Curve ball training

• US 5,820,495 A
• Filed: 03/29/1996
• Issued: 10/13/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kevin Michael Howland
• Original Assignee: Kevin Michael Howland
• Inventors: Howland, Kevin Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Grieb, William H.
• Application Number:
  US08/625,468
• Time in Patent Office: 928 Days
• Field of Search: 273/26 R, 273/26 D, 273/58 R, 273/58 C, 273/58 E, 273/58 G, 473/451, 473/468
• US Class Current: 473/451
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/002 with special configuration, e.g. non-spherical discs for throwing A63B65/10
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/06 with illuminating devices ; with reflective surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0002 for baseball

Abstract

A training ball for use by a pitcher in practicing throwing a curve ball and a method for using the training ball as described. The training ball has a first ball having approximately the size, weight, and surface of a regulation baseball, for being held and thrown by the pitcher, and a counterweight connected to the first ball at a fixed distance and position, to provide a mass balancing the mass of the first ball at a balance point approximately at the surface of the sphere defined by the surface of the first ball. The first ball may be a modified regulation baseball. The counterweight may be a second ball approximately identical in size and weight to the first ball. The method for using a training ball includes gripping and throwing the first ball as a curve ball, whereby the training ball will fly with a 12-6 spin toward the pitcher'"'"'s target if the training ball is properly thrown.

Claims

1. A training device for use in practicing throwing a curve ball, comprising:

a first ball being held and thrown by the user; and

a counterweight connected to the first ball at a fixed position, the counterweight providing a balance point by its mass which balances the mass of the first ball.

2. The training device of claim 1, where the first ball is a regulation baseball modified for connection to the counterweight.

3. The training device of claim 1, where the counterweight is a second ball approximately identical in size and weight to the first ball.

4. The training device of claim 1, where the balance point is within 2 inches of the sphere defined by the surface of the first ball.

5. The training device of claim 1, where the balance point is within 1/4 inch of the sphere defined by the surface of the first ball.

6. The training device of claim 3, wherein said first and second balls each accommodate a hole and are connected by a flanged connector inserted into said holes.

7. The training device of claim 1 further comprising a sound-emitting indicator to signal proper flight or velocity of the device.

8. The training device of claim 1 further comprising a light-emitting indicator to signal proper flight or velocity of the device.

9. The device according to claim 1 having indicators on said ball to indicate proper location of the user'"'"'s fingers for gripping said ball.

10. A method for adapting the throwing motion to throwing a curve ball, comprising:

gripping a first ball for throwing, said first ball connected to a counterweight which balances the weight of the first ball by its mass at a balance point; and

throwing the first ball in a manner, whereby the first ball and said counterweight rotate about each other with a 12-6 spin toward the thrower'"'"'s target if properly thrown.

11. The method of claim 10, where the first ball comprises a regulation baseball.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the counterweight is a second ball approximately identical in size and weight to the first ball.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the balance point is within 2 inches of the sphere defined by the surface of the first ball.