Training device and method of training a batter

Abstract

A baseball training device comprises a rod having a handle end portion containing a handle end knob, an intermediate handle portion containing one or more intermediate handle knob(s), a body portion and a distal end. The intermediate handle portion, along with the handle end portion creates a recessed handle area between two knobs providing for an enhanced, repeatable grip of the device, allowing for increased bat speed and resultant swinging power while improving the safety of swinging the device at a ball or similar object. The configuration of the body portion coupled with the enhanced gripping handle of the training device will provide for desired, graduated levels of training a batter to improve hand-eye coordination while optimizing swinging power to strike an effective blow to a ball or similar object. A method comprising steps to: choose a training device with an enhanced gripping handle and desired body portion, grip the training device, and swing the training device to repeatedly strike a ball or similar object with confidence, increased swinging power and improved hand-eye coordination.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A training device of the preferred embodiment comprising: 
 a rod having a handle end containing a handle end expanded diameter section, an intermediate handle portion between the handle end expanded diameter section and an intermediate handle expanded diameter section or between any two intermediate handle expanded diameter sections, a first cross section of the intermediate handle portion taken at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the rod has a first outer perimeter that is substantially similar to a second outer perimeter of any other cross section of the intermediate handle portion taken parallel to the first cross section, the intermediate handle portion containing one or more intermediate handle expanded diameter section(s), a body portion and a distal end, the body portion representing a substantial length of the overall length of the rod, a first cross section of the body portion taken at a point where an intermediate handle expanded diameter section meets the body portion and at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the rod has a first outer perimeter that may be substantially dissimilar to a second outer perimeter of any other cross section of the body portion taken parallel to the first cross section of the body portion in the direction from where the intermediate handle expanded diameter section meets the body portion of the rod toward the distal end of the rod.    
     
     
         2 . The training device of  claim 1 , wherein any outer perimeter of the rod is substantially circular when the angle is about 90 degrees.  
     
     
         3 . The training device of  claim 1 , wherein the rod is made from a single, homogeneous piece of material.  
     
     
         4 . The training device of  claim 1 , wherein the cross section of either the handle end expanded diameter section or any intermediate handle expanded diameter section taken at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the rod has an outer perimeter that is greater than the outer perimeter of any cross section of the intermediate handle portion taken at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the rod.  
     
     
         5 . The training device of  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate handle portion includes one or more intermediate handle expanded diameter section(s) that are substantially similar to the handle end expanded diameter section.  
     
     
         6 . The training device of  claim 1 , wherein any intermediate handle expanded diameter section is located between the handle end expanded diameter section and the body portion of the rod.  
     
     
         7 . The training device of  claim 1 , wherein the outer perimeter of any intermediate handle expanded diameter section is substantially circular when the angle is about 90 degrees.  
     
     
         8 . The training device of  claim 1 , wherein the outer perimeter of the handle end expanded diameter section is substantially circular when the angle is about 90 degrees.  
     
     
         9 . The training device of  claim 1 , further comprising a bore in the body portion of the rod extending from the distal end toward the handle end.  
     
     
         10 . The training device of  claim 1 , wherein a side view of the intermediate handle portion of the rod between the handle end expanded diameter section and the first intermediate handle expanded diameter section proximate to the handle end expanded diameter section or between any two intermediate handle expanded diameter sections has a substantially linear and uniform composition.  
     
     
         11 . The training device of  claim 1 , wherein a cross section of the handle end expanded diameter section taken at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the rod has an outside diameter between 1 and 4 inches.  
     
     
         12 . The training device of  claim 1 , wherein a cross section of any intermediate handle expanded diameter section(s) taken at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the rod has an outside diameter between 1 and 4 inches.  
     
     
         13 . The training device of  claim 1 , wherein a side view of the handle end expanded diameter section of the rod has an overall width between ⅛ and 2 inches.  
     
     
         14 . The training device of  claim 1 , wherein a side view of any intermediate handle expanded diameter section(s) of the rod has an overall width between ⅛ and 2 inches.  
     
     
         15 . The training device of  claim 1 , wherein the distance between the centerline of the handle end expanded diameter section and the centerline of the first intermediate handle expanded diameter section proximate to the handle end expanded diameter section is between ¼ and 18 inches.  
     
     
         16 . The training device of  claim 1 , wherein the distance between the centerlines of any two intermediate handle expanded diameter sections is between ¼ and 18 inches.  
     
     
         17 . The training device of  claim 1 , wherein the preferred embodiment of the rod is between 20 and 48 inches in length and between 10 and 56 ounces in weight.  
     
     
         18 . The training device of  claim 3 , wherein any known material may be selected on the basis of its suitability for the intended use where the material may include but not be limited to wood, metal, plastic, metal alloy, rubber, or composite.  
     
