Apparatus and method for training base runners

• US 20060160663A1
• Filed: 01/12/2006
• Published: 07/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Christy Serritella
• Original Assignee: Christy Serritella
• Inventors: Serritella, Christy
• Application Number:
  US11/331,718
• Publication Number:
  US 20060160663A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/14
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0025 Tracking the path or location of one or more users, e.g. players of a game
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/836 Sensors arranged on the body of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0021 Tracking a path or terminating locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0013 Baseball bases
• CPC Class Codes: A63K 3/00 Equipment or accessories for racing or riding sports training equipment for animals A01K15/02

Abstract

In accordance with the present invention, an apparatus and method for training base runners comprises at least one base incorporating means for identifying optimum location on the top of the base for base runners to strike the base with their foot while crossing en route to a next base and means for producing audible signals whenever the base is struck properly to notify the runner that the base was stepped on at the correct location, further including an ability to prevent generation of an audible signal whenever a base runner fails to strike any base with his foot at its proper location while running the bases.

Claims

1. An apparatus for training base runners comprising:

a. at least one base,

b. a desired base runner stepping location on said at least one base,

c. a means for creating an audible signal whenever said desired stepping location of the at least one base is stepped on by a runner;

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a visual target indicator deployed on said at least one base at said desired stepping location;

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said visual target indicator is a graphic symbol including logos, characters, icons, team mascot figures, or team logos;

4. The apparatus of claim 2 further including an enunciator disposed within said at least one base underneath said visual target indicator;

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said enunciator includes manual activation means triggered by pressure of a runner'"'"'s foot striking said at least one base;

6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said enunciator includes motion detection activations means wherein said enunciator is activated by the detection of motion of a runner'"'"'s foot;

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said motion detection activation means includes a radiofrequency energy motion detection sensor;

8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said radiofrequency motion detection sensor is located beneath said at least one base;

9. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said pressure-activated enunciator further comprises:

a. a compressible bellows portion,

b. a nozzle portion having a mouth and a throat,

c. a noise emitter,

d. said nozzle portion connected to and extending outwardly from said bellows portions,

e. said nozzle throat sized to receive and hold said noise emitter,

f. whereby the compression of said bellows portion by pressure of a runner'"'"'s foot on said at least one base at said desired stepping location causes air to be forced through said noise emitter, thereby causing an audible signal to be generated by said enunciator.

10. A method for training base runners comprising the steps of:

a. deployment of at least one base, wherein said at least one base includes means for creating an audible signal,

b. locating said audible signal creating means at a preferred stepping location on said at least one base, wherein said preferred stepping location is the inside corner of said at least one base,

c. having a base runner run across and step on the base in order to create a turn;

d. wherein when said base runner steps on said preferred stepping location,

e. thereby causing said signal creating means to generate an audible signal, and,

f. wherein when said base runner fails to step on said preferred stepping location,

g. thereby causing said signal creating means to not generate an audible signal;

11. The method of claim 10 wherein said audible signal creating means is a pressure-driven enunciator;

12. The method of claim 10 wherein said audible signal creating means further includes a motion detection sensor;

13. The method of claim 12 wherein said motion detection sensor triggers an electronic enunciator when a runner'"'"'s foot is detected at said preferred stepping location;

14. The method of claim 12 wherein said motion detection sensor uses ultrawideband radar radiofrequency to detect motion;

15. The method of claim 12 further including the earlier step of burying said motion detection sensor in the ground beneath said at least one base prior to the step of deployment of said at least one base;

16. The method described in claim 10 further including the steps of

a. deploying three bases on a playfield in standard locations for first, second and third base,

b. directing base runners to run along the base path of the play field while attempting to strike each of said three bases with their preferred foot at the preferred stepping location on each of said three bases;

17. An apparatus for training base runners comprising

a. at least one base,

b. a desired base runner stepping location on said at least one base,

c. a motion detection sensor located at an inside corner of said at least one base at said stepping location,

d. means for creating an audible signal whenever said motion detection sensor senses the foot of a base runner in a proper position at said preferred stepping location, and,

e. means for not creating an audible signal whenever said motion detection sensor does not sense the foot of a base runner in a proper position at said preferred stepping location;

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said motion detection activation means is an ultrawideband radar motion detection sensor;

19. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said motion detection sensor is located beneath said at least one base;

20. The apparatus of claim 19 where said motion detection sensor is buried in the ground beneath said at least one base.