Baseball/softball training device and method of making the same

Abstract

A swing training device for improving the proper swing of ball sports including but not limited to baseball and softball. The swing training device has an elongated barrel having a substantially quasi-stadium cross-sectional shape connected to a handle portion. The hitting surface of the barrel is one of the two opposing curved surfaces of the circular segments of the quasi-stadium cross-sectional shape. The swing training device may be a modified regulation wood bat that is modified via diametrically opposing longitudinal tangential section cuts so that the un-cut curved hitting surface is oriented such that the grain runs against the ball at contact.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A training device, the training device comprising:
 an elongated barrel having a quasi-stadium cross section.   
     
     
         2 . The training device of  claim 1 , the quasi-stadium cross section comprising:
 two hitting surfaces diametrically opposed to each other; and   two non-hitting surfaces diametrically opposed to each other.   
     
     
         3 . The training device of  claim 2 , wherein each hitting surface is a curve having a radius of curvature of a regulation baseball or softball bat relative to a longitudinal axis of the elongated barrel. 
     
     
         4 . The training device of  claim 2 , wherein each non-hitting surface is a flat surface. 
     
     
         5 . The training device of  claim 4 , wherein each hitting surface is a curve having a radius of curvature of 1.65 to 1.82 inches relative to a longitudinal axis of the elongated barrel. 
     
     
         6 . The training device of  claim 5 , wherein each non-hitting surface is offset approximately 1.125 inches or less from said longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         7 . A method of improving a bat to train a user in swinging mechanics, the method comprising cutting two diametrically opposing longitudinal tangential section cuts from a distal end of a regulation bat for said user. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein each longitudinal tangential section cut defines a sagitta height of approximately a quarter of the inch. 
     
     
         9 . A method for improving vibrational feedback of a wood bat, the method comprising cutting two diametrically opposing longitudinal tangential section cuts from a distal end of a regulation bat for said user. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein each longitudinal tangential section cut defines a sagitta height of approximately a quarter of the inch.