Catch and throw ball training device

Abstract

A ball training device having an elongated elastic tether, a ball connected to one end of the tether and a means for attachment the device to the wrist of a user, or to a lacrosse stick, at the other end of the tether. A holder that comprises a co-ordinating plurality of straps that are affixed to the ball is used to attach the ball to the tether. The device is used to practice ball handling skills for catch and throw sports such as baseball, softball, lacrosse and cricket.

1 . A ball training device comprising an elongated elastic tether made of round shock cord, having a first end and a second end,
 a) a ball connected to the first end of the tether, the ball having an outside surface and being enclosed by a holder that comprises a plurality of straps that are affixed to the outside surface of the ball, the plurality of straps comprising at least two longitudinal straps, each longitudinal strap encircling the ball from a top apex to a bottom apex, said at least two straps overlapping at the top apex and at the bottom apex;   b) the first end of the tether being inserted under the overlapping at least two longitudinal straps at the top apex of the ball; and   c) an attachment means connected to the second end of the tether, for attachment of the second end of the tether to the wrist of a user, or to a lacrosse stick.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of straps further comprises at least one transverse strap encircling the ball transverse to the longitudinal straps. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , comprising one transverse strap affixed to the outside surface of the ball midway between the top apex and the bottom apex of the ball. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of straps is affixed to the ball with glue. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the first end of the tether and/or the second end of the tether is tied to the tether by a self-tightening knot. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of straps are made of flat woven elastic. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of straps is affixed to the ball with glue. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the attachment means is a wrist strap. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the attachment means is an elastic element sized to attach to a lacrosse stick. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the ball is a practice baseball or a practice softball. 
     
     
         11 . A method of making a ball training device comprising:
 a) preparing at least two circular longitudinal elastic straps, each strap having a diameter such that it needs to be stretched to encircle a ball having an outside surface;   b) positioning a first strap of said at least two longitudinal straps on the ball by stretching it around the ball between a top and a bottom apex;   c) affixing the first strap to the outside surface of the ball;   d) positioning a second strap of said at least two longitudinal straps on the ball by stretching it around the ball between the top and the bottom apex, such that the first strap and the second strap overlap at the top apex;   e) affixing the second strap to the outside surface of the ball;   f) inserting a first end of an elongated elastic tether made of round shock cord underneath the at least two longitudinal straps at the top apex, and tying that first end of the tether to the tether itself; and   g) attaching the second end of the tether to an attachment means, for attachment of the second end of the tether to the wrist of a user, or to a lacrosse stick.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising:
 a) preparing at least one transverse circular elastic strap, having a diameter such that it needs to be stretched to encircle the ball; 
 b) positioning the at least one transverse elastic strap on the ball by stretching it around the ball and over said at least two circular longitudinal elastic straps at a right angle thereto; and 
 c) affixing the at least one transverse elastic strap to the outside surface of the ball. 
 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the at least two circular longitudinal elastic straps are made of woven elastic. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the at least one transverse longitudinal elastic strap is made of woven elastic. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the affixing of the at least two circular longitudinal elastic straps is by gluing. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the affixing of the at least one transverse longitudinal elastic strap is by gluing. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the glue is a hot melt adhesive. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the glue is a hot melt adhesive. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the ball is a practice baseball or a practice softball.