Bat alignment assembly and method of training a batter

Abstract

A bat alignment assembly for training a batter comprises a bat having a distal end and a proximal end. A barrel is located adjacent to the distal end of the bat. A handle is disposed adjacent to a proximal end of the bat. The barrel of the bat comprises a physical hitting surface. The bat alignment assembly includes an alignment assembly on a bat which facilitates positioning a batter's hands on a handle of the bat in an optimal batting orientation. The alignment assembly may include a base tone and a secondary tone, wherein the base tone and the secondary tone at least partially define an alignment interface. A method of training a batter to maximize an area of contact with a ball is also presented.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bat alignment assembly for training a batter, said bat alignment assembly comprising:
 a bat,   said bat having a distal end and a proximal end,   a barrel located adjacent to said distal end of said bat,   a handle disposed adjacent to said proximal end of said bat,   said barrel comprising a physical hitting surface, and   an alignment assembly comprising an alignment interface, wherein said alignment interface facilitates positioning the batter's hands on said handle of said bat in an optimal batting orientation.   
     
     
         2 . The bat alignment assembly as recited in  claim 1  wherein said alignment assembly comprises a base tone and a secondary tone. 
     
     
         3 . The bat alignment assembly as recited in  claim 2  wherein said base tone and said secondary tone at least partially define said alignment interface. 
     
     
         4 . The bat alignment assembly as recited in  claim 3  wherein said base tone and said secondary tone contrast to at least partially define a perceived contact surface along at least a portion of said barrel of said bat. 
     
     
         5 . The bat alignment assembly as recited in  claim 4  wherein said secondary tone is applied by painting said bat. 
     
     
         6 . The bat alignment assembly as recited in  claim 4  wherein said perceived contact surface is coincident and coplanar with an axis through a length of said bat. 
     
     
         7 . The bat alignment assembly as recited in  claim 3  wherein said alignment interface extends substantially between said distal end and said proximal end of said bat. 
     
     
         8 . The bat alignment assembly as recited in  claim 3  wherein said alignment interface extends at least partially away from said distal end towards said proximal end along said bat. 
     
     
         9 . The bat alignment assembly as recited in  claim 8  wherein said alignment interface comprises an alignment length. 
     
     
         10 . The bat alignment assembly as recited in  claim 9  wherein said alignment length is about 15 to 16 inches. 
     
     
         11 . A bat alignment assembly for training a batter, said bat alignment assembly comprising:
 a bat,   said bat having a distal end and a proximal end,   a barrel located adjacent to said distal end of said bat,   a handle disposed adjacent to said proximal end of said bat,   said barrel comprising a physical hitting surface, and   an alignment assembly comprising a base tone and a secondary tone, wherein said base tone and said secondary tone at least partially define an alignment interface.   
     
     
         12 . The bat alignment assembly as recited in  claim 11  further comprising at least one alignment indicia. 
     
     
         13 . The bat alignment assembly as recited in  claim 12  wherein said alignment indicia is disposed on said handle. 
     
     
         14 . The bat alignment assembly as recited in  claim 13  wherein said alignment indicia is aligned with said alignment interface of said alignment assembly to facilitate positioning the batter's hands on said handle of said bat in an optimal batting orientation. 
     
     
         15 . A method of training a batter to maximize an area of contact with a ball, the method comprising:
 providing a bat alignment assembly comprising a bat having an alignment assembly,   positioning the batter's hands on a handle of the bat in an optimal batting orientation utilizing an alignment interface of the alignment assembly, having a perceived contact surface coplanar and coincident with an axis though a length of the bat,   directing the batter's line of sight to the perceived contact surface,   conditioning the batter to swing the bat in an optimal batting orientation, wherein the optimal batting orientation is at least partially defined by maintaining the perceived contact surface substantially perpendicular to a direction of travel of the ball thereby maximizing the area of contact between the bat and the ball,   swinging the bat while maintaining the bat in the optimal batting orientation, and   contacting the ball with the bat while maintaining the bat in the optimal batting orientation.   
     
     
         16 . The method as recited in  claim 15  wherein the alignment assembly further comprises at least one alignment indicia disposed on the handle of the bat, and positioning the batter's hands on the handle of the bat in the optimal batting orientation utilizing the at least one alignment indicia of the alignment assembly.