Apparatus and methods for improving batting skills

Abstract

A device and method for training baseball batters how to develop a proper stance and to properly shift weight from the back leg to the front leg during a swing. The portable device includes a series of indicator markers to show proper foot placement, head and navel alignment, and stride extension. The device includes separable sections that may be quickly assembled for easy set-up and disassembled for easy transportation.

1 . A batting training device comprising: 
 (a) a first rod section having a first end and a second end;    (b) a second rod section operably connected at or near the first end of the first rod section approximately orthogonally to the first rod section;    (c) a first indicator marker on the first rod section between the first end of the first rod section and the second end of the first rod section;    (d) a second indicator marker on the first rod section for aligning a batter's lead foot between the first end of the first rod section and the first indicator marker;    (e) a third indicator marker on the first rod section for aligning a batter's trailing foot between the second end of the first rod section and the first indicator marker; and    (f) a fourth indicator marker on the first rod section between the first indicator marker and the third indicator marker.    
   
   
       2 . The batting training device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the following are slidably connected to the first rod section: the first indicator marker, the second indicator marker, the third indicator marker, and the fourth indicator marker.  
   
   
       3 . The batting training device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the third indicator marker and the fourth indicator marker are slidably connected to the first rod section.  
   
   
       4 . The batting training device as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a third rod section operably connected approximately orthogonally to the second rod section at the end of the second rod section opposed to the end of the second rod section operably connected to the first rod section.  
   
   
       5 . The batting training device as set forth in  claim 4 , further comprising a fifth indicator marker on the third rod section for marking a limit on movement of a batter's leading foot during a swing.  
   
   
       6 . The batting training device as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein one or more of the first rod section, second rod section, or third rod section fiberglass or graphite.  
   
   
       7 . A batting training device comprising: 
 (a) an axially hollow first rod section having a first end and a second end;    (b) an axially hollow second rod section removably connected at or near the first end of the first rod section approximately orthogonally to the first rod section;    (c) a first indicator marker on the first rod section between the first end of the first rod section and the second end of the first rod section;    (d) a second indicator marker on the first rod section for aligning a batter's lead foot between the first end of the first rod section and the first indicator marker;    (e) a third indicator marker on the first rod section for aligning a batter's trailing foot between the second end of the first rod section and the first indicator marker;    (f) a fourth indicator marker on the first rod section between the first indicator marker and the third indicator marker; and    (g) one or more flexible chords extending through the first rod section and the second rod section, whereby the first rod section may be removed from the second rod section for disassembly and transportation.    
   
   
       8 . The batting training device as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein the first indicator marker is an axially hollow third rod section removably connected to the first rod section, and further comprising a flexible chord extending through the first rod section and the third rod section, whereby the third rod section may be removed from the first rod section for disassembly and transportation.  
   
   
       9 . The batting training device as set forth in  claim 7 , further comprising an axially hollow third rod section removably connected approximately orthogonally to the second rod section at the end of the second rod section opposed to the end of the second rod section operably connected to the first rod section, and further comprising a flexible chord extending through the second rod section and the third rod section, whereby the third rod section may be removed from the second rod section for disassembly and transportation.  
   
   
       10 . The batting training device as set forth in  claim 7 , further comprising an axially hollow fourth rod section removably connected approximately orthogonally to the second rod section at the end of the second rod section opposed to the end of the second rod section operably connected to the first rod section, and further comprising a flexible chord extending through the second rod section and the fourth rod section, whereby the fourth rod section may be removed from the second rod section for disassembly and transportation.  
   
   
       11 . The batting training device as set forth in  claim 10 , further comprising a fifth indicator marker on the fourth rod section for marking a limit on movement of a batter's leading foot during a swing.  
   
   
       12 . A method of training a batter to swing a baseball bat comprising: 
 (a) positioning a batter having a center of gravity, a lead foot, and a trailing foot, over a baseball training device comprising: 
 (i) a first rod section having a first end and a second end;  
 (ii) a second rod section operably connected at or near the first end of the first rod section approximately orthogonally to the first rod section;  
 (iii) a first indicator marker on the first rod section approximately from the first end of the first rod section and the second end of the first rod section;  
 (iv) a second indicator marker on the first rod section between the first end of the first rod section and the first indicator marker;  
 (v) a third indicator marker on the first rod section between the second end of the first rod section and the first indicator marker; and  
 (vi) a fourth indicator marker on the first rod section between the first indicator marker and the third indicator marker;  
   (b) aligning the batter's center of gravity with the first indicator marker;    (c) aligning the batter's lead foot with the second indicator marker;    (d) aligning the batter's trailing foot with the third indicator marker;    (e) beginning a swing at a baseball, wherein the batter's center of gravity moves backward no further than the fourth indicator marker; and    (f) completing the swing wherein batter's lead foot moves no further than to the second rod section.