Batting grip and training systems

Abstract

Bat grip devices and methods are disclosed that are provided for developing swing technique for batting in sports such as baseball and softball. The invention in some embodiments may comprise a bat grip device having a plurality of grip retention elements. The plurality of grip retention elements may be integral with a handle conforming surface and positioned longitudinally along the axis of the handle conforming surface. The longitudinal axis of the handle conforming surface may coincide with and be the longitudinal axis of a handle of a bat. A fulcrum element may be configured between the upper and lower plurality of grip retention elements. In some embodiments the fulcrum element comprises a hand positioning fulcrum element designed to assist in achieving the objectives of the present invention. In still further embodiments, the fulcrum element may comprise a bat acceleration element corresponding to the center of gravity of the bat. The invention in some embodiments comprises methods of batting and batting instruction as well as swing technique, and alternatively may be incorporated into traditional batting instruction.

1 . A bat grip device, comprising:
 a handle conforming surface; and   a plurality of grip retention elements integral with said handle conforming surface and longitudinally positioned along the axis of said handle conforming surface;   wherein said longitudinal axis of said handle conforming surface comprises a longitudinal axis of a handle of a bat.   
   
   
       2 . A bat grip device as described in  claim 1  wherein said plurality of grip retention elements comprise finger retention elements. 
   
   
       3 . A bat grip device as described in  claim 1  wherein said plurality of grip retention elements comprise an upper plurality of grip retention elements and a lower plurality of grip retention elements. 
   
   
       4 . A bat grip device as described in  claim 3  wherein said plurality of grip retention elements comprise finger retention elements. 
   
   
       5 . A bat grip device as described in  claim 1  further comprising a fulcrum element longitudinally positioned along the axis of said handle conforming surface. 
   
   
       6 . A bat grip device as described in  claim 5  wherein said fulcrum element comprises a hand positioning fulcrum element. 
   
   
       7 . A bat grip device as described in  claim 5  wherein said fulcrum element comprises a bat acceleration element. 
   
   
       8 . A bat grip device as described in  claim 5  wherein said plurality of grip retention elements comprise an upper plurality of grip retention elements and a lower plurality of grip retention elements, and wherein said fulcrum element is configured between said upper plurality of grip retention elements and said lower plurality of grip retention elements. 
   
   
       9 . A bat grip device as described in  claim 1  wherein said bat grip device is retainably positioned about a handle of a bat. 
   
   
       10 . A bat grip device as described in  claim 1  wherein said bat grip device is removably positioned about a handle of a bat. 
   
   
       11 . A bat grip device as described in  claim 1  wherein said bat grip device is fixed about a handle of a bat. 
   
   
       12 . A bat grip device as described in claim I wherein said plurality of grip retention elements are oriented in a plane perpendicular to and positioned radially about a longitudinal axis of said bat grip device. 
   
   
       13 . A bat grip device as described in  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of recessed retention elements positioned along a longitudinal axis of said bat grip device. 
   
   
       14 . A method of swinging a bat, comprising the steps of:
 providing a plurality of grip retention elements about the handle of a bat;   gripping an upper plurality of said grip retention elements with a first hand;   gripping a lower plurality of said grip retention elements with a second hand; and   accelerating said bat by application of force to the bat;   whereby application of force is directed to said bat through said grip retention elements.   
   
   
       15 . A method of swinging a bat, comprising the steps of:
 providing a fulcrum element configured between an upper and a lower plurality of grip retention elements about a handle of a bat;   gripping an upper plurality of said grip retention elements with a first hand;   gripping a lower plurality of said grip retention elements with a second hand; and   accelerating said bat about said fulcrum element;   whereby accelerating said bat is provided by application of force directed to said bat through said grip retention elements and through the fulcrum element.