Batting training apparatus

Abstract

It is one aspect of the present invention to provide a batting training apparatus for simulation ball trajectory prior to, during, and after the ball is impacted by a piece of sporting equipment such as a baseball bat. In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises a ball connected to a rotating tab wherein the tab is secured to a bearing configured to rotate within a bearing housing. The bearing housing may be mounted to a vertical support structure such as a pole or post.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A batting training apparatus configured to facilitate the horizontal rotational movement of a ball relative to a user, the apparatus comprising:
 a ball;   a tether connected to the ball;   a first bearing operably connected to the tether; and   a bearing housing configured to rotatably secure said first bearing.   
     
     
         2 . The batting training apparatus of  claim 1  in which said first bearing is a wheel bearing with an aperture in the center. 
     
     
         3 . The batting training apparatus of  claim 2  further comprising a second bearing. 
     
     
         4 . The batting training apparatus of  claim 3  in which said second bearing is a wheel bearing with an aperture in the center. 
     
     
         5 . The batting training apparatus of  claim 2  in which the bearing housing comprises a bearing seat. 
     
     
         6 . The batting training apparatus of  claim 4  in which the bearing housing comprises a first bearing seat and a second bearing seat. 
     
     
         7 . The batting training apparatus of  claim 6  further comprising a bearing spacer integrally formed within the bearing housing. 
     
     
         8 . The batting training apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the bearing is operably connected to the tether with a tab. 
     
     
         9 . The batting training apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the tab, the first bearing, and the second bearing are secured to each other with a fastener. 
     
     
         10 . The batting training apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the tab is connected to the tether through a quick link. 
     
     
         11 . The batting training apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the bearing housing is secured to a vertical support pole. 
     
     
         12 . The batting training apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the bearing housing is secured to a vertical support pole with a set screw. 
     
     
         13 . The batting training apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the vertical support pole comprises collapsible vertical support extensions. 
     
     
         14 . A batting training apparatus configured to facilitate the horizontal rotational movement of a ball relative to a user, the apparatus comprising; a first and second bearing configured to be operably connected to a ball and a bearing housing adapted to secure said first and second bearing so that each bearing is free to spin in a horizontal direction but not spin a vertical direction. 
     
     
         15 . The batting training apparatus of  claim 14  further comprising a bearing spacer sidewall protruding into the cavity between said first bearing and said second bearing.