Abstract:
Device and methods for teaching batting skill are disclosed having front and rear foot pads and at least one release point. A stride pad may be included and aligned with the rear pad and a pitching location/source. The front rear pad provides for adjustment out of linear alignment with the rear pad and the stride pad to accommodate open and closed stances. The device admits to multiple position settings and variable stances, and the related methods will help teach baseball and softball players to adopt and use a correct and confident stance, stride and swing.

Description:
FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to methods of assisting baseball and softball players with proper foot placement, batting stance, stride and swing; and in a particular, though non-limiting embodiment to a batting training device that is portable, easy to assemble and easily used by parents, coaches and children to safely and efficiently teach or learn basic batting skills through muscle memory. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Parents and coaches alike struggle teaching inexperienced children rudimentary sporting skills; with baseball and softball in particular, teaching young players proper batting techniques is especially problematic. Currently, adults utilize techniques ranging from the rudimentary tactic of drawing lines or placing bats in the dirt, to holding players&#39; ankles in fixed positions with hands or cords. 
     Other known techniques rely on more complicated instructional devices, which are generally not effective for teaching correct foot placement, stance, stride or swing characteristics to inexperienced or poorly trained children. As children become more experienced and independent, they tend to replicate substandard techniques learned from others, utilize the same incomplete or ineffective instructional devices with which they are familiar, and/or attempt to teach themselves with no practical guidance. 
     Also, versatility and ease of use critical to any foot placement, batting stance, stride and swing tool are not satisfactorily addressed by the prior art. For example, some current devices are incomplete, failing to address one or more of these key batting skills; are too heavy or bulky or difficult to assemble/disassemble; and/or are not capable of adjusting to the sizes or needs of different children or children as they grow. 
     Moreover, most current devices rely solely upon a neutral stance option, with no option for an open or closed stance. Even devices allowing for an angled stance fail to account for proper stride alignment. As those of skill in the pertinent arts will readily appreciate, however, different types of stances can affect how far a batter can reach over the plate and how well the batter can see pitches. As children age and grow, progressing from non-pitch to pitch baseball, stance becomes increasingly important, and provides more experienced batters with tactical advantages that enhance their individual skill sets. 
     Additionally, many devices stand several inches off the ground (measured from the base to a stance position), which is sub-optimal for younger or less experienced batters. Because such devices attempt to show batters to step back at the pitcher with their lead foot, the height of the devices impart a significant risk for injury to younger players with less developed senses of balance and timing. 
     Given the limitations in the current art, there is need for a device which is lightweight, safe and adaptable for every child within the targeted user spectrum, which can be used to teach or learn proper foot placement, batting stance, stride and swing. 
     SUMMARY 
     The invention shown and described herein overcomes the problems of the prior art by combining a simple but comprehensive system of adjustable, pivoting foot pads; a stride pad; extension bars; pull pins; pinwheel assembly points; and release points, which, when used in accord with the disclosed method, will safely and effectively teach proper foot placement, stance, stride and swing. The device is fully portable, and can be used by varying age groups, to establish and retain proper muscle memory for effective batting. 
     In a detailed though non-limiting embodiment, the system comprises at least the following elements: two extension bars, adjustable to fit the size of the user stance and stride, optimally equipped with foot pads disposed at either end; a lead foot pad and a reversible rear pad, adjustable for right or left handed batters, with the pads made from two separate layers of rubberized material including a bottom layer made of polyurethane capable of adhering to concrete, cement or other materials; and a top layer made with a rubberized polyurethane binder over a prepared substrate, with pigmented EPDM rubber granules and an aliphatic binder to create a wear resistant but adhesive surface for cleats or tennis shoes; one stride pad, adjustable for either right or left handed batters; two pull pins attached to the extension bars to allow the bars to extend or collapse based on the size and stance of the batter or for storage; two pinwheel assembly points, used to lock the foot pads in place once the batter is comfortable with the stance (open, neutral, closed); and two release points embedded into the rear foot pad to help release the hips and turn the body through the swing. 
