Bat-and-Ball Sport Training Aid

Abstract

A bat-and-ball sport training aid configured to teach baseball and softball fielders proper techniques in fielding a batted ground ball that takes a bad hop. A training apparatus for a bat-and-ball sport comprises a multilayer mat, a plurality of sleeves, and a plurality of diverting inserts. The multilayer mat comprises an inner layer encapsulated by a top and bottom layer. The top layer has an outer surface constructed to simulate a playing surface for the bat-and-ball sport. The plurality of sleeves run through the inner layer and are configured to accept the plurality of diverting inserts. Each diverting insert is constructed to provide an obstacle that will change the direction of a ball in a difficult to anticipate direction after it impacts the insert.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A training apparatus comprising:
 a multilayer mat;   a plurality of sleeves penetrating the multilayer mat crosswise; and   a plurality of diverting inserts positional within the plurality of sleeves; and   wherein each diverting insert deforms a portion of the multilayer mat in an upward direction.   
     
     
         2 . The training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a top layer of the multilayer comprises an outer surface configured to simulate a grassy surface. 
     
     
         3 . The training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a top layer of the multilayer comprises an outer surface configured to simulate a dirt surface. 
     
     
         4 . The training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a bottom layer comprises a ground engaging surface for stabilizing the multilayer mat. 
     
     
         5 . The training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a bottom layer comprises a plurality of ground gripping elements for stabilizing the multilayer mat. 
     
     
         6 . The training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein an inner layer of the multilayer mat is undulating. 
     
     
         7 . The training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the multilayer mat is flat when the plurality of sleeves are empty. 
     
     
         8 . The training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of diverting inserts extend through an entire crosswise length of the multilayer mat. 
     
     
         9 . A training apparatus for a ball-and-bat sport comprising:
 a multilayer mat comprising an inner layer encapsulated by a top layer and a bottom layer;   a plurality of sleeves penetrating the multilayer mat crosswise; and   a plurality of diverting inserts positional within the plurality of sleeves; and   wherein each diverting insert deforms a portion of the top layer of the multilayer mat in an upward direction to deflect a ball contacting the deformed portion.   
     
     
         10 . The training apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the top layer is constructed of artificial turf. 
     
     
         11 . The training apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the inner layer is shock absorbing. 
     
     
         12 . The training apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the bottom layer comprises a plurality of ground gripping spikes for stabilizing the multilayer mat. 
     
     
         13 . The training apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of diverting inserts are tubular in configuration. 
     
     
         14 . The training apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of diverting inserts are deformable. 
     
     
         15 . The training apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of diverting inserts extend partially through an entire crosswise length of the multilayer mat. 
     
     
         16 . The training apparatus of  claim 9  further comprising a strap attachable to the bottom layer for retaining the training apparatus in a rolled configuration. 
     
     
         17 . A training apparatus for a ball-and-bat sport comprising:
 a multilayer mat comprising an inner layer encapsulated by a top layer and a bottom layer;   a plurality of sleeves penetrating the multilayer mat crosswise;   a plurality of pockets penetrating the top layer and extending into the inner layer; and   a plurality of diverting inserts positional within the plurality of sleeves and the plurality of pockets; and   wherein each diverting insert deforms a portion of the top layer of the multilayer mat in an upward direction to deflect a ball contacting the deformed portion.   
     
     
         18 . The training apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of diverting pockets do not penetrate the multilayer mat crosswise. 
     
     
         19 . The training apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the multilayer mat is flat when the plurality of sleeves and the plurality of pockets are empty. 
     
     
         20 . The training apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising a connection component for connecting the training apparatus to a second training apparatus, wherein the plurality of diverting inserts comprise a plurality of sleeve inserts and a plurality of pocket inserts.