Device for teaching a baseball pitcher

Abstract

A device for teaching a baseball or softball pitcher includes a storage unit for holding a pre-marked tape measure, a pitching rubber, and a home plate along with fastening devices for securing the pitching rubber and home plate in their desired position.

1 . A teaching device for a baseball pitcher or a softball pitcher comprising:
 a) a storage unit into which a plurality of components of the teaching device may be placed;   b) the plurality of components permitting the pitching area of a baseball or softball field to be substantially duplicated and to provide a proper area for the baseball pitcher or the softball pitcher to practice;   c) the plurality of components including a home plate, a pre-marked measuring tape, and a pitching rubber; and   d) the pre-marked measuring tape having at least two markings to set a required distance between the pitching rubber and the home plate.   
   
   
       2 . The teaching device of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a) the storage unit receiving the home plate, the pre-marked measuring tape, and the pitching rubber for storage until a use is desired; and   b) the storage unit having a plurality of ground stakes to secure the home plate and the pitching rubber in an appropriate position.   
   
   
       3 . The teaching device of  claim 2  further comprising:
 a) the storage unit further including a storage area, a latch, a handle, a seat for a catcher, and a hinge;   b) the hinge connecting the seat for a catcher to the storage area;   c) the storage unit being capable of receiving and storing the home plate, the pre-marked measuring tape, the pitching rubber, and the plurality of stakes;   d) the hinge being oppositely disposed from the latch; and   e) the hinge and the latch being combinable to lock the seat for a catcher to the storage unit.   
   
   
       4 . The teaching device of  claim 3  further comprising:
 a) the pre-marked measuring tape having markings suitable for any level of baseball or softball in order to determine the distance between home plate and the pitching rubber; and   b) the pre-marked measuring tape having markings suitable for setting out the distance between the home plate, a first base, a second base, and a third base.   
   
   
       5 . The teaching device of  claim 4  further comprising:
 a) the plurality of stakes being suitable for releasably securing the pitching rubber or the home plate in a desired relationship; and   b) the handle being secured to the seat for the catcher in order to facilitate transportation of the teaching device.   
   
   
       6 . A portable teaching device for a baseball pitcher or a softball pitcher comprising:
 a) a storage unit into which a plurality of components of the teaching device may be placed;   b) the plurality of components permitting the pitching area of a baseball field or softball field to be substantially duplicated and to provide a proper area for the baseball pitcher or the softball pitcher to practice;   c) the plurality of components including a home plate, a pre-marked measuring tape, and a pitching rubber;   d) the pre-marked measuring tape having at least two markings to set a required distance between the pitching rubber and the home plate;   e) the storage unit receiving the home plate, the pre-marked measuring tape, and the pitching rubber for storage until a use is desired; and   f) the storage unit having a plurality of ground stakes to secure the home plate and the pitching rubber in an appropriate position.   
   
   
       7 . The teaching device of  claim 6  further comprising:
 a) the storage unit further including a storage area, a latch, a handle, a seat for a catcher, and a hinge;   b) the hinge connecting the seat for a catcher to the storage area;   c) the storage unit being capable of receiving and storing the home plate, the pre-marked measuring tape, the pitching rubber, and the plurality of stakes;   d) the hinge being oppositely disposed from the latch; and   e) the hinge and the latch being combinable to lock the seat for a catcher to the storage unit.   
   
   
       8 . The teaching device of  claim 7  further comprising:
 a) the pre-marked measuring tape having markings suitable for any level of baseball or softball in order to determine the distance between home plate and the pitching rubber; and   b) the pre-marked measuring tape having markings suitable for setting out the distance between the home plate, a first base, a second base, and a third base.   
   
   
       9 . The teaching device of  claim 8  further comprising:
 a) the plurality of stakes being suitable for releasably securing the pitching rubber or the home plate in a desired relationship; and   b) the handle being secured to the seat for the catcher in order to facilitate transportation of the teaching device.   
   
   
       10 . A method of using a teaching device for teaching a baseball pitcher or a softball pitcher comprising:
 a) removing a home plate, a pitching rubber, and a pre-marked measuring tape, from a storage unit;   b) positioning the home plate in an appropriate position;   c) positioning the storage unit next to the home plate;   d) unrolling the pre-marked measuring tape;   e) positioning the pre-marked measuring tape on the ground toward a desired position for the pitching rubber;   f) placing the pitching rubber along the appropriate marking on the pre-marked measuring tape;   g) the pre-marked measuring tape having a bronco mark for a bronco league, a pony mark for a pony league, a colt mark for a colt league, and any other appropriate markings for a different league or level;   h) the appropriate marking on the pre-marked measuring tape being selected by determining the pitcher's league or baseball level; and   i) a catcher using the storage unit as seating while the pitcher practices.   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising:
 a) removing a plurality of stakes from the storage unit;   b) using the plurality of stakes to secure the home plate in the desired position; and   c) the pitching rubber being secured in the appropriate position through the plurality of stakes.