hitting and pitching which comprises a pair of opposing upright posts that support a centrally located strike zone that is formed by interconnecting horizontal and vertical cords. The cords create a strike zone for the pitcher to target to and the hitter to practice hitting.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     There are no current co-pending applications. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The presently disclosed subject matter is directed to athletic training aids. More particularly, the present invention relates to a portable practice device for training baseball hitting and pitching. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Three (3) of the most difficult skills to learn in baseball are pitching a baseball into the strike zone, determining if a pitched ball is in the strike zone, and hitting a pitched ball passing through the strike zone. The required skills include pitch control, the ability to carefully observe a pitched ball, and the ability to recognize hittable balls, and then to hit those balls. 
     The foregoing skills are not easily learned. Pitchers need to develop enhanced ball control while batters need to develop the ability to both track a pitched ball and to hit it in front of the plate. Because of the difficulty, coaches spend a great deal of time and effort teaching these required skills. It is not always easy for a coach to determine how each of his players is developing. Calling strikes is time-consuming and if you do not have a pitcher that can reliably throw strikes it becomes difficult to teach batters how to determine when a pitched ball is in the strike zone. 
     Given the forgoing, a device for helping teach a baseball pitcher to throw a ball into the strike zone would be beneficial. Even more beneficial would be a device that not only teaches a pitcher to throw a baseball into the strike zone, but one (1) that assists a batter to know when a baseball is coming into the strike zone. Still more beneficial would be a device that teaches a pitcher to throw a baseball into the strike zone, assists a batter to know when a baseball is coming into the strike zone, and one (1) that helps teach a batter to hit a ball coming into the strike zone. Preferably such a device would be available in a portable version. Beneficially such a device would be customizable for different batters and pitchers. Also beneficially such a device would be available in a permanently mounted version. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The principles of the present invention provide for a baseball strike zone training aid that helps teach a baseball pitcher to throw a ball into the strike zone. The present invention can be made available as a baseball training aid that not only teaches a pitcher to throw a baseball into the strike zone, but that assists a batter to know when a baseball is coming into the strike zone. In addition, the inventive baseball strike zone training aid can be used to teach a batter to hit a ball coming into the strike zone. Versions of the baseball training aid can be made available a being permanent, portable version, and/or customizable. 
     A baseball strike zone training aid that is in accord with the present invention includes a first post assembly having a first upper attachment feature and a first lower attachment feature, a second post assembly having a second upper attachment feature and a second lower attachment feature, an upper horizontal cord that is suspended between the first upper attachment feature and the second upper attachment feature, a lower horizontal cord that is suspended between the first lower attachment feature and the second lower attachment feature, a first vertical cord that is disposed between the upper horizontal cord and the lower horizontal cord; and a second vertical cord that is disposed between the upper horizontal cord and the lower horizontal cord. The upper horizontal cord, the lower horizontal cord, the first vertical cord, and the second vertical cord define a strike zone. 
     Beneficially the first post assembly includes a vertically orientated, elongated fastening angle member having a plurality of hook apertures. Also beneficially the first upper attachment includes a first tensioner that is operatively connected to an upper hook aperture and the first lower attachment includes a second tensioner that is operatively connected to a lower hook aperture. The first tensioner tensions the upper horizontal cord and the second tensioner tensions the lower horizontal cord. The height of the strike zone then depends on the upper hook aperture, the lower hook aperture, the tension applied by the first tensioner, and the tension applied by the second tensioner. Preferably the first tensioner is connected to the upper hook aperture by a first hook and by a split ring. In practice the baseball strike zone training aid may have the upper horizontal cord connected to the second post assembly by a clasp, a strap, and a second hook, while the first vertical cord may include a first loop around the upper horizontal cord and a second loop around the lower horizontal cord. Those loops can be secured by a crimped ferrule. 
     The baseball strike zone training aid may also include a first “H”-shaped foundation that is attached to the bottom of the first post assembly and a second “H”-shaped foundation that is attached to the bottom of the second post assembly. The first “H”-shaped foundation and the second “H”-shaped foundation are used to vertically support the baseball strike zone training aid. To that end the first “H”-shaped foundation can include a fill material such as sand. Alternatively the post assemblies can be configured to be buried directly into the ground or in concrete. A removable padded cover assembly may be included to protect the post assemblies. 
