Hitting deck, hitting mat or training system, device or method

Abstract

A baseball mat that in one embodiment has a plurality of indicia formed in a pattern that enables at least one or both a left-handed and a right-handed batter to know where to place a batting tee. In another embodiment, the batting mat comprises an interval system that enables a player to measure an interval or distance between a player's feet when the player is situated in a batting area associated with the batting mat. The interval system may have foot landing zones to assist the player in placing his or her feet. In another embodiment, a hitting deck graphic is used to define the plurality of indicia either alone or with direction indicia that enable a user to know or understand a direction in which a ball will be hit.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A hitting deck system for training a hitter, comprising:
 a hitting deck mat for placing on a surface, said hitting deck mat having a plurality of indicia adapted to identify a plurality of tee placement locations adapted to identify or define a plurality of points of contact, respectively, where a batting tee can be placed; and   each of said plurality of indicia each comprise a direction indicia indicating a general direction, area or sector where a ball should be hit if said hitter hits said ball off of said batting tee after said batting tee is placed on or near one of said plurality of tee placement or points of contacts locations;   said plurality of indicia being arranged in a predetermined pattern to facilitate training both a right-side hitter and a left-side hitter to hit a ball to at least one of said direction, area or sector.   
     
     
         2 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said direction indicia comprises a graphic sector that visually represents an area of the field where said ball should be hit by said hitter. 
     
     
         3 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 2  wherein said graphic sector is color coded. 
     
     
         4 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 3  wherein said graphic sector comprises a first color for said right-side hitter and a second color for a left-side hitter, wherein said first and second colors are different. 
     
     
         5 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 3  wherein said graphic sector is integrally formed or applied to said hitting deck mat. 
     
     
         6 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 1  wherein each of said plurality of indicia comprises a stadium graphic of a baseball field and said direction indicia identify said direction, area or sector of said baseball field where said ball should be hit. 
     
     
         7 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 1  wherein each of said plurality of indicia comprises an enlarged home plate graphic. 
     
     
         8 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 6  wherein each of said plurality of indicia comprises a home plate graphic that is enlarged relative to said stadium graphic. 
     
     
         9 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 1  wherein each of said plurality of indicia comprises a stadium graphic comprising an enlarged home plate self an image of an entire baseball field when combined indicate a point of contact within the entire contact or hitting zone. 
     
     
         10 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said plurality of indicia comprises a right field indicia, right center field indicia, center field indicia, left center field indicia and left field indicia for at least one of said right-side hitter or said left-side hitter. 
     
     
         11 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 10  wherein said plurality of indicia comprises a right field indicia, right center field indicia, center field indicia, left center field indicia and left field indicia for both of said right-side hitter or said left-side hitter. 
     
     
         12 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said hitting mat comprises an image of a home plate with said predetermined pattern of said plurality of indicia being arranged relative thereto, said predetermined pattern defined to provide an entire hitting or contact zone to train at least one of said right-side hitter or left-side hitter to hit the ball to at least one of right field, right center field, center field, left center field and left field. 
     
     
         13 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 12  wherein said predetermined pattern is defined such that said plurality of indicia are arranged to provide an entire hitting or contact zone to train both said right-side hitter and left-side hitter to hit the ball to at least one of right field, right center field, center field, left center field and left field. 
     
     
         14 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 12  wherein said predetermined pattern is an X pattern of said plurality of indicia. 
     
     
         15 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 13  wherein said predetermined pattern is an X pattern of said plurality of indicia. 
     
     
         16 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said predetermined pattern is an X pattern of said plurality of indicia. 
     
     
         17 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said hitting deck mat further comprises an interval system adapted to define an interval or distance between said hitter's feet. 
     
     
         18 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said hitting deck mat further comprises an interval system that identifies a distance or position between a hitter's feet when said hitter is using said hitting deck mat. 
     
