Batter training devices, systems, and methods

Abstract

A device for training a batter includes a top net structurally configured to impede movement of a ball that contact the top net, a bottom net structurally configured to impede movement of a ball that contacts the bottom net, and a mechanical couple structurally configured to place the device in front of a batter such that the top net is positioned over the bottom net with a void defined between the top net and the bottom net. When the device is placed in front of a batter, the top net may impede movement of balls hit by the batter above a first predetermined launch angle, the bottom net may impede movement of balls hit by the batter below a second predetermined launch angle, and the void may allow for passage of balls hit by the batter below the first predetermined launch angle and above the second predetermined launch angle.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for training a batter, comprising:
 a top net structurally configured to impede movement of a ball that contacts the top net;   a bottom net structurally configured to impede movement of a ball that contacts the bottom net; and   one or more mechanical couples structurally configured to place the device in front of a batter such that the top net is positioned over the bottom net with a void defined between the top net and the bottom net, wherein, when the device is placed in front of a batter, the top net impedes movement of balls hit by the batter above a first predetermined launch angle, the bottom net impedes movement of balls hit by the batter below a second predetermined launch angle, and the void allows for passage of balls hit by the batter below the first predetermined launch angle and above the second predetermined launch angle.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more connectors coupling the top net with the bottom net. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more mechanical couples are structurally configured for hanging the device in front of the batter. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein a weight of the bottom net maintains a predetermined shape of the device when the device is hung in front of the batter. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the one or more mechanical couples include at least one of an aperture, a sleeve, a tether, a tie, and a strap. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the one or more mechanical couples are structurally configured to couple the device to at least a portion of a batting cage. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the one or more mechanical couples engage with a wire or netting of the batting cage. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more mechanical couples form a structural frame for holding the top net and the bottom net in front of the batter. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a structural frame for engaging with the one or more mechanical couples, the structural frame configured for holding the top net and the bottom net in front of the batter. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first predetermined launch angle is about 33 degrees. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the second predetermined launch angle is about 11 degrees. 
     
     
         12 . A device for training a batter, comprising:
 a top net including a front surface having a substantially rectangular shape including a left edge, a right edge, a top edge, and a bottom edge, wherein the left edge and the right edge define a height of the top net, wherein the top edge and the bottom edge define a width of the top net, and wherein the front surface of the top net is made from a material selected to impede movement of a ball that contacts the front surface of the top net;   a bottom net including a front surface having a substantially rectangular shape including a left edge, a right edge, a top edge, and a bottom edge, wherein the left edge and the right edge define a height of the bottom net, wherein the top edge and the bottom edge define a width of the bottom net, and wherein the front surface of the bottom net is made from a material selected to impede movement of a ball that contacts the front surface of the bottom net;   a first connector coupling the top net with the bottom net, the first connector extending between the bottom edge of the top net and the top edge of the bottom net, and the first connector substantially disposed along the left edge of the top net and the left edge of the bottom net;   a second connector coupling the top net with the bottom net, the second connector extending between the bottom edge of the top net and the top edge of the bottom net, and the second connector substantially disposed along the right edge of the top net and the right edge of the bottom net; and   one or more mechanical couples disposed on the top net, the one or more mechanical couples structurally configured for placing the device in front of a batter such that the front surface of the top net impedes movement of balls hit by the batter above a first predetermined launch angle, the front surface of the bottom net impedes movement of balls hit by the batter below a second predetermined launch angle, and a void defined between the top net and the bottom net allows passage of balls hit by the batter below the first predetermined launch angle and above the second predetermined launch angle.   
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , further comprising a first adjustment mechanism structurally configured to adjust a position of one or more of the top net and the bottom net. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the first adjustment mechanism is structurally configured to adjust one or more of the height of the top net and the height of the bottom net, wherein adjusting the height of the top net changes the first predetermined launch angle and adjusting the height of the bottom net changes the second predetermined launch angle. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 12 , further comprising a second adjustment mechanism structurally configured to adjust a distance of the device from the batter. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 12 , further comprising a third adjustment mechanism structurally configured to adjust a z-axis position of the entire device. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein a weight of the bottom net maintains a predetermined shape of the device. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the device is sized and shaped such that, when the device is placed between 12 feet and 18 feet from the batter, the first predetermined launch angle is greater than or equal to about 33 degrees and the second predetermined launch angle is less than or equal to about 11 degrees. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein one or more of the material of the front surface of the top net and the material of the front surface of the bottom net includes a mesh, and wherein one or more of the left edge, the right edge, the top edge, and the bottom edge, of one or more of the top net and the bottom net, includes a brightly colored band of material. 
     
     
         20 . A method for training a batter, comprising:
 positioning a top net in front of a batter, the top net structurally configured to impede movement of a ball that contacts the top net;   positioning a bottom net in front of a batter, the bottom net structurally configured to impede movement of a ball that contacts the bottom net; and   aligning the top net and the bottom net to define a void between the top net and the bottom net, the top net positioned to impede movement of balls hit by the batter above a first predetermined launch angle, the bottom net positioned to impede movement of balls hit by the batter below a second predetermined launch angle, and the void positioned to allow for passage of balls hit by the batter below the first predetermined launch angle and above the second predetermined launch angle.