Abstract:
A baseball bat swing trainer attaches to a baseball bat and is configured to train a batter to maintain a level swing. During training swings, the baseball bat is constrained by the baseball bat swing trainer so as to not allow the baseball bat to go below a level swing for a particular batter. The baseball bat swing trainer is attachable to a horizontal structure that is over the head of the batter and to a baseball bat. The baseball bat swing trainer includes a single-unit line controller, a line, and a baseball bat coupling connected to the line. The line controller is configured to vary and fix a working length of line defined as extending from the line controller to the baseball bat. The line may be varied in length, a working length, in order to accommodate different size batters. The line controller is configured to keep and release excess line. The baseball bat coupling is configured to be secured onto the baseball bat preferably at a location taken from a handle of the baseball bat that is approximately 50% of an overall length of the baseball bat. In operation, the fixed working length of line limits swinging of the connected baseball bat by a batter to not below a level swing of the baseball bat.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This patent application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/704,758 filed Feb. 9, 2007 entitled “Apparatus and Method for Training a Baseball Batter to Swing a Baseball Bat Level” and hereby claims the benefit of and/or priority thereto. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to athletic training devices and, more particularly, relates to swing training devices for baseball batters. 
         [0004]    2. Background Information 
         [0005]    The sport of baseball requires the development of various skills. One of these skills is the ability to optimally swing a baseball bat. While there are many aspects to producing an optimum swing, one aspect is the ability to swing the baseball bat level. A level swing provides optimum contact with the ball and thus produces the best transfer of momentum from the baseball bat to the ball. A level swing can therefore be attributed to better hitting. 
         [0006]    As with other repetitive sports, it is desirable to develop what is known as muscle memory for the particular manner of sport movement. Developing muscle memory for a particular sport movement is essentially repeating the particular sport movement until the muscles memorize the particular movement. Thus, repeatedly practicing a level swing allows the utilized muscles to memorize what a level swing is like so that proper execution of a level swing becomes automatic. 
         [0007]    In view of this, various devices have been developed that purport to aid in training a batter to swing a baseball bat level. Some of these swing training devices include various manners of hanging a ball from a rope that is attached to a horizontal member. Other swing training devices include a ball that is attached to a rigid member. Still other swing training devices use a combination of the above-mentioned methods such as hanging a rope attached to a ball with a portion of the rope passing through a tube positioned above the ball. 
         [0008]    These devices, however, have various drawbacks. For instance, they are typically either overly complex, fail to adequately allow duplication of a level swing, are not well suited to allow the user to easily learn a level swing, or are difficult to adjust to different sized batters. What is therefore needed, for instance, is a baseball bat swing training device that efficiently teaches a player to swing a baseball bat level and is uncomplicated in structure, economic to produce and easily adjustable for different size batters. What is also needed, for instance, is a method for training a baseball batter to swing a baseball bat level. 
         [0009]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a baseball bat swing training device that satisfies one or more of the mentioned needs. It is furthermore an object of the present invention to provide a baseball bat swing training method that satisfies one or more of the mentioned needs. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The present invention is an apparatus and method for training a baseball batter to swing a baseball bat level. 
         [0011]    A baseball bat swing training device in accordance with the present principles trains a baseball batter to maintain a level swing of a baseball bat during batting by constraining the baseball bat during a portion of the batter&#39;s swing such that the baseball bat cannot be swung by the batter at less than a level swing. The baseball bat is suspended from an overhead position via attachment to a line. The length of line between the baseball bat and a line controller retaining the line is alterable to provide a selectable working length of line that allows the batter to freely swing the baseball bat but limit the downward travel thereof past the working length wherein the baseball bat cannot be swung by the batter at no less than a lever swing. Setting the working length of line at an appropriate setting allows the present baseball bat swing training device to provide adjustment specifically for the particular baseball batter. 
         [0012]    In one form of the invention, the baseball bat swing training device includes a frame having an overhead portion that is adjustable in height in order to accommodate different height batters. A baseball bat suspension and control device is connectable to the overhead portion of the frame and is adapted to regulate an amount of line that extends from the control device to an end of the line (the working length). The free end of the line is then attached to the baseball bat. The amount or length of the line extending from the control device regulates the distance at which the bat swing is level relative to the ground. This allows accommodation for different size batters. 