     
         19 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 18  wherein said interval system comprises at least one scale, ruler or indicia located in proximate relationship to at least one of a first side or a second side of said hitting deck mat. 
     
     
         20 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 19  wherein said at least one scale, ruler or indicia comprises a foot landing zone adapted to guide said hitter where to land or place at least one foot. 
     
     
         21 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 20  wherein said foot landing zone is adapted to guide said hitter to land or place a lead or forward foot and is color coded for at least one of a right-side hitter or a left-side hitter. 
     
     
         22 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 18  wherein said interval system comprises at least one first scale, ruler or indicia associated with a first side and at least one second scale, ruler or indicia associated with at least one second side. 
     
     
         23 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 22  wherein said interval system comprises at least one first scale, ruler or indicia located in proximate relationship to a first side of said hitting deck mat and at least one second scale, ruler or indicia located in proximate relationship to a second side of said hitting deck mat. 
     
     
         24 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 23  wherein each foot landing zone is color coded for at least one of a right-side hitter or a left-side hitter. 
     
     
         25 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 19  wherein said at least one first scale, ruler or indicia and said at least one second scale, ruler or indicia each comprise a foot landing zone adapted to guide said hitter to land or place at least one foot. 
     
     
         26 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 20  wherein said foot landing zone is adapted to guide said hitter to land or place a lead or forward foot and is color coded for at least one of a right-side hitter or a left-side hitter. 
     
     
         27 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 22  wherein said at least one first scale, ruler or indicia and said at least one second scale, ruler or indicia are numeric rulers. 
     
     
         28 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 22  wherein said at least one first scale, ruler or indicia and said at least one second scale, ruler or indicia are numeric rulers. 
     
     
         29 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 17  wherein said hitting deck mat further comprises an interval system that identifies a distance or position between a hitter's feet when said hitter is standing in hitting relationship to said hitting deck mat. 
     
     
         30 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said hitting deck mat is a one-piece integral construction made of polyisoprene. 
     
     
         31 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 23  wherein said hitting deck mat comprises a home plate graphic of a baseball home plate, said at least one first scale, ruler or indicia becoming generally aligned with a first side of said home plate and said at least one second scale, ruler or indicia becoming generally aligned with a second side of said home plate. 
     
     
         32 . A hitting deck system for training a hitter, comprising:
 a hitting deck mat for placing on a surface, and   said hitting deck mat further comprising an interval system adapted to define an interval or distance between said hitter's feet.   
     
     
         33 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 32  wherein said interval system comprises at least one scale, ruler or indicia located in proximate relationship to at least one of a first side or a second side of said hitting deck mat. 
     
     
         34 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 33  wherein said at least one scale, ruler or indicia comprises a foot landing zone adapted to guide said hitter where to land or place at least one foot. 
     
     
         35 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 34  wherein each foot landing zone is color coded for at least one of a right-side batter or a left-side batter. 
     
     
         36 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 34  wherein said foot landing zone is adapted to guide said hitter to land or place a lead or forward foot of said hitter and is color coded for at least one of a right-side batter or a left-side batter. 
     
     
         37 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 32  wherein said interval system comprises at least one first scale, ruler or indicia associated with a first side of said hitting deck mat for a right-side hitter and at least one second scale, ruler or indicia associated with at least one second side of said hitting deck mat for a left-side hitter. 
     
     
         38 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 37  wherein said at least one first scale, ruler or indicia and said at least one second scale, ruler or indicia each comprise a foot landing zone adapted to guide said hitter to land or place at least one foot. 
     
     
         39 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 38  wherein said foot landing zone is adapted to guide said hitter to land or place a lead or forward foot and is color coded for at least one of said right-side batter or said left-side batter. 
     
     
         40 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 37  wherein said at least one first scale, ruler or indicia and said at least one second scale, ruler or indicia are numeric rulers. 
     
     
         41 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 32  wherein said interval system is a numeric ruler associated with at least one side of said hitting deck mat. 
     