     An alternative baseball strike zone training aid includes a first post assembly having a first upper post, a wire attachment feature connected to the first upper post, a first lower post connected to the first upper post, and a first tripod base that is attached to the first lower post. In addition, the baseball strike zone training aid includes a second post assembly having a second upper post, a second lower post connected to the second upper post, and a second tripod base that is attached to the second lower post. An upper horizontal cord is suspended between the first post assembly and the second post assembly while a lower horizontal cord is also suspended between the first post assembly and the second post assembly. The alternative baseball strike zone training aid also includes a first vertical cord that is disposed between the upper horizontal cord and the lower horizontal cord, and a second vertical cord that is disposed between the upper horizontal cord and the lower horizontal cord. The upper horizontal cord, lower horizontal cord, first vertical cord, and second vertical cord define a strike zone. 
     In practice the first tripod base is beneficially collapsible and includes a stake aperture; the first lower post includes a height adjustment sleeve for attaching the first upper post to the first lower post and for adjusting the height of the first post assembly, and a guy wire. The guy wire is attached to the wire attachment feature and to a ground to vertically support the alternative baseball strike zone training aid. 
     The alternative baseball strike zone training aid may also include a vertically orientated and elongated fastening angle member having a plurality of hook apertures, the first upper attachment feature may include a first tensioner that is operatively connected to an upper hook aperture, and the first lower attachment feature may include a second tensioner operatively connected to a lower hook aperture. The height of the strike zone may then depend on the upper hook aperture, the lower hook aperture, the tension applied by the first tensioner, and the tension applied by the second tensioner. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front view depicting an in-use baseball strike zone training aid  10  that is in accord with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a close-up view of a first post assembly  20   a  used in the baseball strike zone training aid  10  shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a close-up view of a second post assembly  20   b  used in the baseball strike zone training aid  10  shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a close-up view of a strike zone  80  of the baseball strike zone training aid  10  shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a close-up view of a cover assembly  62  used in the baseball strike zone training aid  10  shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of a personal strike zone training aid  120  that is in accord with the principles of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 7  is a front view of a permanent strike zone training aid  160  that is also in accord with the principles of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  baseball strike zone training aid 
               20   a  first post assembly 
               20   b  second post assembly 
               22   a  first post 
               22   b  second post 
               23  first cap 
               24   a  first foundation 
               24   b  second foundation 
               25  receiver 
               26  cap 
               28  fill material 
               30  fastening angle member 
               32  hook aperture 
               50   a  first tensioner 
               50   b  second tensioner 
               52  body 
               54  handle 
               56   a  upper horizontal cord 
               56   b  lower horizontal cord 
               58  strap 
               60  clasp 
               62  cover assembly 
               63  jacket 
               64  padding 
               65  seam 
               66  hook-and-loop fastener 
               68  indicia 
               80  strike zone 
               81   a  first vertical cord 
               81   b  second vertical cord 
               82  loop 
               84  crimped ferrule 
               100  player 
               105  ball 
               120  personal embodiment strike zone training aid 
               125   a  first tripod post assembly 
               125   b  second tripod post assembly 
               127  second post 
               128  third post 
               129  third cap 
               130  height adjustment sleeve 
               132  tightening knob 
               140   a  first tripod base 
               140   b  second tripod base 
               142  stake 
               150  guy wire 
               160  permanent embodiment strike zone training aid 
               162   a  first permanent post assembly 
               162   b  second permanent post assembly 
               164  fourth cap 
               200  fastener 
               202  split ring 
               204   a  first hook 
               204   b  second hook 
               300  floor/ground surface 
               305  footer 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted in  FIGS. 1 through 5 , while alternative embodiments are shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment, and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The principles of the present invention provide for baseball training aids. In particular, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is a portable baseball strike zone training aid  10  that is useful for developing baseball hitting and pitching skills. 
