Training ball bat having a detachable ball-striking element

Abstract

A training bat includes a handle having proximal and distal ends, an elongate ball-striking element having proximal and distal ends, and a connecting rod connected at the distal end of the handle for receiving the proximal end of the ball-striking element and detachably connecting thereto. The ball-striking element has a diameter no greater than one-half the diameter of a conventional baseball bat to provide a training effect as the bat is used to swing at a ball pitched to a batter. Weights may be removed and added as desired to change the weight of the bat by removing the ball-striking element from the connecting rod, placing the desired number of weights on the connecting rod and reconnecting the ball-striking element to the connecting rod. The training bat has the length and weight of a conventional bat to maximize the training bat's effectiveness in developing hitting ability.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A training bat, comprising: 
 (a) a handle having proximal and distal ends;    (b) an elongate ball-striking element having a diameter no greater than one-half the diameter of a conventional baseball bat for providing a training effect as the bat is used to swing at a ball; and    (c) a connecting member connected at the distal end of said handle for receiving said ball-striking element and detachably connecting thereto.    
     
     
         2 . A training bat according to  claim 1 , wherein said handle conforms in shape and size to a handle of a conventional baseball bat.  
     
     
         3 . A training bat according to  claim 1 , wherein said ball-striking element comprises a metallic rod.  
     
     
         4 . A training bat according to  claim 1 , wherein said ball-striking element extends outwardly from said handle and the combined length of said handle and said ball-striking element are equivalent to the length of a conventional baseball bat.  
     
     
         5 . A training bat according to  claim 1 , wherein the weight of the training bat is equivalent to the weight of a conventional baseball bat.  
     
     
         6 . A training bat according to  claim 1 , wherein the weight of the bat is adjustable to a desired weight by detaching said ball-striking element from said connecting member, placing a desired number of weights on the connecting member, and reconnecting said ball-striking element to said connecting member.  
     
     
         7 . A training bat according to  claim 1 , further including a weight assembly positioned on the connecting member.  
     
     
         8 . A training bat according to  claim 1 , further including a weight assembly positioned on the connecting member and held in place by frictional engagement with the distal end of said handle and the proximal end of said ball-striking element.  
     
     
         9 . A training bat according to  claim 8 , wherein said weight assembly comprises at least one weight having a hole therein for placement of the weight onto said connecting member.  
     
     
         10 . A training bat according to  claim 8 , wherein said weight assembly comprises a plurality of weights, each having a hole therein for being selectively placed on and removed from said connecting member as desired to change the weight of the bat.  
     
     
         11 . A training bat, comprising: 
 (a) a handle having proximal and distal ends;    (b) a receiving rod secured within a bore defined by said handle at the distal end of said handle and extending outwardly therefrom; and    (c) an elongate ball-striking element having proximal and distal ends, said ball-striking element detachably connected to said receiving rod at the proximal end of said ball-striking element, said ball-striking element having a diameter no greater than one-half the diameter of a conventional baseball bat for providing a training effect as the bat is used to swing at a ball.    
     
     
         12 . A training bat according to  claim 11 , wherein said handle conforms in shape and size to a handle of a conventional baseball bat.  
     
     
         13 . A training bat according to  claim 11 , wherein said ball-striking element comprises a cylindrical rod made of metal.  
     
     
         14 . A training bat according to  claim 11 , wherein said ball-striking element extends outwardly from said handle and the combined length of said handle and said ball-striking element are equivalent to the length of a conventional baseball bat.  
     
     
         15 . A training bat according to  claim 11 , wherein the weight of the training bat is equivalent to the weight of a conventional baseball bat.  
     
     
         16 . A training bat according to  claim 11 , further including a weight assembly positioned at the distal end of said ball-striking element to simulate the weight distribution of a conventional baseball bat.  
     
     
         17 . A training bat according to  claim 11 , wherein said ball-striking element is hollow and of a slightly larger diameter than said receiving rod, said receiving rod for inserting into said ball-striking element.  
     
     
         18 . A training bat according to  claim 17 , further including a screw extending through aligned apertures defined by said ball-striking element and said receiving rod to connect said ball-striking element and said receiving rod together as a unit.  
     
