Baseball sensor system

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for improving baseball skills are disclosed. One embodiment of the invention comprises a frame ( 12 ) and a base ( 14 ) that include radiators ( 16 ) and sensors ( 18 ) for determining pitched balls and strikes.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a generally fixed frame; said generally fixed frame being disposed to define the boundaries of a strike zone; said strike zone being configured to sense the passage of a projectile in flight;   an inward pointing radiator; said inward pointing radiator for emitting radiation which senses the passage of a pitched projectile through said frame;   said inward pointing radiator being generally affixed to said frame;   an inward pointing sensor; said inward pointing sensor for detecting a change in said radiation which records the passage of said pitched projectile through said frame.   
     
     
         2 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , in which said frame is mechanically adjustable so that it easily defines a plurality of different projectile strike zones. 
     
     
         3 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , in which said radiator is a laser. 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 3 , in which said sensor detects the radiation emitted by said laser. 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a plurality of radiators; said plurality of radiators being affixed to said frame;   a plurality of sensors; said plurality of sensors being affixed to said frame;   said plurality of sensors being mounted so that they receive a beam of light when one of said plurality of radiators is illuminated;   said plurality of radiators and said plurality of sensors being configured so that a plurality of vertical beams of light and a plurality of horizontal beams of light are propagated within said frame so that any pair of parallel beams is separated by a distance which is smaller than the smallest dimension of said projectile.   
     
     
         6 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a plurality of output leads extending from each of said plurality of sensors;   a computer; said computer including a microcontroller board; said computer also having an output;   each of said plurality of output leads being connected to said microcontroller board;   said output of said computer for operating a pair of electric lamps that indicates whether a ball or a strike has been pitched through said frame.   
     
     
         7 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 6 , in which:
 said microcontroller board is programmed to automatically turning off said pair of electric lamps after a preset time interval.   
     
     
         8 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a scoreboard for displaying balls and strikes.   
     
     
         9 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a scoreboard for displaying outs and innings.   
     
     
         10 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a radar gun affixed to said frame for measuring the speed of a projectile.   
     
     
         11 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a barrier affixed to the rear side of said frame for catching balls that pass through said frame.   
     
     
         12 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a wireless transmitter;   said wireless transmitter having an antenna;   a wireless receiver;   said wireless receiver having an antenna;   said wireless receiver being connected to said relay;   said output from said wireless transmitter being used to reset the pitch count.   
     
     
         13 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a smart phone;   said smart phone running an App;   said App for tracking balls and strikes detected by said sensor.