Baseball Strike Target

Abstract

In a baseball target system including a strike zone target positionable by support components configurable on a horizontal play surface, such that the target is defined by a margin around a rectangular opening having a selectable combination of horizontal span and vertical span corresponding to a variable strike zone, the horizontal span of the opening is at least 22 inches, preferably at least 23 inches, to simulate a tangential surface of the ball passing over a lateral edge of a standard 17 inch wide plate. The system is adaptable as a baseball strike training system for umpires and batters by securing a baseball on the target in any of a plurality of locations within the extremities the strike zone.

Claims

1. In a baseball target system including a strike zone target positionable by support components configurable on a horizontal play surface, such that the target is defined by a margin around a rectangular opening having a combination of horizontal span and vertical span corresponding to a baseball strike zone, the improvement comprising that the horizontal span of the opening is at least 22 inches, preferably at least 23 inches.

2. The target system of claim 1, wherein the target is suspendable for free hanging within the support components.

3. The target system of claim 1, wherein the system includes a plurality of said targets, each having a different combination of horizontal span and vertical span.

4. The target system of claim 1, wherein the target includes solid margins supported by the support components, with inner edges defining the strike zone.

5. The target system of claim 1, wherein the target includes means for adjusting the horizontal span.

6. The target system of claim 1, wherein the system includes means for adjusting the vertical span.

7. The target system of claim 3, wherein the horizontal span of a strike zone for a particular level of baseball play is in relation to the width dimension of a home plate; each target comprises a rectangular simulation of a strike zone relative to home plate for a particular baseball diameter at said level of play; said horizontal span is one target play characteristic dependent on the width of said home plate and the diameter of the particular baseball; and each target defines a horizontal span of at least two of said baseball diameters greater than the width of home plate.

8. The target system of claim 1, including a baseball within the opening and secured substantially against the margin.

9. The target system of claim 1, adapted as a baseball strike training system for functional association with a baseball home plate having opposed lateral edges on a planar surface, wherein the system components include a base with stanchion for positioning the target on the play surface; and means are carried on the target for positioning a baseball in any of a plurality of locations in the strike zone, substantially against the margin.

10. The target system of claim 1, wherein the target comprises: a lower horizontal cross bar defining a lower margin of the strike zone and a strike zone bottom elevation; horizontally spaced apart side bars each having a lower end connected to the lower cross bar and extending vertically to an upper end, said side bars defining the margins of the horizontal span; an upper horizontal cross bar defining an upper margin of the strike zone, connected at a distance from the lower cross bar at the upper ends of the side bars, whereby the distance between said upper and lower cross bars defines the strike zone vertical span; and means cooperating between the side bars and the cross bars, for adjusting the horizontal span.

11. The target system of claim 8, wherein the target comprises: a lower horizontal cross bar defining a lower margin of the strike zone and a strike zone bottom elevation; horizontally spaced apart side bars each having a lower end connected to the lower cross bar and extending vertically to an upper end, said side bars defining the margins of the horizontal span, an upper horizontal cross bar defining an upper margin of the strike zone, connected at a distance from the lower cross bar at the upper ends of the side bars, whereby the distance between said upper and lower cross bars defines the strike zone vertical span; and means are connected to the target for adjusting the bottom elevation.

12. The target system of claim 10, wherein the means for adjusting the horizontal span include upper and lower mating effectors on the side bars for connection with respective mating effectors on the cross bars, said end effectors providing a selectively variable horizontal span between the side bars for adjusting the horizontal span.

13. A ball throw target system for defining play characteristics of a target above a substantially horizontal play surface, comprising: a base; a target; a stanchion interposed between the base and the target; means operatively connected to the stanchion, for positioning the target relative to the base; wherein the means for positioning is configured to selectively change the play characteristics of the target by interchangeably receiving each of a plurality of targets that define different play characteristics including a vertical span, and a horizontal span of at least 22, preferably 23 inches.

14. The target system of claim 13, including resilient means operatively connecting the target with the base for resisting thrown ball impacts on the target.

15. The target system of claim 13, wherein each target has a solid margin defining an edge of a baseball strike zone and a baseball is secured substantially against the margin at the edge of the strike zone.

