Patent Publication Number: US-8535178-B2

Title: Batting tee system for bat-and-ball games

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending, commonly-owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/634,546 filed Dec. 9, 2009 and wherein the subject matter of that application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to a batting tee system, and specifically relates to a batting tee system to help improve batting stances and hitting mechanics of ball players. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     “Going with a pitch,” a phrase used often in baseball, means knowing where to strike the ball depending on the location of the pitch as it crosses the plate. Advanced players work on this concept regularly, but conventional wisdom considers the concept too complicated for teaching to intermediate or younger players. Generally, intermediate and younger players are taught a proper batting stance and hitting mechanics through repetition using a conventional batting tee, soft toss pitching, full speed pitching (e.g., by a pitcher or pitching machine), or some combination thereof. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a batting tee system and methods of using and assembling the same. A batting tee system includes a batting tee assembly that may be used with conventional balls or with the ball described as an embodiment of the present invention. Optionally, the batting tee assembly may be used with a netting system or target that provides feedback to a batter based on a trajectory of the ball after it has been struck by a bat and leaves the batting tee assembly. In one embodiment, the batting tee assembly includes a support base coupled to a swing arm, which in turn is coupled to an adjustable-height batting tee. A flexible cup may be coupled to the batting tee to eliminate or substantially reduce the bounce back or recoil felt by a batter when hitting off a batting tee. The batting tee system may be configured for both left and right handed batters and also placed in a portable or storable configuration. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the invention, a batting tee system includes a ball carrying at least one target indicator alignable relative to a home base; a batting tee assembly having a base coupled to the home base, the base adjustably coupled to a swing arm that extends laterally over and proximate to an upper surface of the base, the swing arm coupled to an adjustable-height tee selectively positionable along a desired bat-to-ball contact path defined relative to the home base; and a netting system positionable at a desired distance from the batting tee assembly, the netting system having a plurality of indicators arranged to provide feedback information regarding a direction of the ball after it is struck with the bat. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a batting tee assembly includes a base portion configured with a home base; a swing arm adjustably coupled to the base, the swing arm extending laterally over and proximate to an upper surface of the base, the swing arm selectively positionable along an arc relative to the home base; and an adjustable-height batting tee coupled to the swing arm, the tee movable with the swing arm to be positioned in a location along the arc corresponding to a type of pitch being simulated. 
     In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, a netting system for halting a ball includes a frame assembly; a netting material coupled to the frame assembly; and a plurality of indicators arranged to provide feedback information regarding a direction of the ball after it is struck with a bat. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method of setting up a batting tee system includes the steps of (1) arranging a home base for a left or right handed batter, the home base coupled to a base portion of the batting tee system; (2) coupling a first end portion of a swing arm to the base portion; (3) rotating a second end portion of the swing arm about a pivot located relative to the home base, the second end portion distally located from the first end portion; and (4) setting an adjustable-height batting tee at a desired position along a contact path to simulate a desired pitch. 
     In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, a cup for a batting tee system includes a ball support portion; an engagement portion receivable by a tubular member of the batting tee system; and a flexible portion located between the ball support portion and the engagement portion, wherein the flexible portion is predisposed to bend before the ball support portion bends when a ball is hit off the batting tee. 
     In accordance with still yet another aspect of the invention, a batting tee assembly includes a base portion configured with a home base; a swing arm adjustably coupled to the base, the swing arm extending laterally over and proximate to an upper surface of the base, the swing arm selectively positionable along an arc relative to the home base; an adjustable-height batting tee coupled to the swing arm, the tee movable with the swing arm to be positioned in a location along the arc corresponding to a type of pitch being simulated; and a cup having a ball support portion, an engagement portion, and a flexible portion, the engagement portion removably engageable with the batting tee, the flexible portion predisposed to bend before the ball support portion bends when a ball is hit off the batting tee. 
