Baseball Batting Device

Abstract

A baseball batting device includes an elongate lever arm having opposed proximate and distal ends. The device includes a fulcrum lowerly adjacent the lever arm for separating the proximate or distal end of the lever arm from a ground surface during use. The lever arm is rotatable about the fulcrum between a first position in which the distal end is adjacent a ground surface and a second position in which the distal end is separated from the ground surface. A downward force exerted on the proximate end moves the lever arm from the first position to the second position. The lever arm distal end is configured to support a baseball when the lever arm is at the first position and to release the baseball when the lever arm is at the second position. The fulcrum and distal end are adjustable so as to modify the path of a tossed ball.

1 . A baseball batting device, comprising:
 a stake;   a baseball;   a tether connecting said baseball to said stake;   an elongate lever arm having opposed proximate and distal ends;   a fulcrum lowerly adjacent said arm to separate at least one of said proximate end and said distal end from a ground surface during use; and   wherein said lever arm distal end is configured to support said baseball when said lever arm distal end is adjacent said ground surface and release said baseball when said lever arm proximate end is adjacent said ground surface.   
   
   
       2 . The baseball batting device of  claim 1 , wherein said fulcrum is adjustable between a position relatively adjacent said lever arm proximate end and a position relatively adjacent said lever arm distal end. 
   
   
       3 . The baseball batting device of  claim 2 , wherein a portion of said lever arm distal end is angularly adjustable relative to another portion of said lever arm. 
   
   
       4 . The baseball batting device of  claim 2 , wherein:
 said lever arm distal end is removably attached to a portion of said lever arm; and   said distal end has a configuration complementary to a configuration of said lever arm portion for selectively coupling said distal end to said lever arm portion in a plurality of respective angular configurations.   
   
   
       5 . The baseball batting device of  claim 4 , wherein said lever arm proximate end includes a tread for receiving a user's foot to move said proximate end adjacent said ground surface. 
   
   
       6 . The baseball batting device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said lever arm distal end is removably attached to a portion of said lever arm; and   said distal end has a configuration complementary to a configuration of said lever arm portion for selectively coupling said distal end to said lever arm portion in a plurality of respective angular configurations.   
   
   
       7 . The baseball batting device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said fulcrum includes a first connector comprising at least one of a protrusion and a receiving hole; and   said lever arm includes a plurality of second connectors, each second connector comprising another of said protrusion and said receiving hole, each said second connector having a configuration complementary to a configuration of said first connector for adjusting said fulcrum between a position relatively adjacent said lever arm proximate end and a position relatively adjacent said lever arm distal end.   
   
   
       8 . The baseball batting device of  claim 1 , wherein said lever arm distal end configuration includes a cutout to receive a portion of said baseball when said lever arm distal end is adjacent said ground surface. 
   
   
       9 . A batting device for use with a baseball, comprising:
 an elongate lever arm having opposed proximate and distal ends;   a fulcrum lowerly adjacent said lever arm, said lever arm being rotatable about said fulcrum between a first position in which said distal end is adjacent a ground surface and said proximate end is separated from said ground surface and a second position in which said distal end is separated from said ground surface and said proximate end is adjacent said ground surface;   wherein a downward force on said proximate end moves said lever arm from said first position to said second position; and   wherein said lever arm distal end is configured to support said baseball when said lever arm is at said first position and release said baseball when said lever arm is at said second position.   
   
   
       10 . The baseball batting device of  claim 9 , wherein said fulcrum is adjustable between a position relatively adjacent said lever arm proximate end and a position relatively adjacent said lever arm distal end. 
   
   
       11 . The baseball batting device of  claim 10 , wherein a portion of said lever arm distal end is angularly adjustable relative to another portion of said lever arm. 
   
   
       12 . The baseball batting device of  claim 10 , wherein:
 said lever arm distal end is removably attached to a portion of said lever arm; and   said distal end has a configuration complementary to a configuration of said lever arm portion for selectively coupling said distal end to said lever arm portion in a plurality of respective angular configurations.   
   
   
       13 . The baseball batting device of  claim 12 , wherein said lever arm proximate end includes a tread for receiving a user's foot to move said lever arm to said second position. 
   
   
       14 . The baseball batting device of  claim 9 , wherein:
 said lever arm distal end is removably attached to a portion of said lever arm; and   said distal end has a configuration complementary to a configuration of said lever arm portion for selectively coupling said distal end to said lever arm portion in a plurality of respective angular configurations.   
   
   
       15 . The baseball batting device of  claim 9 , wherein:
 said fulcrum includes a first connector comprising at least one of a protrusion and a receiving hole; and   said lever arm includes a plurality of second connectors, each second connector comprising another of said protrusion and said receiving hole, each said second connector having a configuration complementary to a configuration of said first connector for adjusting said fulcrum between a position relatively adjacent said lever arm proximate end and a position relatively adjacent said lever arm distal end.   
   
   
       16 . The baseball batting device of  claim 9 , wherein said lever arm distal end configuration includes a cutout to receive a portion of said baseball when said lever arm is at said first position. 
   
   
       17 . A method of placing a baseball for batting, the method comprising:
 providing a batting device comprising:
 an elongate lever arm having opposed proximate and distal ends; 
 a fulcrum lowerly adjacent said lever arm, said lever arm being rotatable about said fulcrum between a first position in which said distal end is adjacent a ground surface and said proximate end is separated from said ground surface and a second position in which said distal end is separated from said ground surface and said proximate end is adjacent said ground surface; and 
 wherein said lever arm distal end is configured to support said baseball when said lever arm is at said first position and release said baseball when said lever arm is at said second position; 
   placing said baseball upon said lever arm distal end;   stepping upon said lever arm proximate end to move said lever arm to said second position, causing said baseball to separate from said lever arm distal end and pass through air to a location for being struck by a batter.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein:
 said fulcrum includes a first connector comprising at least one of a protrusion and a receiving hole;   said lever arm includes a plurality of second connectors, each second connector comprising another of said protrusion and said receiving hole, each said second connector having a configuration complementary to a configuration of said first connector for adjusting said fulcrum between a position relatively adjacent said lever arm proximate end and a position relatively adjacent said lever arm distal end;   said method further comprises the steps of:
 coupling said first connector to one said second connector to cause said baseball to separate from said lever arm distal end and pass through air to a first location for being struck by a batter upon stepping upon said lever arm proximate end; and 
 coupling said first connector to another said second connector to cause said baseball to separate from said lever arm distal end and pass through air to a second location for being struck by a batter upon stepping upon said lever arm proximate end. 
   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein:
 said lever arm distal end is angularly adjustable relative to a portion of said lever arm; and   said method further comprises the step of angularly adjusting said distal end relative to said lever arm portion to alter said first and second locations.   
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein:
 said lever arm distal end is angularly adjustable relative to a portion of said lever arm; and   said method further comprises the step of angularly adjusting said distal end relative to said lever arm portion to alter said first and second locations.