16. The target system of claim 13, wherein each target comprises a rectangular simulation of a strike zone for association with a home plate for a particular baseball; one target play characteristic is a horizontal span dependent on the width of said home plate and the diameter of the particular baseball; and each target defines a horizontal span of at least two of said baseball diameters greater than the width of home plate.

17. The target system of claim 13, wherein a rectangular target defines a vertical span and a horizontal span of a strike zone for association with a home plate on the play surface, and the plate is characterized by a front, a back, and a maximum width between lateral edges, the stanchion supports a platform extending laterally above and beyond the lateral edges of the plate; means extending upwardly from the platform are spaced apart in the width direction of the plate, for supporting the target; and the target has a margin width defined between inner and outer perimeter edges, with the inner perimeter edges extending upwardly outside the edges of the plate to define the strike zone horizontal span and to define the strike zone vertical span.

18. The target system of claim 13, wherein the means operatively connected to the stanchion, for selectively changing play characteristics of the target, comprise a receptacle frame carried by the stanchion and a plurality of different targets that are each removably connectable to the frame.

19. The target system of claim 13, wherein each target carries a visual code that is associated with a particular play characteristic.

20. The target system of claim 19, wherein the base has a front edge corresponding to the width of a baseball home plate; one coded play characteristic is the level of play; the plurality of targets includes a subset of targets for different levels of play; and a tape is extendable from the base along the play surface with coding at different distances along the tape, for establishing the pitcher to home plate distance corresponding to the levels of play associated with the coding on said subset of targets.

21. A ball throw target system for defining a baseball strike zone above a substantially horizontal play surface, comprising: a vertically oriented frame including horizontally spaced apart opposed uprights; a plurality of rails operatively connected to the uprights for stabilizing the frame on the play surface; a target defining an open strike zone within upper, lower and lateral solid margins of the target, wherein the strike zone is characterized by a horizontal span of at least 22 preferably 23 inches, a vertical span, and a bottom elevation above the play surface; a plurality of targets that define different play characteristics; and means for positioning each target selectively within the frame.

22. The ball throw target system of claim 21, wherein, the frame includes an upper cross bar connected between upper portions of the uprights and a lower cross bar connected between lower portions of the uprights; a base preferably in the shape of a standard baseball home plate is situated under the frame between the stabilizing rails; and the means for positioning each target includes a stanchion extending vertically from the base and connected to the lower cross bar.

23. The ball throw target system of claim 21, wherein the means for positioning each target includes means for suspending the target from the upper cross bar.

24. The target system of claim 22, wherein each target carries a visual code according to the play characteristics of at least one of horizontal span and vertical span.

25. The target system of claim 24, wherein level of play is one play characteristic that is visually coded on the target and the system includes means on the base at a location corresponding to the front edge of home plate for holding a visually coded line that is extendable along the play surface for establishing the pitcher to home plate distance corresponding to the coded level of play on the target.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0018] FIG. 1 shows a baseball batter in a hitting stance relative to home plate, with variations of the strike zone according to the level of play;

[0019] FIGS. 2 and 3 show prior art baseball and whiffle ball pitching targets;

[0020] FIGS. 4-7 show an embodiment using a spring supporting a platform in which variable target frames can be supported;

[0021] FIGS. 8 and 9 show a different version of the receptacle and variable target frames;

[0022] FIGS. 10-13 show yet another embodiment with a different receptacle for receiving target frames and further show how the components of the target system can be disassembled or reconfigured for easy portability;

[0023] FIGS. 14 and 15 show a further embodiment of the receptacle and associated frame variations; and

[0024] FIGS. 16 and 17 show a variation of the spring biased support system, in the deployed position and in the breakdown position for transport.

[0025] FIG. 18 show a variation of how a target can be configured in conjunction with the resilient base support shown in FIGS. 16 and 17.

[0026] FIG. 19 shows an embodiment in which the target itself is reconfigurable to change the horizontal span and vertical span independent of changing the bottom elevation of the strike zone.

