A bat swing training device has a base assembly, an arm assembly adjustably connected to the base assembly, and a suction assembly that extends through and out of the arm assembly to hold a ball in a stationary position. The suction assembly includes a coil hose connected to a pump, and an upper hose connected to the coil hose at one end, and removably connected to a nozzle assembly at an opposite end.

The present invention comprises a unique system and method for providing adaptable ball delivery and tracking, including appropriate sensor hardware, interactive gameplay user interfaces and point of sales systems. The system and method of the present invention are especially relevant to baseball and softball as, among other components, the system comprises a vertical, ground-up soft toss ball delivery mechanism, automated player and ball-tracking devices, and ball-collection and transport systems. The ball collection and return components eliminate the need for “fielders” and enable the creation of the first “batting range”. The vertical, ground-up soft-toss pitch machine further enables the first multi-story batting facility with player batting bays that open onto a sports field. Further, certain embodiments of the present invention integrate hitting screens, augmented reality display and simultaneous coordination of gameplay and communication between players, regardless of the players' physical location.

The present invention comprises a unique system and method for providing adaptable ball delivery and tracking, including appropriate sensor hardware, interactive gameplay user interfaces and point of sales systems. The system and method of the present invention are especially relevant to baseball and softball as, among other components, the system comprises a vertical, ground-up soft toss ball delivery mechanism, automated player and ball-tracking devices, and ball-collection and transport systems. The ball collection and return components eliminate the need for “fielders” and enable the creation of the first “batting range”. The vertical, ground-up soft-toss pitch machine further enables the first multi-story batting facility with player batting bays that open onto a sports field. Further, certain embodiments of the present invention integrate hitting screens, augmented reality display and simultaneous coordination of gameplay and communication between players, regardless of the players' physical location.

A ball sports, ball striking, practice and teaching aid which provides a unique two ball, ball striking practice design, that includes a fixed yet displaceable and self resetting ball and a second free to fly ball that is catapulted or tossed by using the energy that is provided by the force of impact between the fixed ball and a ball striking implement, for example a tennis racket or baseball bat, the fixed ball is situated at the uppermost end of a rigid, geniculated, longitudinally governed, displaceable, and self resetting wand, which crowns a rigid, unyielding, upright post that is affixed to a portable base of sufficient mass and weight to hold the upright post firmly in a perpendicular to the base, upright position.

The invention includes apparatus and methods for a novel modular self-returning batting tee. In one preferred embodiment, a modular self-returning batting tee may have one or more extension arms that are compatible with a variety of different batting attachments and/or aids, and may further be secured to a receiver tube positioned within a flexible boot. This receiver tube may be coupled with a weighted base through a novel recoil joint. In this embodiment, when the tee is struck, such as may occur during batting practice, the extension arm may bend forward engaging the flexible boot and/or novel recoil joint and causing the extension arm to self-return to a pre-determined position.

This invention is directed to a ball tee for supporting a ball. A ball tee comprises a column, and two platforms. The column is hollow and is generally identical on top and bottom, and dimensioned, at the bottom, to receive the narrow end of one platform, and, at the top, to receive the narrow end of another platform, communicating the column to both platforms, or one platform on the bottom with no platform communicated to the top, or either one platform on the top with no platform communicated to the bottom, providing a plurality of configurations and difficulty levels when utilizing the ball tee. The column is configured to stand upright on a multitude of natural and manufactured surfaces, with no platform communicated to the bottom, and to support a ball when there is no platform communicated to the top.

A ball tee with motorized retrieval for re-seating a ball after hitting includes a base having a top surface. A housing is attached to and extends upwardly from the base. The housing has a top wall and an interior surface. The top wall has an aperture extending therethrough to the interior surface. A tether container is positioned within the housing. A tee is attached to and extends upwardly from the top wall. A ball is attached to the tether container by a tether. A driver mechanism is mounted on the interior surface. The driver mechanism is coupled to a drive roller such that the drive roller is rotatable by the driver mechanism. An actuating mechanism actuates a wheel toward the drive roller to engage with the tether and the drive roller. The drive roller rotates to retract the tether into the tether container and reseat the ball.

A training apparatus for baseball training includes a base and training attachments that may be attached to the base to allow a user to practice a variety of training techniques. The base may be modular so that it has an adjustable width and disassembles into separate components. At least one training attachment is designed to train a batter to properly incorporate thrust into a swinging motion when swinging a baseball bat. The attachment has a pivotally mounted member with a contact element attached to the top end of the member. The member pivots forward and downward when the user's knee contacts the contact element when properly executing a swinging motion. Thus, the training attachment provides direct and immediate feedback to the user regarding the user's batting form. Other training attachments may be used for hitting balls and for pitching to targets strategically placed around a strike zone.

The present disclosure provides a method for batting practice. The method includes securing a baseball training device to a leg of a user; positioning a stand assembly adjacent to the user; and swinging a baseball bat such that a ball positioned on the stand assembly attaches to the plate of the device. The device includes a body and a plate attached to and extending outwardly from the body.

A hitting practice device allows a batter to swing the bat, make contact with the device, and then to follow-through with the swing while maintaining contact with the device. In embodiments, the hitting practice device includes a pivoting base, a post connected to the base, a pad attached at the upper portion of the post, and a stopper that prevents the base from pivoting beyond a recovery angle. In other embodiments, the base includes a base plate and stabilization plate connected by a hinge. In embodiments, a pad and dampener absorb most of the initial impact of the hit, pausing the swing for analysis. The pivoting base then allows the batter to continue, follow-through and complete the swing.