Ez-rise ball

Abstract

A softball pitching aid enables one to practice throwing rise balls and drop balls at slower speeds than that required by a standard softball. It comprises a ball with opposing convex surfaces at either end of and disposed about a central axis and a plurality of symmetrical slots protruding into its outer surface and disposed circumferentially along the central axis. The ball is constructed of polyurethane foam or other lightweight material. When thrown correctly, the slots interact with ambient air to cause the ball to rise or drop. The slots and lightweight material allow the ball to rise or drop at lower speeds. The slots further provide guidance for gripping the ball and leverage for increasing its spin rate during flight. The ball further comprises a two-tone coloring scheme that, in conjunction with the symmetrical slots, provides instant visual feedback during flight as to whether it was thrown correctly.

Claims

1. A softball pitching aid comprising: a spherical ball with an outer surface, a center, and a central axis, the outer surface comprising opposing convex surfaces at either end of and disposed about the central axis, a plurality of ribs, and a plurality of slots protruding into the spherical ball, spanning circumferentially from one convex surface to the other, and dispersed evenly about the central axis, each slot having a centerline spanning from one convex surface to the other, each slot further comprising a base, opposing walls, and opposing ends, the base comprising a pair of convex bands having a shared boundary at the centerline of the slot and tilted inwardly toward one another to form an indentation along the centerline of the slot, wherein each slot is bilaterally symmetric in reference to a first plane passing through the center of the spherical ball and perpendicular to its central axis and each slot is also bilaterally symmetric in reference to a second plane passing through the center of the spherical ball and the centerline of the slot, such that the spherical ball is radially symmetric along its central axis.

2. The softball pitching aid as claimed in claim 1, wherein the opposing walls of each slot mirror one another and slope outwardly and away from one another in substantially linear fashion from the base of the slot to the adjacent ribs.

3. The softball pitching aid as claimed in claim 1, wherein the opposing ends of each slot mirror one another and connect the base of the slot to the opposing convex surfaces in substantially linear fashion.

4. The softball pitching aid as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spherical ball has eight slots.

5. The softball pitching aid as claimed in claim 1, wherein a first half of the outer surface of the spherical ball is a first color and a second half of the outer surface of the spherical ball is a second color, the halves being defined by the first plane.

6. The softball pitching aid as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spherical ball is constructed of polyurethane foam.

7. A softball pitching aid comprising: a spherical ball with an outer surface, a center, and a central axis, the outer surface comprising a plurality of congruent slots spanning circumferentially along the central axis and dispersed evenly about the central axis, each slot having a centerline, each slot further comprising a base, opposing walls, and opposing ends, the base comprising a pair of convex bands having a shared boundary at the centerline of the slot and tilted inwardly toward one another to form an indentation along the centerline of the slot, wherein each slot is bilaterally symmetric in reference to a first plane passing through the center of the spherical ball and perpendicular to its central axis and each slot is also bilaterally symmetric in reference to a second plane passing through the center of the spherical ball and the centerline of the slot, such that the spherical ball is radially symmetric along its central axis.

8. The softball pitching aid as claimed in claim 7, wherein the outer surface further comprises opposing convex surfaces at either end of and disposed about the central axis.

9. The softball pitching aid as claimed in claim 7, wherein the outer surface further comprises a plurality of ribs dispersed among and in between the slots.

10. The softball pitching aid as claimed in claim 7, wherein the spherical ball has eight slots.

11. The softball pitching aid as claimed in claim 7, wherein a first half of the outer surface of the spherical ball is a first color and a second half of the outer surface of the spherical ball is a second color, the halves being defined by the first plane.

12. The softball pitching aid as claimed in claim 7, wherein the spherical ball is constructed of polyurethane foam.

13. A softball pitching aid comprising: a spherical ball with an outer surface, a center, and a central axis, the outer surface comprising opposing convex surfaces at either end of and disposed about the central axis, a plurality of ribs, and a plurality of slots protruding into the spherical ball, spanning circumferentially from one convex surface to the other, and dispersed evenly about the central axis, each slot having a centerline spanning from one convex surface to the other, each slot further comprising a base, opposing walls, and opposing ends, the base comprising a pair of convex bands having a shared boundary at the centerline of the slot, wherein each slot is bilaterally symmetric in reference to a first plane passing through the center of the spherical ball and perpendicular to its central axis and each slot is also bilaterally symmetric in reference to a second plane passing through the center of the spherical ball and the centerline of the slot, such that the spherical ball is radially symmetric along its central axis.

14. The softball pitching aid as claimed in claim 13, wherein the convex bands comprising the base of each slot are tilted inwardly toward one another to form an indentation along the centerline of the slot.