[0027] FIG. 20 shows a simplification of FIG. 19 in which one of a plurality of different targets having different combinations of horizontal and vertical span can be supported on a vertically adjustable post or stanchion;

[0028] FIG. 21 shows an embodiment implemented on a sidewalk sign stand;

[0029] FIG. 22 shows an embodiment that can be implanted in systems such as shown in FIGS. 19, 20 and 21 for spatially orienting adjustable targets relative to home plate, that is suitable for training umpires and batters on the limits of a selected strike zone.

[0030] FIG. 23 shows an embodiment in which the target is suspended over home plate, from a vertical frame; and

[0031] FIG. 24 shows a variation of the embodiment of FIG. 23, wherein the target is suspended from an A-type frame.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] FIG. 1 is a baseball-related illustration 10 in which the batter 12 is in a hitting stance relative to a professional level strike zone 14 situated vertically above home plate 16. From the perspective of the pitcher, home plate has a width of seventeen inches between lateral edges 18. For a so-called hardball 20 having a diameter of approximately three inches, the width of the strike zone is represented by the vertical dashed line 22. Therefore, the width of the strike zone for professional baseball is 23 inches because a pitched ball is a strike even when only a portion of the ball passes over the edge of the plate 16.

[0033] At the professional level the vertical span of the strike zone is from the elevation 24 of the knees to an elevation 26 that is just above the belt. These elevations 24 and 26 define the bottom and top of the professional strike zone. The rules for other levels of baseball provide a larger strike zone. For example, for youth leagues the width of the strike zone is represented by the vertical line 26 in which the ball 28 passes the edge 18 of the plate a further three inches on each side edge of the plate, for a total strike zone with of 29 inches. These values may be even larger for the strike zone associated with the larger diameter softball. The top of the strike zone 30 for ages 10U is at the players armpit level whereas the bottom of the strike zone 32 for that level of play is slightly below the knees. The tops of the strike zone for 12U and 14U are shown at 34 and 36, respectively.

[0034] It should be appreciated that for simulating the strikes zone shown in FIG. 1, a target system would typically be supported on a play surface 38 representing the level of home plate 16. An advantage of the present target system to be explained more fully below, is the ability to either configure one particular target for consistency or preferably by interchanging different targets for pitcher development at a respective different level of play. The change or adjustment of the vertical center, vertical span or height, and lateral span or width of the target strike zone, can each be considered a play characteristic of the target or strike zone.

[0035] FIG. 2 is a stylized representation of a first type of prior art target system 40 wherein a presumably standard shaped open baseball strike zone target 42 is suspended in front of a backing frame 44 with net, via corner straps 46. FIG. 3 represents a prior art whiffle ball target system 48 wherein a closed fabric target 50 is loosely supported in a frame 52. The horizontal span of the target 42 of FIG. 2 is presumably maintained at 17 inches based on the width of a standard home plate. In the type system of FIG. 2, adjusting the elevation above the play surface while maintaining the shape of the original strike zone target 42 can only be achieved by shifting all straps 46 the same distance up or down on frame 44.

[0036] In the present context, open means the ball passes through the boundary or margin of the target, even if a net or the like is supported on the margin immediately behind the target. Such net can include a single net or a plurality of small, individual net pockets behind respective different sections of the strike zone.

[0037] However, these types of prior art systems are not adapted for adjustment of the strike zone width or horizontal span beyond 17 inches or height or vertical span, to accommodate different levels of play or batter height.

[0038] With reference now to FIGS. 4-7, a first target system embodiment 200 is shown with a home plate assembly 202 including a base 204 and home plate 206. The base 204 has hinged edges 208 connected to laterally extending legs to 210 for supporting the system on a play surface. A platform 212 extends laterally above and beyond the lateral edges of the plate 206. A pair of rear braces 214A and a pair of front braces 214B extend upwardly on the platform 212 also literally beyond the edges of the plate. The platform 212 is connected to the base 204 by, in this embodiment, a flat spring 216. The rear braces 214A can extend vertically higher the front braces 214B. These braces define an open receptacle forming a slot 218 to receive a target frame 220, selected from a plurality including, for example, second frame 222. Frame 220 defines a first strike zone 224, which is visible in the figure as an opening above home plate 206 when the frame 220 is vertically inserted into the target slot to 218.