     
         19 . The training device of  claim 9 , wherein the bore is filled with a gas.  
     
     
         20 . The training device of  claim 9 , wherein the bore is filled with a liquid.  
     
     
         21 . The training device of  claim 9 , wherein the bore is filled with a gelatin.  
     
     
         22 . The training device of  claim 9 , wherein the bore is filled with a solid material.  
     
     
         23 . The training device of  claim 9 , further comprising a core residing in the bore of the body portion of the rod.  
     
     
         24 . The training device of  claim 9 , further comprising a plug inserted in the distal end of the rod and thereby enclosing the bore within the training device.  
     
     
         25 . The training device of  claim 11 , wherein the outside diameter of the handle end expanded diameter cross section is when the angle is about 90 degrees.  
     
     
         26 . The training device of  claim 12 , wherein the outside diameter of any intermediate handle expanded diameter cross section is when the angle is about 90 degrees.  
     
     
         27 . The training device of  claim 23 , wherein the core is made from a solid material.  
     
     
         28 . The training device of  claim 1 , wherein the distance between the centerline of the handle end expanded diameter section and the centerline of the first intermediate handle expanded diameter section proximate to the handle end expanded diameter section for any novelty objects of the preferred embodiment of the rod is less than ¼ inch or greater than 18 inches.  
     
     
         29 . The training device of  claim 1 , wherein the distance between the centerlines of any two intermediate handle expanded diameter sections for any novelty objects of the preferred embodiment of the rod is less than ¼ inch or greater than 18 inches.  
     
     
         30 . The training device of  claim 1 , wherein any novelty objects of the preferred embodiment of the rod is less than 20 inches or greater than 48 inches in length and less than 10 ounces or greater than 56 ounces in weight.  
     
     
         31 . The training device of  claim 1 , wherein any novelty objects of the preferred embodiment of the rod is constructed from a single piece of homogeneous material or from the assembly of a combination of wood, plastic, rubber, metal, metal alloy, and/or composite material pieces.  
     
     
         32 . The training device of  claim 1 , wherein an intermediate handle expanded diameter section may be added to the intermediate handle portion of any novelty objects of the preferred embodiment of the rod as a separate piece of material through a mechanical, thermal, and/or chemical process.  
     
     
         33 . The training device of  claim 32 , wherein the material of the intermediate handle end expanded diameter section may be wood, plastic, rubber, metal, metal alloy, and/or composite material.  
     
     
         34 . A training device of the further embodiment, comprising: 
 a rod having a handle end containing a handle end expanded diameter section, an intermediate handle portion between the handle end expanded diameter section and an intermediate handle expanded diameter section or between any two intermediate handle expanded diameter sections, a first cross section of the intermediate handle portion taken at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the rod has a first outer perimeter that is substantially similar to a second outer perimeter of any other cross section of the intermediate handle portion taken parallel to the first cross section, the intermediate handle portion containing one or more intermediate handle expanded diameter section(s), a body portion and a distal end, the body portion representing a substantial length of the overall length of the rod, a first cross section of the body portion taken at a point where an intermediate handle expanded diameter section meets the body portion and at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the rod has a first outer perimeter that may be substantially similar to a second outer perimeter of any other cross section of the body portion taken parallel to the first cross section of the body portion in the direction from where the intermediate handle expanded diameter section meets the body portion of the rod toward the distal end of the rod.    
     
     
         35 . The training device of  claim 34 , wherein any outer perimeter of the rod is substantially circular when the angle is about 90 degrees.  
     
     
         36 . The training device of  claim 34 , wherein the rod is made from a single, homogeneous piece of material.  
     
     
         37 . The training device of  claim 34 , wherein the cross section of either the handle end expanded diameter section or any intermediate handle expanded diameter section taken at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the rod has an outer perimeter that is greater than the outer perimeter of any cross section of the intermediate handle portion taken at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the rod.  
     
     
         38 . The training device of  claim 34 , wherein the intermediate handle portion includes one or more intermediate handle expanded diameter section(s) that are substantially similar to the handle end expanded diameter section.  
     
     
         39 . The training device of  claim 34 , wherein any intermediate handle expanded diameter section is located between the handle end expanded diameter section and the body portion of the rod.  
     
     
         40 . The training device of  claim 34 , wherein the outer perimeter of any intermediate handle expanded diameter section is substantially circular when the angle is about 90 degrees.  
     
     
         41 . The training device of  claim 34 , wherein the outer perimeter of the handle end expanded diameter section is substantially circular when the angle is about 90 degrees.  
     
     
         42 . The training device of  claim 34 , further comprising a bore in the body portion of the rod extending from the distal end toward the handle end.  
     