     In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a batting training device is provided, having: a rear foot pad having at least one release point; and a front foot pad. The rear foot pad is aligned such that an interior side of a foot placed thereon is substantially aligned towards a pitcher. The front foot pad is adjustable, allowing for a range of closed and open stance alignments. The at least one release point is configured to allow a user of the device to pivot at the at least one release point during a batting swing. 
     The training device may have a stride pad that is in alignment with the rear foot pad towards the pitcher. The training device may have a first extension bar disposed between the rear foot pad and the front foot pad. The first extension bar may be adjustable such that a distance between the rear foot pad and the front foot pad may be increased or decreased. The training device may have a second extension bar disposed between the stride pad and the front foot pad. The second extension bar may be adjustable such that a distance between the stride pad and the front foot pad may be increased or decreased. The second extension bar may be removably attached to the front foot pad such that the second extension bar and the stride pad may be detached from the training device. 
     The training device may have two release points located in the rear foot pad with a first release point allowing for right-handed training and a second release point allowing for left-handed training. 
     The first and second extension bars may have pull pins and a plurality of pin holes configured to lock the first and second extension bars into place. The rear foot pad may be reversible. The training device may have a pinwheel assembly configured to allow adjustment of the front foot pad. 
     The training device may have: a main rail; a rear foot pad assembly; front foot pad assembly; and a stride pad assembly. The rear foot pad assembly may be attached to a first end of the main rail and the front foot pad assembly adjustably attaches to the main rail at a variety of distances from the rear foot pad assembly. The stride pad assembly adjustably may attach to the main rail at a variety of distances from the front foot pad assembly. The training device may have two release points. The stride pad assembly and the front foot pad assembly may include pins configured to engage pin holes along the main rail such that the stride pad assembly and the front foot pad assembly can be locked into place at desired locations along the main rail. The rear foot pad assembly may have the rear foot pad; support cleats; and a rear foot pad liner. The front foot pad assembly may have a front foot pad base adjustably attached to the main rail; and the front foot pad adjustably attached to the front foot pad base. The front foot pad base may be configured to allow the distance between the rear foot pad assembly and the front foot pad assembly to be adjusted. The front foot pad and the front foot pad base may be configured to allow the front foot pad to be locked into place at locations along the front foot pad base such that a batter&#39;s stance alignment may be adjusted to an open stance, a closed stance, or a neutral stance. A distance between the front foot pad and rear foot pad may be adjustable from approximately 9 inches to approximately 18 inches. 
     In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method of teaching batting skills is provided, including: adjusting a training device to accommodate a preferred stance for a user, the training device, having: a rear foot pad having at least one release point; and a front foot pad; the rear foot pad is aligned towards a pitcher; the front foot pad is adjustable allowing for a range of closed and open stance alignments; the at least one release point is configured to allow a user of the device to pivot at the at least one release point during a batting swing; and repeatedly training the user on the training device to develop muscle memory. The method of teaching batting skills may include adding a stride pad to the training device and adjusting a distance between the front foot pad and the stride pad to provide a preferred stride distance for the user. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a top view of a training device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an isometric view of the training device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of a pinwheel assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is an isometric view of a training device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of the training device shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of the training device shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded isometric view of a training device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded isometric view of a back foot pad assembly and a first end of a main rail of a training device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded isometric view of a stride pad assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded isometric view of a front foot pad assembly and a second end of a main rail of a training device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a top view of a training device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Like reference characters denote like parts in the several drawings. 
     Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a training device that may be used to teach or train batting stance, foot placement, stride and swing skills for baseball or softball. Embodiments of the present invention include a rear foot pad having at least one release point positioned so as to force the ball of the rear foot to spring during a swing, allowing the batter to release the hips and body throughout the swing while maintaining the alignment of the rear footpad for repeated use. In certain embodiments, the rear foot pad may pivot relative to an extension bar such that the training device may be switched between a right-handed and a left-handed batting stance. Other embodiments provide release points disposed at opposite sides of a rear foot pad such that the training device may be used interchangeably for right-handed and left-handed batters without rotating the rear foot pad. 