     In still yet another aspect of the invention, a method of setting up a batting tee system includes the steps of (1) arranging a home base for a left or right handed batter, the home base coupled to a base portion of the batting tee system; (2) coupling a first end portion of a swing arm to the base portion; (3) rotating a second end portion of the swing arm about a pivot located relative to the home base, the second end portion distally located from the first end portion; (4) setting an adjustable-height batting tee at a desired position along a contact path to simulate a desired pitch; and (5) attaching a flexible cup to the batting tee by inserting a portion of the cup and rotating it relative to the tee such as to lock the cup relative to the tee, wherein the flexible portion is predisposed to bend before the ball support portion bends when a ball is hit off the batting tee. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Preferred and alternative embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a batting tee system having a batting tee assembly, a ball and a netting system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is perspective view of the batting tee assembly of  FIG. 1  with a batting tee in an operable position; 
         FIG. 3  is perspective view of the batting tee assembly of  FIG. 1  with a batting tee in a stored or portable position; 
         FIG. 4  is bottom plan view of a support base for the batting tee assembly of  FIG. 1  with a home base configured for a left-handed batter; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded, perspective view of a batting tee assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a side elevational view of a batting tee adjusted to a minimum height according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a side elevational view of a batting tee adjusted to a mid-range height according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a side elevational view of a batting tee adjusted to a maximum height according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the ball used in the batting tee system of  FIG. 1  according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a front elevational view of the netting system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a top plan view of the batting tee assembly and ball of  FIG. 1  showing an exemplary setting thereof for one type of simulated pitch; 
         FIG. 12  is a top plan view of the batting tee assembly and ball of  FIG. 1  showing other exemplary settings thereof for inside and outside simulated pitches; 
         FIG. 13  is a schematic view of a batting tee system showing an overall operation thereof according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a batting tee system according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 15  is an exploded, perspective view of the batting tee system of  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a flexible cup for a batting tee according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 17  is a side elevational view of the cup of  FIG. 16  along with a top plan view of a receiving portion of the batting tee of  FIG. 15  according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view of a support base with a home plate according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view of a batting tee system with an extendable swing arm according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 20  is a perspective view of the batting tee system of  FIG. 19  with telescoping segments of the batting tee fully extended according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 21  is a perspective view of the batting tee system of  FIG. 19  with the batting tee being rotated relative to the swing arm according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 22  is a perspective view of the batting tee system of  FIG. 19  with the batting tee in a stored position relative to the swing arm according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 23  is a target for a batting tee system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of the invention. However, one skilled in the art will understand that the invention may be practiced without these details. In other instances, well-known structures associated with bat and ball systems, hitting systems, catching systems and the assembly and operation thereof have not necessarily been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring descriptions of the embodiments of the invention. At least one embodiment of the invention includes a batting tee system that allows and encourages players to work on proper bat-to-ball contact for a variety of pitches. 
     Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification and claims which follow, the word “comprise” and variations thereof, such as, “comprises” and “comprising” are to be construed in an open, inclusive sense. 
     In addition, throughout the specification and claims which follow, any reference to a bat-and-ball game may include, but is not limited to, games such as baseball, softball, stickball, rounders, pes{umlaut over (p)}allo, Finnish baseball, and British baseball. Bat-and-ball games are generally played when one team (the fielding team) has possession of the ball and delivers it to a member of the other team (the batting team), who tries to hit it. The two opposing teams take turns playing these two distinct roles, which are continuous during a specified interval, commonly referred to as an inning. For purposes of the present description, the word “ball” should be broadly interpreted to relate to any ball used in a bat-and-ball activity. Some examples of such balls include, but are not limited to, regulation and non-regulation baseballs and softballs, cricket balls, tennis balls, etc. Similarly, the term “bat” may be interpreted to broadly include, but not be limited to, regulation and non-regulation baseball bats, softball bats, wooden bats, metal bats, cricket bats, etc. Lastly, the phrase “home base” should be interpreted as any plate, symbolic reference, design, or other device used to provide a visual reference for a batter. The term “home base” may be use synonymously with the term “home plate” herein. Further, the term “base” used without the adjective “home” should be broadly interpreted to be a structural support platform for the batting tee system into which the home plate may be recessed. 
