Abstract
A baseball and softball training and performance system and set are disclosed. The system and set may include a home plate and/or other bases disposed on a field or in a training area, and a mat or stenciled target near the home plate. The home plate and mat or stenciled target may have identical or common text and/or graphic elements communicating a safety and/or performance message and providing a target symbol to remind a player to place a bat on the mat or stenciled target. The system may further include one or more of a banner, ball, helmet, bat, or other equipment and accessories having an identical or common text and/or graphic elements communicating the safety and/or performance message and providing the target symbol. The home plate may be an expanded strike zone home plate.
Claims
1. A baseball and/or softball training and performance system disposed on a field or in a training area, comprising: a home plate disposed on a ground level on the field or in the training area, said home plate having a first graphic and text element communicating a safety and/or performance message and providing a small target symbol; and a mat or stenciled target disposed on the ground level on the field or in the training area near home plate, said mat or stenciled target having a second graphic and text element communicating a safety and/or performance message and providing a large target symbol relative to the small target symbol, wherein said first graphic and text element and said second graphic and text element are identical except in size, or wherein said first graphic and text element and said second graphic and text element include a common target symbol.
2. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a banner disposed within visible range of the home plate, said banner having a third graphic and text element communicating a safety and/or performance message and providing a target symbol, wherein said second graphic and text element and said third graphic and text element are identical except in size, or wherein said second graphic and text element and said third graphic and text element include a common target symbol.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the home plate is an expanded strike zone home plate.
4. The system of claim 3, wherein the expanded strike zone home plate includes a plurality of combined ball and arrow graphics, wherein each of said graphics indicates a location for bat contact with a ball to hit the ball in a direction indicated by an arrow.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein the expanded strike zone home plate includes numbered zones.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the home plate is an expanded strike zone home plate.
7. The system of claim 6, wherein the expanded strike zone home plate includes a plurality of combined ball and arrow graphics, wherein each of said graphics indicates a location for bat contact with a ball to hit the ball in a direction indicated by an arrow.
8. The system of claim 6, wherein the expanded strike zone home plate includes numbered zones.
9. The system of claim 1, further comprising one or more baseball equipment items selected from the group consisting of a helmet, a bat, and a ball, wherein said one or more items include a third graphic and text element communicating a safety and/or performance message and providing a target symbol, wherein said second graphic and text element and said third graphic and text element are identical except in size, or wherein said second graphic and text element and said third graphic and text element include common target symbol.
10. A baseball and/or softball training and performance set configured to be disposed on a field or in a training area, comprising: a home plate configured to be disposed on a ground level on the field or in the training area, said home plate having a first graphic and text element communicating a safety and/or performance message and providing a small target symbol; and a mat or stenciled target configured to be disposed on the ground level on the field or in the training area near home plate, said mat or stenciled target having a second graphic and text element communicating a safety and/or performance message and providing a large target symbol relative to the small target symbol, wherein said first graphic and text element and said second graphic and text element are identical except in size, or wherein said first graphic and text element and said second graphic and text element include a common target symbol.
11. The set of claim 10, further comprising: a banner configured to be disposed within visible range of the home plate, said banner having a third graphic and text element communicating a safety and/or performance message and providing a target symbol, wherein said second graphic and text element and said third graphic and text element are identical except in size, or wherein said second graphic and text element and said third graphic and text element include a common target symbol.
12. The set of claim 11, wherein the home plate is an expanded strike zone home plate.
13. The set of claim 12, wherein the expanded strike zone home plate includes a plurality of combined ball and arrow graphics, wherein each of said graphics indicates a location for bat contact with a ball to hit the baseball in a direction indicated by an arrow.
14. The set of claim 13, wherein the expanded strike zone home plate includes numbered zones.
15. The set of claim 10, wherein the home plate is an expanded strike zone home plate.
16. The set of claim 15, wherein the expanded strike zone home plate includes a plurality of combined ball and arrow graphics, wherein each of said graphics indicates a location for bat contact with a ball to hit the ball in a direction indicated by an arrow.
