Batting Skills Development Device

Abstract

A batting skills development device for use with a bat, the bat generally having a proximal handle portion and a distal barrel portion with a tapered section extending therebetween. The device comprises, in an exemplary embodiment, a weighted sleeve having a tapered inner surface configured for approximating the tapered section of the bat, with a first end of the sleeve having a first inner diameter larger than a second inner diameter of an opposing second end of the sleeve, the first inner diameter being less than or equal to a barrel diameter of the barrel portion. Thus, during use, the sleeve is slipped over the handle portion of the bat and wedged against the tapered section proximal the barrel portion, thereby maintaining a balanced distribution of weight along the bat while allowing the barrel portion to remain substantially unobstructed.

1 . A batting skills development device for use with a bat, the bat having a proximal handle portion and a distal barrel portion with a tapered section extending therebetween, the device comprising:
 a weighted sleeve having a tapered inner surface configured for approximating the tapered section of the bat, with a first end of the sleeve having a first inner diameter larger than a second inner diameter of an opposing second end of the sleeve, the first inner diameter being less than or equal to a barrel diameter of the barrel portion;   whereby, during use, the sleeve is slipped over the handle portion of the bat and wedged against the tapered section proximal the barrel portion, thereby maintaining a balanced distribution of weight along the bat.   
     
     
         2 . The batting skills development device of  claim 1  wherein the sleeve further defines a lengthwise opening extending between opposing first and second ends of the sleeve and configured for allowing the handle portion of the bat to pass therethrough. 
     
     
         3 . The batting skills development device of  claim 2  wherein the width of the opening is tapered, with a first opening width at the first end of the sleeve being relatively narrower than a second opening width at the second end of the sleeve. 
     
     
         4 . The batting skills development device of  claim 1  wherein the sleeve is made of a relatively dense material. 
     
     
         5 . The batting skills development device of  claim 1  wherein the sleeve has a frusto-conical shape. 
     
     
         6 . The batting skills development device of  claim 1  wherein the inner surface of the sleeve provides a high friction material configured for resisting movement of the sleeve on the bat during use. 
     
     
         7 . The batting skills development device of  claim 1  wherein the sleeve defines a relatively low profile when engaged with the bat. 
     
     
         8 . The batting skills development device of  claim 7  wherein the sleeve has a uniform cross-sectional thickness of less than half an inch. 
     
     
         9 . A batting skills development device for use with a bat, the bat having a proximal handle portion and a distal barrel portion with a tapered section extending therebetween, the device comprising:
 a tapered, weighted sleeve configured for approximating the tapered section of the bat; and   the sleeve defining a lengthwise opening extending between opposing first and second ends of the sleeve, the opening configured for allowing the handle portion of the bat to pass therethrough;   whereby, during use, the sleeve is slipped over the handle portion of the bat and wedged against the tapered section proximal the barrel portion, thereby maintaining a balanced distribution of weight along the bat.   
     
     
         10 . A batting skills development device for use with bat, the bat having a proximal handle portion and a distal barrel portion with a tapered section extending therebetween, the device comprising a tapered, weighted sleeve having a relatively C-shaped cross section and configured for approximating the tapered section of the bat, whereby, during use, the sleeve is slipped over the handle portion of the bat and wedged against the tapered section proximal the barrel portion, thereby maintaining a balanced distribution of weight along the bat while allowing the barrel portion to remain substantially unobstructed.