     For purposes of the present description to maintain brevity and consistency, the various embodiments of the invention will be described relative to the bat-and-ball game of baseball. Baseball players may learn by a fairly young age that the proper place to make contact with a baseball depends on where it crosses home plate. Many batting instructors teach that an inside pitch should be met by the bat well in front of home plate while contact with an outside pitch should be further back relative to the plate. Advanced hitters, those who have played baseball for many years, are taught how and where to make proper contact as the ball crosses home plate through such activities as live batting practice or soft toss. Because players of all ages are encouraged to practice their swing using a batting tee, the batting tee system described herein permits this type of general batting practice while providing numerous advantages for simulating different types of pitches (e.g., high and inside, low and outside, etc.) and where contact should be made when the ball crosses home plate. 
       FIG. 1  shows a batting tee system  100  having a batting assembly  102  and a ball  104 , which may take the form of a marked ball described with reference to  FIG. 9 . The batting tee system  100  may optionally include a netting system  106  for stopping the ball  104  after contact by a bat (not shown). The batting tee system  100  may be made or adjusted to various sizes and may be used indoors or outdoors. The batting tee system  100  permits the ball to be set at a desired contact point relative to the home plate  120 R ( FIG. 2 ). In turn, this builds strong home plate reference awareness and hitting mechanics for beginning to advanced batters. The batting tee assembly  102  is easily adjustable and keeps the ball  104  in a level position, which in turn permits batters to work on a variety of ball contact points, such as inside, outside, high and low. 
     Components of the batting tee system  100  may be made from plastic, metal, rubber or reinforced composites. Further, the batting tee system  100  is portable and storable because it includes features that permit it to be folded into a compact or portable configuration. The batting tee assembly  102  is also convertible for use by both left-handed and right-handed batters, which will be explained in greater detail below. 
       FIG. 2  shows the batting tee assembly  102  in an upright or operational configuration and also in a right-handed batting configuration. The batting tee assembly  102  includes a support base  108  coupled to a swing arm  110 , which in turn is coupled to a batting tee  112 . The support base  108  may be configured to substantially prevent tipping or undesired rocking of the batting assembly  102  when in use, for example when the bat strikes the batting tee  112 . In the illustrated embodiment, the support base  108  includes a handle  114 , a swing arm attachment region  116 , a contact path region  118  and a home base region  120 R, where the “R” refers to the support base  108  being in the right-handed batting configuration. In one embodiment, the support base  108  is made from a durable rubber material, such as a natural rubber material, and selectively weighted to prevent tipping or rocking. The home base region  120 , as illustrated, takes the familiar form of a home plate in baseball, but may take other shapes as well. The home base region  120  may take the form of an insert bonded into a recessed portion of the support base  108 , may take the form of an adhesive-backed, home-plate-shaped sticker bonded onto the support base  108 , or may be painted or otherwise printed onto the support base  108 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the contact path region  118  includes a periphery that defines a contact path  122 , which in turn is defined by a sweeping or rotational motion of the swing arm  110  about a pivot point  123 , which is located on the swing arm attachment region  116 . 
     The swing arm  110  includes a first end portion  124  rotational coupled to the support base  108  through the pivot point  123 . The swing arm  110  further includes a second end portion  126  distally located from the first end portion  124  with a body  128  extending therebetween. The body  128  may include holes or openings  130  to reduce the overall weight of the swing arm  110 . The swing arm  110  extends laterally over and proximate to an upper surface  131  of the support base  108 . As best shown in  FIG. 11 , an effective length  129  of the swing arm  110 , which is measured from the pivot point  123  to a cylindrical axis point  127  of the batting tee  112 , defines the contact path  122 . The operation of the swing arm  110  along the contact path  122  in conjunction with the positioning of the batting tee  112  relative to the home base  120  is discussed in greater detail below. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 2 , an attachment member  132  for coupling the swing arm  110  to the batting tee  112  may take the form of a boss, a lug or some other structural member. The attachment member  132  may be integrally formed with the swing arm  110  or a separate component. An extender  133  configured to receive the batting tee  112  may be connected to the attachment member  132 . These connections are described in greater detail below with respect to  FIG. 5 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the batting tee  112  takes the form of a telescoping batting tee having a lower segment  134  that telescopically and slidably receives an upper segment  136 . The upper segment  136  includes a lower portion  138  configured to slide into the lower segment  134 , an upper portion  140  configured to support the ball, a necked down portion to provide flexibility when the upper portion  140  is struck with a bat (not shown), and a cup or funnel shaped portion  144  configured to receive and support the ball. The batting tee  112  may be made from a durable rubber material, such as a natural rubber material and its thickness may be sufficient to withstand repeated impact strikes from the bat (not shown). 