17. The set of claim 15, wherein the expanded strike zone home plate includes numbered zones.
18. The set of claim 10, further comprising one or more baseball equipment items selected from the group consisting of a helmet, a bat, and a ball, wherein said one or more items include a third graphic and text element communicating a safety and/or performance message and providing a target symbol, wherein said second graphic and text element and said third graphic and text element are identical except in size, or wherein said second graphic and text element and said third graphic and text element include common target symbol.
19. A method of providing a baseball and/or softball training field or training area, comprising the steps of: providing a home plate disposed on a ground level on the field or in the training area, said home plate having a first graphic and text element communicating a safety and/or performance message and providing a small target symbol; and providing a mat or stenciled target disposed on the ground level on the field or in the training area near home plate, said mat or stenciled target having a second graphic and text element communicating a safety and/or performance message and providing a large target symbol relative to the small target symbol, wherein said first graphic and text element and said second graphic and text element are identical except in size, or wherein said first graphic and text element and said second graphic and text element include a common target symbol.
20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of: providing a banner disposed within visible range of the home plate, said banner having a third graphic and text element communicating a safety and/or performance message and providing a target symbol, wherein said second graphic and text element and said third graphic and text element are identical except in size, or wherein said second graphic and text element and said third graphic and text element include a common target symbol.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] In order to assist the understanding of this invention, reference will now be made to the appended drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like elements. The drawings are exemplary only and should not be construed as limiting the invention.
[0026] FIG. 1 is a top view of a first symbol, banner, mat, and/or decal/emblem/stamp that are part of a safety target and performance training system in accordance with embodiments of the invention.
[0027] FIG. 2 is a top view of a second banner, mat, and/or decal/emblem/stamp that are part of a safety target and performance training system in accordance with embodiments of the invention.
[0028] FIG. 3 is a top view of a stencil that is part of a safety target and performance training system in accordance with embodiments of the invention.
[0029] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a synthetic (rubber and/or vinyl) mat that is part of a safety target and performance training system in accordance with embodiments of the invention.
[0030] FIGS. 5A and 5B are illustrations of home plates that are part of a safety target and performance training system including symbols and an expanded surface area in accordance with embodiments of the invention.
[0031] FIG. 5C is a top view of a home plate training mat that is part of a safety target and performance training system including symbol and an expanded and extended surface area in accordance with embodiments of the invention.
[0032] FIG. 6 is a top view of printable banners, mats, decals/emblems/stamps, and home plates that are part of a safety target and performance training system in accordance with embodiments of the invention.
[0033] FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D and 7E are illustrations of safety target and performance training system components, including symbols, banners, mats, and/or stencils, as deployed on a ball field or virtual display including projected image in accordance with embodiments of the invention.
[0034] FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C are illustrations of safety target and performance training system symbol reinforcement decals/emblems/stamps as provided on examples of the types of baseball and softball equipment and accessories that are part of a safety target and performance training system in accordance with embodiments of the invention.
[0035] FIGS. 9A and 9B are illustrations of a wristband that is part of a safety target and performance training system in accordance with embodiments of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0036] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. With reference to FIGS. 1, 3, 4, 5A, 5B, 5C, 6, 7A, 7D, 7E, 8A, 8B, and 8C embodiments of the safety target and performance training system and methods invention may include a banner, decal/emblem/stamp 100 including graphic and/or text elements which communicate a safety message. The graphic and/or text elements may include a target symbol such as a bullseye target with rings 102 and 104 drawing the attention of the batter. The bullseye target may include two crossed bats 106 to aid the batter to “aim for the X,” possibly even including that message. The text information may include the term “SAFETY” to alert the batter to the vital message of safety. The text information may further include the phrase “BEFORE 1ST” to call attention to batters' actions before hitting the ball and proceeding to 1ST base. The text information may further include “PERFORMANCE”, or other similar wording, to draw attention to the key instructional cues and tips that are elements of the safety target and performance training system. And the text information may still further include the phrase “SAFER BASEBALL”, with or without .com or .org, to identify the source of the safety equipment as well as to provide a common identifier for all elements of the safety target and performance training system so the batter will have a safety message reinforced each time the common identifier is observed. The “SAFER BASEBALL” text, with or without .com or .org may also direct the batter and others to a common location for additional safety and performance information and coordinate branding throughout youth baseball and softball.