15. The softball pitching aid as claimed in claim 13, wherein the opposing walls of each slot mirror one another and slope outwardly and away from one another in substantially linear fashion from the base of the slot to the adjacent ribs.

16. The softball pitching aid as claimed in claim 13, wherein the opposing ends of each slot mirror one another and connect the base of the slot to the opposing convex surfaces in substantially linear fashion.

17. The softball pitching aid as claimed in claim 13, wherein a first half of the outer surface of the spherical ball is a first color and a second half of the outer surface of the spherical ball is a second color, the halves being defined by the first plane.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a softball pitching aid of the present disclosure.

(2) FIG. 2 is a front view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, it being understood that the top, rear, and bottom views would be identical.

(3) FIG. 3 is a left side view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, it being understood that a right side view would be identical, except of a different color.

(4) FIG. 4 is a front view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 depicting the use of a two-tone color scheme to enhance its effectiveness.

(5) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 depicting a user's hand positioned about it.

(6) Repeat use of reference characters throughout the present specification and appended drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(7) The invention described herein is a softball pitching aid to be used to practice throwing rise balls and drop balls in fast pitch softball. The apparatus is a lightweight ball comprising a plurality of symmetrical slots that, when the ball is thrown, mimic the interaction between the seams of a softball and the ambient air in exaggerated fashion, enabling one to throw rise balls and drop balls at slower speeds and to practice their delivery for doing so with instant visual feedback. The slots further guide the user to position his or her hand correctly on the ball and also provide a means for the user to exert additional pressure on the ball to increase spin speed.

(8) Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a softball pitching aid comprises a ball 100 with an outer surface 101 comprising opposing convex surfaces 110, 111 at either end of and disposed about a central axis X, a plurality of ribs 115, and a plurality of symmetrical slots 120 protruding inwardly and disposed circumferentially along the central axis X. In a preferred embodiment, the ball 100 has a total of eight (8) slots 120.

(9) Each slot 120 comprises a base 121, opposing walls 122, 123, and opposing ends 124, 125. The slots 120 are of the same size and shape and spaced uniformly about the circumference of the ball 100. The base 121 of each slot 120 further comprises a pair of adjoining convex bands 126, 127 that run circumferentially along the central axis X of the ball 100—from one end of the slot 120 to the other—and alongside one another. The bands 126, 127 are angled inwardly toward one another, such that their shared boundary 128 creates an indentation along the centerline of the slot 120.

(10) The sides 129, 130 of the bands 126, 127 opposite their shared boundary 128 adjoin the bases of the opposing walls 122, 123 defining the slot. The opposing walls 122, 123, in turn, mirror one another and slope outwardly and away from one another in substantially linear fashion, from the base 121 of the slot 120 to the outer surface 101 of the ball 100.

(11) Each slot 120 is further defined by opposing ends 124, 125 that connect the base 121 of the slot 120 to the convex surfaces 110, 111. The opposing ends 124, 125 mirror one another and connect the base 121 of the slot 120 to the convex surfaces 110, 111.

(12) Referring specifically to FIG. 2, it can be seen that the left half 131 and right half 132 of each slot 120 are mirror images of one another, such that each slot is bilaterally symmetric in reference to a plane passing through the center of the ball 100 and perpendicular to its central axis X. Referring specifically to FIG. 3, it can be seen that the top and bottom halves of each slot 120 are mirror images of one another, such that each slot 120 is bilaterally symmetric in reference to a plane passing through the center line of the slot 120 and the center of the ball 100. Thus, when the slots 120 are evenly dispersed about the outer surface 101 of the ball 100, the ball 100 is radially symmetric along its central axis X. This bilateral and radial symmetry enables the ball 100 to be equally suited for throwing both rise balls and drop balls. It also facilitates the visual aid function of the ball, as it renders the most effective pitch one that spins about the central axis X during flight, which corresponds with the plane separating the two colors remaining vertical during flight. Thus, whether a pitch is thrown correctly is easily discernible from the visual coloring of the ball during its flight.

(13) FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a softball pitching aid of the present disclosure with a two-tone coloring scheme to facilitate instant visual feedback during flight. The left half 140 of the ball 100 is one color and the right half 150 is a contrasting color, a dividing line 151 being defined by a plane intersecting the center of the ball 100 and situated perpendicularly to the central axis X of the ball 100. This coloring provides instant feedback as to the spin of the ball during its flight.

(14) Finally, FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a softball pitching aid of the present disclosure with a user's hand positioned on the apparatus in preparation to throw it.