Swing training device and method of using the same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a swing training device that includes a support dimensioned to conform to a barrel of a bat, and a ball retaining member disposed on the support. A ball is placed into the ball retaining member, and the ball is retained therein until released as the bat is swung forward. A concave portion of the ball retaining member is approximately level with the barrel of the bat thus allowing the ball to travel along a path approximately perpendicular to the barrel. The swing training device teaches correct bat path and also for the hitter to maintain the barrel of the bat in the hitting zone for an extended period of time, thus allowing the hitter to have various points of contact throughout the hitting zone.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A swing training device, comprising:
 a support dimensioned to conform to a barrel of a bat; and   a ball retaining member disposed on the support;   wherein when the support is attached to the barrel of the bat, a concave cavity portion of the ball retaining member is approximately level with the barrel of the bat.   
     
     
         2 . The swing training device of  claim 1 , wherein the ball retaining member is capable of retaining the ball when the bat is positioned prior to swinging and releasing the ball as the bat is swung. 
     
     
         3 . The swing training device of  claim 1 , wherein the support includes a curved underside. 
     
     
         4 . The swing training device of  claim 1 , further comprising a pair of mounting straps for holding the support on the barrel of the bat. 
     
     
         5 . The swing training device of  claim 1 , wherein the ball is a baseball and the bat is a baseball bat. 
     
     
         6 . The swing training device of  claim 1 , wherein the ball retaining device is capable of retaining a ball having a circumference of about 9 to 9¼ inches. 
     
     
         7 . The swing training device of  claim 1 , wherein the support and the ball retaining device are formed in the same thermoplastic mold. 
     
     
         8 . The swing training device of  claim 1 , wherein the ball retaining device includes a plurality of arms. 
     
     
         9 . The swing training device of  claim 8 , wherein each of arms are in the form of a thin, arcuate generally C-shaped tab that initially extends outward away from the approximate center of the support and then curves upward and back inward in the direction toward the distal ends of the other arms. 
     
     
         10 . The swing training device of  claim 8 , wherein each arm is constructed of a flexible, resilient material that allows for outward radial deflection upon receiving a force. 
     
     
         11 . The swing training device of  claim 8 , wherein the arms form the cavity are capable of retaining a ball. 
     
     
         12 . The swing training device of  claim 11 , wherein the cavity is capable of holding a ball having a circumference of about 9 to 9¼ inches. 
     
     
         13 . The swing training device of  claim 1 , wherein the ball retaining device includes four arms. 
     
     
         14 . The swing training device of  claim 13 , wherein the arms are divided into a first pair of arms and a second pair of arms, the arms of the first pair having about the same length and the arms of the second pair having about the same length, wherein the arms of the first pair are longer than the arms of the second pair. 
     
     
         15 . The swing training device of  claim 1 , wherein the support includes a high friction underside surface. 
     
     
         16 . The swing training device of  claim 15 , wherein the high friction underside surface includes a separate sheet of material. 
     
     
         17 . The swing training device of  claim 15 , wherein the high friction underside surface includes a plurality of frictional engagement structures. 
     
     
         18 . A swing training device, comprising:
 a support having a curved underside to conform to a barrel of a bat;   a ball retaining member disposed on the support, the ball retaining member including a plurality of arms forming a cavity capable of retaining a ball when the bat is positioned prior to swinging and releasing the ball as the bat is swung; and   an attaching portion for attaching the support to the barrel of the bat;   wherein the cavity of the ball retaining member is approximately level with the barrel of the bat when the support is attached to the barrel of the bat using the attaching portion.   
     
     
         19 . The swing training device of  claim 18 , wherein the cavity is capable of holding a ball having a circumference of about 9 to 9¼ inches. 
     
     
         20 . A method of using the swing training device of  claim 1 , comprising:
 mounting the support to the barrel of a bat;   placing a ball in the ball retaining member;   grasping the handle of the bat; and   swinging the bat;   wherein once the force imparted onto the ball by the swinging of the bat exceeds the retentive force of the ball retaining member, the ball travels away from the bat.