[0037] FIG. 4 illustrates a most likely circular synthetic (rubber and/or vinyl) mat 140 that may be used in coordination with, or in lieu of, the rectangular banner mat 110 shown in FIG. 2 in accordance with embodiments of the safety target and performance training system, set and method. The circular synthetic (rubber or vinyl) mat 140 may be smaller (most likely 24 inches in diameter) than the banner mat, easier to deploy, more durable, foldable, yet hold its shape, and made of a one-piece synthetic mat that most likely is 3.175 to 6.35 mm (⅛ to ¼ inch) thick. The safety target and performance training system synthetic mat 140 may be constructed from sturdy rubber or vinyl to resist weather and withstand athletic use, stand up to years of outdoor use, may reduce the likelihood of slipping on wood floors during indoor use and may have a relatively large version of the safety target and training target symbol dyed into a rubber material or printed between multiple layers of vinyl. The synthetic mat 140 may be designed for use in the lower age youth baseball and softball levels where they will be placed on the playing field during practice only not, unless the league organizations approve their use, during games. Since players begin playing baseball and softball at different age, athletic skill, and interest levels, it is preferred to standardize and brand the safety target and performance training system components throughout all levels of baseball and softball to ensure these new entrants get the critical safety training they need as well as serve as a constant external cue to all participants. Though most begin playing baseball with Tee Ball or Single A, there are a myriad of reasons that have players entering baseball at AA, AAA, and even Majors levels. For example, a big and athletic 11-year-old basketball player may be eligible for Majors after never playing organized baseball or softball. The potential injuries from him carelessly throwing or handling a bat or ball must be considered. The synthetic mat 140 can be a valuable contribution to the safety target and performance training system and methods that permit private trainers, parents, and all participants, to facilitate individual instruction and/or practice without supervision from a league or team. The synthetic mat 140 may be deployed on a field or training area (e.g., multi-sport facility, gym or indoor sport training facility, or the like) during practice near home plate along the outside of the first base line, preferably no more than one third of the distance away from home plate along the base line but clearly in foul territory to minimize interference with typical play. The synthetic mat serves as a visual reminder and target for safely dropped bats by players.
[0038] With reference to FIGS. 2, 6, 7B, 7C, and 7E in which like reference characters refer to like elements, embodiments of the safety target and performance training system may include a second type of banner and/or mat 110, decal/emblem/stamp. The second type of banner and/or mat 110, decal/emblem/stamp, and virtual advertising may include two crossed bats 112 and may include the text “AIM FOR THE” to aid the batter to aim for the crossed bats. The text information may further include the message “SAFETY BEFORE FIRST” where the terms “SAFETY” and “FIRST!”, each may appear on a bat graphic 112. The term “BEFORE” may be provided on a home plate graphic 114, to alert the batter to the key message. The text information may further include “PERFORMANCE”, or other similar wording, to draw attention to the key instructional cues and tips that are elements of the safety target and performance training system. The text information may further include “SAFER BASEBALL,” with or without .com or .org, to identify the source of the safety equipment as well as to provide a common identifier for all elements of the safety target and performance training system so that the batter will have a safety message reinforced each time the common identifier is observed. The “SAFER BASEBALL” text may also direct the batter and others to a common location for additional safety information and coordinate branding throughout youth baseball and softball.
