System for training a pitcher to pitch a baseball

• US 6,139,450 A
• Filed: 06/26/1999
• Issued: 10/31/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gary M. Rivers
• Original Assignee: Gary M. Rivers
• Inventors: Rivers, Gary M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chapman, Jeanette
• Assistant Examiner(s): Aryanpour, Mitra
• Application Number:
  US09/344,910
• Time in Patent Office: 493 Days
• Field of Search: 473/497, 473/453, 473/454, 482/51, 482/52, 248/127
• US Class Current: 473/422
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/0006 for pitching
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/12 specially adapted for children
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0002 for baseball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3667 Golf stance aids, e.g. means for positioning a golfer's feet

Abstract

The present invention details a system for training a baseball pitcher to properly position a drive leg and a lead leg at the middle of the delivery. The system comprising: a support base. A vertically adjustable support arm is attached to said support base. A stirrup is attached to the vertically adjustable support arm. The device is adjustable so that the stirrup can be positioned to allow the pitcher to place a lead foot of the lead leg in the stirrup while the lead leg forms a right angle. The stirrup allows the lead foot to slide in direction of a target.

Claims

1. A system for training a baseball pitcher to properly position a drive leg and a lead leg at the middle of the delivery, said system comprising:

a support base;

a vertically adjustable support arm attached to said support base;

a stirrup attached to said vertically adjustable support arm wherein said stirrup is positioned to allow said pitcher to place a lead foot of said lead leg in said stirrup while said lead leg forms a right angle; and

a stirrup extender between said vertically adjustable support arm and said stirrup;

with the proviso that said stirrup receives said lead foot of said pitcher and allows said lead foot to slide in direction of a target.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said stirrup extender comprises an outer extender sleeve and an inner extender sleeve slidably received in said outer extender sleeve.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said base comprises a parallel base member and at least one base crossmember attached to said parallel base member.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein said vertically adjustable support arm is attached to a collar wherein said collar slidably receives said parallel base member.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said stirrup comprises a vertical wall.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said base is at least 12 inches long and no more than 36 inches long.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein said base is at least 20 inches long and no more than 30 inches long.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein said stirrup is at least 3 inches in either direction and no more than 10 inches in either direction.

9. A method for practicing the proper positioning and movement of a lead leg, with an associated lead foot, and a drive leg, with an associated drive foot, while pitching a baseball towards a target comprising the steps of:

a) positioning said lead foot and said drive foot in a parallel relationship on a pitching rubber with both of said lead foot and said drive foot perpendicular to said pitching rubber;

b) moving said lead foot away from said target to a relaxation position;

c) moving to a mid-point position wherein said drive foot is parallel to said pitching rubber and said lead foot is lifted and placed on a mid position training device wherein said mid position training device comprises;

a support base;

a vertically adjustable support arm attached to said support base; and

a stirrup attached to said vertically adjustable support arm wherein said stirrup is positioned to allow said pitcher to place a lead foot of said lead leg in said stirrup while said lead leg forms a right angle; and

d) bending said drive leg and simultaneously sliding said lead leg towards said target.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising a stirrup extender between said vertically adjustable support arm and said stirrup.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein said stirrup extender comprises an outer extender sleeve and an inner extender sleeve slidably received in said outer extender sleeve.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein said base comprises a parallel base member and at least one base crossmember attached to said parallel base member.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein said vertically adjustable support arm is attached to a collar wherein said collar slidably receives said parallel base member.

14. The method of claim 9 wherein said base is at least 12 inches long and no more than 36 inches long.

15. A system for training a baseball pitcher a proper motion for a drive leg and a lead leg while pitching a baseball, said system comprising:

a target comprising

a rectangular frame;

a support member attached to said frame;

, and

a mesh net attached to said rectangular frame; and

a mid position training device comprising;

a support base;

a vertically adjustable support arm attached to said support base;

a stirrup attached to said vertically adjustable support arm wherein said stirrup is positioned to allow said pitcher to place a lead foot of said lead leg on said stirrup, while said lead leg forms a right angle;

with the proviso that said stirrup receives said lead foot of said pitcher and allows said lead foot to slide in direction of a target.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein said base is at least 20 inches long and no more than 30 inches long.

17. The system of claim 15 further comprising a precision target removably attached to said mesh net.

18. The system of claim 15 wherein said stirrup comprises a vertical wall.

19. The system of claim 15 wherein said stirrup is at least 3 inches in either direction and no more than 10 inches in either direction.