         [0013]    In one form, the adjustable frame includes right and left adjustable leg structures that support an overhead cross bar. The baseball bat suspension and control device is attached to the cross bar. The baseball bat suspension and control device stores and releases excess line for selectively adjusting the working length of the line. 
         [0014]    In another form, the adjustable frame includes an upright that supports a vertical beam at its end. The baseball bat suspension and control device is attached to the vertical beam. The baseball bat suspension and control device stores and releases excess line for selectively adjusting the working length of the line. 
         [0015]    In one form, the baseball bat swing trainer includes an overhead mountable baseball bat suspension and line controller, a line and a baseball bat attachment device disposed at an end of the line distal the baseball bat suspension and line controller. The baseball bat suspension and line controller is connectable to an overhead area and is adapted to regulate an amount of line that extends from a line controller portion of the baseball bat suspension and line controller to the baseball bat attachment which is connected to the baseball bat. The amount or length of the line extending from the line controller regulates the distance at which the bat swing is level relative to the ground (the working length). This working length adjustment allows accommodation for different size batters. 
         [0016]    In one form, the line is attached to the baseball bat by a collar. The collar is preferably attached to the baseball bat at a point that is approximately forty percent of the length of the baseball bat from the end of the handle of the baseball bat. 
         [0017]    In one form, the baseball bat suspension and line control device includes a line clamp that is attached to the frame. The line clamp is adapted to clamp onto and fix the line such that a predetermined length of line is set between the clamp and the baseball bat. 
         [0018]    In one form, the baseball bat suspension and line control device includes or further includes a spool attachable to a frame. The spool is configured to receive excess line from the clamp. The spool is also configured to let out line as necessary. 
         [0019]    In another form of the invention, the baseball bat swing trainer is attachable to an overhead structure and a baseball bat. The baseball bat swing trainer includes a baseball bat suspension and line controller or regulator including a line spool, a line retention device, a line, and a baseball bat attachment device. The line retention device is adapted to be attached to an overhead structure and is configured to clamp onto the line in order to fix a length of line extending from the line retention device to the baseball bat attachment device. The line spool is adapted to be attached to the overhead structure and is configured to keep and release excess line from and to the line retention device. The baseball attachment device is attached to an end of the line and is configured to be secured on the baseball bat. The baseball bat suspension and line controller, in this form, is a baseball bat swing trainer or training device. In this manner, the baseball bat swing trainer may be mounted to various structures. The baseball attachment device is preferably attached to the baseball bat at a point that is approximately forty percent of the length of the baseball bat from the end of the handle of the baseball bat. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0020]    The above mentioned and other features and objects of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0021]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a baseball bat swing training device fashioned in accordance with the present principles, a user of which is shown in a pre-swing position; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the baseball bat swing training device of  FIG. 1 , the user of which is shown in a mid-swing position; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the baseball bat swing training device of  FIG. 1 , the user of which is shown having completed a full swing of the baseball bat; 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged perspective view of a line controller portion of the present baseball bat swing training device of  FIG. 1  or as a stand-alone baseball bat swing training device particularly illustrating the manner of attachment of the baseball bat to a line controller of or constituting the baseball bat swing training device and its length adjustment thereof; 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged perspective view of a baseball bat as attached to a line of the present baseball bat swing training device; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  is a side view of another baseball bat swing training device fashioned in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0027]    Like reference numerals indicate the same or similar parts throughout the several figures. 
         [0028]    A description of the features, functions and/or configuration of the components depicted in the various figures will now be presented. It should be appreciated that not all of the features of the components of the figures are necessarily described. Some of these non discussed features as well as discussed features are inherent from the figures. Other non discussed features may be inherent in component geometry and/or configuration. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0029]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is depicted one embodiment of a baseball bat swing training device or swing trainer generally designated  10 . The baseball bat swing training device  10  is characterized by a frame  12  and a baseball bat suspension and control device  14 . The frame  12  is adjustable in height as described herein in order to accommodate different size users. The baseball bat suspension and control device  14  permits adjustment in order to appropriately position a baseball bat  16  as described herein in order to accommodate different size users. Such adjustment is sets the working height or length for the baseball bat  16  as described herein. 