[0039] A pitched ball will pass through the strike zone 224, hit a brace 214 A or B, or frame 220, or pass around them. As a convenience to keep the pitched balls in a small area for collection, the legs 210 terminate in sockets 226 supporting vertical upright columns to 228 which receive tongs 230 supporting a backstop net 232. For transport, the net system 228, 232 is easily removed from the socket support 226, and the support legs 210 can easily be folded at hinges to the base 204 to minimize the distance between them. Also, the frame 220 can be removed by lifting out of slot 218 and the platform 212, spring 216, and base 204 can be optionally removably secured to each other with fasteners such as shown at 240.

[0040] The lateral width or span of the brace opening 234 is preferably larger than the width 236 of the frame 222 which in turn is larger than the strike zone width 238. As shown in FIG. 6 the strike zone can be relatively lower or relatively higher within the frame 220, 222. The solid top and bottom vertical margins 242 of the frame surrounding the open area, can be of different dimensions. In addition, the width 238 of the open area defining the strike zone 224, can be increased or decreased in different frames to 220, 222, by changing the lateral dimension of the side margins of the frame.

[0041] It can thus be appreciated that the system shown in FIGS. 4-7 provide the advantages identified in the summary: (1) flexibility in defining the location, size, and shape of the strike zone, (2) ease of implementing such flexibility, and (3) efficient portability for ad-hoc transport and setup.

[0042] FIGS. 8 and 9 show a third, box frame embodiment 300. The base support system can be similar that described with respect to FIGS. 4-7 including a flat spring 302. In the present embodiment, a frame box 304 is connected to the flat spring and defines a receptacle envelope 306 within which a vertical frame slot 308 is formed. One frame 310 of a plurality of optional frames has a frame margin 312 defining the width of the strike zone opening 314 between vertically spaced blocked margin areas 316. Another frame 318 is shown with a different strike zone opening 320. The coach or parent or player simply vertically inserts the selected frame into the frame slot 308. Each frame can be inserted in a reverse position, defining two different strike zones of equal width but different vertical span, whereby, for example, two frames define four different strike zones.

[0043] FIGS. 10-13 show a further, coil spring system 400 that includes a base 402 and preferably integrated home plate, with legs 404 extending laterally from hinges 406 at the base. In this embodiment, a coil spring 408 connects the platform 410 to the base 402. Left and right channel braces or 412, 414 extend vertically from the platform, each including on inside vertical channel 416, 418. One selected frame such as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, but with outer vertical rails, slides vertically into the channels 416 or 418. Although the front to back thickness of the frame 420 associated with the present embodiment may not be the same as the corresponding frame thicknesses associated with the previous embodiments, a reasonably conforming fit is easily established between the frame receptacle and the frame.

[0044] FIGS. 10-13 also show a sequence of folding by which the major components of the system can be consolidated for ease of transport and set up. When so consolidated, the system can be placed within a large transport bag such as available as the DURA CARRIER from Sylvan Sport, Brevard, North Carolina. This could readily be placed within the bed of a pickup truck, in an SUV vehicle with the rear seats deployed flat, or on the roof.

[0045] Other variations of the previously described embodiments are shown in FIGS. 14-15. A horizontal frame box 500 is supported on a base 502 by a coil spring 504. The box 506 has opposed vertical slots 508 for receiving a target 510 laterally rather than vertically. Differently sized targets 514 have large, medium, and small margins 516, 518, 520 that have complementary profiles on the margins which permit nesting for transport as shown at 522. These are optional so long as the margins are spaced apart sufficiently to engage the walls 526 (shown schematically) of the slot 508.

[0046] FIGS. 16 and 17 show a variation of the coil spring mounting for any of the previously described embodiments. This includes a pair of coil springs with four legs 604, 606, 608, and 610 each of which has a stanchion post 612 extending vertically upward with a telescopic opening 614. This component of a system can be collapsed as shown in FIG. 17 with the legs folded substantially parallel to the stanchion 612 if the hinges 618 are outside the diameter of the spring 602. Although the stanchion post 612 is adapted for implementing the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the coil spring 602 and associated legs can support any of the other embodiments that utilize a coil spring. A major advantage of this embodiment is that the extended legs provide greater moment of inertia, supplementing the resilience of the springs, to absorb impacts of the pitched ball on the associated frame. Not only are these legs advantageous in this respect, but the hinging legs and removably pinned stanchion 612 on the base 618 permit consolidation for transport.

