A batting practice system; the system includes a physical apparatus for baseball and softball batting practice, which simulates pitches with a ball attached to the apparatus. The system may include a vertical support post having a base end and a top end, a projecting arm having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end attached to the top end of the vertical support post, a rod swivel-mounted on the distal end of the projecting arm; the rod configured to hang in a generally vertical position, a ball mounted at a lower end of the rod, a base member configured to support the vertical support post on a ground surface; and a home-plate representation fixed to the base member in a position below the ball.

A base or similar structure utilized in playing a sport is provided including a top base structure including a number of bores formed therein and an insert including an upper surface having a number of studs thereon engageable with the bores, and a lower surface including a number of posts thereon. The posts extend outwardly from the insert to securely engage the ground against horizontal or lateral forces exerted on the base.

A base for use in athletic base running games includes a ground anchor assembly that includes: a post for insertion into a ground playing surface, and a base portion disposed along a top of the post. The base also includes a reinforcement plate, such as an X-plate, coupled to a top surface of the base portion. The X-plate has four arms arranged in an X orientation for providing increased stiffness in the four corners of the base. The arms extend radially outward from the base portion. A cover is disposed over and is coupled to the X-plate and can be formed as part of an overmold process.

A batting training system is disclosed, the system including but not limited to a baseball plate having visible color-coded pitch location indicators thereon; and a matt adjacent the baseball plate, the matt having colored zones that match a pitch location indicator color, wherein a batter is trained to look to the zone that matches the pitch location indicator for a ball. A method is disclosed for using the system to train a batter.

A replaceable wear insert assembly for playing surfaces in pitching areas and other high-wear areas of baseball and softball fields and other playing fields. A recess member is permanently or semi-permanently installable in a selected area of the field, such as a pitching lane. The recess member accommodates a replaceable insert member having an upper surface with a layer of synthetic turf or track material, mounted to rigid panel. The insert member is removable from the recess member so as to replaceable when worn.

A performance monitoring system includes a pitching mound, one or more processors, and a memory. The pitching mound includes a piezoelectric pad associated with a piezoelectric pitching rubber, one or more rubber layers covering the piezoelectric pad, a transmitter electrically coupled to the piezoelectric pad, and a power source powering an amplifier associated with the piezoelectric pad. The piezoelectric pad includes one or more sensors connected with the piezoelectric pitching rubber with or without wires. The piezoelectric pad generates electrical signals in response to pressure exerted on the piezoelectric pitching rubber. The piezoelectric pitching rubber comprises an additional piezoelectric sensor attached to the power source through leads to recharge the power source. A processor is configured to receive the electrical signals generated by the piezoelectric pads and transmitted by the transmitter. The processor is configured to analyze the received electrical signals based on training data using machine learning algorithms to determine at least one performance characteristic of the pitcher including a pressure score determination based on the intensity of the exerted pressure point by the pitcher's foot. The processors are configured to display on a display device the determined at least one performance characteristic in real-time.

A method of increasing a total number of players configured to hit a ball into a single field is disclosed. The method comprises providing a substantially circular shaped enclosed field, a structure housing a plurality of bays positioned at a midpoint of the substantially circular shaped enclosed field, and a plurality of mock pitching mounds. The plurality of mock pitching mounds is disposed around the structure and in front of each bay of the plurality of bays thereby each bay emulates the look and feel of a baseball diamond from the perspective of each of the players and bays. Each bay is convex shaped being disposed on the outer perimeter of the substantially circular structure to provide the plurality of bays each emulating the home plate and batter's boxes of a baseball field.

A self-anchoring base for use on a baseball playing field comprises a platform having an anchoring means extending from the underside thereof for embedded engagement in the playing field. A protective cover surrounds the platform. The anchor means comprises two or more spikes spaced apart from one another. The two or more spikes are fastened to the platform by a mounting assembly defining a spike socket for each of the spikes. The self-anchoring base further comprises a cushioning material disposed on the top side of the platform under the protective cover. The self-anchoring base can be used as a standard stationary base. Alternatively, it can be used as a break away base by installing shorter spikes in the spike sockets.

An anchor includes a frame assembly and a removable cover plug. The frame assembly includes an access frame having a bottom and a wall defining an upper opening and a cavity therein, a first flexible seal extends above the upper opening of the wall, and at least one vertical member is in communication with the cavity of the access frame. The plug is operable for covering opening in the access frame. The plug includes a platform for supporting synthetic turf on the platform. When the plug is removed, at least one stanchion of a base, a home plate, a double base, or a pitcher's rubber is engageable with the vertical member.

A slide trainer for a softball or baseball student features a resilient pad and a load-spreading member. The load-spreading member distributes the load of a student landing on the load-spreading member over a relatively large are and hence volume of the resilient pad. The resilient pad may be thinner and hence less bulky and less costly than a resilient pad without the load-spreading member. For embodiments where the load-spreading member is not covered by a fabric, the load-spreading member provides a relatively slippery surface on which the student may slide.