         [0030]    The frame  12  consists of a cross bar  20  and right and left adjustable leg structures  22   a  and  22   b  that support the cross bar  20 . The frame  12  and right and left adjustable leg structures  22   a,    22   b  are made from a suitable metal such as aluminum, steel or the like, a plastic, composite, combination thereof or other suitable material. 
         [0031]    The right adjustable leg structure  22   a  is formed by a first adjustable leg  24   a  and a second adjustable leg  26   a.  One end of the first adjustable leg  24   a  and one end of the second adjustable leg  26   a  are retained in a right upper coupling  28   a  such that the first and second adjustable legs  24   a,    26   a  form an inverted V. A brace  42   a  connects to and extends between the first and second adjustable legs  24   a,    26   a  to maintain the spread or distance between the first and second adjustable legs  24   a,    26   a.    
         [0032]    The first adjustable leg  24   a  is formed of multiple leg sections, segments or sections  30   a,    32   a  and  34   a.  The leg section  30   a  is connected at one end to the right upper coupling  28   a  and at an end distal thereof to the leg section  32   a.  The leg section  32   a  is received in the leg section  30   a  in a telescopic manner such as is know in the art. A leg section adjustment coupling  31   a  is situated at the junction of the leg section  30   a  and the leg section  32   a  and is adapted to allow the leg section  32   a  to axially slide into the leg section  30   a  and then temporarily fix the axial position of the leg section  32   a  relative to the leg section  30   a.  This may be accomplished by having axial slits in the end of the leg section  30   a  that allow radial constriction of the end of the leg section  30   a  around the end of the leg section  32   a  that extends therein. The leg section adjustment coupling  31  a would have internal threads that allow the leg section adjustment coupling  31   a  to be threadedly received onto the external threads of the leg section  30   a.  Rotation of the leg section adjustment coupling  31   a  in one direction constricts the end of the leg section  30   a  around the end of the leg section  32   a  while rotation in the opposite direction loosens the end of the leg section  30   a  from around the end of the leg section  32   a.  In this manner, the length of the leg section  32   a  relative to the leg section  30   a  is adjustable. 
         [0033]    The leg section  34   a  is received in the leg section  32   a  in a telescopic manner such as is know in the art. A leg section adjustment coupling  33   a  is situated at the junction of the leg section  32   a  and the leg section  34   a  and is adapted to allow the leg section  34   a  to axially slide into the leg section  32   a  and then temporarily fix the axial position of the leg section  34   a  relative to the leg section  32   a.  This may be accomplished by having axial slits in the end of the leg section  32   a  that allow radial constriction of the end of the leg section  32   a  around the end of the leg section  34   a  that extends therein. The leg section adjustment coupling  33   a  would have internal threads that allow the leg section adjustment coupling  33   a  to be threadedly received onto the external threads of the leg section  32   a.  Rotation of the leg section adjustment coupling  33   a  in one direction constricts the end of the leg section  32   a  around the end of the leg section  34   a  while rotation in the opposite direction loosens the end of the leg section  32   a  from around the end of the leg section  34   a.  In this manner, the length of the leg section  34   a  relative to the leg section  32   a  is adjustable. 
         [0034]    The second adjustable leg  26   a  is formed of multiple leg sections, segments or sections  36   a,    38   a  and  40   a.  The leg section  36   a  is connected at one end to the right upper coupling  28   a  and at an end distal thereof to the leg section  38   a.  The leg section  38   a  is received in the leg section  36   a  in a telescopic manner such as is know in the art. A leg section adjustment coupling  37   a  is situated at the junction of the leg section  36   a  and the leg section  38   a  and is adapted to allow the leg section  38   a  to axially slide into the leg section  36   a  and then temporarily fix the axial position of the leg section  38   a  relative to the leg section  36   a.  This may be accomplished by having axial slits in the end of the leg section  36   a  that allow radial constriction of the end of the leg section  36   a  around the end of the leg section  38   a  that extends therein. The leg section adjustment coupling  37   a  would have internal threads that allow the leg section adjustment coupling  37   a  to be threadedly received onto the external threads of the leg section  36   a.  Rotation of the leg section adjustment coupling  37   a  in one direction constricts the end of the leg section  36   a  around the end of the leg section  38   a  while rotation in the opposite direction loosens the end of the leg section  36   a  from around the end of the leg section  38   a.  In this manner, the length of the leg section  38   a  relative to the leg section  36   a  is adjustable. 
