Bat conditioning device and method

Abstract

A bat conditioning device for breaking in or seasoning softball or baseball bats. A preferred conditioning device includes a handle having a first end and a second end, a grip attached to the first end of the handle, and a head attached to the second end of the handle having an impact response that mimics that of a regulation softball. In the preferred form, the head is a regulation softball. The bat conditioning device is of a length that allows softball bats to be broken-in by striking a bat held in one hand of a user, with the conditioning device being held in the other hand.

1 . A bat conditioning device comprising:
 a handle having a first end and a second end; and   a ball secured to the second end of the handle.   
   
   
       2 . The bat conditioning device of  claim 1 , wherein the ball is a standard regulation softball and the second end of the handle extends at least partially into an interior of the ball. 
   
   
       3 . The bat conditioning device of  claim 2 , wherein the softball is approximately 12 inches in circumference. 
   
   
       4 . The bat conditioning device of  claim 2 , wherein the softball is approximately 11 inches in circumference. 
   
   
       5 . The bat conditioning device of  claim 2 , wherein the softball is approximately 16 inches in circumference. 
   
   
       6 . The bat conditioning device of  claim 2 , further including a cushioning layer attached to the handle. 
   
   
       7 . The bat conditioning device of  claim 2 , further comprising a grip attached to the first end of the handle. 
   
   
       8 . The bat conditioning device of  claim 7 , wherein the handle is further secured to the softball with an adhesive. 
   
   
       9 . The bat conditioning device of  claim 8 , wherein the grip includes a plurality of finger grooves. 
   
   
       10 . The bat conditioning device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a pin extending through the ball;   a coupler attaching the pin to the handle; and   a cap attached to the pin to secure the ball to the pin.   
   
   
       11 . The bat conditioning device of  claim 10 , further comprising a grip attached to the first end of the handle. 
   
   
       12 . The bat conditioning device of  claim 11 , wherein the ball is a standard regulation softball. 
   
   
       13 . A bat conditioning device, comprising:
 a handle having a first end and a second end; and   a head secured to the second end of the handle, the head comprising an exterior surface having at least one rounded portion, the head being configured such that the resiliency of the at least one rounded portion is substantially the same as a regulation softball.   
   
   
       14 . The bat conditioning device of  claim 12 , further comprising a handle extending at least partially into the head. 
   
   
       15 . The bat conditioning device of  claim 14 , further including a cushioning layer attached to the handle. 
   
   
       16 . The bat conditioning device of  claim 15 , further comprising a grip attached to the first end of the handle. 
   
   
       17 . A method for conditioning a bat, comprising:
 holding a bat to be conditioned; and   striking the bat with a bat conditioning device, the bat conditioning device having a handle and a head.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the head of the bat conditioning device comprises of regulation softball. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the step of striking the bat comprises striking a barrel end of the bat in a substantially uniform pattern. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the step of striking the bat further comprises a series of impacts against the barrel of the bat in a substantially uniform pattern about a circumference of the bat.