Batting trainer for inexperienced players

Abstract

This invention relates to a batting trainer consisting of a ball launching apparatus with a ball propulsion mechanism for propelling a ball and a training ball much lighter and smaller than a regulation baseball or softball that can train an inexperienced batter to practice hand-eye coordination on a smaller flying target for improved swing precision. The said ball launching apparatus can be in a form of a flying-ball launching toy gun, with said training ball being made of soft cellular plastic foam and having a circumference smaller than 60 mm and a weight lighter than 30 g. It will be safe for an inexperienced player to practice his/her swing with said batting trainer in a limited open space such as the backyard.

1 . A batting trainer comprising: 
 a ball launching apparatus with a ball propulsion mechanism for propelling a ball; and    a training ball, said training ball being smaller and lighter than a regulation baseball or softball.    
   
   
       2 . The batting trainer according to  claim 1 , wherein said ball launching apparatus is a flying-ball launching toy gun.  
   
   
       3 . The batting trainer according to  claim 1 , wherein said ball propulsion mechanism for propelling a ball is mechanically driven by coil spring.  
   
   
       4 . The batting trainer according to  claim 1 , wherein said ball propulsion mechanism for propelling a ball is mechanically driven by compressed air.  
   
   
       5 . The batting trainer according to  claim 1 , wherein said ball propulsion mechanism for propelling a ball is mechanically driven by compressed gas.  
   
   
       6 . The batting trainer according to  claim 1 , wherein said training ball has a circumference smaller than 60 mm (millimeters) and a weight lighter than 30 g (grams).  
   
   
       7 . The batting trainer according to  claim 1 , wherein said training ball is made of soft cellular plastic foam.  
   
   
       8 . The batting trainer according to  claim 1 , wherein said training ball is hollow and consists of a spherical plastic shell.  
   
   
       9 . A method for training inexperienced batters to practice hand-eye coordination and for thereby improving their swing and targeting of the ball comprising: 
 providing a ball launching apparatus with a ball propulsion mechanism for propelling a ball; and    providing a training ball, said training ball having a circumference smaller than 60 mm (millimeters) and a weight lighter than 30 g (grams).    
   
   
       10 . The batting training method according to  claim 9 , wherein said ball launching apparatus is a flying-ball launching toy gun.