         [0035]    The leg section  40   a  is received in the leg section  38   a  in a telescopic manner such as is know in the art. A leg section adjustment coupling  39   a  is situated at the junction of the leg section  38   a  and the leg section  40   a  and is adapted to allow the leg section  40   a  to axially slide into the leg section  38   a  and then temporarily fix the axial position of the leg section  40   a  relative to the leg section  38   a.  This may be accomplished by having axial slits in the end of the leg section  38   a  that allow radial constriction of the end of the leg section  38   a  around the end of the leg section  40   a  that extends therein. The leg section adjustment coupling  39   a  would have internal threads that allow the leg section adjustment coupling  39   a  to be threadedly received onto the external threads of the leg section  38   a.  Rotation of the leg section adjustment coupling  39   a  in one direction constricts the end of the leg section  38   a  around the end of the leg section  40   a  while rotation in the opposite direction loosens the end of the leg section  38   a  from around the end of the leg section  40   a.  In this manner, the length of the leg section  40   a  relative to the leg section  38   a  is adjustable. 
         [0036]    Bracing  44   a  is provided from the first and second adjustable legs  24   a,    26   a  to the cross bar  20 . The bracing  44   a  provides stability between the right adjustable leg structure  22   a  and the cross bar  20 . The right adjustable leg structure  22   a  thus provides height adjustment of the right end of the cross bar  20  relative to the ground or other surface upon which the baseball bat swing trainer  10  is placed. 
         [0037]    The left adjustable leg structure  22   b  is formed by a first adjustable leg  24   b  and a second adjustable leg  26   b.  One end of the first adjustable leg  24   b  and one end of the second adjustable leg  26   b  are retained in a left upper coupling  28   b  such that the first and second adjustable legs  24   b,    26   b  form an inverted V. A brace  42   b  connects to and extends between the first and second adjustable legs  24   b,    26   b  to maintain the spread or distance between the first and second adjustable legs  24   b,    26   b.    
         [0038]    The first adjustable leg  24   b  is formed of multiple leg sections, segments or sections  30   a,    32   a  and  34   a.  The leg section  30   b  is connected at one end to the left upper coupling  28   b  and at an end distal thereof to the leg section  32   b.  The leg section  32   b  is received in the leg section  30   b  in a telescopic manner such as is know in the art. A leg section adjustment coupling  31   b  is situated at the junction of the leg section  30   b  and the leg section  32   b  and is adapted to allow the leg section  32   b  to axially slide into the leg section  30   b  and then temporarily fix the axial position of the leg section  32   b  relative to the leg section  30   b.  This may be accomplished by having axial slits in the end of the leg section  30   b  that allow radial constriction of the end of the leg section  30   b  around the end of the leg section  32   b  that extends therein. The leg section adjustment coupling  31  b would have internal threads that allow the leg section adjustment coupling  31   b  to be threadedly received onto the external threads of the leg section  30   b.  Rotation of the leg section adjustment coupling  31   b  in one direction constricts the end of the leg section  30   b  around the end of the leg section  32   b  while rotation in the opposite direction loosens the end of the leg section  30   b  from around the end of the leg section  32   b.  In this manner, the length of the leg section  32   b  relative to the leg section  30   b  is adjustable. 
         [0039]    The leg section  34   b  is received in the leg section  32   b  in a telescopic manner such as is know in the art. A leg section adjustment coupling  33   b  is situated at the junction of the leg section  32   b  and the leg section  34   b  and is adapted to allow the leg section  34   b  to axially slide into the leg section  32   b  and then temporarily fix the axial position of the leg section  34   b  relative to the leg section  32   b.  This may be accomplished by having axial slits in the end of the leg section  32   b  that allow radial constriction of the end of the leg section  32   b  around the end of the leg section  34   b  that extends therein. The leg section adjustment coupling  33   b  would have internal threads that allow the leg section adjustment coupling  33   b  to be threadedly received onto the external threads of the leg section  32   b.  Rotation of the leg section adjustment coupling  33   b  in one direction constricts the end of the leg section  32   b  around the end of the leg section  34   b  while rotation in the opposite direction loosens the end of the leg section  32   b  from around the end of the leg section  34   b.  In this manner, the length of the leg section  34   b  relative to the leg section  32   b  is adjustable. 
