Ball Rotation Indicator and Method

Abstract

The present application is directed to an athletic training tool. The athletic training tool includes a ball and an elongated member attached thereto, the elongated member is attached to the ball in a manner effective to maintain the center of gravity of the ball. The elongated member may be visually observable during use of the athletic training tool.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A training tool including an athletic ball and an elongated member assembly, the elongated member assembly extending below the surface of the athletic ball at a depth and extending out from the surface of the athletic ball at a distance effective to substantially maintain the center of gravity of the athletic ball. 
     
     
         2 . The training tool of  claim 1  wherein the visible length of the elongated member assembly is up to about 50.0 percent the outer diameter of the athletic ball and the visible width of the elongated member assembly is up to about 10.0 percent the outer diameter of the athletic ball. 
     
     
         3 . The training tool of  claim 1  wherein the elongated member assembly includes an outer rubber member defined by a longitudinal axis and a resilient member disposed longitudinally therein. 
     
     
         4 . The training tool of  claim 3  wherein the length of the resilient member is about 7.0 percent less than the total length of the corresponding rubber member. 
     
     
         5 . The training tool of  claim 3  wherein the outer rubber member is constructed from about Shore 40A to about Shore 80A polyurethane rubber. 
     
     
         6 . The training tool of  claim 1  wherein the training tool has a total weight from about 5.0 to about 11.0 percent greater than a regulation baseball. 
     
     
         7 . The training tool of  claim 1  wherein the visible part of the elongated member assembly is operationally configured to extend out from the surface of the athletic ball according to its longitudinal axis at an unstressed position and bend from its longitudinal axis when met by drag related forces when the training tool travels in space. 
     
     
         8 . A method of tracking the rotation axis of an athletic ball traveling in space, comprising:
 providing a training tool including an athletic ball and an elongated member assembly attached thereto, the elongated member assembly being defined by a longitudinal axis aligned with the rotation axis of the athletic ball, the elongated member assembly being attached to the athletic ball in a manner effective to substantially maintain the center of gravity of the athletic ball;   establishing a desired rotation for the athletic ball when traveling through space; and   while delivering the athletic ball, analyzing the rotation of the athletic ball compared to the desired rotation by viewing the elongated member assembly.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein delivery of the athletic ball involves a first individual throwing the athletic ball and a second individual catching the athletic ball, the first and second individuals analyzing the rotation of the athletic ball during delivery thereof. 
     
     
         10 . A method of providing instant feedback to a baseball/softball player as to whether he or she has thrown an athletic ball in space rotationally as desired, comprising the following steps:
 providing a training tool including an athletic ball and an elongated member assembly attached thereto, the elongated member assembly extending below the surface of the athletic ball at a depth and extending out from the surface of the athletic ball at a distance effective to substantially maintain the center of gravity of the athletic ball;   establishing a desired rotation in space for a thrown athletic ball;   throwing the training tool toward a target; and   observing the rotation of the athletic ball in space according to the elongated member assembly as the training tool travels toward the target; and   comparing the rotation of the athletic ball with the desired rotation.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  including repeating the steps of  claim 10  over a plurality of throws and comparing the rotation of the athletic ball of one particular throw with the rotation of the athletic ball of one or more other throws. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the training tool may be used during real time sports competition whereby a baseball/softball player may grip the athletic ball without the elongated member assembly interfering with the baseball/softball player's natural relationship with the athletic ball. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the elongated member assembly extending out from the surface of the athletic ball includes a size that does not affect a person's ability to catch a thrown training tool in a baseball/softball glove differently than a baseball/softball alone.