Moment of inertia ball bat structure fitting device

Abstract

A variable moment of inertia (MOI) bat fitting device that is used to measure a hitter's output at various weight distributions.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A moment of inertia ball bat structure fitting device, said device comprising:
 a ball bat structure that has been modified in the following manner:   said ball bat structure having a near end and a distal end, said ball bat structure having a handle region near said near end and a barrel region near said distal end, said barrel region having a span for a mass to be positioned, said span having a lesser diameter shaft than said barrel of said ball bat structure, said span having a length in the range of about 5½ inches to about 7½ inches;   said span having a mass encirculating said shaft, said mass being adjustable for said length of said span, said mass being capable of being secured on said shaft at any predetermined position on said shaft;   said ball bat structure containing a swing output metric sensor.   
     
     
         2 . The moment of inertia ball bat structure fitting device of  claim 1  wherein the overall length of said ball bat structure is 24 to 42 inches. 
     
     
         3 . The moment of inertia ball bat structure fitting device of  claim 1  wherein the weight of said ball bat structure is 14 ounces to 42 ounces. 
     
     
         4 . The moment of inertia ball bat structure fitting device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the ball bat structure is manufactured from wood. 
     
     
         5 . The moment of inertia ball bat structure fitting device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the ball bat structure is manufactured from metal. 
     
     
         6 . The moment of inertia ball bat structure fitting device as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the metal is aluminum. 
     
     
         7 . The moment of inertia ball bat structure fitting device as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the metal is titanium. 
     
     
         8 . The moment of inertia ball bat structure fitting device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the ball bat structure is manufactured from composites. 
     
     
         9 . The moment of inertia ball bat structure fitting device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the ball bat structure is manufactured from plastic. 
     
     
         10 . The moment of inertia ball bat structure fitting device as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the plastic is crosslinked polyethylene. 
     
     
         11 . The moment of inertia ball bat structure fitting device as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the plastic is polypropylene. 
     
     
         12 . A method of evaluating a person's hitting performance using a ball bat structure as claimed in  claim 1 , said method comprising:
 A. providing said ball bat structure;   B. allowing said person take multiple swings in a controlled environment while setting said mass at different locations on said shaft before each swing;   C. capturing said metric from said sensor for each said swing;   D. combining and evaluating said metrics to compare a moment of inertia for various ball bat structure models.   
     
     
         13 . A moment of inertia ball bat structure fitting device, said device comprising:
 a ball bat structure that has been modified in the following manner:   said ball bat structure having a near end and a distal end, said ball bat structure having a handle region near said near end and a barrel region near said distal end, said barrel region having a span for a mass to be positioned, said span having a lesser diameter shaft than said barrel of said ball bat structure, said span having a length in the range of about 5 inches to about 7 inches;   said span having a mass encirculating said shaft, said mass being adjustable for said length of said span, said mass being capable of being secured on said shaft at any predetermined position on said shaft.   
     
     
         14 . The moment of inertia ball bat structure fitting device of  claim 13  wherein the overall length of said ball bat structure is 24 to 42 inches. 
     
     
         15 . The moment of inertia ball bat structure fitting device of  claim 13  wherein the weight of said ball bat structure is 14 ounces to 42 ounces. 
     
     
         16 . The moment of inertia ball bat structure fitting device as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the ball bat structure is manufactured from wood. 
     
     
         17 . The moment of inertia ball bat structure fitting device as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the ball bat structure is manufactured from metal. 
     
     
         18 . The moment of inertia ball bat structure fitting device as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the metal is aluminum. 
     
     
         19 . The moment of inertia ball bat structure fitting device as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the metal is titanium. 
     
     
         20 . The moment of inertia ball bat structure fitting device as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the ball bat structure is manufactured from composites. 
     
     
         21 . The moment of inertia ball bat structure fitting device as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the ball bat structure is manufactured from plastic. 
     
     
         22 . The moment of inertia ball bat structure fitting device as claimed in  claim 21  wherein the plastic is crosslinked polyethylene. 
     
     
         23 . The moment of inertia ball bat structure fitting device as claimed in  claim 21  wherein the plastic is polypropylene.