       FIG. 3  shows the batting tee assembly  102  in a stored or portable configuration. The batting tee  112  is folded down onto the swing arm  110  and these components may be located at any desired orientation relative to the support base  108 . The handle  114  may be used to carry or otherwise move the batting tee assembly  102 . 
       FIG. 4  shows the support base  108  in a left-handed batting configuration, which may be achieved by simply flipping the support base  108  over. In other words, the home base  120 L is provided on mirror surfaces (i.e., top and bottom surfaces) of the support base  108 . The “L” refers to the support base  108  being in the left-handed batting configuration. 
       FIG. 5  shows an exploded view of the batting tee system  100  having the support base  108 , the swing arm  110  and the batting tee  112 . The support base  108  may include one or more reinforcement members  146 , which may be configured with a desired shape, thickness and structural properties. In the illustrated embodiment, the reinforcement member  146  takes the form of a corner reinforcement member  146  that may be coupled to the swing arm attachment region  116 . If the support base  108  is switched from a right-handed to a left-handed batting configuration, or vice versa, the reinforcement member  146  may be switched as well. In one embodiment, the reinforcement member  146  may be imbedded or overmolded into the support base  108  such that it remains permanently in place and may not be visible when looking downward at the base  108 . A fastening device  148  may be used to attach the swing arm  110 , the support base  108  and the corner reinforcement  146  together. In the hole forming the pivot point  123 , it is appreciated that a sleeve or liner (not shown) may be inserted to provide bearing protection for the support base  108 . In addition, the sleeve or liner may include internal threads for engaging the fastener  148 . In one embodiment, a range-of-motion limiter  147  may extend from the swing arm  110  and be received by a slot  149  formed in the reinforcement member  146 . Accordingly, the slot  149  may have a configuration, such as a desired curvature to limit or otherwise prevent the swing arm  110  from rotating beyond a desired amount relative to the support base  108 . 
     The batting tee  112  may be pin-connected with the swing arm  110  by way of the attachment member  132 , the extender  133  and a pin  150 . The attachment member  132  may take the form of a fitting having ears  152  coupled to a base member  154 , which in turn may be mechanically attached (e.g., bonded, fastened, welded, etc.) to the swing arm  110 . The extender  133 , likewise, may take the form of cylindrical member having a first end portion  156  distally located from a second end portion  158 . The first end portion  156  is sized to frictionally engage or threadably couple with a complementary-shaped boss  157  extending from the base member  154  while the second end portion  158  is sized to be telescopically received by the batting tee  112 . The fit between the aforementioned components may be sufficiently snug to frictionally prevent undesired rotation. The pin  150  operates to provide the pin-connection, thus permitting the batting tee  112  to be moved between the operational and portable configurations. When the batting tee system  100  is in the operational configuration, the pin  150  may be retained or otherwise held in place by conventional means, such as with a cotter pin (not shown). 
       FIGS. 6-9  show how the batting tee  112  may be adjusted to different heights. In  FIG. 6 , the batting tee  112  is shown at its minimum height. To achieve the minimum height, the upper segment  136  is telescopically moved into the lower segment  134  until a minimum height of the batting tee  112  is about twenty inches as measured from the support base  108  ( FIG. 2 ) to an upper edge of the cup-shaped portion  144 . 
     In  FIG. 7 , the batting tee  112  is shown at a mid-range height that may be achieved by using an intermediate member  160  having a lower portion  162  configured to be received by the lower segment  134  and an upper portion  164  configured to receive the upper segment  136 . 