     Refer now to  FIG. 1 , which is a front view of an in-use baseball strike zone training aid  10 . The baseball strike zone training aid  10  includes a first post assembly  20   a  and a second post assembly  20   b  that are beneficially placed about fifteen feet (15 ft.) apart. The first post assembly  20   a  and the second post assembly  20   b  are used to support an upper horizontal cord  56   a , a lower horizontal cord  56   b , a first vertical cord  81   a , and a second vertical cord  81   b  which collectively outline a strike zone  80 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , each post assembly  20   a ,  20   b  is a unitary assembly comprising a first post  22   a ,  22   b , a first cap  23 , and a cord fastening angle member  30 . The post assemblies  20   a ,  20   b  are preferably hollow tubular members made of three inch (3 in.) diameter polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe approximately four feet (4 ft.) high. 
     Each fastening angle member  30  comprises an angled plastic or metal strip that is attached to the first post  22   a  and the second post  22   b  using threaded fasteners  200  (see  FIG. 3 ). Each fastening angle member  30  includes a vertical row of equally-spaced hook apertures  32  that are drilled or otherwise formed through the fastening angle member  30 . The hook apertures  32  enable selective attachments of an upper first tensioner  50   a  and a lower second tensioner  50   b  on the first post assembly  20   a  and selective attachments of the upper horizontal cord  56   a  and the lower horizontal cord  56   b  on the second post assembly  20   b.    
     The first tensioner  50   a  is used to tension the upper horizontal cords  56   a  while the lower second tensioner  50   b  is used to tension the lower horizontal cord  56   b . Adjusting the tensions of the first tensioner  50   a  and the second tensioner  50   b  and their height positions on the fastening angle member  30  of the first post assembly  20   a , and the height positions of the upper horizontal cord  56   a  and the lower horizontal cord  56   b  on the second post assembly  20   b  adjusts the position of the strike zone  80  (see also  FIGS. 4 and 5 ). Once properly adjusted for a player  100  that player  100  and others can observe the flight of the ball  105  with regards to the strike zone  80 . 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 2 and 3  each tensioner  50   a ,  50   b  has a plastic body  52 , an aperture-type handle  54 , and an internal cord recoiling device which retains the tension up on the horizontal cords  56   a, b . The first tensioner  50   a  is attached to an upper part of the fastening angle member  30  of the first post assembly  20   a  via a first hook  204   a  and a split ring  202  that surrounds the handle  54 . The first hook  204   a  is inserted into a selected hook aperture  32 . The upper horizontal cord  56   a  extends from the first tensioner  50   a  to the second post assembly  20   b  where it is attached at a similar height to the opposing fastening angle member  30  using a clasp  60  and a strap  58  with a second hook  204   b  (see  FIG. 3 ). The second tensioner  50   b  and the horizontal cord  56   b  at the bottom are connected in the same manner to the first post assembly  20   a ). 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 5 , at the bottom of each post assembly  20   a ,  20   b  is a removable foundation  24 . The foundations  24  are a horizontally oriented “H”-shaped structures made of the same PVC pipe materials as the first post  22   a  and the second post  22   b . The foundation includes PVC caps  26  on each “H”-shaped end. Each foundation  24  also includes a vertical cylindrical receiver  25  that is sized to allow snug insertion of the ends of the first post  22   a  and second post  22   b . Each foundation  24  is filled with a heavy fill material  28  (see  FIG. 1 ) such as sand to stabilize the baseball strike zone training aid  10  on a surface  300  during use. The filler material  28  may be factory-installed or added by a through the receiver  25  as desired. 
     While the foregoing is described using hollow PVC materials, it should be understood that various equivalent materials such as, but not limited to: thin-wall steel or aluminum tubing, wooden posts, and the like, may be also used. 
       FIG. 4  presents a close-up view of the strike zone  80 . The upper horizontal cord  56   a  and the lower horizontal cord  56   b  are to be arranged in a generally parallel manner. The horizontal cords  56   a ,  56   b  are pulled together using an adjustable first vertical cord  81   a  and an adjustable second vertical cord  81   b . This configuration enables an adjustable rectangular strike zone  80 . The first vertical cord  81   a  and the second vertical cord  81   b  are envisioned as being spaced apart the width of home plate. The vertical cords  81   a ,  81   b  have loops  82  at each end that surround a respective horizontal cord  56   a ,  56   b . Each loop  82  is secured using a crimped ferrule  84 . The lengths of the vertical cords  81   a ,  81   b  are envisioned as being proportional to a batting player&#39;s height and in accord with applicable game regulations. The loops  82  allow each vertical cord  81   a ,  81   b  to slide along the horizontal cords  56   a ,  56   b  to allow the strike zone  80  to be adjusted as desired. 
