Baseball and softball fielding mat device

Abstract

A sports training mat with a plurality of inserted or insertable bump elements configured to create an unpredictable change in trajectory when a ball contacts one or more bump element. The mat may be carried to a field or indoor practice area and then used to deflect balls that are rolled over it. The bump elements may be any three dimensional shape including symmetric or asymmetric spherical sections, polygonal, or irregular, such as an arrowhead shape. The relatively small three-dimensional “bump elements” provide a surprising lateral and height range of bounce, thereby requiring the athlete to move laterally quickly in response to the bounce. Mat sections have side edge mating features that are configured to connect two or more mat sections to form a single elongated training device. The device eliminates the need to set-up multiple training obstacle elements, and substantially improves the convenience of executing training drills, speed in repetitions, and practice efficiencies for both players and coaches.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sports training device comprising
 a first mat configured to lay flat on a horizontal surface, the first mat comprising
 a bottom surface, 
 a top surface, 
 a front edge, 
 a rear edge, and 
 a plurality of spaced apart cutouts, each cutout
 having a perimeter shape and size configured to accept an insertable bump element, 
 such that the plurality of spaced apart cutouts are arranged in an arced front row and an arced rear row; and 
 
   a plurality of bump elements, each bump element comprising
 a base portion inserted into one of the plurality of spaced apart cutouts of the first mat, and 
 a convex raised portion, the convex raised portion configured to cause an object impacting the raised portion to deflect laterally and vertically with respect to the bump element when the object is rolled onto the mat. 
   
     
     
         2 . The sports training device of  claim 1  wherein
 the plurality of bump elements have a peak height in a range of 1.5 to 2.5 inches above the top surface of the mat. 
 
     
     
         3 . The sports training device of  claim 1  wherein
 the plurality of spaced apart cutouts are circular, 
 and the plurality of bump elements are spherical sections. 
 
     
     
         4 . The sports training device of  claim 3  wherein
 each of the plurality of bump elements further comprise
 a round peripheral bump element base having a retention groove, such that the retention groove is configured to engage a cutout. 
 
 
     
     
         5 . The sports training device of  claim 3  wherein
 the plurality of bump elements have a base diameter in a range of 2.5 to 3 inches. 
 
     
     
         6 . The sports training device of  claim 1  wherein
 the plurality of spaced apart cutouts have an arrowhead shape, 
 and the plurality of bump elements have an arrowhead shape. 
 
     
     
         7 . The sports training device of  claim 6  wherein
 each of the plurality of bump elements further comprise
 a peripheral bump element base having a retention groove, such that the retention groove is configured to engage a cutout. 
 
 
     
     
         8 . The sports training device of  claim 1  wherein
 the first mat has a length in the range of 30 to 36 inches and a width in a range of 10 to 16 inches; 
 the first mat front edge is convex with respect to the rear edge; and 
 the plurality of bump elements further comprises
 nine bump elements configured with five bump elements in an arced front row, and four bump elements in an arced rear row concentric to the front row. 
 
 
     
     
         9 . The sports training device of  claim 8  wherein
 the arced front row has a radius in a range of 14 to 17 inches, and the arced rear row has a radius in a range of 10 to 11 inches. 
 
     
     
         10 . The sports training device of  claim 1  wherein
 the first mat further comprises a carry handle opening. 
 
     
     
         11 . The sports training device of  claim 1  wherein
 the first mat is rectangular in shape with a length in a range of 30 to 36 inches and 
 a width in the range of 10 to 16 inches; 
 the first mat further comprises
 a first side edge with at least one mating feature, 
 and a second side edge; 
 
 nine bump elements are configured with
 five bump elements in the arced front row, and 
 four bump elements in the arced rear row, such that the arced rear row is concentric to the front row. 
 
 
     
     
         12 . The sports training device of  claim 11  further comprising a second mat comprising
 a bottom 
 surface, a top 
 surface, 
 a first side edge, 
 a second side edge with at least one mating feature configured to mate with 
 the first side edge mating feature of the first mat, and 
 a plurality of spaced apart cutouts, each cutout
 having a perimeter shape and size configured to accept an insertable bump element; and 
 
 a plurality of bump elements, each bump element comprising
 a base portion inserted into one of the plurality of spaced apart cutouts of the 
 second mat, and 
 a convex raised portion, 
 the convex raised portion configured to cause an object impacting the raised portion to deflect laterally and vertically with respect to the bump element. 
 
 
     
     
         13 . The sports training device of  claim 12  wherein
 the first mat first side edge comprises a pair of tabs; and 
 the second mat second side edge comprises a pair of slots configured to accept the first mat first side edge pair of tabs. 
 
     
     
         14 . The sports training device of  claim 1  wherein
 the first mat has a thickness in a range of 0.08-0.12 inches; and 
 the first mat is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, ABS, natural rubber, polyethylene, polyamide, acrylic, polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, thermoplastic polyurethane, thermoplastic rubber, and neoprene rubber. 
 
     
     
         15 . The sports training device of  claim 1  wherein the front edge is tapered.