[0039] The safety target and performance training system banner and/or mat 110 will preferably, but not necessarily, be square in shape to leave room for league, sponsor, and partner logos. In one embodiment, the banner and/or mat 110 may be 36″×36,″ made of approximately 16-ounce banner (vinyl) material for weathering durability, storable, and portable benefits; most likely only printed on one side; may be on a white background for best differentiation with league, sponsor and partner logos; may have grommets in each corner to facilitate hanging on fences but not used for anchoring on field surface where groundskeepers would resist such disruption to playing field; may have 2″ diameter pole pockets at the top and bottom to insert weighted down options (e.g., 30″ 1-inch PVC pipe, 30″ rubber hose filled with sand) to minimize movement in windy conditions. As with the synthetic mat 140 shown in FIG. 4, the mat 110 may be deployed during practice along the outside of the first base line, preferably no more than one third of the distance away from home plate along the base line, but clearly in foul territory to minimize interference with typical play, to serve as a target for safely dropped bats by players.
[0040] With reference to FIG. 3, a stencil 130 having all the graphic and text elements of the FIG. 1 safety target and performance training system symbol 100 is illustrated. A stencil may include for the purposes of this application, without limitation, projected images using a light source. The stencil may preferably have a 38″ diameter traced out on a durable 40″×40″ square yet foldable one-piece UV stable plastic that most likely is 8 mils thick. Stencil letters should be between 4″ to 6″, most likely 5″ to facilitate the connected letters (A, R, and Bs in the design) that are more challenging to be read with field marking paint application so that necessitates the 5″ desired minimum. For best performance, the stencil 130 should be used with appropriate field marking paints (engineered for natural grass or synthetic fields). The stencil 130 may need to adhere to league, county, local, and school recreational field approved standards. As with the synthetic mat 140 shown in FIG. 4, the stencil 130 may be used to create a painted target along the outside of the first base line, preferably no more than one third of the distance away from home plate along the base line, but clearly in foul territory, to serve as a target for safely dropped bats by players.
[0041] FIG. 5A illustrates a home plate 150 that may be used in coordination with, or in lieu of, the rectangular banner mat 110 shown in FIG. 2 or synthetic (rubber and/or vinyl) mat 140 shown in FIG. 4 in accordance with embodiments of the safety target and performance training system and methods. The home plate 150 may have the standard thickness of a home plate (1 to 3 inches). The home plate 150 may have a relatively small version of the safety target and performance training target symbol 100 deeply dyed into the white rubber home plate material. A safety target and performance training symbol 100 decal/emblem/stamp preferably is not simply applied to an existing home plate since the graphic may peel/rub off due to cleats, bats, catcher's, and field maintenance equipment scratching across the surface of the plate.
[0042] FIG. 5B illustrates a home plate 155 with an expanded strike zone (ESZ). Many youth leagues use an expanded strike zone adding an additional ball width to the opposite side of the batter beyond a full ball width from the border of the regulation 17″ wide home plate since that ball—grazing the outside of the plate—is already a strike at all levels of baseball yet confusing to most youth batters who think only a ball directly over the plate is a strike; armpits to bottom of knees rather than chest to top of knees; etc., to encourage aggressive hitting, build pitcher confidence, reduce pitch counts, and (open to interpretation) make for a more exciting game since an expanded strike zone encourages more swinging which means more chances for contact requiring defenders to be more alert and decreases player and spectator boredom. Applicant is not aware of any home plate that exists today dedicated to effectively train batters to react to the expanded strike zone. Therefore, a batter often is presented with a strike zone that is left to broad interpretation by the umpire. This expanded strike zone (ESZ) home plate can be a valuable contribution to the safety target and performance training system and methods that permit parents, and all participants, to supplement team or personal coaching and training. In fact, Applicant calls attention to and prioritizes one of baseball's truisms, “consistently and successfully hitting a moving round ball with a round bat” is the most difficult task in sports. Applicant stresses the attitude and skills development necessary to increase performance and turn batters into hitters. Although extend and expand can be used interchangeably in some contexts, extend applies to things that are being stretched out, while expand applies to things that are spread out. One implies length, the other area. Throw down ESZ home plate 155 may be easier to deploy, more durable, foldable, yet hold its shape, synthetic mats that are 3.175 to 6.35 mm (⅛ to ¼ inch) thick and may have the safety target and performance training symbol 100 deeply dyed into the rubber material or printed between multiple layers of vinyl. The ESZ home plate 155 for youth specific fields has a clearly delineated expanded strike zone 157 on each side of the plate to aid the batter and pitcher and help the league, coaches, parents, and personal trainers encourage more aggressive hitting and increase enthusiasm for all participants.
