Abstract:
Methods and apparatuses for training athletes are described. Specifically, in one embodiment, a wooden baseball training bat is shown. The training bat permits development of fundamental swinging techniques by using weights that are strategically located along different axial locations of the training bat. The training bat&#39;s knob-loaded design forces the hands to stay inside the ball during the swing, and to prevent casting and other mechanical breakdowns.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application patent application Ser. No. 61/280,102, filed Oct. 30, 2009, having the title “Hands-n-Speedtrainer,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates generally to sports, and more particularly, to systems and methods for training athletes. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Aluminum bats enable a batter to hit a baseball an average of fifteen percent (15%) farther and have a sweet spot that is approximately six (6) inches larger than wooden bats. As a result, batters who rely on aluminum bats for training are often lulled into a false sense of confidence concerning their hitting ability. Aluminum bats do, however, facilitate development of proper mechanics involved in correctly and effectively swinging a baseball bat at maximum speed. 
         [0004]    Training bats currently on the market are overloaded in the barrel, which cause a casting effect and other mechanical breakdowns in the batter&#39;s swing. Reliance on aluminum and barrel-loaded bats can result in many batters&#39; failure to hit at a professional level, where only wooden bats are used. 
         [0005]    Thus, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the industry to address the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The present disclosure provides methods and apparatuses for training athletes. 
         [0007]    Briefly described, in architecture, one embodiment of the apparatus is a baseball bat with two weighted segments. In addition to typical components of a baseball bat (e.g., a knob, a handle, and a barrel), one embodiment of the inventive bat comprises a weight below the knob, and a counterweight above the handle. These weighted segments (weight and counterweight) allow for proper development of hand mechanics without fewer mechanically-detrimental effects than currently-existing training bats. 
         [0008]    Other systems, devices, methods, features, and advantages will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present disclosure, and be protected by the accompanying claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    Many aspects of the disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  shows one embodiment of a training bat. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0011]    Reference is now made in detail to the description of the embodiments as illustrated in the drawings. While several embodiments are described in connection with these drawings, there is no intent to limit the disclosure to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed herein. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents. 
         [0012]    The inventive baseball training bat is the first training bat that is designed to fully develop the necessary mechanics to transition to professional-level hitting by helping a batter create true power in his swing. Its front-knob-loaded design forces the batter to develop the proper hand path to the ball, thereby increasing bat speed and hitting distance through natural and proper mechanics, and not due to the composition of the bat or an enlarged sweet spot. The inventive baseball training bat allows for proper development of hand mechanics, power, and bat swing through repeated training. 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  shows one embodiment of a training bat. In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the bat is a wooden training bat that exhibits axial symmetry. Starting from one end (designated as a proximal end) and moving axially toward the other end (designated as the distal end), the wooden training bat comprises a weight  140 , a knob  150 , a handle  130 , a counterweight  120 , and a barrel  110 . 
         [0014]    For some embodiments, the weight  140  is integrally formed from the same wood as the bat. Preferably, the weight  140  exhibits axial symmetry, and has a circular cross-section. For the preferred embodiment, the weight  140  has an axial length of approximately 1.8 inches, and a cross-sectional diameter of approximately 2.5 inches. This gives the weight  140  a substantially cylindrical shape. 
         [0015]    Moving distally along the bat is the knob  150 . Since the knob  150  itself is no different from conventional knobs on conventional baseball bats, further discussion of the knob  150  is omitted herein. 
         [0016]    Tapering down from the knob  150  is the handle  130  for grasping the bat. In a preferred embodiment, the handle  130  is an axially-symmetric shaft that is approximately 10.25 inches in length. Since the handle  130  is also similar to those in conventional baseball bats, further discussion of the handle  130  is omitted here. 
         [0017]    Distal to the handle  130  is the counterweight  120 . The counterweight  120  is located on the axially-distal side of the handle  130 , thereby providing a counterbalance for the weight  140  that is located on the axially-proximal side of the handle  130 . For some embodiments, the counterweight  120  is simply a “bulge” that is carved of the same wood as the bat. In a preferred embodiment, the counterweight  140  is an axially-symmetric segment that has a substantially-circular cross-sectional area. Thus, for the preferred embodiment, the counterweight  140  appears substantially cylindrical. In the preferred embodiment, the counterweight has an axial length of approximately 3.35 inches, and a cross-sectional diameter of approximately 2.5 inches. Given these dimensions, and given that the counterweight  120  in this embodiment is crafted from the same wood as the weight  140 , the counterweight  120  is heavier than the weight  140 . 
         [0018]    Extending distally from the counterweight  120  is the barrel  110 . The barrel  110  is tapered such that the greater cross-sectional area is located at the distal end of the bat, while the smaller cross-sectional area is located more proximally, and closer to the counterweight  120 . 
         [0019]    In total, in its preferred embodiment, the length of the bat is approximately 34 inches, which is the typical regulation length of a baseball bat. 
         [0020]    Although exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, it will be clear to those of ordinary skill in the art that a number of changes, modifications, or alterations to the disclosure as described may be made. For example, while the preferred embodiment shows the weigh  140  being located at the proximal end of the bat, one should appreciate that the weight  140  need not be at the very end of the bat. Instead, emphasis being placed on the fact that the weight  140  and the counterweight  120  are located below and above the handle  130 , respectively, thereby providing a balanced weight distribution on either side of the handle  130 . In other words, what is important is that the weight  140  and the counterweight  120  provide a sufficient increase in angular momentum of the bat as a user swings the bat by holding the handle  130 . This distribution of mass provides the means by which the user develops proper hand mechanics. 
         [0021]    Additionally, while specific dimensions are provided to better enable a manufacturer to practice the best mode for the training bat, it should be appreciated that the lengths, diameters, and other dimensions of the bat can be altered without adversely affecting the function of the inventive bat. 
         [0022]    Furthermore, while the preferred embodiment shows the training bat being fabricated from a single piece of wood, with each of the segments  110 ,  120 ,  130 ,  140 ,  150  being carved from the wood, it should be appreciated that the weight  140  and counterweight  120  can be appended to the wooden bat, rather than being an integrated part of the same wooden bat. 
         [0023]    Lastly, while the preferred embodiment shows a wooden baseball training bat, one should appreciate that the disclosed concept can be extended to bats that are made of other materials, and also to softball bats and other similar sporting equipment in which proper hand mechanics are important. 
         [0024]    All such changes, modifications, and alterations should therefore be seen as within the scope of the disclosure.