Baseball toy with tail

Abstract

An apparatus, system, and method for a creative solution that helps teach younger adults/children about baseball and permits them to better participate in hitting fundamentals. The apparatus includes a spheroid having a diameter in a range of about two to five inches and constructed using foam\blow-molded material; and a tail, coupled to the spheroid, constructed using foam\blow-molded material, the tail providing both enhancement of aerodynamic flight properties of the spheroid and inhibition of end-over-end rotation of the spheroid after being thrown, hit, or launched.

1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a spheroid having a diameter in a range of about two to five inches and constructed using foam\blow-molded material; and   a tail, coupled to said spheroid, constructed using foam\blow-molded material, said tail providing both enhancement of aerodynamic flight properties of said spheroid and inhibition of end-over-end rotation of said spheroid after being thrown, hit, or launched.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said spheroid is baseball themed. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said spheroid includes a plurality of simulated stitches in a pattern of an official major league baseball. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said foam\blow-molded material includes one or more materials selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, ethylene-vinyl-acetate, polyethylene, polystyrene, neoprene, and the like, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said foam\blow-molded material includes one or more materials selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, ethylene-vinyl-acetate, polyethylene, polystyrene, neoprene, and the like, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said tail is generally cylindrical and defines an elongated cavity having an opening in an end, said cavity receiving a tube that injects an air impulse sufficient to launch said tail from disengagement with said tube. 
   
   
       7 . A system comprising:
 a spheroid having a diameter in a range of about two to five inches and constructed using foam\blow-molded material; and   a tail, coupled to said spheroid, constructed using foam\blow-molded material, said tail providing both enhancement of aerodynamic flight properties of said spheroid and inhibition of end-over-end rotation of said spheroid after being thrown, hit, or launched;   wherein said tail is generally cylindrical and defines an elongated cavity having an opening in an end, said cavity receiving a tube that injects an air impulse sufficient to launch said tail from disengagement with said tube; and   a launchpad supporting said tube in a generally vertical orientation;   a foot-operable bellows for emitting an airstream responsive to an impulse; and   an air channel, coupled to said bellows and to said tube, to direct said airstream to said tube as said air impulse.   
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 7  wherein said airstream responsive to a fully impulsed bellows is calibrated to launch said spheroid no more than about six feet above said launchpad. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein said spheroid is baseball themed. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein said spheroid includes a plurality of simulated stitches in a pattern of an official major league baseball. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein said foam\blow-molded material includes one or more materials selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, ethylene-vinyl-acetate, polyethylene, polystyrene, neoprene, and the like, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein said launchpad is generally shaped similar to a home plate used in major league baseball. 
   
   
       13 . A method, comprising:
 a) mounting a flight structure on a launchpad, said flight structure including a spheroid having a diameter in a range of about two to five inches and constructed using foam\blow-molded material; and a tail, coupled to said spheroid, constructed using foam\blow-molded material, said tail providing both enhancement of aerodynamic flight properties of said spheroid and inhibition of end-over-end rotation of said spheroid after being thrown, hit, or launched;   wherein said tail is generally cylindrical and defines an elongated cavity having an opening in an end, said cavity receiving a tube that injects an air impulse sufficient to launch said tail from disengagement with said tube and wherein said launchpad supports said tube in a generally vertical orientation;   b) impulsing a foot-operable bellows to generate an airstream; and   c) directing said airstream to said tube as said air pulse air channel.   
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein said airstream responsive to a fully impulsed bellows is calibrated to launch said spheroid no more than about six feet above said launchpad and further comprising:
 d) hitting said spheroid with a bat after said spheroid has reached an apex of height and has started to return towards said launchpad.