Baseball Swing Training Device

Abstract

A baseball or softball swing training device facilitates one-armed batting practice by allowing the selected batter's arm, and the bat held thereby, to swing through a strike zone, while the batter's opposite arm and hand remain substantially stationary. A wheeled, lower base assembly comprising a horizontal base plate resting on a flat supporting surface supports an upright, vertical stanchion that telescopically and adjustably receives a rigid, adjustable elbow. The elbow has a vertical portion slidably coupled to the stanchion, and an integral outwardly projecting, normally horizontal portion that slidably and telescopically receives an accessory mounting tube. A user-grasped handle assembly supported by the mounting tube terminates in a vertically oriented handle grasped by the batter during a swing. The stanchion and mounting tube and base plate border and define a strike zone through which the batter's free hand and bat travel during a practice swing.

1 . A baseball and softball swing training device for enabling one-armed batting practice, the device comprising:
 a lower base assembly adapted be disposed upon a flat supporting surface;   a rigid stanchion extending vertically upwardly from said base assembly;   a rigid elbow coupled to said stanchion and comprising a horizontal portion extending away from said stanchion; and,   a user-grasped handle proximate the elbow horizontal portion that is manually grasped by a batter during a one-handed practice swing.   
     
     
         2 . The swing training device as defined in  claim 1  wherein the stanchion, elbow and base assembly surround and define a strike zone through which the bat travels during a practice swing. 
     
     
         3 . The swing training device as defined in  claim 1  wherein the elbow comprises a vertical portion is and slidably coupled to the stanchion. 
     
     
         4 . The swing training device as defined in  claim 3  wherein the elbow horizontal portion slidably and telescopically receives an accessory mounting tube for securing the handle. 
     
     
         5 . A baseball and softball swing training device comprising:
 a lower base assembly comprising a base plate adapted be disposed upon a flat supporting surface;   a rigid stanchion extending vertically upwardly from said base assembly;   a rigid elbow having a vertical portion slidably coupled to said stanchion and an integral horizontal portion extending away from said stanchion;   a mounting tube secured to said elbow horizontal portion;   a handle assembly secured to the elbow horizontal portion, the handle assembly comprising a handle that is adapted to be manually grasped by a batter during a one-handed practice swing; and,   wherein the stanchion, elbow and base plate border and define a strike zone through which the bat travels during a practice swing.   
     
     
         6 . The swing training device as defined in  claim 5  wherein the mounting tube slidably and telescopically couples to said elbow for enabling adjustments. 
     
     
         7 . The swing training device as defined in  claim 5  wherein, when the bat travels through the strike zone, the pathway arc of the bat defines a generally circular, hypothetical plane having a longitudinal axis that forms an angle of approximately thirty degrees relative to the supporting surface. 
     
     
         8 . The swing training device as defined in  claim 7  wherein the handle has a longitudinal axis and the handle is rotatable about its longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         9 . The swing training device as defined in  claim 8  wherein the mounting tube slidably and telescopically couples to said elbow for enabling adjustments. 
     
     
         10 . A baseball and softball swing training device comprising:
 a rigid upright frame adapted be disposed upon a supporting surface, the frame defining a strike zone into which balls to be hit travel, the frame comprising   a lower base plate, a vertically upright rigid stanchion, an elbow slidably coupled to said stanchion and having an integral horizontal portion, and a handle that is adapted to be manually grasped by a batter during a one-handed practice swing.   
     
     
         11 . The swing training device as defined in  claim 10  wherein the elbow horizontal portion receives a mounting tube that is slidably adjustable. 
     
     
         12 . The swing training device as defined in  claim 11  wherein the handle is secured to the mounting tube. 
     
     
         13 . The swing training device as defined in  claim 12  wherein the handle has a longitudinal axis and the handle is rotatable about its longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         14 . The swing training device as defined in  claim 13  wherein, when a bat travels through the strike zone, the pathway arc of the bat defines a generally circular, hypothetical plane having a longitudinal axis that forms an angle of approximately thirty degrees relative to the supporting surface.