     
         19 . A training bat according to  claim 18 , further including a weight assembly positioned on said receiving rod and held in place by frictional engagement with the distal end of said handle and the proximal end of said ball-striking element.  
     
     
         20 . A training bat according to  claim 19 , wherein said weight assembly comprises at least one weight having a hole therein for placement of the weight onto said receiving rod.  
     
     
         21 . A training bat according to  claim 19 , wherein said weight assembly comprises a plurality of weights, each having a hole therein for being selectively placed on and removed from said receiving rod as desired to change the weight of the bat.  
     
     
         22 . A training bat according to  claim 19 , and including a resilient spacer for accommodating space between said weight assembly and said handle.  
     
     
         23 . A method for adjusting the weight of a training bat to a predetermined weight comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing a training bat comprising: 
 (i) a handle having proximal and distal ends,  
 (ii) a receiving rod secured within a bore defined by said handle at the distal end of said handle and extending outwardly therefrom,  
 (iii) an elongate hollow ball-striking element having proximal and distal ends and a diameter slightly greater than said receiving rod, said ball-striking element positioned on said receiving rod and detachably connected to said receiving rod at the proximal end of said ball-striking element by a screw positioned through aligned apertures defined by said ball-striking element and said receiving rod, said ball-striking element having a diameter no greater than one-half the diameter of a conventional baseball bat for providing a training effect as the bat is used to swing at a ball, and  
 (iv) a weight assembly on the receiving rod held in place by frictional engagement with the handle and the ball-striking element;  
   (b) removing said screw from the apertures defined by said ball-striking element and said receiving rod;    (c) moving said ball-striking element off of said receiving rod;    (d) placing or removing a desired number of weights on said ball-striking element;    (e) positioning said ball-striking element on said receiving rod so as to align the apertures of said ball-striking element and said receiving rod; and    (f) replacing said screw in the apertures to reconnect said ball-striking element to said receiving rod.    
     
     
         24 . A method for making a training bat having a desired weight comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing a handle having proximal and distal ends;    (b) providing a receiving rod for securing within a bore defined by said handle at the distal end of said handle and extending outward therefrom;    (c) varying the weight of said receiving rod so that said handle and said receiving rod have a combined desired weight;    (d) providing a ball-striking element having a predetermined weight and having a larger diameter than said receiving rod; and    (e) positioning said ball-striking element on said receiving rod and detachably connecting thereto.    
     
     
         25 . A method according to  claim 24 , wherein the step of varying the weight of said receiving rod includes varying the weight of said receiving rod so that the combined weight of said handle and said receiving rod equal 15.8 to 16.2 ounces.  
     
     
         26 . A method according to  claim 24 , wherein the step of providing a ball-striking element includes providing a ball-striking element having a larger diameter than said receiving rod and having a weight of 8.6 ounces.  
     
     
         27 . A method according to  claim 24 , wherein the step of positioning said ball-striking element on said receiving rod includes sliding said ball-striking element onto the receiving rod until the proximal end of said ball-striking element contacts the distal end of said handle.  
     
     
         28 . A method according to  claim 24 , further including the step of placing a predetermined number of weights on said receiving rod to obtain a desired total weight of said training bat.  
     
     
         29 . A method according to  claim 28 , wherein the step of placing a predetermined number of weights on said receiving rod includes placing an appropriate number of weights on said receiving rod to obtain a desired total weight of said training bat in relation to the length of said training bat.  
     
     
         30 . A method for developing and enhancing ball hitting ability comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing a training bat comprising a handle having proximal and distal ends, an elongate ball-striking element having a diameter no greater than one-half the diameter of a conventional baseball bat, and a connecting member connected at the distal end of said handle for receiving the proximal end of said ball-striking element and detachably connecting thereto;    (b) providing a ball;    (c) pitching said ball to a batter using said training bat; and    (d) swinging said training bat at said pitched ball in an attempt to hit the ball.    
     
     
         31 . A method according to  claim 30 , wherein the step of providing a ball comprises providing a ball that is smaller than a conventional baseball and formed of a soft, resilient material.