Training bat and method

Abstract

The training bat of the present invention has a length and weight substantially equivalent to that of a conventional bat. The training bat is comprised of a barrel section, a handle, and a transition section intermediate to the barrel section and the handle section. The barrel section has a diameter which is smaller than that of a conventional bat. However, the barrel section also includes a weighted member such that the training bat has a weight which is substantially equivalent to that of a conventional bat. The present invention also provides a swing training method which utilizes the training bat described above. The method involves a batter swinging at a baseball with the training bat having the reduced diameter barrel section. Next, the batter swings at the baseball with a conventional bat. That step is followed by the batter swinging at a ball having a smaller diameter such as a golf ball using the training bat and then using the conventional bat.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A training bat comprising: 
 a barrel section having a diameter, said diameter being smaller than that of a conventional bat; and    a handle section operatively connected to said barrel section;    wherein said training bat has a length and a weight which are substantially equivalent to the length and weight of a conventional bat.    
     
     
         2 . The training bat of    claim 1   , further wherein said barrel section includes a weighted member such that the weight of the training bat is substantially equivalent to that of a conventional bat having a length substantially equivalent to the length of said training bat.  
     
     
         3 . The training bat of    claim 1   , said barrel section made from a material selected from the group consisting of wood, aluminum, aluminum-titanium alloys, beryllium, and plastic composite.  
     
     
         4 . A training bat comprising: 
 a barrel section having a diameter, said diameter being smaller than the diameters of the barrel sections of respective conventional Little League, baseball, and softball bats, where the diameters of said respective conventional bats range between about 2 ¼ inches and about 2 ¾ inches; and    a handle section operatively connected to said barrel section;    wherein said training bat has a length and a weight which are substantially equivalent to the length and weight of said respective conventional bats.    
     
     
         5 . The training bat of    claim 4   , further wherein said barrel section includes a weighted member such that the weight of the training bat is substantially equivalent to that of said respective conventional bats having a length substantially equivalent to the length of said training bat.  
     
     
         6 . The training bat of    claim 4   , said barrel section made from a material selected from the group consisting of wood, aluminum, aluminum-titanium alloys, beryllium, and plastic composite.  
     
     
         7 . A training bat comprising: 
 a barrel section having a diameter in the range between about 1 ½ inches and about 1 ¼ inches; and    a handle section operatively connected to said barrel section;    wherein said training bat has a length and a weight which are substantially equivalent to the length and weight of a respective conventional Little League, baseball, or softball bat.    
     
     
         8 . The training bat of    claim 7   , further wherein said barrel section includes a weighted member such that the weight of the training bat is substantially equivalent to that of said respective conventional bats having a length substantially equivalent to the length of said training bat.  
     
     
         9 . The training bat of    claim 7   , said barrel section made from a material selected from the group consisting of wood, aluminum, aluminum-titanium alloys, beryllium, and plastic composite.  
     
     
         10 . A swing training method, comprising: 
 swinging at a first ball having a first diameter with a training bat having a barrel section with a diameter, the training bat having a weight and length substantially equivalent to the weight and length of a respective conventional Little League, baseball, or softball bat;    swinging at said first ball with one of the respective conventional bats;    swinging at a second ball having a second diameter smaller than said first diameter with said training bat; and    swinging at said second ball with the same one of the respective conventional bats.    
     
     
         11 . A swing training method, comprising: 
 swinging at a first ball having a first diameter with a training bat having a barrel section having a diameter, said diameter being smaller than the diameters of the barrel sections of respective conventional Little League, baseball, and softball bats, where the diameters of said respective conventional bats range between about 2 ¼ inches and about 2 ¾ inches, the training bat having a weight and length substantially equivalent to the weight and length of a conventional bat;    swinging at said first ball with one of the respective conventional bats;    swinging at a second ball having a second diameter smaller than said first diameter with said training bat; and    swinging at said second ball with the same one of the respective conventional bats.    
     
     
         12 . A swing training method, comprising: 
 swinging at a first ball having a first diameter with a training bat having a barrel section with a diameter in the range between about 1 ½ inches and about 1 ¼ inches, the training bat having a weight and length substantially equivalent to the weight and length of a respective conventional Little League, baseball, or softball bat;    swinging at said first ball with one of the respective conventional bats;    swinging at a second ball having a second diameter smaller than said first diameter with said training bat; and    swinging at said second ball with the same one of the respective conventional bats.