Baseball and Softball Alignment Training Device for Hitting

Abstract

A baseball or softball alignment training device comprising a first leg having a general length and having a first end at one end of the general length and a second end at the distal end opposite from said first end. A second leg having a general length and having a first end at one end of the general length and a second end at the distal and opposite from said first end. Aa first hinge member carried by the second end of said first leg. The first hinge member having a first abutment edge. The second hinge member carried by the second end of the second leg. The second hinge member having a second abutment edge. The first and second hinge members pivotally interconnected and wherein the first abutment edge of the first hinge member abuts the second abutment edge of the second hinge member at a position wherein the first leg and the second leg are perpendicular to each other forming a right angle.

We claim: 
     
         1 : (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . The alignment training device of  claim 5  wherein the first and second legs are at least eight and a half inches in length. 
     
     
         5 . A method of practicing a hitting stance for a baseball or softball player comprising:
 providing a baseball or softball alignment training device comprising:
 a first leg having a general length and having a first end at one end of the general length and a second end at the distal end opposite from said first end; 
 a second leg having a general length and having a first end at one end of the general length and a second end at the distal end opposite from said first end; 
 a first hinge member carried by the second end of said first leg; 
 a second hinge member carried by the second end of said second leg; 
 said first and second hinge members pivotally interconnected; 
   positioning said baseball or softball alignment training device relative to an object representing a home plate;   positioning said first and second legs apart from each other defining a baseball or softball player hitting stance area in relation to a home plate enabling a baseball or softball player to enter in said player hitting stance area to establish a hitting stance in relation to a home plate.   
     
     
         6 . . A method of practicing a hitting stance for a baseball or softball player comprising:
 providing a baseball or softball alignment training device comprising:
 a first leg having a general length and having a first end at one end of the general length and a second end at the distal end opposite from said first end; 
 a second leg having a general length and having a first end at one end of the general length and a second end at the distal end opposite from said first end; 
 a first hinge member carried by the second end of said first leg; 
 said first hinge member having a first abutment edge; 
 a second hinge member carried by the second end of said second leg; 
 said second hinge member having a second abutment edge; 
 said first and second hinge members pivotally interconnected; and 
 wherein said first abutment edge of said first hinge member abuts said second abutment edge of said second hinge member at a position wherein said first leg and said second leg are perpendicular to each other forming a right angle; 
   a tab extension at the distal ends of said first and second legs and said first and second hinge members include receptacles respectively for receiving a respective tab of each leg such that when assembled the height of the first leg and first hinge member define a continuous planar surface;   positioning said baseball or softball alignment training device relative to an object representing a home plate;   positioning said first and second legs apart from each other defining a baseball or softball player hitting stance area in relation to a home plate enabling a baseball or softball player to enter in said player hitting stance area to establish a hitting stance in relation to a home plate; and   positioning the right and left feet relative to said first and said second legs of said baseball or softball alignment training device for defining a stance in relation to said home plate.   
     
     
         7 . The alignment training device of  claim 6  wherein said first hinge member includes a first hinge member recess defined by a first hinge member base and first hinge member sidewall, said first hinge member sidewall having an arcuate profile and terminating at a first stop wall formed at the edge of first hinge member sidewall; a central pivot extending upward from said first hinge member base, said central pivot located centrally within the body of said first hinge member base. 
     
     
         8 . The alignment training device of  claim 7  wherein said second hinge member includes a pivoting member carried by a second hinge member base, said pivoting member having a central channel for receiving said central pivot of said first hinge member. 
     
     
         9 . The alignment training device of  claim 8  wherein said second hinge member includes a sidewall defining a stop for abutting the first stop wall formed at the edge of the first hinge member sidewall terminating rotational movement of said second leg wherein said second leg is perpendicular to said first leg. 
     
     
         10 . The alignment training device of claim [ 2 ]  8  wherein said first and second legs each have a bottom respectively and said bottoms of said first and second legs include extending bosses for engaging the ground. 
     
     
         11 . The alignment training device of  claim 10  wherein said extending bosses define a serpentine configuration. 
     
     
         12 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A method of facilitating in teaching the proper alignment of a ball player for hitting a pitched ball, said method comprising:
 providing a home plate having a front edge and a side edge;   providing an alignment training device having a first leg and a second leg interconnected via a hinge mechanism;   aligning said first leg of said alignment training device with said side edge of said home plate; and   aligning the second leg of said alignment device with said front edge of said home plate by rotating said second leg with respect to said first utilizing said hinge mechanism, wherein said hinge mechanism prevents movement of said second leg when said second leg is at a ninety degree angle with said first leg.