         [0040]    The second adjustable leg  26   b  is formed of multiple leg sections, segments or sections  36   b,    38   b  and  40   b.  The leg section  36   b  is connected at one end to the left upper coupling  28   b  and at an end distal thereof to the leg section  38   b.  The leg section  38   b  is received in the leg section  36   b  in a telescopic manner such as is know in the art. A leg section adjustment coupling  37   b  is situated at the junction of the leg section  36   b  and the leg section  38   b  and is adapted to allow the leg section  38   b  to axially slide into the leg section  36   b  and then temporarily fix the axial position of the leg section  38   b  relative to the leg section  36   b.  This may be accomplished by having axial slits in the end of the leg section  36   b  that allow radial constriction of the end of the leg section  36   b  around the end of the leg section  38   b  that extends therein. The leg section adjustment coupling  37   b  would have internal threads that allow the leg section adjustment coupling  37   b  to be threadedly received onto the external threads of the leg section  36   b.  Rotation of the leg section adjustment coupling  37   b  in one direction constricts the end of the leg section  36   b  around the end of the leg section  38   b  while rotation in the opposite direction loosens the end of the leg section  36   b  from around the end of the leg section  38   b.  In this manner, the length of the leg section  38   b  relative to the leg section  36   b  is adjustable. 
         [0041]    The leg section  40   b  is received in the leg section  38   b  in a telescopic manner such as is know in the art. A leg section adjustment coupling  39   b  is situated at the junction of the leg section  38   b  and the leg section  40   b  and is adapted to allow the leg section  40   b  to axially slide into the leg section  38   b  and then temporarily fix the axial position of the leg section  40   b  relative to the leg section  38   b.  This may be accomplished by having axial slits in the end of the leg section  38   b  that allow radial constriction of the end of the leg section  38   b  around the end of the leg section  40   b  that extends therein. The leg section adjustment coupling  39   b  would have internal threads that allow the leg section adjustment coupling  39   b  to be threadedly received onto the external threads of the leg section  38   b.  Rotation of the leg section adjustment coupling  39   b  in one direction constricts the end of the leg section  38   b  around the end of the leg section  40   b  while rotation in the opposite direction loosens the end of the leg section  38   b  from around the end of the leg section  40   b.  In this manner, the length of the leg section  40   b  relative to the leg section  38   b  is adjustable. 
         [0042]    Bracing  44   b  is provided from the first and second adjustable legs  24   b,    26   b  to the cross bar  20 . The bracing  44   b  provides stability between the left adjustable leg structure  22   b  and the cross bar  20 . The left adjustable leg structure  22   b  thus provides height adjustment of the left end of the cross bar  20  relative to the ground or other surface upon which the baseball bat swing trainer  10  is placed. 
         [0043]    It should be appreciated that other manners of providing length adjustment of the leg sections of the adjustable legs relative to one another may be used. One such manner is the use of a plurality of holes in the end of a leg section and a biased button situated in the end of an adjoining leg section. Pushing in the biased button would allow the leg section to axially slide within and relative to the adjoining leg section. The biasing of the button causes the button to stay within a particular hole. This provides discrete length adjustment rather than infinite length adjustment as described above. It should also be appreciated that the number of leg sections may vary. Also, while the first and second leg structures  22   a  and  22   b  are identical, they need not be. 
         [0044]    The baseball bat suspension and control device  14  is connected to the frame  12  and suspends the baseball bat  16  from the cross bar  20 . Particularly, the baseball bat suspension and control device  14  is configured to retain the baseball bat  16  and retain the baseball bat  16  at a working height in order to allow the user  100  to freely swing the baseball bat  16  but not allow the baseball bat  16  to go below a predetermined height relative to the ground. This predetermined height is the height from the ground that permits a level swing of the baseball bat  16  by the particular user  100 . The baseball bat suspension and control device  14  does not allow the user  100  to swing the baseball bat  16  lower than level with the ground. 