     Embodiments of the present invention provide an adjustable first extension bar disposed between the rear foot pad and a front foot pad. The adjustable first extension bar allows for the width of a batter&#39;s stance to be adjusted for each batter. The front foot pad may include an adjustable attachment assembly allowing the front foot pad to be adjusted in front of or behind a linear path formed by the first extension bar. The adjustable assembly allows the device to accommodate open and closed stances for more advance training techniques. Embodiments having a first extension bar may also have a second extension bar extending between the front food pad and a stride pad. The second extension bar may lie along the linear path of the first extension bar such that the device has a single linear path between the rear foot pad and the stride pad, with the front foot pad adjustable out of the linear path. The second extension bar may be adjustable allowing the distance between the front foot pad and the stride pad to be adjusted to accommodate different stride lengths. Embodiments may not have a stride pad. 
     Embodiments of the present invention may have a main rail having a rear foot pad assembly attached at a first end of the main rail and a front foot pad assembly adjustably attached along the length of the main rail. The front foot pad assembly may be configured to slide along the main rail into a desired distance from the rear foot pad assembly and then lock into place via one or more pins. The front foot pad assembly may allow for arced rotation of a front foot pad relative to the main rail and may be locked into place via one or more pins. Embodiments of the present invention may include a stride pad assembly configured to slide along the main rail and lock into place via pins. The stride pad assembly may be configured to abut the front foot pad assembly. 
     Embodiments of the present invention provide a batting training device having a rear foot pad, a front foot pad and a stride pad disposed on a main rail. The rear foot pad may have one or more release points configured to allow a batter to rotate upon the ball of the rear foot during a batting swing. The front foot pad may be adjustable allowing for the device to be set up for an open stance, a neutral stance, a closed stance, or any adjusted location between said stances. The open stance configuration may allow a batter to stand with the front foot closer to either first base or third base while aligning a stride pad directly towards a pitcher. 
     Referring now to the example embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an illustrative example of training device  100  is depicted having rear foot pad  102 , front foot pad  104 , and first extension bar  108  disposed between rear foot pad  102  and front foot pad  104 . As shown, second extension bar  110  may be disposed between front foot pad  104  and stride pad  106 . Rear foot pad  102  has a width  114  which may be approximately twelve inches. Front foot pad  104  may have a similar width. First extension bar  108  has adjustable width  112 , which may be adjusted via pull pin  118 . Similarly, second extension bar  110  has an adjustable width via pull pin  120 . Front foot pad  106  has a diameter  116 , which may be approximately six inches. 
     Front foot pad  104  includes pinwheel assembly  122 , which is configured such that front foot pad  104  may be adjusted to allow for open, neutral and closed stances. See, e.g.,  FIG. 3 . Pinwheel assembly  122  includes a plurality of adjustment apertures  126  and pinwheel lock  128 . Pinwheel assembly  122  may include a plastic or metal (e.g., steel, aluminum, carbon fiber, etc.) base plate, with at least 4 adjustment apertures and a pinwheel lock, the integrated whole of which is attached to the underside of each footpad to allow for stance adjustments (from neutral to opened or closed) comfortable for the batter. 
     Rear foot pad  102  has a release point  124 , which is configured to allow a batter to freely rotate the batter&#39;s rear foot at release point  124 . Release point  124  is configured to align with the ball of a batters foot. Rear foot pad  102  includes pivot point  115  allowing the rear foot pad to rotate 180 degrees relative to first extension bar  108  such that the device may be configured for a right-handed stance (shown) or a left-handed stance (not shown). Other embodiments include two pivot points  115  allowing the device to be used interchangeably by left-handed and right-handed batters. 
     Optimally, the two extension bars are made of a durable but lightweight metal material, and are fitted with numerous holes aligned throughout the length of the bar in order to provide adjustability in the length of the system. 