     
         42 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 32  wherein said interval system comprises a first numeric ruler associated with a first side of said hitting deck mat and a second numeric ruler associated with a second side of said hitting deck mat. 
     
     
         43 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 42  wherein said first numeric ruler is associated with said first side for a right-side hitter and said second numeric ruler is associated with said second side for a left-side hitter. 
     
     
         44 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 42  wherein said hitting deck mat comprises a home plate graphic of a baseball home plate, said numeric ruler becoming generally aligned with a first side of said home plate and said second numeric ruler becoming generally aligned with a second side of said baseball home plate. 
     
     
         45 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 41  wherein said hitting deck mat further comprises a plurality of indicia adapted to identify a plurality of tee placement locations or points of contact, respectively, where a batting tee can be placed each of said plurality of indicia each comprise a direction indicia indicating a general direction, area or sector where a ball should be contacted if said hitter hits a ball off of said batting tee after said batting tee is placed on or near one of said plurality of tee placement or points of contact locations;
 said plurality of indicia being arranged in a predetermined pattern to facilitate training at least one of a right-side hitter and a left-side hitter to hit a ball to at least one of said direction, area or sector. 
 
     
     
         46 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 42  wherein said hitting deck mat further comprises a plurality of indicia adapted to identify a plurality of tee placement locations or points of contact, respectively, where a batting tee can be placed each of said plurality of indicia each comprise a direction indicia indicating a general direction, area or sector where a ball should be hit if said hitter contacts or hits a ball off of said batting tee after said batting tee is placed on or near one of said plurality of tee placement or points of contact locations;
 said plurality of indicia being arranged in a predetermined pattern to facilitate training both a right-side hitter and a left-side hitter to hit a ball to at least one of said direction, area or sector, said predetermined pattern being located between said first and second numeric rulers. 
 
     
     
         47 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 45  wherein said direction indicia comprises a graphic sector that visually represents an area of the field where said ball should be hit by said batter. 
     
     
         48 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 47  wherein said graphic sector is color coded. 
     
     
         49 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 48  wherein said graphic sector comprises a first color for a right-side hitter and a second color for a left-side hitter, wherein said first and second colors are different. 
     
     
         50 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 47  wherein said graphic sector is integrally formed or applied to said hitting deck mat. 
     
     
         51 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 46  wherein each of said plurality of indicia comprises a stadium graphic of a baseball field and said direction indicia identify said direction, area or sector of said baseball field where said ball should be hit. 
     
     
         52 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 47  wherein each of said plurality of indicia comprises an enlarged home plate graphic. 
     
     
         53 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 51  wherein each of said plurality of indicia comprises a home plate graphic that is enlarged relative to said stadium graphic, wherein when combined form a point of contact and directional graphic. 
     
     
         54 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 47  wherein each of said plurality of indicia comprises a stadium graphic comprising an enlarged home plate and an image of an entire baseball field, wherein when combined form a point of contact and directional graphic. 
     
     
         55 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 47  wherein said plurality of indicia comprises a first indicia comprising a right field indicia, a second indicia comprising a right center field indicia, a third indicia comprising a center field indicia, a fourth indicia comprising a left center field indicia and a fifth indicia comprising a left field indicia for at least one of said right-side batter or said left-side batter. 
     
     
         56 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 46  wherein said plurality of indicia comprises a first indicia comprising a right field indicia, a second indicia comprising a right center field indicia, a third indicia comprising a center field indicia, a fourth indicia comprising a left center field indicia and a fifth indicia comprising a left field indicia for each of said right-side batter or said left-side batter. 
     
     
         57 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 32  wherein said hitting mat comprises an image of a home plate with a predetermined pattern of a plurality of indicia being arranged relative thereto, said predetermined pattern defined to provide an entire contact or hitting zone to train both a right-side hitter or a left-side hitter to hit a ball to at least one of right field, right center field, center field, left center field and left field. 
     
