Batting tee and method of use

Abstract

The invention is a batting tee and method of use. Embodiments of the batting tee may include a base plate, a center post, one or more extension pins and a hollow flexible tip that are configured to be stacked upon each other to support a ball at a selected height off of the ground. The extension pins are configured to stack upon the center post and upon other extension pins. The hollow flexible tip is configured to stack upon the highest of: the center post or the stacked extension pins. Various methods of using the batting tee are also disclosed for instruction in setting up and using the batting tee.

1 . A batting tee, comprising:
 a base plate including a centrally located hole formed therein and a plurality of posts extending perpendicularly from an upper surface of the base plate, the posts disposed about a fixed radius from the hole, the hole adapted to receive a bolt;   a center post comprising a threaded opening disposed within a proximal end for threaded engagement with the bolt, the center post configured for being secured to, and extending perpendicularly from, the upper surface of the base plate, the center post further comprising a reduced diameter male connector at a distal end;   extension pins, each pin comprising a cylindrical opening in its proximal end adapted for mating with a reduced diameter male connector or a post, each pin further comprising a reduced diameter male connector at its distal end; and   a hollow flexible tip configured for mating with a reduced diameter male connector or post.   
     
     
         2 . The batting tee according to  claim 1 , wherein the base plate further comprises a handle. 
     
     
         3 . The batting tee according to  claim 2 , wherein the handle comprises a grip opening adapted for one or more fingers to pass through. 
     
     
         4 . The batting tee according to  claim 3 , wherein the handle further comprises a portion of the base plate bent up at a selected angle along a secant through two points on a perimeter of the base plate, the secant passing through the grip opening. 
     
     
         5 . The batting tee according to  claim 2 , wherein the base plate further comprises a slot passing through the base plate and disposed near the grip opening. 
     
     
         6 . The batting tee according to  claim 1 , wherein the center post is cylindrical with major diameter of about 1.25″. 
     
     
         7 . The batting tee according to  claim 1 , wherein the center post has a length in a range from about 12″ to about 20″. 
     
     
         8 . The batting tee according to  claim 1 , wherein the center post has a length of about 16″. 
     
     
         9 . The batting tee according to  claim 1 , wherein the reduced diameter male connector extends about 3 inches from a shoulder of the center post. 
     
     
         10 . The batting tee according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the extension pins has a length in a range from about 7″ to about 13″. 
     
     
         11 . The batting tee according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the extension pins has a length of about 10″. 
     
     
         12 . The batting tee according to  claim 1 , wherein the hollow flexible tip comprises a silicone radiator hose. 
     
     
         13 . The batting tee according to  claim 1 , wherein the hollow flexible tip comprises a length in a range from about 7″ to about 13″. 
     
     
         14 . The batting tee according to  claim 1 , wherein the hollow flexible tip comprises a length of about 10″. 
     
     
         15 . The batting tee according to  claim 1 , wherein the reduced diameter male connector comprises at least one circumferential channel for receiving an O-ring seal. 
     
     
         16 . The batting tee according to  claim 15 , wherein the reduced diameter male connector comprises two circumferential channels each seating an O-ring seal. 
     
     
         17 . The batting tee according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the extension pins further comprise a bleeder hole passing from an outside surface into the cylindrical opening to release air during mating with a reduced diameter male connector or post. 
     
     
         18 . The batting tee according to  claim 1 , wherein the base plate, the center post and the extension pins are formed from a material selected from the group comprising: steel, aluminum, titanium, metal alloy and carbon fiber composite materials. 
     
     
         19 . The batting tee according to  claim 1 , wherein one or more extension pins are stacked upon the center post and the hollow flexible tip is stacked upon the one or more extension pins to support a ball. 
     
     
         20 . A method of using a batting tee, the method comprising:
 providing a batting tee, the batting tee comprising:
 a base plate including a centrally located hole formed therein and a plurality of posts extending perpendicularly from an upper surface of the base plate, the posts disposed about a fixed radius from the hole, the hole adapted to receive a screw; 
 a center post comprising a threaded opening at a proximal end for receiving the screw, the center post configured for being secured to, and extending perpendicularly from, the upper surface of the base plate, the center post further comprising a reduced diameter male connector at a distal end; 
 extension pins, each pin comprising a cylindrical opening in its proximal end adapted for mating with a reduced diameter male connector or a post, each pin further comprising a reduced diameter male connector at its distal end; and 
 a hollow flexible tip configured for mating with a reduced diameter male connector or post; 
   placing the base plate on a horizontal surface;   stacking a first extension pin on top of the center post;   optionally stacking additional extension pins on top of the first extension pin;   stacking the hollow flexible tip on top of a highest extension pin; and   balancing a ball on the hollow flexible tip.