[0047] The legs in this and other embodiments can optionally terminate in sockets 620 or other end effectors for receiving spikes or the like to positively anchor the legs on the play surface. The front sockets can also or alternatively provide anchors for support lines 664 that connect to the tops of backstop netting such as 230, 232 in FIG. 7. In addition, a spool of line indicated at 666 can be color coded at different lengths corresponding to the pitching mound distance for different levels of play. Ideally, the target is located above the base at a distance that is 4.25 inches longer than the specified distance to the mound, i.e., 4.5 inches back from the front edge of the included or visualized home plate.

[0048] The spring and leg configuration 602-610, 618 is similar to traffic sign support systems available as WINDMASTER sign stands, Marketing Displays Inc., Farmington Hills Michigan. Solid strike zone targets need not have a receptacle or frame, and can be supported on the system shown in FIG. 16 in the manner supporting road signs.

[0049] FIG. 18 shows a variation 624 of the embodiment of FIG. 16, wherein an elongated cylinder or socket 626 is securely connected to coil spring assembly 602. The central passage 628 receives the lower end of stanchion 630, which has a plurality of vertically spaced apart through holes 632. The vertical position of the stanchion 630 relative to the play surface is determined by passing a bolt or key 634 through opposed holes in the socket 626 via a selected pair of holes 632 in the stanchion.

[0050] The target frame 636 can be a unitary or composite, U-shaped receptacle defining a bottom portion or platform 638 and spaced apart riser portions 640, for receiving the target 642. The target 642 has an open rectangular margin 644 defining the strike zone 646. The connection between the target 642 and frame 636 can be as described above for other embodiments, or equivalents.

[0051] Rather than adjusting the vertical center of the strike zone with the stanchion 630, socket 626, and key 634, different frames 636 can fit in the same receptacle 636 with different combinations of top, bottom and side margin thickness, such as shown in FIGS. 6, 8 and 9.

[0052] FIG. 19 shows another variation target 648 that is vertically adjustable on the stanchion 630 but comprises several distinct components assembled on the lower cross bar 650. The cross bar has a plurality of laterally spaced openings 652 corresponding to different strike zone widths. A pair of side bars 654 have lower lugs or other end effectors 656 that fit into selected holes 652. The upper ends of the side bars 654 also have similar end effectors 658. The side bars 654 are preferably cylindrical, with adjustable length such as by a worm screw connection 660 between sections. An upper cross bar 662 also has spaced apart holes 664 respectfully aligned with the holes 652 on the lower cross bar 650. In this manner, a rectangular target 648 cab be assembled with any of a wide range of height, width, and center elevation of the strike zone.

[0053] The vertical span adjustment can alternatively be implemented with detents between sections of the side bars 654. Horizontal span adjustment can alternatively be implemented with the side end effectors 656, 658 slidable into preestablished positions in horizontal channels in the respective cross bars 650, 662. The thicknesses, profiles, and depths of the bars can be optimized as among strength, durability, weight and cost, taking onto account the force absorbing effects of the spread-apart legs and resilient member 602.

[0054] In a variation associated with FIGS. 18 and 19, a basic or initial rectangular target having a wide horizontal span can be defined by the frame 636 with a removable cross bar (such as 662) spanning and connected to the tops of the riser portions 640. For narrower or taller targets, the cross bar is removed and replaced by an integral rectangular target such as 642.

[0055] As used herein, bar includes a solid or tubular rigid member of any cross section, cylindrical, with or without protective wrapping.

[0056] The various embodiments can include a back net 232 such as shown in FIGS. 7 and 10.

[0057] It should be appreciated that the foregoing embodiments define a strike zone as an opening though which a pitched ball must pass. Some players may prefer for the pitched ball to hit a solid rectangular target. This might be visually more satisfying, but for a given level of baseball, the dimensions for the width of a solid strike zone would be different from the width of an open strike zone. For example, at a major league level, the solid target edge would be directly vertically aligned with the edge of home plate. However, for the open target, the inner edge of the target frame would be three inches outside the vertical extension of each side edge of home plate.