     
         58 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 57  wherein said predetermined pattern is an X pattern of said plurality of indicia. 
     
     
         59 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 32  wherein said hitting deck system further comprises a batting tee for use in combination with said hitting deck mat. 
     
     
         60 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 45  wherein said hitting deck system further comprises a batting tee for use in combination with said hitting deck mat. 
     
     
         61 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 32  wherein the plurality of indicia are provided in the form of a stencil. 
     
     
         62 . A hitting deck system for training a hitter, comprising:
 a hitting deck mat for placing on a surface, said hitting deck mat having a plurality of indicia adapted to identify a plurality of tee placement or points of contact locations, respectively, where a batting tee can be placed; and   each of said plurality of indicia each comprise a direction indicia indicating a general direction, area or sector where a ball should be hit if said hitter hits a ball off of said batting tee after said batting tee is placed on or near one of said plurality of tee placement locations;   said direction indicia comprises a graphic sector that visually represents an area of the field where said ball should be hit by said hitter.   
     
     
         63 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 62  wherein said graphic sector is color coded. 
     
     
         64 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 63  wherein said graphic sector comprises a first color for a right-side hitter and a second color for a left-side hitter, wherein said first and second colors are different. 
     
     
         65 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 62  wherein said graphic sector is integrally formed or applied to said hitting deck mat. 
     
     
         66 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 62  wherein each of said plurality of indicia comprises a point of contact and directional graphic of a baseball field and said direction indicia identify said direction, area or sector of said baseball field where said ball should be hit. 
     
     
         67 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 62  wherein each of said plurality of indicia comprises an enlarged home plate graphic. 
     
     
         68 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 62  wherein each of said plurality of indicia comprises a point of contact and directional graphic comprising an enlarged home plate with an image of an entire baseball field. 
     
     
         69 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 62  wherein said plurality of indicia comprises a right field indicia, right center field indicia, center field indicia, left center field indicia and left field indicia for at least one of a right-side batter or a left-side batter. 
     
     
         70 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 64  wherein said hitting mat comprises an image of a home plate with a predetermined pattern of said plurality of indicia being arranged relative thereto, said predetermined pattern defined to provide an entire contact or hitting zone to train at least one of said right-side hitter or left-side hitter to hit the ball to at least one of right field, right center field, center field, left center field and left field. 
     
     
         71 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 62  wherein a predetermined pattern is defined such that said plurality of indicia are arranged to provide an entire contact or hitting zone to train both a right-side hitter and a left-side hitter to hit the ball to at least one of right field, right center field, center field, left center field and left field. 
     
     
         72 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 70  wherein said predetermined pattern is an X pattern of said plurality of indicia. 
     
     
         73 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 70  wherein said predetermined pattern is an X pattern of said plurality of indicia. 
     
     
         74 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 70  wherein said predetermined pattern is an X pattern of said plurality of indicia. 
     
     
         75 . The hitting deck system as recited in  claim 62  wherein said hitting deck mat comprises an interval system indicia located on or integral with said hitting deck mat. 
     
     
         76 . A hitting deck graphic for use with a hitting deck, comprising:
 a home plate graphic of a home plate; and   a stadium graphic of a baseball field associated with or juxtaposed to said home plate graphic.   
     
     
         77 . The hitting deck graphic as recited in  claim 76  and further comprising:
 a direction indicia for identifying a direction, area or sector of said baseball field. 
 
     
     
         78 . The hitting deck graphic as recited in  claim 76  wherein said point of contact and directional graphic of said home plate is enlarged relative stadium graphic of said baseball field. 
     
     
         79 . The hitting deck graphic as recited in  claim 78  wherein said enlarged home plate with an image of an entire baseball field. 
     