[0043] Most quality coaches tell their players that “they are their own best coach” to encourage them to put more effort and time into developing their skill set. It is very apparent in baseball when a batter must react to various pitchers and their own reactions while at the plate. Coaches should not impede the game by coaching on every pitch. Coaches are also advised to leave the coaching to practices and “just let kids play” during games. Tools designed to aid athletes in their self-coaching and self-training are becoming more available. Research shows that over 70 percent of strikes cross between the middle of the plate and the regularly called outside strike (one ball width off the border of home plate). The expanded strike zone umpires utilize possibly results in over 75 percent of strikes called for pitches that cross between the middle of the plate and the expanded outside ball width zone which is two ball widths from the border of the standard home plate. Youth batters need to learn how to hit the outside pitch to be more effective, have fewer strikeouts, and help their team succeed. Some of the greatest hitters in the game (from Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn to the top-rated player in today's game Mike Trout both mastered hitting the outside pitch first, focusing on hitting the ball to the opposite field, and make it a critical part of their pre-game warm-up to become dominant hitters. It is much easier to pull an inside pitch down the line than it is to consistently hit an outside pitch to the opposite field. Finally, baseball is often claimed to be the most singular team sport because of individual actions—especially when a pitcher statistically has an approximate 70 percent success rate against the batter. Increased success at the plate brings more smiles to anxious parents worried about their child's performance, more alertness of defenders often standing around waiting to engage in a ball hit to them, and to spectators yearning for more action and offense. With many youthful players fearing the strikeout and especially a called third strike without swinging, they would be thrilled to have a tool to increase their skills, confidence, and performance. For best performance, the expanded home plate 155 may have two 2.9″ wide differently colored or shaded areas on either side of the plate that will increase the overall standard 17-inch width of home plate to 28.6 inches). The differently colored or shaded areas equal a total increase of 11.6 inches since youth umpires do not utilize the inside 2.9-inch area closest to the batter for the ESZ to discourage inside pitching to young players. The expanded home plate 155 may have the safety target and training symbol 100 dyed into the rubber material or printed between multiple layers of vinyl. If permitted to become official replacement home plates, the expanded home plate 155 may help decrease the amount of confusing, umpire-specific interpretable strike zones for the benefit of hitters and increase enthusiasm for all participants. These more permanent expanded home plates 155 preferably would be the standard thickness of a home plate (1 to 3 inches). The expanded home plate 155 may be used for softball too with the consideration that softball utilizes three different size regulation (11-inch, 12-inch, and 16-inch) balls.