[0058] FIG. 20 shows another embodiment 700 as a variation of the overall system shown in FIG. 18, whereby the tubular stanchion 702 serves the dual purpose of a target receptacle and the means for adjusting the bottom elevation of the target. The stanchion 702 extends upwardly from the base through a coil spring (as shown in FIG. 18), for coaxially receiving a positioning tube 704 that rigidly extends from the bottom margin 706 of the target 708. At least one of tubes 702, 704 has a series of holes 710 that are alignable with at least one hole on the other tube, so that a pin 712 can pass through the aligned holes to set the elevation of the target 708 relative to the stanchion 702. Spring loaded detents could be used instead of pins. In this embodiment, the horizontal and vertical spans of the target can be adjusted by selecting one of a plurality of targets that have different margin thicknesses thereby defining different sized target openings (as represented in FIGS. 6, 8 and 9).

[0059] Both traffic signs and sidewalk sign stands can be adapted for implementing embodiments of the present invention. The embodiment 800 of FIG. 21 has a solid or open target 802 supported on a sidewalk sign stand 804 with double springs 806 whereby a horizontal channel receptacle 808 provides an opening for direct insertion of the bottom margin 810 of the target or preferably insertion of a rigid strip 812 extending from the bottom margin of the target. The channel can be secured to fasteners 814 on the stems 816 that pass through the centers of the springs 806 for securing the springs to the base 818. The combination 808, 814, 816, 818 provides a functional stanchion of fixed height.

[0060] Targets of different overall size or same overall size with different size openings 820 can easily be inserted in the channel, with variation in the width of the bottom margin 810 providing adjustment to the bottom elevation of the strike zone.

[0061] Especially for use with young players who do not generate high impact loads on the target, in this and other embodiments distinct springs can be avoided, with the receptacle supported on rigid rods or the like. For example, the springs 806 shown in FIG. 21 could depict the shape of rigid tubes.

[0062] FIG. 22 shows another embodiment 900 in which a rectangular open target 902 has a positioning tube or stem 904 slidably insertable within a tubular stanchion 906 that extends vertically from the center of a heavy simulation of a regulation home plate 908. Preferably, for ease of transport, the stanchion screws into a threaded bore in home plate. For use in a target system for receiving pitched balls, the plate 908 can be supplemented with weights, legs, or spikes, and transverse holes and pins can be provided between the stanchion positioning tube 904 and stanchion 906. Alternatively, the target 902 could fit into a channel on the positioning tube 904, such as 808 shown in FIG. 21.

[0063] Especially if the stanchion 906 is a large diameter, thick walled or internally reinforced hard rubber tube, and if the positioning tube 904 has an external profile (such as hexagonal) that mates with an internal profile in the stanchion 906 to enhance rotational stability of the target, a separate spring would not be needed.

[0064] As described with respect to other embodiments featuring adjustable strike zone targets, different interchangeable frames 902 can exhibit different strike zone openings 912, with or without vertical adjustment between the positioning tube 904 and stanchion 906. Each of a plurality of targets that define different play characteristics includes visual coding such as color indicating the level of play. A retractable or wound tape 910 or similar line is extendable from the base along the play surface with coding at different distances along the tape, for establishing the pitcher to home plate distance corresponding to the levels of play associated with the coding on the targets.

[0065] The system 900 can advantageously be used for training umpires and batters. The vertical dashed lines extend in parallel from the laterally spaced apart edges 916 of home plate 908, maintaining the 17-inch width from the edges of the plate. For the professional level target 902 shown in FIG. 22, the inside vertical edges 918 are laterally spaced outwardly of the dashed lines 914, by the diameter of a baseball 920 (i.e., the inside edges 918 are spaced apart by 23 inches). For training umpires to better recognize strikes at the corners of the strike zone, baseballs 920 are securable at least to each corner with pins or bolts 922 through the target margin. Alternatively, small pouches or net pockets extending from the target margin can tightly hold a regulation baseball close to (i.e., substantially against) the inside edge of the target margin, e.g., at the lateral and/or vertical limits of the strike zone. These pockets can have the balls pre-captured or include openings for manual loading and securely holding the balls. Such pockets are substantially in the vertical plane of the target rather than behind, and are smaller than the net pockets sometimes provided in prior pitching targets for capturing a ball passing through one of nine delineated regions or sections of the strike zone.

