Quick release batting tee

Abstract

A batting tee is provided that includes a base to which a post is removably mounted. The post includes an upper, distal end for supporting a ball at a height convenient for a batter to hit, and a lower, proximal end to engage the base. The base includes a member that is spring-biased into engagement with the post, the post including an aperture. The aperture removably receives the member so that the post may be released from the base by pulling the member against the spring bias, and the post can be engaged with the base by releasing the member, permitting spring bias to move the member into engagement with the aperture.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A batting tee, comprising:
 a base to which a post is removably mounted, the post having an upper, distal end for supporting a ball at a height convenient for a batter to hit, and a lower, proximal end to engage the base, wherein the base includes a member that is spring-biased into engagement with the post, the post including an aperture to removably receive the member so that the post can be released from the base by pulling the member against the spring bias, and the post can be engaged with the base by releasing the member, permitting spring bias to move the member into engagement with the aperture.   
     
     
         2 . The batting tee of  claim 1  wherein the aperture extends entirely around the post. 
     
     
         3 . The batting tee of  claim 2  wherein the post is circular in cross section and the aperture is annular. 
     
     
         4 . The batting tee of  claim 3  wherein the post further includes an annular radially-outwardly extending ring disposed proximally of the aperture, the ring preventing the post from being removed from the base when the member is in an engaged position. 
     
     
         5 . The batting tee of  claim 1  wherein the member comprises a plug in the shape of a pin. 
     
     
         6 . A system for releasably engaging a batting tee post in a batting tee base, comprising:
 a post having an upper, distal end for supporting a ball to be struck by a batter, and a lower, proximal end for being releasably engaged by the base; and   a base including a member that is biased into engagement with the lower end of the post so that the post can be removed from the base when a pulling force is applied to the member to remove it from engagement with the post.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6  wherein the post is circular in cross section and includes a radially-outwardly-extending annular ring at the lower, proximal end, and wherein the member is biased into engagement with the lower, proximal end of the post, distally of the annular ring so that the annular ring prevents the post from being raised distally above the member when the member is engaged with the post. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6  wherein the base includes an aperture and the member comprises a pin disposed in the aperture, the pin being spring-biased into engagement with the post. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the base includes an aperture and the member comprises a pin disposed in the aperture, the pin being spring-biased into engagement with the post.