Portable batting practise cage and method of using the same

Abstract

A portable batting practise cage and method of use of the same. The portable batting practise cage includes several support poles and a non-supporting mesh shell. The shell has a substantially planar end wall, depending anchor lines and several transversely extending rows of externally positioned loops. The shell is supported and held erect by inserting one of the several support poles through each of the several transversely positioned rows of externally positioned loops, and anchoring the mesh shell to a ground surface by means of the anchor lines. A pitching port is provided through the planar end wall of the shell, enabling a pitcher positioned outside of the structure to pitch to a batter positioned within the mesh shell.

The embodiments of the invention in which in an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:  
     
         1 . A Method Of Using A Portable Batting Practise Cage, comprising the steps of: 
 firstly, providing a portable batting practise cage comprising:    several support poles;    a non-supporting mesh shell having a substantially planar end wall, depending anchor lines and several transversely extending rows of externally positioned loops; and    a pitching port through the planar end wall of the shell;    secondly, erecting the shell erect by inserting one of the several support poles through each of the several transversely positioned rows of externally positioned loops, and anchoring the mesh shell to a ground surface by means of the anchor lines;    thirdly, positioning a pitcher outside of the shell and having the pitcher pitch balls through the port to a batter positioned inside of the shell.    
     
     
         2 . A Portable Batting Practise Cage, comprising: 
 several support poles;    a non-supporting mesh shell having a substantially planar end wall, depending anchor lines and several transversely extending rows of externally positioned loops, such that the shell is supported and held erect by inserting one of the several support poles through each of the several transversely positioned rows of externally positioned loops, and anchoring the mesh shell to a ground surface by means of the anchor lines; and    a pitching port through the planar end wall of the shell.    
     
     
         3 . The Portable Batting Practise Cage as defined in  claim 2 , wherein the mesh shell is a dome.  
     
     
         4 . The Portable Batting Practise Cage as defined in  claim 2 , wherein each of the several support poles is capable of bending to assume an arch configuration.  
     
     
         5 . The Portable Batting Practise Cage as defined in  claim 2 , wherein ends of each of the several transversely extending rows of externally positioned loops terminate in tabs with pole engaging members.  
     
     
         6 . The Portable Batting Practise Cage as defined in  claim 2 , wherein at least one closure is provided for blocking off a portion of the pitching port.  
     
     
         7 . The Portable Batting Practise Cage as defined in  claim 6 , wherein a lower closure is provided for blocking off a lower portion of the pitching port and an upper closure is provided for blocking off an upper portion of the pitching port.  
     
     
         8 . The Portable Batting Practise Cage as defined in  claim 2 , wherein the support poles are foldable for storage.  
     
     
         9 . The Portable Batting Practise Cage as defined in  claim 8 , in combination with a carrying bag.  
     
     
         10 . A Portable Batting Practise Cage, comprising: 
 several flexible support poles having opposed ends, the support poles being capable of bending to assume an arch configuration, the support poles consisting of a plurality of interlocking sections held together with a flexible line that enables the support poles to be foldable for storage;    a non-supporting mesh dome shell having a substantially planar end wall, depending anchor lines and several transversely extending rows of externally positioned loops having ends terminating in tabs with pole engaging members, such that the mesh dome shell is supported and held erect by inserting one of the several flexible support poles through each of the several transversely positioned rows of externally positioned loops, securing the opposed ends of the poles to the pole engaging members to maintain the each of the support poles in an arch configuration and anchoring the mesh dome shell to a ground surface by means of the anchor lines; and    a pitching port through the planar end wall of the dome shell.    
     
     
         11 . The Portable Batting Practise Cage as defined in  claim 10 , wherein a closure is provided for blocking off a portion of the pitching port.  
     
     
         12 . The Portable Batting Practise Cage as defined in  claim 11 , wherein a lower closure is provided for blocking off a lower portion of the pitching port and an upper closure is provided for blocking off an upper portion of the pitching port.  
     
     
         13 . The Portable Batting Practise Cage as defined in  claim 10 , in combination with a carrying bag.