[0066] Ideally, for a given level of play, one target would correspond to a short player and another to a tall player (e.g., professional range at 5-6 and at 6-6), and preferably a third for an average player. For many other levels of play the horizontal span between the inside edges 918 would be greater and the vertical span difference between short and tall players could be smaller. Likewise, the bottom elevation of the target would be different for different player height limits. The bottom elevation can, for example, be implemented by the technique described with respect to FIG. 20.

[0067] To enhance the umpire training, representative players with their bats can take a stance relative to home plate 908, with the student umpire taking their ready position behind the plate, with or without a catcher. This can help the umpire gain confidence in an actual game, to correctly call a strike that is within a ball diameter outside the plate. Similarly, a player in a batting stance can more accurately visualize the corners or edges of the strike zone 912, to protect the plate on a two-strike count, as compared with visualizing only within the dashed lines 914 over a simple home plate.

[0068] An alternative positioning of the target with or without an incorporated home plate would be in front of the batter's box (i.e., closer to the pitching mound) a distance corresponding to where the batter should see the ball for a likely strike, just before initiating a swing. The batting simulation is ideally focused on seeing the ball in front of the plate at a location within the target that will likely be a strike when passing the plate, whereas an umpire simulation is focused on the ball as it passes the plate.

[0069] For training solely at a given level of play, the horizontal span would be fixed whereas the bottom elevation and vertical span should be variable in a range that includes all players at that level. The variability can be implemented by any of the adjustment techniques previously described, such as reconfiguring target margins, reposition a stanchion, or selecting from a plurality of target having different play characteristics.

[0070] For use exclusively for umpire or batter training, the target 902 does not require significant stabilization or durability. The target margins can be more flexible and alternatively can include a corner-to corner or top to bottom and side to side braces (not shown) that do not impede the visibility of the baseballs 920 to the umpire or batter.

[0071] A simplified version would have an oversize target opening 912 with a multiplicity of ball mounting locations 922 on the margins and a choice of length for the bolts or pins 922. In this way, the balls 920 can be configured at virtual corners defining at least the horizontal and vertical spans of a strike zone within the margins of the target.

[0072] FIG. 23 shows another simplified embodiment 1000 comprising a vertically oriented rectangular frame 1010 or A frame equivalent (not shown). Left and right uprights 1020 are stabilized by respective rails 1030 along the play surface. A centrally positioned base 1040, preferably in the shape of a standard home plate, also lies on the play surface. A stanchion 1050 extends vertically from the base to support a lower cross bar 1060 connected between lower portions of the uprights 1020. An upper cross bar 1070 is connected between the upper ends or portions of the uprights.

[0073] The base 1040, stanchion 1050, and frame 1010 (comprising 1020, 1060, 1070) support a target 1080 defining an open strike zone 1090 within the upper, lower and lateral solid margins 1100 of the target. If no home plate or similar base 1040 and no vertical stanchion 1050 are provided, the rails 1030 function as the base and the lower cross bar 1060 is operatively connected to the base to functions as a stanchion. As previously described with respect to other embodiments, the inner edges 1102 of strike zone 1090 define a horizontal span, a vertical span and a bottom elevation above the play surface.

[0074] The bottom portion of margin 1100 of the target can optionally be weighted to help minimize deflection and restore verticality upon ball impact. As an alternative, the bottom portion can be secured to the bottom cross bar 1060 with resilient strips or springs, without the need for accurate positioning as at the upper cross bar 1070.

[0075] The target 1080 incudes hooks (with or without straps) 1104 at the upper end that engage eyelets 1106 supported by cross bar 1010. The target 1080 thus hangs vertically, with the bottom elevation of the strike zone 1090 dependent on one or more of the vertical span of the lower margin of the target, the length of the suspension components 1104, 1106 and the length of the stanchion 1050. Each side portion of the upper margin of the target 1080 could have several vertically spaced grommets or the like, or different lengths of straps, that would enable selective vertical positioning of the target within the frame and thus select or change the bottom elevation of the strike zone 1090 without changing the vertical and horizontal span of the strike zone.

