A sleeve fits over the barrel of a bat. The sleeve defines an opening such that, when the sleeve is applied to the bat, a significant portion of the barrel of the bat is revealed. The sleeve is made of a light-weight, sound-dampening material, such that when the batter hits a pitched ball in an area of the bat covered by the sleeve, the normal “crack” or “ping” of the ball hitting the bat is not heard. Instead, the batter hears a duller, less sharp sound, providing immediate feedback to the batter that he/she did not hit the ball in the desired area of the bat.

In one general aspect, an apparatus to monitor movement of an object may include an input device configured to trigger pre-selection of a type of performance of the object, at least one sensor used to measure a motion parameter of the object, a controller configured to receive the motion parameter of the object and compare the measured motion parameter with a motion reference, and an output device configured to display, in real-time, a feedback information based on the comparison.

Balance training systems and methods are disclosed. A balance training system is disclosed, comprising: a lower member having a ground contacting surface and an upward facing surface; an upper member having a foot receiving surface and a downward facing surface; the upward facing surface and the downward facing surface being shaped for contact with each other; and the upper member having a balance position when a balance point on the upper member is in contact with the lower member. A balance training system is also disclosed comprising a first platform having a top surface (ground plane) which supports the user's weight, a support having flexible and/or compressible upward facing surface in contact with a downward facing surface of the first platform, the ground plane being within 0.5″ of the top surface of the flexible and/or compressible upward facing surface to reduce or prevent horizontal movement of the ground plane when the first platform changes angle. A balance training system is further disclosed, comprising a first platform having a top surface (ground plane) that supports the user's weight, a curved downward facing convex surface of the first platform, the top surface being aligned within ½″ of the downward facing curved surface.

Devices, systems, and methods for training baseball and softball batters, to identify types of pitched balls (fast ball, curve ball, slider and changeup) and locations (strike or non-strike zone) of pitched balls in order to increase hitting accuracy A motion sensor can be triggered by the leading foot of a pitcher. The motion sensor can use cone or fan shaped sensor to detect the passage of a pitched ball from the pitcher. When the motion sensor is triggered, a signal can be sent to a black out lens that blocks the vision of a hitter being trained to identify the types and locations of the pitched balls. The training includes changing the lens from transparent to opaque at selected distances between the hitter and the pitcher. Batters can be trained to keep their eyes on the pitched balls until the ball reaches the batter. Golfers can be trained to not have to look up when their club hits the ball, where the black out lens are go opaque when the golf swing passes into the motion sensor.

The present invention and method of use enable a batter to practice and increase skills related to following the path and speed of a ball with their eyes, swinging at the right moment in time in relation to ball-speed, making best contact with a moving ball relative to path location, and further developing swinging techniques when qualified instructor is present. The present invention provides a manually operated batting simulation device for simulating various speeds, irregular or three-dimensional travel toward the batter providing a more realistic ball movement, and is engineered to absorb likely practical potential disturbing and uncomfortable vibration and shock-waves generated by the player striking the fast moving ball. The present invention includes at least one rigid portion, at least one flexible portion and at least one ball portion. The present invention is constructed to have the flexible portion between the ball portion and the rigid portion.

A pitching screen assembly adapted to be readily converted between a deployed configuration and a non-deployed configuration including: a first ground-engaging support member having a first end, a second end, and a midpoint, wherein the first end and the second end define a length therebetween; a second ground-engaging support member having a first end, a second end, and a midpoint, wherein the first end and the second end define a length therebetween; a frame sub-assembly having an internal aperture contained therein; a protective screen, wherein the protective screen covers at least a portion of the internal aperture of the frame sub-assembly; wherein the frame sub-assembly is associated with the first ground-engaging support member and the second ground-engaging support member; and wherein the frame sub-assembly is rotatably displaceable along a first axis (X) that is generally orthogonal to the length of the first ground-engaging support member and the length of the second ground-engaging support member.

A lightweight sweet spot trainer includes a sleeve that is slipped over the barrel end of any bat. The sleeve covers the barrel over the primary contact area of the bat. The sleeve holds a force sensor placed inside it such that, when slid over the bat, the force sensor is coincident with the sweet spot of the bat. When a ball comes in contact with the sweet spot, the force sensor directly beneath it is triggered such that instantaneous feedback is given to the athlete thereby making him/her aware of accurate sweet spot contact. Moreover, an array of cylindrical contact/force sensors can be positioned such that the user gets feedback that would depend on how far from the sweet spot the user strikes/contacts the ball. The user may be notified by audio, visual, or sensory cues.

An Internet of Thing (IoT) device includes a camera coupled to a processor; and a wireless transceiver coupled to the processor. Blockchain smart contracts can be used with the device to facilitate secure operation.

Method for coupling a sensor to a piece of equipment, such as a golf club, baseball bat, or tennis racket, that ensures that the sensor is in a known position and orientation relative to the equipment. Compensates and calibrates for degrees of freedom introduced in manufacturing and installation. The method may include manufacturing a sensor receiver that aligns with equipment in a fixed orientation, and that holds a sensor housing in a fixed orientation relative to the receiver. Remaining uncertainties in sensor position and orientation may be addressed using post-installation calibration. Calibration may include performing specific calibration movements with the equipment and analyzing the sensor data collected during these calibration movements.

A swing analyzing apparatus includes at least an angular velocity sensor, an impact detection section, an angular velocity information calculation section, and an impact state judgment section. The impact detection section detects the timing of impact in a swing of a sporting good. The angular velocity information calculation section calculates at least one of the amount of change in angular velocity with respect to a predetermined axis in a predetermined period after the impact timing and the greatest value of the angular velocity based on data outputted form the angular velocity sensor. The impact state judgment section judges the state of impact based on the result calculated by the angular velocity information calculation section.