     In one embodiment, first extension bar  108  connects the two foot pads  102  and  104 , and is adjustable from approximately nine to approximately eighteen inches in length in order to accommodate users of various sizes and ages. Second extension bar  110  connects front foot pad  104  to stride pad  106  and is adjustable from at approximately four to approximately eight inches. Extension bars  108  and  110  adjust via pull pins  118  and  120 , which lock the extension bars  108  and  110  into place at the appropriate distance for the batter&#39;s stance and stride. The pull pins  118  and  120  are then placed and locked into the holes on the extension bars, as matched by an adult or more experienced user. In one embodiment, the pull pins  118  and  120  are placed ½ inch apart for maximum adjustment capacity. With the pull pins  118  and  120  removed, the extension bars also allow for the device to collapse for easier storage, transportation, and assembly. 
     In an example embodiment, the foot pads are approximately 12 inches in length in order to accommodate various foot and shoe sizes, and are attached to the extension bar via a pinwheel lock assembly  122 . This embodiment allows less experienced batters to maintain a neutral stance, while providing an option for more experienced batters to adjust their stance from neutral to either open or to closed, if desired. 
     In other embodiments, foot pads  102  and  104  comprise a plurality of rubberized materials, the bottom layer of the pad being formed from a polyurethane or another material that will adhere to concrete, cement or other hard surfaces, thereby keeping the invention stable during use; and a top layer comprising at least a rubberized polyurethane binder, disposed over a substrate. In still further embodiments, EPDM rubber granules or the like are provided and an aliphatic binder for wear resistance and shoe adherence. 
     In other embodiments, stride pad  106  comprises a hard rubber component, measuring approximately 6 inches in diameter, and is attached to second extension bar  110  outside front foot pad  104  via a pull pin for adjustment purposes, much like second extension bar  110  itself. In this embodiment, stride pad  106  is otherwise immobile. In still other embodiments, stride pad  106  and second extension bar  110  may be removed for the most inexperienced batters. 
     Turning now to the example embodiment of  FIG. 2 , possible adjustments to the device during use are illustrated with respect to foot pads  102  and  104 , extension bars  108  and  110  and stride pad  106 . In one example embodiment, a right-handed batter addresses device  100  and adjusts foot pad placement by adjusting extension bar  108  between the foot pads  102  and  104  for maximum comfort and fit and/or to adjust or remove stride pad  106 . 
     Other embodiments of the present invention may include a main rail  208  having a front foot pad assembly  290 , and rear foot pad assembly  270 , and a stride pad assembly  280  attached to main rail  208 . See, e.g.,  FIGS. 4 to 10 . Rear foot pad assembly  270  may include rear foot pad  232  having rear foot pad liner  202  attached to a top portion of rear foot pad  232 . See, e.g.,  FIG. 8 . Rear foot pad assembly  270  may attach via long screws  242 , which may be sink screws, to T-section  236  of first end  240  of main rail  208 . Rear footpad assembly  270  may include at least one release point having a toe rotation pin  250  passing through rear foot pad liner  202  and rear foot pad  232  and held in place via snap ring  256 . The release points may also include friction ring  254  and toe rotation liner  252 . Release points allow a batter to release hips and body during a swing by facilitating rotation. Additionally rear foot pad assembly may include cleats  224  disposed at ends of the rear foot pad  232 . Cleats  224  may also have liners  226 . Cleats  224  may provide additional stability to rear foot pad assembly  270  when placed upon the ground and engaged by a batter. Rear foot pad assembly may include raised edge  203  which may serve to guide a batter&#39;s foot into position. 