[0076] The target 1080 can be readily made by starting with a semi-rigid solid rectangular matt or the like, then cutting out a rectangle that defines inner edges 1102 of the strike zone 1090. As previously described, the horizontal span would be at last 22 inches, i.e., preferably 23 inches for high level play and up to or exceeding 30 inches for various levels of amateur boys and girls play.

[0077] An optional net (not shown) can be supported between the crossbar 1070 and the back ends of the rails 1030. It should be appreciated that a preferred feature in all embodiments is that the target 1090 is spaced in front of any net or backstop, so that a strike is more clearly evident. If the ball is even slightly outside the edge 1102 of the strike zone, the margin 1100 of the target will be deflected, whereas a strike will not deflect the margin. If a strike zone target is attached to the netting, the netting will deflect whether or not the pitch is a strike, making feedback less reliable.

[0078] A simpler variation 2000 shown in FIG. 24 comprises an A frame 2010 resembling a carpenter's work horse having four angled or splayed legs 2020 functioning as a base supporting a cross member or stanchion 2030 at connections 2040, with the target 2050 hanging from the cross member, whether or not a home plate is positioned under the target. As described with respect to FIG. 23, the target comprises a solid margin 2060 surrounding an open strike zone 2070.

[0079] In this embodiment, the hooks 2080 constitute means operatively connected to the stanchion 2030, for positioning the target 2050 relative the base 2020, and the grommets or the like 2090 constitute means operatively connected to the means for positioning the target, for selectively changing play characteristics of the target. The play characteristics are thus changed when the grommets in a different target are connected to the hooks. Alternatively, each target 2050 could have permanent or interchangeable straps that can be overlaid and snapped around the cross bar 2030 as equivalent to the hook and grommet configuration.

[0080] If the front legs are vertical instead of splayed, or if the legs converge at the top, the target could be suspended or otherwise attached laterally, with or without suspension from a cross bar. The target could also be suspended from the ends of the cross bar, at the corner connections 2040 to the legs.

[0081] The overall height and width of the A frame 2010 accommodates the largest target 2050 and strike zone 2070 dimensions or characteristics of bottom elevation, horizontal span and vertical span, as previously described. The widest and lowest strike zone openings 2070 are associated with youth baseball and the narrowest and tallest are associated with professional baseball.

[0082] The overall rectangle 2060 can be any solid material but is preferably semi rigid, such as rubber and preferably reinforced at least on the peripheral and internal edges. In the present context, solid means exhibiting sufficient cohesion to maintain the original dimensions of the strike zone opening, and thus can include a rigid mesh-like matt or the like. The target 2050 can hang freely, preferably with the reinforcement or other extra weight assuring that the target 2050 will return to substantially vertical orientation after impact from a thrown ball. In this context freely means supported so that a ball hitting the margin will deflect only the target before deflecting any surrounding or backing structure. As a further preference, a net can be connected to the back legs of the A frame.

[0083] It should be appreciated that the term A frame comprises variations that include a three-legged base, and a tent-like or lean-to frame (not shown), so long as a sufficiently wide unobstructed front is provided for resiliently or rigidly supporting the target.

[0084] As used herein, the term base should be understood to include any structure that rests on the play surface during use, whether flat, elongated, upright, or shaped. The term stanchion should be understood in the generic sense found in a dictionary or thesaurus, as including but not limited to foundation, brace, buttress, column, bracket, and can include the cross-member component of an A frame. In some embodiments the stanchion can be a spring, and in others the stanchion can extend from a spring. Means operatively connected to the stanchion for positioning the target relative the base, can be passively fixed or adjustably variable. Means operatively connected to the positioning means, for interchangeably receiving each of a plurality of targets that define different play characteristics, can likewise be passively fixed or adjustably variable. In various embodiments, the bottom elevation of the target can be adjusted by the stanchion, the positioning means, the target receiving means, or the size or shape of the target.