Training device for proper batting stance

Abstract

A training device for aiding a pitched ball player to find the proper batting stance. The training device includes a mat which includes a grid that corresponds a user's height to a foot position on the grid. The training device also includes a user's guide, a chart with a batter's heights and a plurality of indicia markings corresponding to those heights and instructions for foot placement. The device also includes stakes to stake the mat to the ground and a carrying tube for transporting the mat.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A training device for hitting a pitched ball, comprising:
 an elongated mat including:
 a proximal end; 
 a proximal area;
 wherein said proximal area is located adjacent said proximal end; 
 
 a distal end; 
 a distal area;
 wherein said distal area is located adjacent said distal end; 
 
 a top surface; 
 a bottom surface; 
 two side edges;
 wherein said two side edges are spaced from one another and extend parallel between said proximal and said distal ends; 
 
 a length;
 wherein said length is between said proximal end and said distal end; 
 
 a plurality of indicia markings including:
 at least one back foot indicia marking located within said proximal area; 
 wherein said plurality of indicia markings are located upon said top surface and are spaced along said length thereof; 
 
 a plurality of eyelets;
 wherein at least one of said plurality of eyelets is located on said proximal area; and wherein at least one of said plurality of eyelets is located on said distal area; and 
 wherein said plurality of eyelets are adapted to allow said elongated mat to be releasably attached to a supporting surface; 
 
   a user guide including:
 a chart including:
 a plurality of batter's heights within a batter's height column; and 
 a plurality of indicia markings within an indicia markings column; 
 wherein each of said batter's heights correlates to a specific one of said indicia markings within said indicia markings column; and 
 wherein each of said indicia markings within said indicia markings column correlate to a specific one of said plurality of indicia markings upon said elongated mat; 
 
 instructions including:
 placing a batter's back foot upon one of said at least one back foot indicia marking; and 
 determining an indicia marking upon said elongated mat for said batter's front foot to be placed upon during said batter's swinging motion. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The training device of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of stakes adapted to be respectively placed through said plurality of eyelets and adapted to releasably engage with said supporting surface and releasably retain said elongated mat to said supporting surface. 
     
     
         3 . The training device of  claim 1 , further comprising a strap including a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, and is attached to said bottom surface; and wherein said mat is formed of a flexible material such that it is adapted to be rolled up for storage and transportation purposes; and wherein said strap is adapted such that when said mat is rolled up said strap is wrapped around said mat and said distal end portion and said proximal end portion can releasably engage one another to releasably hold said mat in a rolled up configuration. 
     
     
         4 . The training device of  claim 3 , wherein said distal end portion of said strap includes one of a hook material and loop material; and wherein said proximal end portion of said strap includes the other of a hook material and loop material, such that said distal end portion and said proximal end portion can releasably engage one another to releasably hold said mat in a rolled up configuration. 
     
     
         5 . The training device of  claim 3 , wherein said distal end portion of said strap includes one of a snap head and a snap receiver; and wherein said proximal end portion of said strap includes the other of a snap head and a snap receiver, such that said distal end portion and said proximal end portion can releasably engage one another to releasably hold said mat in a rolled up configuration. 
     
     
         6 . The training device of  claim 3 , wherein said distal end portion of said strap includes one of a button and a button hole; and wherein said proximal end portion of said strap includes the other of a button and a button hole, such that said distal end portion and said proximal end portion can releasably engage one another to releasably hold said mat in a rolled up configuration. 
     
     
         7 . The training device of  claim 3 , wherein said distal end portion of said strap includes one of a clasp receiver and a clasp; and wherein said proximal end portion of said strap includes the other of a clasp receiver and a clasp, such that said distal end portion and said proximal end portion can releasably engage one another to releasably hold said mat in a rolled up configuration. 
     
     
         8 . The training device of  claim 1 , further comprising an elongated tube for storing said elongated mat and said user guide therein; and wherein said mat is formed of a flexible material such that it is adapted to be rolled up for storage and transportation purposes within said elongated tube. 
     
     
         9 . The training device of  claim 1 , wherein said elongated mat is formed from a rubber material. 
     
     
         10 . The training device of  claim 1 , wherein said length of said elongated mat is between 4 to 5 feet; and the space between said two side edges form a width of 2 feet. 
     
     
         11 . The training device of  claim 1 , wherein said back foot indicia marking is formed having the shape of a foot. 
     
     
         12 . The training device of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of indicia markings are successively formed representing successive letters of the English alphabet. 
     
     
         13 . The training device of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of indicia markings are successively formed representing differing symbols. 
     
     
         14 . The training device of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of indicia markings are formed from a material that is adapted to remain semi-permanently upon said top surface, such that said plurality of indicia markings can be removed and added upon different positions upon said top surface. 
     
     
         15 . The training device of  claim 8 , wherein said elongated tube includes a carrying strap attached to an outer surface thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The training device of  claim 1 , wherein there are two spaced back foot indicia markings; wherein a first of said two spaced back foot indicia markings is adapted to be used by a batter batting righty, such that the batter's right foot is placed upon said first of said two spaced back foot indicia markings; and wherein a second of said two spaced back foot indicia markings is adapted to be used by a batter batting lefty, such that the batter's left foot is placed upon said second of said two spaced back foot indicia markings. 
     
     
         17 . The training device of  claim 16 , wherein said two spaced back foot indicia markings are each formed having the shape of a foot. 
     
     
         18 . The training device of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of indicia markings includes one indicia marking in the shape of home plate within said proximal area in proximity to said at least one back foot indicia marking. 
     
     
         19 . The training device of  claim 16 , wherein said plurality of indicia markings includes one indicia marking in the shape of home plate within said proximal area in proximity to and in between said two back foot indicia markings.