Baseball/Softball Strike Zone Trainer For Hitters

Abstract

A practice device for baseball/softball players and umpires. It is used to help the hitter identify where the strike zone is and know where his or her sweet spot is located. This invention allows a hitter to focus on the location of each pitch without being distracted with the need to actually hit the ball. It consists of a free standing upright rectangular frame an attached home plate, a loop material catch panel that fits inside the frame. A three colored adjustable loop material strike zone. Plastic baseballs covered with Velcro hook material. Tally rings attached to the top of the frame for scoring and a weighted bat handle for the batter to grip.

1 . A baseball/softball training apparatus comprising:
 A rectangular framework unit including a vertically disposed main framework member approximately 40″×62″ made from pvc pipe and various pvc tee and ell fittings. A base framework member projecting from the rear with two braces joined to the rectangular framework to make the unit freestanding. A home plate framed on the front and sides with pvc ell fittings and pipe 3 feet long joining to the rectangular framework. A smaller pvc pipe with various pvc fittings attached to the top of the main framework member. The pipe contains 20 pvc rings used for tracking the batters progress. Black loop fabric slightly smaller than the rectangular framework stretched taut in the framework using 6 inch bungee cords that pass through several grommets and wrap around the pipe. Loop material of three colors red, green, and yellow used to form the strike zone. The green and yellow colors are joined together to form two separate panels that expand or contract. A smaller 8″×11″ red panel fastens to the front of the green and yellow panel. This panel is the batters hot zone or sweet spot. It is positioned any where within the strike zone. The three panels contain hook material on the back side for fastening to the loop material. A plastic weighted bat handle 9 inches long and plastic balls the size of baseballs covered with white hook material.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus as in  claim 1 , instead of PVC pipe and fittings being used another material such as a molded plastic or galvanized tubing would be used. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein the 40″×62″ rectangular framework is measured at 40″ wide×50″ tall to better suit the position of an umpire practicing ball and strike calls looking over the shoulder of a catcher. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein the 3 colored targets each contain a sewn on digit representing 0, 1 and 2 strikes. The red target 0 strikes, the green target 1 strike, and the yellow target 2 strikes. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein the strike zone is removed and a large round loop or hook material target 30″ across with various colors and numbers similar to the appearance of a large scale dart board is utilized for playing recreational games. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus as in  claim 2 , wherein the strike zone is removed and a large round loop or hook material target 30″ across with various colors and numbers similar to the appearance of a large scale dart board is utilized for playing recreational games. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein the strike zone is removed and a large square loop or hook material target 30″×30″ with various colors and numbers is utilized for playing recreational games. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus as in  claim 2 , wherein the strike zone is removed and a large square loop or hook material target 30″×30″ with various colors and numbers is utilized for playing recreational games. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein the plastic balls are the size of regulation softballs and covered with white hook material.