     It is envisioned that the horizontal cords  56   a ,  56   b  and vertical cords  81   a ,  81   b  may be made using various durable materials such as masonry string, light cord, plastic or rubber coated rope, and the like. For visibility those cords are preferably dyed or coated with various bright colors to increase the visibility of the strike zone  80  for the pitcher, batter, and coach. 
       FIG. 5  presents a close-up view of a cover assembly  62  of the baseball strike zone training aid  10 . There is a cover assembly  62  on the first post  22   a  and on the second post  22   b . The cover assemblies  62  are padded and are configured to be easily removed. The cover assemblies  62  provide protection from damage from impact by a ball  105  (see  FIG. 1 ). Each cover assembly  62  has a plastic or vinyl outer jacket  63 , and inner layer of padding  64 , a detachable vertical seam  65 , and a pair of mating hook-and-loop fastener strips  66 . The padding  64  is beneficially polyurethane foam that is bonded to the inner surface of the jacket  63 . The padding  64  is used to absorb the force of the ball  105 . Furthermore, each cover assembly  62  is envisioned as having exterior indicia  68  which may include sports names/logos, advertising names and trademarks, personal names, symbols, pictures, various colors and patterns, and the like to customize and personalize the baseball strike zone training aid  10 . 
       FIG. 6  presents a front view of a personal embodiment strike zone training aid  120  which is configured to support a higher strike zone  80  than the baseball strike zone training aid  10 . A higher strike zone  80  enables the personal embodiment strike zone training aid  120  to be used with taller players  100 . The personal embodiment strike zone training aid  120  uses the same tensioners  50   a ,  50   b , horizontal cords  56   a ,  56   b  and vertical cords  81   a ,  81   b  as in the previously described baseball strike zone training aid  10 . However, the personal embodiment strike zone training aid  120  uses a taller, tripod-mounted first post assembly  125   a  and a taller, tripod-mounted second post assembly  125   b  than the first post  22   a  and second post  22   b  of the baseball strike zone training aid  10 . 
     Each post assembly  125   a ,  125   b  incorporates an assembly of tubular metal members including an upper second post  127  having a third cap  129  having a wire attachment feature, a lower third post  128  having an integral height adjustment sleeve  130 , and a collapsible tripod base  140   a ,  140   b.    
     Assembling the first tripod post assembly  125   a  and the second tripod post assembly  125   b  is accomplished by telescoping a second post  127  into the height adjustment sleeve  130  of a third post  128  and then securing the second post  127  and the third post together using a tightening knob  132 . The third cap  129  is then attached to the second post  127  and the third post  128  is then inserted into an open top of a tripod base  140   a ,  140   b.    