     
         43 . The training device of  claim 34 , wherein a side view of the intermediate handle portion of the rod between the handle end expanded diameter section and the first intermediate handle expanded diameter section proximate to the handle end expanded diameter section or between any two intermediate handle expanded diameter sections has a substantially linear and uniform composition.  
     
     
         44 . The training device of  claim 34 , wherein a cross section of the handle end expanded diameter section taken at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the rod has an outside diameter between 1 and 4 inches.  
     
     
         45 . The training device of  claim 34 , wherein a cross section of any intermediate handle expanded diameter section(s) taken at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the rod has an outside diameter between 1 and 4 inches.  
     
     
         46 . The training device of  claim 34 , wherein a side view of the handle end expanded diameter section of the rod has an overall width between ⅛ and 2 inches.  
     
     
         47 . The training device of  claim 34 , wherein a side view of any intermediate handle expanded diameter section(s) of the rod has an overall width between ⅛ and 2 inches.  
     
     
         48 . The training device of  claim 34 , wherein the distance between the centerline of the handle end expanded diameter section and the centerline of the first intermediate handle expanded diameter section proximate to the handle end expanded diameter section is between ¼ and 18 inches.  
     
     
         49 . The training device of  claim 34 , wherein the distance between the centerlines of any two intermediate handle expanded diameter sections is between ¼ and 18 inches.  
     
     
         50 . The training device of  claim 34 , wherein the further embodiment of the rod is between 20 and 48 inches in length and between 8 and 20 ounces in weight.  
     
     
         51 . The training device of  claim 36 , wherein any known material may be selected on the basis of its suitability for the intended use where the material may include but not be limited to wood, metal, plastic, metal alloy, rubber, or composite.  
     
     
         52 . The training device of  claim 42 , wherein the bore is filled with a gas.  
     
     
         53 . The training device of  claim 42 , wherein the bore is filled with a liquid.  
     
     
         54 . The training device of  claim 42 , wherein the bore is filled with a gelatin.  
     
     
         55 . The training device of  claim 42 , wherein the bore is filled with a solid material.  
     
     
         56 . The training device of  claim 42 , further comprising a core residing in the bore of the body portion of the rod.  
     
     
         57 . The training device of  claim 42 , further comprising a plug inserted in the distal end of the rod and thereby enclosing the bore within the training device.  
     
     
         58 . The training device of  claim 44 , wherein the outside diameter of the handle end expanded diameter cross section is when the angle is about 90 degrees.  
     
     
         59 . The training device of  claim 45 , wherein the outside diameter of any intermediate handle expanded diameter cross section is when the angle is about 90 degrees.  
     
     
         60 . The training device of  claim 56 , wherein the core is made from a solid material.  
     
     
         61 . The training device of  claim 34 , wherein the distance between the centerline of the handle end expanded diameter section and the centerline of the first intermediate handle expanded diameter section proximate to the handle end expanded diameter section for any novelty objects of the further embodiment of the rod is less than ¼ inch or greater than 18 inches.  
     
     
         62 . The training device of  claim 34 , wherein the distance between the centerlines of any two intermediate handle expanded diameter sections for any novelty objects of the further embodiment of the rod is less than ¼ inch and greater than 18 inches.  
     
     
         63 . The training device of  claim 34 , wherein any novelty objects of the further embodiment of the rod is less than 20 inches or greater than 48 inches in length and less than 8 ounces or greater than 20 ounces in weight.  
     
     
         64 . The training device of  claim 34 , wherein any novelty objects of the further embodiment of the rod is constructed from a single piece of homogeneous material or from the assembly of a combination of wood, plastic, rubber, metal, metal alloy, and/or composite material pieces.  
     
     
         65 . The training device of  claim 34 , wherein an intermediate handle expanded diameter section may be added to the intermediate handle portion of any novelty object of the further embodiment of the rod as a separate piece of material through a mechanical, thermal, and/or chemical process.  
     
     
         66 . The training device of  claim 65 , wherein the material of the intermediate handle end expanded diameter section may be wood, plastic, rubber, metal, metal alloy, and/or composite material.  
     
     
         67 . A training device of a further embodiment comprising: 
 A rod made from a single, homogeneous piece of material, having a handle end containing a handle end expanded diameter section, a body portion, and a distal end, the body portion represents a substantial length of the overall length of the rod, a first cross section of the body portion taken at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the rod has a first outer perimeter that is substantially similar to a second outer perimeter of any other cross section of the body portion taken parallel to the first cross section of the body portion.    
     
     
         68 . The training device of  claim 67 , wherein any outer perimeter of the rod is substantially circular when the angle is about 90 degrees.  
     
     
         69 . The training device of  claim 67 , wherein the cross section of the handle end expanded diameter section taken at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the rod has an outer perimeter that is greater than the outer perimeter of any cross section of the body portion taken at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the rod.  
     
     
         70 . The training device of  claim 67 , wherein the outer perimeter of the handle end expanded diameter section is substantially circular when the angle is about 90 degrees.  
     
     
         71 . The training device of  claim 67 , further comprising a bore in the body portion of the rod extending from the distal end toward the handle end.  
     
     
         72 . The training device of  claim 67 , wherein a cross section of the handle end expanded diameter section taken at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the rod has an outside diameter between 1 and 4 inches.  
     
     
         73 . The training device of  claim 67 , wherein a sideview of the handle end expanded diameter section of the rod has an overall width between ⅛ and 2 inches.  
     
     
         74 . The training device of  claim 67 , wherein the rod is between 20 and 48 inches in length and between 8 and 20 ounces in weight.  
     
     
         75 . The training device of  claim 67 , wherein any known material may be selected on the basis of its suitability for the intended use where the material may include but not be limited to wood, metal, plastic, metal alloy, rubber or composite.  
     
     
         76 . The training device of  claim 71 , wherein the bore is filled with gas such as air.  
     
     
         77 . The training device of  claim 71 , wherein the bore is filled with a liquid.  
     
     
         78 . The training device of  claim 71 , wherein the bore is filled with a gelatin.  
     
     
         79 . The training device of  claim 71 , wherein the bore is filled with a solid.  
     
     
         80 . The training device of  claim 71 , further comprising a core residing in the bore of the body portion of the rod.  
     
     
         81 . The training device of  claim 80 , wherein the core is made from a solid material.  
     
     
         82 . The training device of  claim 71 , further comprising a plug inserted in the distal end of the rod and thereby enclosing the bore within the training device.  
     
     
         83 . The training device of  claim 69 , wherein the outside diameter of the handle end expanded diameter cross section is when the angle is about 90 degrees.  
     
     
         84 . The training device of  claim 67 , wherein any novelty object of a further embodiment of the rod is less than 20 inches or greater than 48 inches in length and less than 8 ounces or greater than 20 ounces in weight.  
     
     
         85 . The training device of  claim 67 , wherein any novelty device of the further embodiment of the rod is made from a single piece of homogeneous material or from the assembly of a combination of wood, plastic, rubber, metal, metal alloy, and/or composite material pieces.  
     
     
         86 . A method of training a batter, comprising: 
 a rod having a handle end containing a handle end expanded diameter section, an intermediate handle portion between the handle end expanded diameter section and an intermediate handle expanded diameter section or between any two intermediate handle expanded diameter sections, a first cross section of the intermediate handle portion taken at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the rod has a first outer perimeter that is substantially similar to a second outer perimeter of any other cross section of the intermediate handle portion taken parallel to the first cross section, the intermediate handle portion containing one or more intermediate handle expanded diameter section(s), a body portion and a distal end, the body portion represents a substantial length of the overall length of the rod, a first cross section of the body portion taken at a point where an intermediate handle expanded diameter section meets the body portion and at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the rod has a first outer perimeter that may be substantially similar or dissimilar to a second outer perimeter of any other cross section of the body portion taken parallel to the first cross section of the body portion in the direction from where the intermediate handle expanded diameter section meets the body portion of the rod toward the distal end of the rod, and said rod having opposite ends being between 20 and 48 inches in length and between 10 and 56 ounces in weight for a preferred embodiment, and between 20 and 48 inches in length and 8 and 20 ounces for any further embodiment and further holding the rod at the handle end, at the handle end between a handle end expanded diameter section and an intermediate handle expanded diameter section or between any two intermediate handle expanded diameter sections and swinging the rod at an object.    
     
     
         87 . The method of  claim 86 , wherein the object has a spherical shell.  
     
     
         88 . The method of  claim 86 , wherein the object is solid.  
     
     
         89 . The method of  claim 86 , wherein the object is hollow internally.  
     
     
         90 . The method of  claim 87 , wherein the shell has a diameter of about 2 and ½ inches.  
     
     
         91 . The method of  claim 86 , wherein the object further includes a cloth-like or leather layer.  
     
     
         92 . The method of  claim 86 , wherein the training device further comprising a bore in the body portion of the rod extending from the distal end toward the handle end and swinging the training device at an object.  
     
     
         93 . The method of  claim 92 , wherein the object has a spherical shell.  
     
     
         94 . The method of  claim 92 , wherein the object is solid.  
     
     
         95 . The method of  claim 92 , wherein the object is hollow internally.  
     
     
         96 . The method of  claim 92 , wherein the object further includes a cloth-like or leather layer.  
     
     
         97 . The method of  claim 93 , wherein the spherical shell has a diameter of about 2 and ½ inches.