       FIG. 8  shows the batting tee  112  at a maximum height by having the intermediate member  160  fully, telescopically extended and also having the upper segment  136  fully, telescopically extended. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper segment  136  includes a coupling portion  166  that is received by the intermediate member  160 . When the batting tee  112  includes the intermediate member  160 , the height of the batting tee  112  may be adjusted between about sixteen inches to about over fifty inches according to an embodiment of the invention. If the intermediate member  160  is not included, the height of the batting tee may be adjusted between about sixteen inches to about over thirty inches. In one embodiment, the batting tee  112  may not include an intermediate member, but still be adjustable to have a height over fifty inches. Nevertheless, it is appreciated that these defined adjustment heights are merely provided as examples and are not meant to limit the scope of the invention. 
       FIG. 9  shows a ball  168  having a target indicia or marking  170  and a directional indicia or marking  172 . The target indicia  170  may take the form of a bulls-eye marking to indicate where the batter should make contact with the bat when swinging. The directional indicia  172  may take the form of an arrow aligned with the target indicia  170 . The direction of the arrow indicates to the batter the general direction the ball should travel after being struck with the bat. The ball  168  may be made from a medium-density foam, rubber or other material that would provide sufficient weight and robustness while not allowing it to hurt property or persons if hit in an undesired direction or in an undesired manner. 
       FIG. 10  shows the netting system  106  having a frame assembly  174 , a netting material  176  coupled to the frame assembly  174 , and a plurality of indicators  178  arranged to provide feedback information to a batter regarding a direction of the ball  168  ( FIG. 9 ) after it has been struck with the bat (not shown). In the illustrated embodiment, the indicators  178  may take the form of numbered and/or colored targets or signs attached to the netting material  176 ; however other than alphanumeric symbols may be used. The indicators  178  provide an aiming point for the batter where the object is to strike the ball  168  ( FIG. 9 ) from the batting tee  112  such that the ball  168  hits or comes sufficiently close to a desired indicator  178 . For example, a right-handed batter hitting an inside pitch would aim for the first two indicators on the left side of the netting system  106 . Alternatively, a right-handed batter hitting an outside pitch would aim for the last two indicators on the right side of the netting system  106 . In addition to the indicators  178  being arranged in a left-to-right perspective relative to the frame assembly  174 , a height of the indicators  178  may also be selected to indicate that the batter hit the ball in a level manner. The number or indicators  178  and their location relative to the frame assembly  174  may be modified depending on an objective of the batter, a coach or a parent, for example. In the illustrated embodiment, there is not any netting material located behind the indicators  178 , but it is appreciated that the same or a lighter-duty netting material may be arranged behind the indicators  178  to prevent the ball from traveling too far. In one embodiment, the frame assembly  174  is made from aluminum, the netting material  176  is made from a polyethylene material, and the indicators  178  are made from a heavy duty nylon material. 
       FIGS. 11-13  are provided to describe the operation of the batting tee system, and more specifically to describe how the batting tee system may be utilized to help a batter properly hit different types of pitches.  FIG. 11  shows the swing arm  110  positioned to simulate a fast ball pitch where the ball  168  crosses the home plate  120  approximately in a straight line over a symmetrical centerline  180  of the home plate  120 . For a left-handed batter, the swing arm  110  is secured to a far side of the support base  108  relative to the batter&#39;s stance as indicated by the footprints  182 . 
       FIG. 12  shows the movement of the swing arm  110  along the contact path  122  with the batting tee assembly  102  set up with a ball  104  for a right-handed batter. The swing arm  110  may be rotatable relative to the support base  108  about the pivot point  123  such that the ball  104  may be positioned anywhere along the contact path  122  with incremental changes, as desired. In one embodiment, the swing arm  110  is movable through a circular, 360 degree, contact path  122 . Further, the positioning of the swing arm  110  relative to the home base  120  permits the batter to learn how to hit the ball  104  at a proper time as it crosses the home base  120 . By way of example, the batting tee assembly  102  teaches the right-handed batter to hit an inside pitch  184  just before the ball  104  moves across a front part of the home base  120 . Similarly, the batting tee assembly  102  teaches the right-handed batter to hit an outside pitch  186  after the ball  104  has already moved across the front part of the home base  120 . Thus, if the batter is not making proper contact with the ball  104 , the batter will learn to adjust his or her stance relative to the home base  120 . In addition, the batting tee assembly  102  may help the batter to adjust the speed and levelness of his or her bat swing. 
