Baseball Batting-Practice Apparatus and Related Methods of Use

Abstract

Disclosed is a portable apparatus for batting practice which aids in the development and/or improvement of a batter's ability to strike a baseball/softball with a baseball/softball bat. The apparatus consists of ball-targets, affixed to a hub, that rotate about a horizontal axle. Suitably, the hub is defined by a strap and clamp assembly. The apparatus may be affixed to any vertical assembly, but will typically be affixed to a standard vertical assembly, commonly known as a batting tee. Once so affixed, the apparatus may be adjusted up or down along with the tee, to allow for batters of varying heights to use the apparatus. The batter strikes the target, with the selected implement, in this case a baseball/softball bat, causing the target to rotate around the horizontal axle, eventually returning a target once again to the upright and proper position, allowing for further training using said apparatus.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A batting practice apparatus comprising:
 a plurality of ball-targets that are equilaterally spoked around a hub;   a mount;   an axle that rotably couples the hub and mount.   
     
     
         2 . A method of training an athlete in batting practice comprising the steps of:
 rotatably securing a plurality of ball-targets to a tee by a mount rotatably coupled via an axle to a hub with spokes separating the three ball targets;   orienting the axle so that the axle is horizontal and one of the ball targets are position vertically superior to the other two ball targets; and   striking the vertically superior ball target.   
     
     
         3 . A baseball or softball batting practice apparatus comprising:
 a mount operably configured to attach to a tee;   said mount being fixedly connected to an axle;   said axle connected to a rotable hub;   said hub having spokes extending therefrom and being fixedly attached to a plurality of ball targets.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  further comprising ball targets that are whiffle balls. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said mount is operably removable from said tee with a mechanism that securedly buckles to the tee. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said plurality of ball targets is a number of  3  ball targets. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said rotable hub is configured to operate so that friction will stop a ball target at an upright position ready to be struck by a batter. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said rotable hub is configured so that a mechanical mechanism will stop a ball target at an upright position ready to be struck by a batter when the rotational momentum is overcome by a physical obstruction, whereby the ball is in an ideal position for striking by a batter. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said ball-targets that equilaterally spoked around said hub.