Games using tangible projectile – Playing field or court game; game element or accessory... – Practice or training device
Reexamination Certificate
2001-08-08
2002-12-31
Sewell, Paul T. (Department: 3711)
Games using tangible projectile
Playing field or court game; game element or accessory...
Practice or training device
C473S422000, C473S497000, C473S218000, C473S270000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06500078
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a training device for baseball pitchers. More specifically, it relates to a portable, lightweight training device which can be used with equal effectiveness by either left or right-handed pitchers and can be used indoors in a gymnasium or outdoors on a practice field.
It is well known that a significant number of our youth participate in the game of baseball. At very early ages players start with T-ball and progressively move through the ranks of organized baseball during their early teens. It is also a well known fact that good habits are very important to develop and instill in a player's routine. All positions on a baseball team require physical endurance and coordination. However, the position of pitcher requires specialized training above and beyond that which is required of all other positions. An effective pitcher plays a protective role in the outcome of a game while the remaining players play a reactive role. Therefore, the earlier a youngster is taught the proper mechanics of pitching, it will become second nature for him to step onto the mound and proceed in a manner that will utilize his practice and training in an effective manner.
A “healthy” body, proper pitching mechanics, confidence and self-control are necessary for successful baseball pitching. This invention is intended to help with the development of these physical and mental factors.
Baseball statistics have shown that a pitcher's first pitch is the most important pitch. It has been found that first pitches that are a strike, result in a significantly greater percentage of batter outs than when the first pitch is a ball. It has also been found that repetition in practice sessions where the pitcher properly repeats the body positioning and motions required for a striker, coupled with the watchful eye of a coach and his constructive criticism are the keys to successful pitching.
A pitching must utilize proper body mechanics in order to develop optimum pitch velocity, controlled placement and the intended spin. Pitch delivery mechanics are frequently described as pitching from the “full wind-up” position, or pitching from the “stretch” position. The “full wind-up” position is typically used when no runners are on base. Occasionally, this delivery is used when the bases are loaded or there is a runner on third base only.
Alternatively, the pitcher may use the “stretch” delivery when a runner is on third base, or the bases are loaded. With a runner on first and/or second base, the pitcher will certainly deliver from the “stretch” position, because this position enables the pitcher to pivot rapidly, facilitating a quicker throw to “pick-off” the base runner.
Increasingly, some relief pitchers favor delivery from the “stretch” position for most all situations, because it reduces the number of steps required to deliver the pitch. Fewer delivery steps reduces the risks of errors in body mechanics and conserves energy during the pitching process. This invention is intended to help develop proper body mechanics for both types of delivery, the “full wind-up” position (
FIGS. 11-16
) and the “stretch” position (FIGS.
6
-
10
), as described hereinafter.
It is for the above stated reasons that applicants have designed the subject pitcher's training device to aid in the development of proper pitching mechanics, a “healthy” body and a confident mind.
DISCUSSION OF THE KNOWN PRIOR ART
A search of the pertinent subclasses in Class 473 and Class 482 revealed the following prior art:
U.S. Pat. No. 4,666,155—issued to Stilie on May 19, 1967, discloses an artificial pitching mound/pad per se. It is implanted or placed on a natural earth formed pitching mound and is comprised of a resilient friction pad which is received in a fiberglass base member and rim which conforms to the shape of the pad. Positioned on the upper surface of the resilient pad is a raised rear support surface accommodating the pitcher while standing prior to the delivery of a pitch. A ledge is formed in the contoured pitching surface for a pitching abutment block that is commonly referred to as the “pitching rubber”. Between the base member and the pitching abutment block is a lower support surface which includes a pitching runway extending from the forward edge of the support surface to the end of the pad. Although this device has some similarities to the subject invention, it also has significant differences. The Stilie device does not include an adjustment feature for accommodating players of different leg length and most importantly, the “pitching runaway” is wider than the abutment block thus allowing the pitcher's body to turn and rotate excessively to the left or right thus resulting in a delivery which is “outside” of the plate producing a “ball” rather than a “strike”.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,000,449—issued to Weeks on May 19, 1999, discloses a pitching trainer which includes a target area consisting of a net device. It further includes a mat having a simulative pitcher's “rubber” with marked regions for placement of a pitcher's feet thereover and a landing area for each foot separated by a divider. Additionally, a tee mechanism is mounted on a telescoping support extending from a base. The tee is designed to receive one ball at a time and is located with respect to the mat in such a manner that the pitcher, standing on the foot receiving portion of the mat will grasp a ball from the tee only when the pitcher's stance is appropriate for throwing the ball in the correct manner. The Weeks device includes many components which have nothing to do with the pitcher's delivery of the ball, except for the mat which includes a divider in the center thereof which forces the pitcher's feet to the left or right thereof thus ensuring that a twisting or rotating motion is imparted to the pitcher's upper body with a resulting pitch out of the strike zone for a ball.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,458,889—issued to Barton on Oct. 2, 1991, discloses a portable pitching mound and an attached home plate. The mound body includes a raised level portion which includes the pitching “rubber”. A depression area includes soft soil-like material and the rubber and a landing area forward of the mound. The home plate is attached to the periphery of the mound by a calibrated line. Markings are provided on the periphery of the landing area permitting the user to check his stride length. Here again, there is nothing in this disclosure which will train a pitcher to land his foot in a specification area while keeping his upper body in a particular orientation to assure direct alignment with the catcher's mitt during delivery to the strike zone.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,102,818—issued to Hamilton on Aug. 15, 2000, discloses a stance and stride training device in
FIGS. 5 & 6
. The stance and stride mat is reversible and can be used for batting or throwing training. The mat includes stance stripes for positioning the user's feet and is used for training a thrower, there is no mention in this disclosure of training a pitcher.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,139,450—issued to Rivers on Oct. 3, 2000, discloses a multi-component device with adjustable components to aid in training a pitcher to success fully strike a target. The only similarity to applicant's device is the fact that they are both concerned with training a pitcher. The apparatus by which this is accomplished is completely different from applicants' device.
As can be seen from the above cited art, many attempts have bee made to provide a pitcher with the proper training to improve his pitching abilities. However, there still remains a need for a training device, which will train a pitcher for delivery from the “full wind-up” or “stretch” position wherein a specific location is required for the pitcher to land his foot during delivery without turning or rotating his upper or lower body excessively to the left or right of the intended target to enable a direct line of flight for the ball on its way to the catcher's mitt resultin
Williams Eric A.
Williams Mark F.
Aryanpour Mitra
Husar Esq. C. J.
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