       FIG. 13  schematically illustrates a batting tee system  200  having a batting tee assembly  202 , a ball  204  and a feedback system  206 , where the latter may take the form of a netting system as described above. The batting tee system  200  attempts to replicate a live batting situation as it teaches and reinforces various hitting mechanics, such as, but not limited to, the batter&#39;s stance relative to home plate, arm extension for various types of pitches, recognition of various types of pitches, the bat-on-ball contact location relative to the home plate, bat speed, bat position, etc. For young batters in particular, the batting tee system  200  may be easily set up and adjusted to simulate a variety of pitches while providing immediate feedback based on the trajectory of the ball. By way of example and as shown in  FIG. 13 , the batting tee system  200  may help the right-handed batter learn the mechanics of how to hit an inside pitch  208  toward a left section  210  of the feedback system  206 , how to hit a straight pitch  212  toward a center section  214  of the feedback system  106 , and how to hit an outside pitch  216  toward a right section  218  of the feedback system. 
       FIG. 14  shows a batting tee system  300  according to another embodiment of the present invention. The batting tee system  300  includes a platform  302 , a swing arm  304  and a tee  306 . Aspects of the batting tee system  300  that are similar to or structurally consistent with the system described above will not be discussed in detail for purposes of brevity. In one embodiment, the platform  302  includes a support portion  308  having a recess to receive a plate  310 . In another embodiment, the plate  310  may be painted, stenciled or otherwise graphically framed onto the platform  302 . Preferably, the plate  310  is flush with the support portion  308 . In the illustrated embodiment, the support portion  308  includes engagement features  312  for connecting to a stance guide  314  ( FIG. 15 ). The engagement features  312  may take a variety of forms, such as the tapered female notches shown in  FIG. 14 . 
       FIG. 15  shows an exploded view of the batting tee system  300  except that the stance guide  314  is coupled to the support portion  308 . The stance guide  314  may take the form of a strip with visible indications  315  that remind or instruct the batter how to position their feet relative to home plate  310 . By way of example, some players unwittingly adjust their stance forward or backward even when a certain pitch or pitching style does not warrant such adjustment. Thus, the stance guide  314  permits batters to recognize slight forward or backward adjustments that could adversely affect how they may ultimately hit the ball. The swing arm  304  includes a lockdown knob  318 , an arm member  320 , and a tee support member  322 , which is hinged to the arm member  320  with a hinge  324 . In addition, the hinge  324  may be locked or unlocked with a movable clip  328 . 
     The tee  306  may take the form of a telescoping tee with multiple segments that nest within each other. In the illustrated embodiment, the tee  306  includes a base tee segment  330 , an intermediate tee segment  332 , and a top tee segment  334 . A cup  336  to hold a ball is removably receivable into the top tee segment  334 . 
       FIG. 16  shows the cup  336  having a ball support portion  338 , a flexible portion  340 , and an engagement portion  342 . In one embodiment, the ball support portion  338  takes the form of a continuous walled cylinder or cone, optionally with a thicker walled region near its top, and may be produced in different diameter shapes depending on the type of ball being hit (e.g., a baseball versus a softball). The engagement portion  340  may take the form of a tapered member  344  with a cross member  346  that is received into the top tee segment  334 . The cross member  346  is an optional component because the tapered member  344  may be configured to provide a friction, interference fit with the top tee segment  334 , thus negating the need for the cross member  346 . In the illustrated embodiment, the cross member  346  takes the form of a T-shaped cross member  346  that permits the cup  336  to be keyed or locked with respect to the tee  306 , which in turn makes it remain more stable during repeated use. The cross member  346  may have other configurations besides T-shaped as long as it preferably locks into the tee  304 . 