         [0045]    The baseball bat suspension and control device  14  includes a line  52  that attaches at one end thereof to the baseball bat  16  and at another end to a reel  50  that is attached to the cross bar  20 . The line  52  may constitute a line, cord, rope, cable, lead, string, lash, tether or the like and be made of any suitable material such as, but not being exclusive of, natural and/or man-made fiber(s), plastic coated cable, a plastic such as fishing line, polypropylene or otherwise, a metal, a composite or the like. A length of the line  52  is wound upon the reel  50 . The cord  52  extends through a clamping device  54  that is also attached to the cross bar  20 . The clamping device  54  is preferably, but not necessarily, attached to the cross bar  20  at a midpoint thereof while the reel  50  is attached to the cross bar a distance from the attachment point of the clamping device  54 . 
         [0046]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , an embodiment of the baseball bat suspension and control device  14  is shown. The baseball bat suspension and control device  14  is, by itself, a baseball bat swing training device fashioned in accordance with the present principles. The baseball bat swing training device  14  includes a line controller or regulator constituted by reel  50  and clamping device  54 . 
         [0047]    The reel  50  includes a spool  80  that is rotatably retained by a bracket  82 . The bracket  82  is connected via a bolt or the like  84  to the cross bar  20 . The cord  52  is wound upon the rotatable spool  80  such that a length of cord  55  extends from the spool  80  to the clamping device  54 . The cord  52  may be wound onto the spool via a crank or handle  85  and unwound via pulling on the cord  52 . The clamping device  54  includes a clamp  56  that is attached to the cross bar  20  and configured to allow the cord  52  to slide therethrough when unclamped but fix a length  53  (the working length  53 ) when clamped. The clamp is connected to the cross bar  20  via a bolt hook  70  that is attached through the cross bar  20  and an eye  72  that is connected to the clamp  72 . Of course, the cord clamp  56  may be attached to the cross bar  20  in other manners. 
         [0048]    The clamping device  54  is configured to clamp and unclamp the cord  52  such that when clamped, the cord  52  sets or fixes the working or batting length  53  of cord between the clamping device  54  and the baseball bat  16  and when unclamped allows the winding or unwinding of the cord  52  from the reel  50  in order to adjust the working length  53  between the clamping device  54  and the baseball bat  16 . The working length  53  is selected such that the batter or user  100  may never swing below a level swing. As seen in  FIG. 4 , the cord  52  may include a plurality of marks, markers, tags, labels, demarcations or the like  90  that are positioned along the cord  52 . These marks allow the visual setting and remembering of various working or batting lengths. In  FIG. 4 , the working length is set at “5.” These marks may or may not correspond to lengths or distances in known measurements. 
         [0049]    The set length of cord  53  or working length between the clamping device  54  and the baseball bat  16 , however, allows the user or batter  100  to assume a pre-swing position as depicted in  FIG. 1  and a follow-through position as depicted in  FIG. 3 . Thus, there is slack in the cord  52  between the baseball bat  16  and the clamping device  54  when in the pre-swing position of  FIG. 1 , but taut when in the mid-swing position as depicted in  FIG. 2  and the follow-through position as depicted in  FIG. 3 . The mid-swing position is where the baseball bat  16  should be level. The batter knows when the baseball bat is level when the length of line  53  is taut during the swing. 
         [0050]    In  FIG. 5 , a close-up view is provided of the baseball bat  16  and its attachment to the baseball bat swing trainer. In this view the working length  53   a  is formed of a flexible but strong plastic, composite or the like such as from a fishing line material or man-made fiber. The working length of line  53   a  is connected to the baseball bat  16  via a baseball bat attachment device  17 . The baseball bat attachment device  17  includes or constitutes a collar  60  that wraps around the baseball bat  16  and is mounted thereto via screws or the like. Other mounting means may also be used. The collar  60  includes a ring or otherwise  62  for coupling with the length of line  53   a.  Other types of baseball bat attachment devices may be used. The collar  60  is preferably attached to the baseball bat  16  at a location that is less than half (50%) of the length (L) of the baseball bat  16  as determined from the end of the baseball bat that is held by the user  100 . Particularly, the collar  60  is attached to the baseball bat  16  at a location that is 40% of the length of the baseball bat  16  as determined from the end of the baseball bat that is held by the user  100 . 