[0044] FIG. 5C illustrates the Expanded Strike Zone (ESZ) Training Mat for Hitters, Pitchers, and Catchers 160. The ESZ training mat 160 may have two 2.9″ wide (approximate diameter of a baseball) differently colored or shaded Expanded Strike Zone 157 areas on either side of the plate that will increase the overall standard 17-inch width of home plate to a maximum of 28.6 inches. There may be five or more additional differently colored or shaded areas 158 covering the width of home plate to help train pitchers and catchers dial in to specific strike zone target areas for their inside and outside pitches. Four of these additional 158 sections may have the same 2.9″ width as the outside sections while the middle section 159 over the center of home plate will be approximately 5.8″ and may be differently colored or shaded than all the other sections. Including the four expanded home plate sections, all nine of these sections may be numbered facing the pitcher. The center section 159 may be numbered 1 and the four to the right and four to the left could be numbered 2, 3, 4, and 5. The five sections (numbered 1-3) may extend from the center of home plate to the top of the ESZ training mat 160 with the lower triangle section of home plate possibly remaining white. The four expanded home plate sections (numbered 4 and 5) 158 are outside the border of home plate and run from the bottom to the top of the mat. The ESZ Training Mat for Hitters, Pitchers, and Catchers 160 may have numbered balls (#1, #2, #4, #5 and #6) 153 that can be in red numbers for right-handed batters and blue for left-handed batters. The #3 ball can be black and is for both right- and left-handed batters. There can be targets on all the balls 153 to signal the optimal location for the batter to aim for while hitting the ball and directional arrows to help batters know the most likely trajectory of those balls when the target area is hit with the correct swing path. This creates a three-dimensional (3D) training aspect to the ESZ training mat where batters can place a tee over a specific ball 153 to work on hitting inside, down the middle, and outside pitches. A graphic, possibly an eye 154 within a target, may be placed just below the #1 in the center section to guide the batter to keep their head steady while swinging and angled to that area while keeping their eyes on the pitched ball. Stance and Stride Guide measurement markers 156 can be included along the outside border to help hitters determine and repeat foot placement that works for their specific swing. Possible configurations for the measurement markers 156 include putting “0” across from the top of the plate and numbers (1-14) continuing up to the top of the mat while numbers (1-25) continue to the bottom of the mat. Graphic Text Bubbles can be used to identify specific aspects of the ESZ training mat 160 and Tips Boxes (possibly including “Tips for All Players”, “Pitchers Tips”, “Hitters Tips”, “Catchers Tips”) may be placed directly on the mat (front or back of mat) or be included separately as flash cards or website material (possibly linked via a QR scanned code if feasible) to provide quality and consistent instruction on the fundamentals of key positions in relation to the ESZ training mat. The throw down ESZ training mat 160 will preferably, but not necessarily, be in the shape of home plate but may be approximately 40″ long×29″ wide, made from 3.175 to 6.35 mm (⅛ to ¼ inch) thick synthetic material (rubber or vinyl). If rubber, the safety target and performance training symbol 100 may be deeply dyed into the material. If vinyl, the symbol 100 may be printed on the underside of the top of multiple layers of vinyl. Both types of synthetic material may have weathering durability, storable, and portable benefits; and may feature league, sponsor, and partner logos. The ESZ training mat 160 may be placed directly on top of home plate at a baseball field during practice and pre-game warm-up activities or utilized wherever the batter is participating in batting drills including hitting into nets or using heavy-weighted hitting practice baseballs or training area (e.g., multi-sport facility, gym or indoor sport training facility, or the like). The ESZ training mat 160 is a valuable contribution to the safety target and performance training system by building on the educational role of the ESZ home plate. It decreases the amount of confusing, umpire-specific interpretable strike zones, and provides consistent, quality instructional information (graphics and tips) as well as the 3D component described above to permit leagues, coaches, personal trainers, parents, older siblings, and others to help players increase performance. The Expanded Strike Zone Training Mat for Hitters, Pitchers, and Catchers 160 may be used for softball too with the consideration that softball utilizes three different size regulation (11-inch, 12-inch, and 16-inch) balls.
[0045] FIG. 6 illustrates downloadable and printable PDF composite 170 with versions of the safety target and performance training system symbol, banner mat, and home plate (100, 110 and 150) shown for example in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5A. Repetition can be the key to success in any sport—especially baseball and softball. The downloadable and printable PDF composite 170 offers several options to utilize components of the safety target and performance training system to permit parents, and all participants, to facilitate away from team or personal coaching and training. Parents can use the safety target and performance training system symbol, banner and synthetic mats, and home plate to reinforce safety and help their child control their actions. The symbol, banner and synthetic mats, and home plate 100, 110 and 150 can be downloaded, printed, and attached (taped, glued, or stapled) to a piece of cardboard and used during parent-child instruction and sibling-sibling play to remind them to always handle their bat and ball safely. Parents can show their child's coach the safety target and performance training system components that are commonly branded and encourage them to contact the provider of these materials to review coach focused materials and offer to join their coach at the next league board meeting to encourage the league to contact the provider of these materials for additional information. The ESZ home plate 155 (shown in FIG. 5B) and ESZ training mat 160 (shown in FIG. 5C) and other safety and training aids may be included in these PDF offerings in the future.
