NO ZONE™ A Pitcher's Practice Apparatus

• US 20120172156A1
• Filed: 09/27/2011
• Published: 07/05/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schutt Sports IP LLC
• Original Assignee: Jacob E. Schumann
• Inventors: Schumann, Jacob E.
• Granted Patent: US 8,517,865 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/454
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/0008 for batting
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/093 Height
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0002 for baseball

Abstract

The present invention relates to a softball/baseball pitcher'"'"'s pitching practice device, and to a method for using the device. It is a simple and inexpensive pitching practice device useful for indicating the boundaries of a typical strike zone to softball and baseball pitchers. More particularly, this invention relates to a pitching practice device having a strike zone indicator that can be conveniently adjusted to simulate the strike zones of batters of various heights.

Claims

1. A pitching practice device comprising:

(i) a securing member having a width of about 10 to about 15 inches;

(ii) a permeable region fastened to the securing member having a width about equal to the securing member and a length of about 5 to about 20 inches; and

(iii) a means of supporting the permeable region and securing member in an adjustable position proximate to a home plate;

wherein a ball may penetrate the permeable region without permanently deforming the device; and

wherein the ball is not captured by the device.

2. The pitching practice device of claim 1, wherein the permeable region comprises a plurality of projections fastened perpendicularly to the securing member, each having a length of about 5 to about 20 inches;

wherein the number, spacing, and material of the projections is selected such that when a ball approaches a first side of a planar area of the device defined by the width of the securing member and the length of the projections, the ball is at least partially visible on the side of the device opposite that of the approaching ball; and

wherein further the number, spacing, and material of the projections is selected such that a ball may penetrate the planar area of the device without permanently deforming the device.

3. The pitching practice device of claim 1, wherein the length of the projections is about the same as the width of the securing member.

4. The pitching practice device of claim 1, wherein the securing member has a width of about 13 inches.

5. The pitching practice device of claim 1, wherein the means of supporting the permeable region and securing member comprises at least one post.

6. The pitching practice device of claim 1, wherein the device is positionable such that the lowest point of the securing member and the permeable region is at least about 24 inches above ground level.

7. A pitching practice method comprising:

(i) providing a device comprising a plurality of protections fastened perpendicularly to a securing member;

(ii) positioning the device above a home plate parallel to a front edge of the home plate in a horizontal position ranging from the rear of the home plate to about four feet from the front of the home plate such that the device is centered between two parallel edges of the home plate;

(iii) positioning the device vertically such that the lowest part of the device is at least as high as knee level of a simulated batter;

(iv) positioning a pitcher at a pitcher'"'"'s mound and optionally a catcher behind the home plate; and

(v) pitching at least one ball aimed at a location at the periphery of the device.

8. The pitching practice method of claim 7, wherein the device is positioned horizontally at the front edge of the home plate.

9. The pitching practice method of claim 7, wherein the horizontal position of the device is adjusted to enable enhanced training for a particular pitch or a particular anticipated batter.

10. The pitching practice method of claim 7, wherein the device is positioned vertically at a height of at least 20 inches.

11. The pitching practice method of claim 7, wherein the ball is aimed horizontally at a region comprising from an edge of the device to about 8 inches from the device on either side.

12. The pitching practice method of claim 7, wherein the bail is aimed vertically at a region selected from about the bottom of the device to about 10 inches below the device and from the top of the device to about 10 inches above the device.

13. A device for simultaneously training a pitcher and catcher to direct pitches to the periphery of a strike zone comprising:

a base having a width of at least about 11 inches wide;

at least one adjustable post extending vertically upward from the base to at least 24 inches from the ground at its upper point, and supported by the base; and

a bar attached to the post in a perpendicular position and holding a flexible bristle-like structure, wherein the bristle-like structure is suspended vertically either downward or upward.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the bristle-like structure comprises a material selected from the group consisting of plastic, palmyra, nylon, Tampico, twigs, and fabric, positioned in close proximity to form a wall-like, broom-like structure of no greater than about 13 inches wide.

15. The device of claim 13, wherein the bar comprises a light-weight, rigid material selected from the group consisting of a natural polymer, a synthetic polymer, a metal, a metallic alloy, wood, a reinforced fibrous material, and bamboo.