         [0051]    The baseball bat swing trainer  10  as shown in  FIGS. 1-3  is set up as follows. The height of the cross bar  20  is set relative to the user/batter  100  by adjusting the right and left adjustable leg structures  22   a,    22   b.  This is accomplished by setting the length of the respective pairs of adjustable legs  24   a,    26   a  and  24   b,    26   b.  The height of the cross bar  20  should be well enough above the batter  100  to allow an unobstructed swing and allow slack in the length of line  53  when appropriate. The length of the cross bar  20  is such that the user  100  can easily stand between the right and left adjustable leg structures  22   a,    22   b  and freely swing the baseball bat  16  without hitting the right or left adjustable leg structure. The working length of the line is then set. 
         [0052]    In another embodiment of the invention, the baseball bat swing training device or trainer does not include a frame and thus what was the baseball bat suspension and control device  14  becomes the baseball bat swing training device or swing trainer (see  FIG. 4 ). In this form (and in the others), the baseball bat swing training device includes a line controller  57 , a line  52  and a baseball bat attachment device  17 . The line controller  57  includes a line reel  50  and a line retention device  56 . The line retention device  56  is adapted to be attached to an overhead structure and is configured to clamp onto the line  52  in order to adjustably fix a length of line  53  (working length) extending from the line retention device  56  to the baseball bat attachment device  17  and thus the baseball bat  16 . The line reel  50  is adapted to be attached to the overhead structure and is configured to keep and release excess line  55  from and to the line retention device  56 . The baseball attachment device  17  is attached to an end of the length of line  53  and is configured to be secured on the baseball bat  16 . In this manner, the baseball bat swing trainer may be mounted to a ceiling, an existing frame such as a swing set, a cross beam or otherwise. 
         [0053]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , there is depicted a yet another embodiment of a baseball bat swing training device generally designated  300 . The baseball bat swing training device  300  may or may not include the frame  200  which may be substituted for frame  12  and vice versa. 
         [0054]    The frame  200  includes a base  202  that supports an upright, stand, pole or the like  204  that is connected to and supports an overhead beam  206 . The upright  204  is preferably adjustable in height and thus is shown having thee (3) telescoping sections, a lower section  216 , a middle section  218  and an upper section  220 . The lower section  216  is telescopingly received into the middle section  218  and includes a height adjustment mechanism  234  such as a biased button and a plurality of openings arrangement. The middle section  218  is telescopingly received into the upper section  220  and includes a height adjustment mechanism  236  such as a biased button and a plurality of openings arrangement. 
         [0055]    The base  202  is fashioned as a tripod and thus includes three legs  210   a,    210   b  and  210   c  that extend from the base  202 . The legs  210   a,    210   b  and  210   c  each are preferably attached to the ground by stakes  240   a,    240   b  and  240   c.  The legs  210   a,    210   b,    210   c  are space about the base  202  in a typical tripod relationship. The base  202  may alternatively be a stake that is driven into the ground. Other manners of supporting the upright  204  may be used. 
         [0056]    The overhead beam  206  may be formed of one piece as depicted or may be multiple pieces. The beam  206  is connected to the upright via an elbow joint  228  or otherwise. Bracing  230  is provided between the upright  204  and the beam  206 . 
         [0057]    The baseball bat training device  300  is attached to the beam  206  of the frame  200  and includes a line controller  302 , line  304  and a baseball bat attachment  306 . The line controller  302  keeps excess line as appropriate and releases excess line as appropriate in order to select and maintain a working or batting length or height of the line  304  between the line controller  302  and the baseball bat  400 . The line controller  302  combines the functions of the separate components of the line controller  14 . The line controller  302  includes a reel  310  and line clamp  312 . A handle or crank  314  is provided for manual operation of the line reel  310 . The line controller  302  may also be automatic. An electric motor or the like and motive power (e.g. battery or solar panel) may be provided to provide automatic adjustment of the working height. In this case, the line controller  302  would have appropriate controls. 
         [0058]    While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only preferred embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.