     Embodiments of the present invention have a front foot pad assembly  290  having a front foot pad base  205  configured to adjustably attach to main rail  208  and front foot pad  215  configured to adjustably attach to front foot pad base  205 . See, e.g.,  FIG. 10 . Main rail  208  has extensions  216  on either side of main rail  208  and pin holes  214  disposed at intervals along extensions  216 . Below extensions  216 , along the length of main rail  208 , run grooves  218 . Front foot pad base  205  includes an open section having extensions  220 . Front foot pad base  205  is configured such that it may slide over main rail  208  with extensions  220  engaging grooves  218  securing front foot pad base  205  to main rail  208 . Trunk section  213  of front foot pad base  205  has pins  212  disposed on each side, which are configured to engage pin holes  214  along main rail  208 . Pins  212  of trunk section  213  may be released to allow front foot pad base  205  to slide freely over main rail  208  and may be engaged to lock front foot pad base  205  in place at a desired location on main rail  208 . In this way, a stance distance may be adjusted. 
     Embodiments of front foot assembly  290  include front foot pad  215  adjustably connected to front foot pad base  205 . Front foot pad base  205  may include curved guide groove  207  extending between sides  211  of front foot pad base  205  and curved front edge  209  along a front portion of front foot pad base  205 . Guide groove  207  and front edge  209  may be used as guides in the adjustment of front foot pad  215  relative to front foot pad base  205 . Front foot pad  215  may be adjusted (moved) toward either side  211  such that a batter&#39;s stance may be adjusted between neutral, open or closed, as desired. The present invention allows for the stance to be comfortably adjusted into open or closed positions while maintaining proper stride direction toward the pitcher along mail rail  208 . 
     When satisfactory adjusted, front foot pad  215  may be locked into place by pins  212  located along front edge  209 , which pins  212  are configured to engage pin holes  214  disposed along an edge of front foot pad  215 . In this way, the desired stance may be locked and repetition with the desired stance may be accomplished. Front foot pad  215  may include front foot pad liner  204 . Front foot pad assembly  290  may include a plurality of cleats  228 , which may be shorter than cleats  226 . Cleats  228  may be attached to front foot pad base  205  and engage the ground to provide stability to the device when in use. Cleat liners  226  may be attached to cleats  228 . 
     Embodiments of the present invention may further include stride pad assembly  280 , which may include stride pad  222 , stride pad liner  206  and stride pad base  210 . See, e.g.,  FIG. 9 . Stride pad  222  may be secured to stride pad base  210  via screws  230 . Similar to front foot pad base  290 , stride pad base  210  is configured to engage main rail  208  via grooves  218  of mail rail  208  and extensions  220  of stride pad base  210 . Stride pad base  210  may slide over main rail  208  until in a desired location and may be secured via pins  212  on each side of stride pad base  210 . Stride pad assembly  280  may also include cleats  224  and cleat covers  226  to provide additional stability to the device in use. 
     In alternate embodiments, device  300  may have main rail  208  with pin holes  214  disposed on a top surface of main rail  308 . See, e.g.,  FIG. 11 . Pins  212  may be disposed amongst the pad assemblies such that pins  212  may engage pin holes  214  along the top surface of main rail  208 . Although discussed as pins  212  and pin holes  214 , the pad assemblies discussed herein may be secured via any combination of adjustable connections, including pins/pin holes, clamping, and screws. 
     Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of teaching batting skills using a device having a rear foot pad with at least one release point, a front foot pad and a stride pad. The front foot pad is adjustable such that it may be adjusted out of linear alignment between the rear foot pad and the stride pad to accommodate open and closed stances. A distance between the rear foot pad and the front foot pad is adjusted for a comfortable stance distance along with adjustments to account for open and closed positions. The stride pad is attached to accommodate a comfortable stride distance. The pads are locked into place and the device is used to demonstrate proper foot placement and alignment, batting stance, and body movement during a batting swing. 
     The foregoing detailed description is intended primarily for illustrative purposes, and is not intended to include all possible aspects of the present invention. Moreover, while the invention has been shown and described with respect to an exemplary embodiment, those of skill in the pertinent art should appreciate that the foregoing detailed description, and various other modifications, omissions and additions, so long as in the general form and detail thereof, may be made without departing from either the spirit or scope of the present invention.