     Each tripod base  140   a ,  140   b  is envisioned as being similar to or identical with commercially-available collapsible-leg units used with T-ball tripod products such as the RAWLINGS QUICKTEE®. The tripod base  140   a ,  140   b  has collapsible expanding legs  141  having integral anchoring apertures that are suitable to receive stakes  142  which are driven into a subjacent floor/ground surface  300 . Furthermore, if required, guy wires  150  can be connected to the top-mounted third cap  129  by using its attachment feature (such as an eyelet or bolt) and then securing the guy wire  150  to the floor/ground surface  300  using a stake  142 . This provides secure, vertical mounting of the personal embodiment strike zone training aid  120 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a front view of a permanent embodiment strike zone training aid  160  according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention. The permanent embodiment strike zone training aid  160  enables permanent installation onto a floor/ground surface  300 . The permanent embodiment strike zone training aid  160  uses the same tensioners  50   a ,  50   b , horizontal cords  56   a ,  56   b , and vertical cords  81   a ,  81   b  as in the baseball strike zone training aid  10 . However, the permanent embodiment strike zone training aid  160  uses a first permanent post assembly  162   a  and a second permanent post assembly  162   b , each of which has a fastening angle member  30  and a fourth cap  164 . The first permanent post assembly  162   a  and the second permanent post assembly  162   b  are envisioned as being made from PVC or metal pipe having a bottom end that is configured to be inserted into an excavated region of the floor/ground surface  300  and then permanently secured in position by burying or by using concrete footers  305 . 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment baseball strike zone training aid  10  can be used by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the baseball strike zone training aid  10  it would be installed and used as indicated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The method of installing and using the baseball strike zone training aid  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: procuring the baseball strike zone training aid  10  having cover assemblies  62  which display a desired indicia  68 ; positioning the first  24   a  and second  24   b  foundations on a floor/ground surface  300  at a desired distance from each other; attaching the first post  22   a  and the second post  22   b  to corresponding foundations  24   a ,  24   b  by inserting the receivers  25  of the foundations  24  into the open bottom ends of the posts  22   a ,  22   b ; attaching the first hook  204   a  of the first tensioner  50   a  to a desired hook aperture  32  located near the top of the first post assembly  20   a  to position the strike zone  80  at a desired height; pre-assembling the second hook  204   b  to the clasp  60  of the upper horizontal cord  56   a ; connecting the upper horizontal cord  56   a  to the first tensioner  50   a ; extending the horizontal cord  56   a ; attaching the second hook  204   b  to a hook aperture  32  of the second post assembly  20   b  at a corresponding height; installing the second tensioner  50   b  to the lower horizontal cord  56   b  in like manner to a lower part of the first post assembly  20   a  and second post  20   b ; installing cover assemblies  62  onto the first post assembly  20   a  and second post assembly  20   b  by wrapping a jacket  63  around each post assembly  20   a ,  20   b ; aligning the seam  65  with the protruding first hook  204   a ; joining the seam  65  by pressing the hook-and-loop fasteners  66  together; adjusting the vertical cords  81   a ,  81   b  in a lateral direction, as needed to produce a strike zone  80  having a desired width; using the baseball strike zone training aid  10  to practice hitting and/or pitching; and, benefiting from an easily assembled and adjustable training aid afforded a user of the present invention  10 . 
     The method of installing and using the personal embodiment strike zone training aid  120  may be achieved by performing the following steps: positioning the first  140   a  and second  140   b  tripod bases upon a floor/ground surface  300  at a desired distance from each other; anchoring the tripod bases  140   a ,  140   b  by driving stakes  142  through the apertures of the tripod bases  140   a ,  140   b  and into the floor/ground surface  300 ; assembling the first tripod post assembly  125   a  and second tripod post assembly  125   b  to the tripod bases  140   a ,  140   b  by inserting a preassembled second post  127  and third post  128  into a tripod base  140   a ,  140   b ; adjusting the height of the second posts  127  using the height adjustment sleeve  130  and corresponding tightening knob  132 ; installing guy wires  150 , if desired, by tying the guy wires  150  to third cap  129  atop the first  125   a  and second  125   b  tripod post assemblies and securing the guy wires to the floor/ground surface  300  using additional stakes  142 ; attaching the tensioners  50   a ,  50   b  and horizontal cords  56   a ,  56   b  in like manner as the personal embodiment strike zone training aid  10  described above; and, using the enhanced vertical adjustment capability of the personal embodiment strike zone training aid  120  for players  100 . 
     The method of installing and utilizing the permanent embodiment strike zone training aid  160  may be achieved by performing the following steps: selecting desired positions along a floor/ground surface  300  for installation of the first  162   a  and second  162   b  permanent post assemblies; performing necessary excavation of the floor/ground surface  300  to bury the ends of the permanent post assemblies  162   a ,  162   b ; backfilling or adding concrete footers  305 , as desired, to anchor the permanent post assemblies  162   a ,  162   b  into the floor/ground surface  300 ; attaching the tensioners  50   a ,  50   b , horizontal cords  56   a ,  56   b , and vertical cords  81   a ,  81   b  to the vertical posts ( 162   a  and  162   b ) as in the baseball strike zone training aid  10  described above; and, utilizing the permanent embodiment strike zone training aid  160  in a similar manner as the preferred baseball strike zone training aid  10 . 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.