Abstract:
A device and method of use in learning, practicing and perfecting softball pitching motions comprising, a practice glove worn on the pitching hand having multiple finger portions each with an extending indicator element removably positioned thereon. The indicator elements extending as independent elongated flexible bands removably secured and attached on the ends of index finger portion tabs of the adjacent finger portion. By practicing the pitching motion, the relative position of the indicator bands will confirm and teach proper pitching arm and hand position through the multiple underhand pitching sequence of softball pitching action.

Description:
This is a continuation in part of application of Ser. No. 11/166,814, filed Jun. 27, 2005 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,244,197. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Technical Field 
   This device and method relates to the teaching of proper softball pitching techniques to improve the pitching mechanics of the pitcher. 
   2. Description of Prior Art 
   Prior art devices of this type are unknown for softball pitching. A variety of sports related devices have been developed to teach proper sports form and mechanics, see for example U.S. Pat. No. 3,997,159 on a tennis training device that has a weighted flexible tether that is grasped at one end and swung forward using the motion associated with the exaggerated throwing of a baseball to teach the proper arm stroke used in tennis. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,253,664 discloses another tennis training device that uses a pair of weighted elongated pouches attached to a handle at one end. 
   A baseball glove with an automatic ball return device is claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,753,442 that is used with a baseball glove and has a baseball attached to the end of a flexible line. The other end of the line extends from a retractable spool positioned on the backside of a baseball glove. 
   In U.S. Pat. No. 5,876,292 a golf training aid is disclosed using a clicker which is slidably positioned on an extension element from the golfer&#39;s wrist. 
   Finally, in U.S. Patent Publication US 2003/0210905 A1 a dual purpose child&#39;s baseball glove is disclosed having a baseball secured to the end of the resilient tether extending from the ball and attached on the other end to the glove. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A softball method and teaching device for pitching in which a specialized sports glove is used by the pitcher to simulate the action of underhand pitching of a softball. The glove has positioning indicator strips removably positioned on the ends of its multiple finger portions to provide for a visual indicator of the pitching arm and hand position during the act of pitching. By following a set of method steps the correct arm and hand action position can be taught and confirmed by the resulting positioning of the indicator strips in relation to the pitcher&#39;s body. 

   
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an enlarged perspective view of the back side of the training glove of the invention on a hand of a pitcher. 
       FIG. 2  is an enlarged perspective view of the palm side of the training glove. 
       FIG. 3  is an enlarged side elevational view of the of the attachment tabs. 
       FIG. 4  is a partial perspective view illustrating the first indicator position of the pitcher with the training glove of the invention. 
       FIG. 5  is a partial perspective view illustrating the second indication position of a pitcher with the training glove. 
       FIG. 6  is a partial perspective view of the third indicator position. 
       FIG. 7  is a partial perspective view of the fourth indicator position. 
       FIG. 8  is a partial perspective view of the fifth indicator position. 
       FIG. 9  is a partial perspective view of the sixth indicator position of the invention. 
       FIG. 10  is a partial perspective view of the final indicator position. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3  of the drawings, a training glove  10  of the invention for teaching softball pitching can be seen. The glove  10  has three finger portions  11 ,  12 , and  13  and a backhand portion  14 . A palm portion  15  which interconnects the hereinbefore described finger portions with an integral removable secured wrist engagement band  16  extending in overlapping relationship having co-dependent inter-engaging hooked loop fasteners  17  and  18  respectively thereon to form an adjustable closure thereabout. 
   The finger portion  11  defined as the “index finger” has a position indicator band  19  of the invention removably secured on a finger extension tab  19 A extending from an end tip portion  11 A. The indicator band  19  is of an elongated flat flexible synthetic fabric material of extended length as will be described in greater detail hereinafter. The indicator band  19  is of a transverse dimension equal to that of the finger portion  11  from which it extends and is flexible, as noted, due to its extended length and the properties of the material from which it is made. The indicator band  19  has attachment fastener elements  20  and  21  thereon for selective registration to corresponding fastener elements  20 A and  21 A attached to the extension tab  19 A. 
