Baseball training aid

Abstract

The present invention relates to training aids for baseball including a truncated and hinged bat-like device comprised of a first handle portion hinged to a barrel portion so that swinging the device grooves and fortifies a motion consistent with a pro batting swing, and variations thereof.

1 . A batting training aid comprising of a first portion having a proximal and distal end, 
 a hinge mechanism, pivotally attached to the distal end of the first portion;    a second portion with a second proximal and second distal end, the proximal end being connected by said hinge to said first portion;    said first barrel being of sufficient length so that when the batting training aid is swung and the second portion swings and collapses upon the first, the handle is cleared and the batter's hands are not hit.    
     
     
         2 . The training aid of  claim 1  whereby the first portion has a first removable weight;  
     
     
         3 . The training aid of  claim 2  in accordance with claim whereas the second portion has a second removable weight.  
     
     
         4 . The training aid of  claim 1  whereby the hinge mechanism includes a first pin a second pin and lateral connections connected to said pins and located so as to constrain the movement of the second barrel in relation to the first barrel in substantially one plane.  
     
     
         5 . The batting aid of  claim 1  where the second portion has a flat hitting surface.  
     
     
         6 . The batting aid of  claim 1  where the second portion has a foam covering.  
     
     
         7 . The batting aid of  claim 1  where the second portion has fins mounted thereon to provide air resistance.  
     
     
         8 . The batting aid of  claim 1  where the first portion has fins mounted thereon to provide air resistance.  
     
     
         9 . A baseball batting training aid comprised of a bat with a handle portion a flat surfaced hitting portion and a plurality of fins placed in the area between the handle and the flat striking portion so that air resistance is added during the practice and a proper flat baseball swing is encouraged.  
     
     
         10 . A baseball training aid comprising, a bat handle member, a barrel member, a hinge pivotally connecting the bat handle member and barrel member to one another, the barrel member having a flat striking surface to encourage a flat swing.  
     
     
         11 . The invention of  claim 10  whereby the hinge is comprised of parallel pins connected to lateral members whereby the axis of the pins is substantially in alignment with the flat striking surface to encourage a flat swing.  
     
     
         12 . A baseball training aid comprising a bat with a knob at its proximal end and a flat striking surface at its distal end, and an annular grip member positioned over the handle and suitably moveable thereon so that the annular member can be gripped near the hinge area when the practice swing is initiated and towards the knob when the swing progress is finished.  
     
     
         13 . A mace-like batting aid comprised of a first and second portion connected by a resilient member, the first portion having fins for air resistance.  
     
     
         14 . The invention of  claim 13  including an annular ring-like member which can be slid into position to make the batting aid unitary.  
     
     
         15 . A baseball training aid comprising a bat with a knob at its proximal end and a flat striking surface at its distal end and a spacer between the two ends to separate the hands.