     
         80 . The hitting deck graphic as recited in  claim 77  wherein said direction indicia comprises at least one of the following: a first indicia comprising a right field indicia, a second indicia comprising a right center field indicia, a third indicia comprising a center field indicia, a fourth indicia comprising a left center field indicia or a fifth indicia comprising a left field. 
     
     
         81 . The hitting deck graphic as recited in  claim 80  wherein said third indicia comprising a center field indicia, comprises a plurality of segments or sectors adapted for both a right-side batter or a left-side batter. 
     
     
         82 . The hitting deck graphic as recited in  claim 80  wherein said direction indicia is formed in a sector, area or segment associated with an area of the baseball field. 
     
     
         83 . The hitting deck graphic as recited in  claim 80  wherein the direction indicia comprises a first color for a right-side hitter and a second color for a left-side hitter, wherein said first and second colors are different. 
     
     
         84 . The hitting deck graphic as recited in  claim 82  wherein said sector is integrally formed or applied to said hitting deck. 
     
     
         85 . A method for training a batter to hit a ball to an area of a baseball field, said method comprising the steps of:
 providing a hitting deck for positioning on a surface;   providing a plurality of locations on said hitting deck for the batter to place a batting tee;   enabling said batter to position his feet at a predetermined interval relative to said hitting deck;   providing a plurality of indicia at said plurality of locations, respectively, each of said plurality of indicia identifying an area on said hitting deck where a batting tee may be placed.   
     
     
         86 . The method as recited in  claim 85  wherein each of said plurality of indicia comprise direction indicia adapted to show or train at least one of a right-side hitter or a left-side hitter a location on the baseball field where a ball will be hit if the ball is hit off said batting tee when that batting tee is place where the indicia is located on said hitting deck. 
     
     
         87 . The method as recited in  claim 86  wherein said plurality of indicia each comprise a sector representation of a portion of the baseball field. 
     
     
         88 . The method as recited in  claim 87  wherein said sector representation is color coded. 
     
     
         89 . A batting station comprising:
 a surface; and   a plurality of indicia or points of contact applied to or embodied in said surface for training both a right-side hitter and a left-side hitter to hit a ball to at least one of a direction, area or sector.   
     
     
         90 . The batting station as recited in  claim 89  wherein said plurality of indicia or points of contact comprises a graphic sector that visually represents an area of the field where said ball should be hit by at least one of said right-side hitter or said left-side hitter. 
     
     
         91 . The batting station as recited in  claim 90  wherein said graphic sector is color coded. 
     
     
         92 . The batting station as recited in  claim 91  wherein said graphic sector comprises a first color for said right-side hitter and a second color for a left-side hitter, wherein said first and second colors are different. 
     
     
         93 . The batting station as recited in  claim 89  wherein each of said plurality of indicia or points of contact comprises a stadium graphic of a baseball field and a direction indicia identify said direction, area or sector of said baseball field where said ball should be hit. 
     
     
         94 . An applicator for providing or defining a batting trainer, said applicator comprising:
 a device for creating or adapting a surface to have a plurality of indicia or points of contact for training both a right-side hitter and a left-side hitter to hit a ball to at least one of a direction, area or sector.   
     
     
         95 . The applicator as recited in  claim 94  wherein said device is at least one of a die, mold, embosser, imprinter, template or stencil. 
     
     
         96 . The applicator as recited in  claim 94  wherein said plurality of indicia or points of contact comprises a graphic sector that visually represents an area of a field where said ball should be hit by at least one of said right-side hitter or said left-side hitter 
     
     
         97 . The applicator as recited in  claim 96  wherein said graphic sector is color coded. 
     
     
         98 . The applicator as recited in  claim 97  wherein said graphic sector comprises a first color for said right-side hitter and a second color for a left-side hitter, wherein said first and second colors are different. 
     
     
         99 . The applicator as recited in  claim 94  wherein each of said plurality of indicia or points of contact comprises a stadium graphic of a baseball field and a direction indicia identify said direction, area or sector of said baseball field where said ball should be hit.