   A second indicator band  22  is removably secured on a finger extension tab  22 A extending from an end tip  12 A of the finger portion  12  adjacent that of the first “index” finger portion  11 . The second indicator band  22  is of the same material and dimensional characteristics as of the first indicator band  19  as hereinbefore described with fastener elements  23  and  24  thereon for engagement with corresponding fasteners elements  23 A and  24  A on its finger extension tab  12  A and are of an interlocking nature such as “snap” fasteners and hook and loop material  25  “Velcro”® as best seen in  FIG. 3  of the drawings. 
   A third indicator band  26  of the invention is removably secured on a finger extension tab  26 A extending from an end tip  13 A of the finger portion  13  adjacent to the hereinbefore described finger portion  13 . The indicator band  26  also has fastener elements  27  and  28  for registering with corresponding fastener elements  27 A and  28 A of the same configuration as hereinbefore described. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 4-10  of the drawings, a glove hand  29  and pitching arm  30  positions of the training glove  10 &#39;s indicator bands  19 ,  22 , and  26  are illustrated for softball pitching motion in which a pitching arm  30  position and action are different for the underhand throwing style of fast pitch softball as will be well understood by those skilled in the art. 
   In  FIG. 4  of the drawings specifically a hand relaxed position is shown with the pitching arm  30  extending downwardly and accordingly the indicator bands  19 ,  22 , and  26  of the invention hanging straight down from the training glove  10 . 
   In  FIG. 5  of the drawings, the illustrated portion of the softball pitch mechanics is illustrated as the pitching hand  29  swings forward with the wrist  31  caulked backwards. The indicator bands  19 ,  22 , and  26  will then lie across if properly done the palm portion  15  with the remaining sections of the bands hanging straight down. This “setting” of the wrist is a position in which the hand is snapped forward upon release during the pitching action. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 6  of the drawings, an illustration of the hand  29  rotation towards the third base of a playing field (not shown) for right hand pitchers keeping the wrist  31  caulked back so that the indicator bands  19 ,  22 , and  26  lay across the palm  15  of the hand  29  and hang straight down thus setting the wrist  31  in position to “snap” forward upon release during the pitching action. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 7  of the drawings, the pitcher&#39;s hand  29  is shown as rotating back towards the second base of the softball field (not shown) again keeping the wrist  31  caulked back with the indicator bands  19 ,  22 , and  26  laying thereacross and hanging straight down. This keeps the wrist in position to “snap” forward. 
   For a fastball pitch as seen in  FIG. 8  of the drawings illustrating the arm  30  rotating to throw the ball (not shown) with the wrist  31  “snaps” forward with the indicator bands  19 ,  22 , and  26  flying over and landing on the shoulder  32  of the player P ensuring proper fastball technique for softball which will be evident to those skilled in the art. 
   In  FIG. 9  of the drawings, the proper position of indicator bands  19 ,  22 , and  26  are shown for throwing a “rise ball”. The pitching arm  30  rotates to throw the ball to the plate (not shown) with the wrist  31  now “snaps” forward with the indicator bands  19 ,  22 , and  26  flying away. The indicator bands  19 ,  22 , and  26  must fly forward towards first base or third base of a playing field (not shown) depending on a right hand or a left hand pitcher away from the throwing shoulder. This position of the indicator bands  19 ,  22 , and  26  will indicate a proper “rise ball” technique has been followed. 
   Finally, in  FIG. 10  of the drawings, a proper “curve” ball technique is illustrated for underhanded softball pitching so as the pitching arm  30  rotates the wrist  31  which now “snaps” forward with the result that the indicator bands  19 ,  22 , and  26  of the invention fly transversely across the pitcher&#39;s body B. Specifically, the indicator bands  19 ,  22 , and  26  must fly towards first base or third base of the field (not shown) as noted above and across the pitcher&#39;s stomach  33 . 
   Referring back now to  FIGS. 1 and 2  of the drawings, length adjustment tabs  34  can be seen secured to and extending from the respective indicator bands  19 ,  22 , and  26  at right angles thereto. The tabs  34  have opposily disposed hook and loop fastening material so as to be engageable on itself around the respective indicator bands when doubled back on themselves this for shortening the overall length of the respective band when secured by wrapping with the adjustment tabs  34  secured to themselves. 
   It will be seen from the above description and illustrations that by use of the training glove  10  and the integral indicating bands  19 ,  22 , and  26  of the invention a visual indication system of proper softball pitching techniques has been disclosed. It will thus be seen that a new and novel softball training glove has been illustrated and described and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention.