Batting Cage Device

Abstract

A batting cage device collects a batted ball and returns the ball to the batter in a position to be batted again. The device includes an enclosed area. A back section of the enclosed area is elevated relative to a front section of the enclosed area. A drain coupled to the rear section of the enclosed area receives and directs a ball through the drain. A chute is positioned adjacent to the enclosed area to receive the ball passing through the drain. The chute is sloped downwardly from an upper end to a lower end. A lofting mechanism is positioned at the lower end of the chute for lofting the ball when the ball exits the lower end of the chute. While lofted in the air the ball may be struck back into the rear section of the enclosed area.

1 . A batting cage device comprising:
 an enclosure defining an enclosed area having a back section and a front section, said back section of said enclosed area being elevated relative to said front section of said enclosed area;   a drain coupled to said rear section of said enclosed area such that said rear section is configured for receiving and directing a ball such that the ball passes through said drain;   a chute positioned adjacent to said enclosed area such that an upper end of said chute is configured for receiving the ball passing through said drain, said chute being sloped downwardly from said upper end to a lower end wherein the ball moves from said upper end of said chute to said lower end of said chute; and   a lofting mechanism positioned at said lower end of said chute wherein said chute is configured for lofting the ball when the ball exits said lower end of said chute wherein the ball is battable into said rear section of said enclosed area.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising said lofting mechanism comprising netting positioned adjacent to said lower end of said chute
 wherein said chute is configured to deliver the ball onto said netting.   
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , further comprising said netting being angled relative to said chute such that said netting is configured for lofting the ball in a substantially vertical direction adjacent to said enclosed area. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a bottom surface of said rear section of said enclosed area forming a funnel towards said drain. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a lower extension panel coupled to and extending forwardly from a bottom front edge of said enclosed area; and   an aperture extending through said lower extension panel, said lofting mechanism being configured for lofting the ball through said aperture.   
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , further comprising an upper extension panel coupled to and extending forwardly from a top front edge of said enclosed area, said upper extension panel extending over said lower extension panel. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a frame, said enclosed area and said chute each being coupled to and supported by said frame; and   a pair of legs coupled to said frame, said legs being telescopic wherein a slope of said chute is adjustable by adjustment of a length of said legs.   
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , further comprising said legs being positioned adjacent to a front of said enclosed area. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising said front section being downwardly sloped extending forwardly from said rear section. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a deflection panel being positioned in said enclosed area, said deflection panel being positioned within said enclosed area such that said deflection panel inhibits the ball from bouncing into said front section from said rear section. 
     
     
         11 . A batting cage device comprising:
 an enclosure defining an enclosed area having a back section and a front section, said back section of said enclosed area being elevated relative to said front section of said enclosed area, said front section being downwardly sloped extending forwardly from said rear section;   a drain coupled to said rear section of said enclosed area such that said rear section is configured for receiving and directing a ball such that the ball passes through said drain;   a bottom surface of said rear section of said enclosed area forming a funnel towards said drain;   a chute positioned adjacent to said enclosed area such that an upper end of said chute is configured for receiving the ball passing through said drain, said chute being sloped downwardly from said upper end to a lower end wherein the ball moves from said upper end of said chute to said lower end of said chute; and   a lofting mechanism positioned at said lower end of said chute wherein said chute is configured for lofting the ball when the ball exits said lower end of said chute wherein the ball is battable into said rear section of said enclosed area, said lofting mechanism comprising netting positioned adjacent to said lower end of said chute, said netting being wherein said chute is configured to deliver the ball onto said netting, said netting being angled relative to said chute such that said netting is configured for lofting the ball in a substantially vertical direction adjacent to said enclosed area;   a lower extension panel coupled to and extending forwardly from a bottom front edge of said enclosed area;   an aperture extending through said lower extension panel, said lofting mechanism being configured for lofting the ball through said aperture;   an upper extension panel coupled to and extending forwardly from a top front edge of said enclosed area, said upper extension panel extending over said lower extension panel;   a frame, said enclosed area and said chute each being coupled to and supported by said frame;   a pair of legs coupled to said frame, said legs being telescopic wherein a slope of said chute is adjustable by adjustment of a length of said legs, said legs being positioned adjacent to a front of said enclosed area; and   a deflection panel being positioned in said enclosed area, said deflection panel being positioned within said enclosed area such that said deflection panel inhibits the ball from bouncing into said front section from said rear section.