Pitcher's training device

Abstract

A pitcher's training device is provided for training a softball or baseball pitcher in gripping and spinning a ball for special pitches, such as fastball, curve ball or screwball pitches. The pitcher's training apparatus includes a base which may be in the form of a folding tripod with a central column that can be raised and lowered to adjust for the person being trained. A training ball supporting arm is attached to and extends from the base and may be positioned for different pitchers. The supporting arm has an elongated slot passing through the side thereof. A pair of practice balls are connected by a shaft extending through the arm slot so that a pitcher can practice the gripping and spinning of the training ball forcing the ball shaft to spin and move in the slot.

1 . A pitcher's training apparatus for training a pitcher on gripping and spinning a ball for special pitches comprising: 
 a base;    a training ball supporting arm attached to and extending from said base and positional on said base for a pitcher, said supporting arm having an elongated slot therein;    a practice ball having a shaft attached thereto and extending therefrom, said shaft being rotatably attached in said supporting arm slot; whereby a pitcher can practice gripping and spinning the training ball forcing the spinning ball shaft to move in said slot.    
   
   
       2 . The pitcher's training apparatus of  claim 1  in which said ball supporting arm is adjustable on said base to position said training ball for a pitcher using said pitcher's training apparatus.  
   
   
       3 . The pitcher's training apparatus of  claim 2  in which said ball supporting arm is generally vertically adjustable to vary the height of said training ball.  
   
   
       4 . The pitcher's training apparatus of  claim 1  having two training balls, each training ball being attached to said shaft, and each training ball being mounted on an opposite side of said ball supporting arm from the other training ball so that spinning one training ball spins both said training balls.  
   
   
       5 . The pitcher's training apparatus of  claim 1  in which said ball supporting arm and the slot therein has a generally arcuate shaped portion.  
   
   
       6 . The pitcher's training apparatus of  claim 1  in which said ball supporting arm and the slot therein form a generally linear portion.  
   
   
       7 . The pitcher's training apparatus of  claim 5  in which said ball supporting arm is rotatably adjustable relative to said base.  
   
   
       8 . The pitcher's training apparatus of  claim 1  in which said base is a foldable tripod having a sliding column supporting said ball supporting arm.  
   
   
       9 . The pitcher's training apparatus of  claim 8  in which said ball supporting arm is attached to one end of said tripod sliding column.  
   
   
       10 . The pitcher's training apparatus of  claim 9  in which said ball supporting arm is rotatably attached to said tripod column for repositioning said ball supporting arm and ball attached thereto.  
   
   
       11 . The pitcher's training apparatus of  claim 4  in which each said training ball is a softball.  
   
   
       12 . The pitcher's training apparatus of  claim 5  in which said slot in said arcuate ball supporting arm extends through the arcuate portion of said ball supporting arm so as to move said rotating training ball shaft in an upwardly curve on said arm.  
   
   
       13 . The pitcher's training apparatus of  claim 5  in which said slot in said arcuate ball supporting arm extends through the arcuate portion of said supporting arm so as to move said rotating training ball shaft along a flat curved path.  
   
   
       14 . The pitcher's training apparatus of  claim 1  in which said ball supporting arm is removably attached to said base whereby said ball supporting arm can be exchanged with another ball supporting arm of a different shape.