[0046] FIGS. 7A-7E illustrate components of the safety target and performance training system and methods as actually and/or virtually deployed on a ball field. Virtual advertising uses the latest technology to place an ad in position to the field of play, regardless of camera motion, and the players movements over the logos. Virtual displays do not interfere with the viewers experience and allows for many brands to put their image into a broadcast and distribute it to a large number of people. As with stencils 130 (shown in FIG. 3), virtual displays promoting advertising and partner programs that benefit the game can be placed adjacent to traditional warm-up circles in foul territory and appear throughout the game. Virtual displays may appear on fencing ad placeholders behind home plate, between home plate and the dugouts, down the foul line or in the outfield, or even on the field (in foul or fair territory) without interfering with participants. Safety target and performance training system virtual displays may, in addition to providing the foregoing training benefits of serving as a visual que to remind players of safety considerations, also generally promote the benefits of safety and performance training throughout baseball and softball.
[0047] FIG. 8A illustrates a helmet 200 (or possibly a fielder's mask) having a decal/emblem/stamp of the safety target and performance training system symbol 100 (shown in FIG. 1) affixed thereto. FIG. 8B illustrates a baseball bat 210 having a decal/emblem/stamp of the safety target and performance training system symbol 100 (shown in FIG. 1) affixed thereto. The decals or emblems may be affixed using a simple adhesive (sticker) or stamp application, for example. FIG. 8C illustrates a ball 220 having a symbol 100 (shown in FIG. 1) affixed thereto using a stamping method during the manufacturing process or if possible, using a post-manufacturing stamping or adhesive application. Applicant intends to utilize the safety target and performance training system symbol to promote the benefits of bat, helmet, ball, etc. safety throughout baseball and softball by its serving as a visual que to remind players to think of safety and performance.
[0048] FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate front and back views of a wristband 230 that may include a safety message and information source identifier that help reinforce a common safety and performance message and visual que promoted by all components of the safety target and performance training system and methods.
[0049] The comprehensive nature of the Applicant's standardized safety training and skills development instruction and methods, combined with the ability for leagues, private training facilities, and other partners to customize selected tools and programs offers opportunities to provide a first-of-its-kind certification requirement to clarify and improve the roles of all participants but specifically leagues, coaches, and personal trainers. Helping leagues, other organized programs, and participants prove and promote the attainment of homogenous safety and performance certification attributes could lead to significant decreases in injuries, ill feelings, and potential lawsuits while substantially increasing participation and enjoyment throughout baseball and softball.
[0050] As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The elements described above are provided as illustrative examples for implementing the invention. One skilled in the art will recognize that many other implementations are possible without departing from the present invention as recited in the claims. For example, the shapes and sizes, colors or shading, and types of manufacturing materials of various elements of the embodiments of the invention may be changed without departing from the intended scope of the invention. Further, while a home plate is shown in FIG. 5, and a bat, helmet, and ball in FIG. 8, it is appreciated that embodiments of the invention may incorporate other types of sporting equipment, including without limitation elbow guards, batting gloves, shin guards, chest protectors, face masks and shields, gloves, sweatbands, wristbands, and dugout items; safety and training aids; pitching and batting mounds, cages, turf, and matting; coach, umpire, and field equipment; equipment bags, uniforms and other clothing. Accordingly, the disclosure of the present invention is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention. The partnering potential of the safety and performance aspects of the invention offer nearly limitless opportunities to aid and assist other sports, safety, health, performance, training, and lifestyle programs. It is intended that the present invention cover all such modifications and variations of the invention, provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