     The flexible portion  340  is configured to be bendable, durable, and replaceable. In one embodiment, a mid, cross-sectional bending stiffness of the flexible portion  340  is less than a mid, cross-sectional bending stiffness of the ball support portion  338 . Regardless of the bending stiffness, the flexible portion  340  is predisposed to bend before the ball support portion when a ball is hit off of the batting tee. The resiliency of the flexible portion  340  and hence its predisposition to bending before the ball support portion  338  may be achieved through one or more structural configurations, such as controlling a wall thickness  348 , controlling the material properties, selectively arranging slots or apertures  350  between strips or webs  352 , by providing a bulged-out or arcuate shape  354  relative to the ball support portion  338 , or some combination thereof. One of these configurations or any combination of them may adequately support the ball while permitting the cup  336  to flex such that the batter barely notices, or may not even notice, any bounce back or resistance from the batting tee. In conventional batting tee systems, the cup typically made from a resilient rubber that is generally cone shaped or cylindrically shaped, and includes a stiffness that provides an undesired bounce back or recoil when a ball is hit off the tee. In contrast and in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the predisposed ability of the flexible portion  340  to easily bend eliminates or substantially eliminates any such bounce back or sensed swing feedback. 
       FIG. 17  shows the cup  336  with the cross member  346  configured to engage a complementary receiving portion  356  of the top tee segment  334 . The receiving portion  356  may take the form of a shoulder or ledge that permits the cross member  346  to clear when rotated in one direction, but then retains the cross member  346  when the cup  336  is rotated by a desired angle, for example about ninety degrees, but appreciating that only a slight amount of rotation may be sufficient to retain the cup  336  relative to the tee segment  334 . 
       FIG. 18  shows a platform  402  having an extended support portion  408  and a home plate  410  recessed into the support portion  408 . The extended support portion  408  may allow for additional adjustments depending on a variety of factors such as, but not limited to a height of the batter, swinging style, distance to pitching mound, etc. In addition, the platform  402  includes engagement regions  412 , which may take the form of notches or protruding tabs. The engagement regions  412  are configured to engage with the stance guide  314  ( FIG. 15 ). 
       FIG. 19  shows a batting tee system  400  according to another embodiment of the present invention. The batting tee system  400  includes the platform  402 , a swing arm  404 , and a batting tee  406 . The platform  402  includes the extend support portion  408  and plate  410 . The swing arm  404  includes three segments as shown in the illustrated embodiment. By way of example, the swing arm  404  includes a batting tee support segment  414 , a plate segment  416  that rotates substantially over the plate  410 , and an extension segment  418  that permits the batting tee support segment  414  to be slid or otherwise adjusted relative to the plate segment  416 . Once the batting support segment  414  is in a desired location relative to the platform  402  then it may be secured with knob  420  according to an embodiment of the present invention. Optionally, the plate segment  414  may be locked or secured to the platform  402  using a lever  422  instead of the knob  318  of  FIG. 15 . 
       FIG. 20  shows the batting tee system  400  of  FIG. 19  with telescoping segments  430 ,  432 ,  434  of the batting tee  406  fully extended.  FIG. 20  shows the batting tee system of  FIG. 19  with the batting tee  406  being rotated relative to the swing arm  404 . In the illustrated embodiment, a locking clip  428  has been pulled to permit rotation of the batting tee  406  about a hinge  424 .  FIG. 22  shows the batting tee  406  in a stored configuration with respect to the swing arm  404  and the platform  402 . 
       FIG. 23  shows a target  500  that may be placed a desired distance from the batter. In the illustrated embodiment, the target  500  includes a frame  502 , a contact indicator  504 , and a support base  506 . The indicator  504  may take the form of a swingable or rotatable plate bearing indicia  505 , which may take the form of an alphanumeric character or some other graphic or symbol, which preferably corresponds to characters or symbols carried by the platform  402  ( FIG. 22 ). The indicator  504  may be clipped, tied, or otherwise coupled to the frame  502  via openings  508  that permit rotation of the indicator upon contact by a ball. Optionally, the target  500  may include a carrying handle  510 , which may take the form of an opening in a top portion of the frame  502 . 
     Hitting the ball effectively is an important skill in any bat-and-ball type game. Often times, teams are formed around the so-called good hitters. The batting tee systems described herein provide a cost effective way for a batter to improve his or her hitting mechanics. In addition, the batting tee system may be assembled and set-up such that even persons who have never played a bat-and-ball sport may assist a young batter with the proper mechanics. 
     While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the disclosure of the preferred embodiment. Instead, the invention should be determined by reference to the claims that follow.