Device for Training Athletic or Sports Ball Players

Abstract

The present invention provides a device designed to increase the accuracy of both the throwing, bouncing, propelling by stick and kicking of a baseball, football, lacrosse ball or soccer ball. The apparatus is constructed of a frame, for example of aluminum tubing. A net is attached to or hung over the aluminum tubing to provide a series of pouches aligned horizontally at various heights. These pouches provide target areas for a ball. The pouches may be designed to allow the ball to drop from a pouch it enters into a second pouch or to the bottom of the device for easy removal. The device is held by a base that may have wheels and may be steadied by one or more transverse supports running across the bottom or the back of the base.

1 . An athletic ball training device comprising a) a frame, scaffold or base having a top, a bottom, and two sides, b) a mesh or fabric adapted to attach to or drape over said frame, scaffold or base, and c) one or more pouches attached to or formed by said mesh or fabric, wherein said one or more pouches are adapted to receive a sports ball therein. 
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more pouches are defined by a substantially arc shaped border on at least one side and wherein said substantially arc shaped border defines an aperture of sufficient size to allow passage of an athletic ball. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1  comprising at least 3 pouches. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a means of rolling connected to the bottom thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4  wherein the means of rolling comprises three or more wheels. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5  wherein said three or more wheels are lockable. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 1  being about 7 feet to about 9 feet tall. 
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 1  being about 2 feet to about 3 feet wide. 
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 1  wherein said mesh or fabric is adapted to substantially encase at least three vertical members of the scaffolding, frame or base and wherein said mesh or fabric is adapted to substantially encase at least three horizontal members of the scaffolding, frame or base at a top of the device and wherein said mesh or fabric is adapted to substantially encase at least three horizontal members of the scaffolding, frame or base at a bottom of the device. 
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 1  wherein said scaffolding, frame or base is formed of an aluminum. 
     
     
         11 . The device according to  claim 1  wherein said scaffolding, frame or base is formed of a plastic. 
     
     
         12 . The device according to  claim 1  wherein said sports ball is a baseball. 
     
     
         13 . The device according to  claim 1  wherein said sports ball is a soccer ball. 
     
     
         14 . The device according to  claim 1  wherein said sports ball is a football. 
     
     
         15 . An athletic ball training device comprising a) a frame, scaffold or base having a top, a bottom, and two sides, b) a mesh or fabric adapted to attach to or drape over said frame, scaffold or base, c) one or more pouches attached to or formed by said mesh or fabric, wherein said one or more pouches are adapted to receive a sports ball therein, and d) three or more wheels. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein said one or more pouches are defined by a substantially arc shaped border on at least one side and wherein said substantially arc shaped border defines an aperture of sufficient size to allow passage of an athletic ball. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 15  comprising at least 3 pouches. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein said mesh or fabric is selected from the group consisting of knitted nylon, cotton, hemp, polypropylene, and rayon.