Hitting deck, hitting mat or training system, device or method

Abstract

A baseball mat that in one embodiment has a plurality of indicia formed in a pattern that enables at least one or both a left-handed and a right-handed batter to know where to place a batting tee. In another embodiment, the batting mat comprises an interval system that enables a player to measure an interval or distance between a player's feet when the player is situated in a batting area associated with the batting mat. The interval system may have foot landing zones to assist the player in placing his or her feet. In another embodiment, a hitting deck graphic is used to define the plurality of indicia either alone or with direction indicia that enable a user to know or understand a direction in which a ball will be hit.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]This invention relates to a hitting mat or hitting deck and, more particularly, to a hitting mat for training players to hit a ball.[0003]2. Description of the Related Art[0004]Batting is a well known offensive technique utilized in various situations in baseball and softball. In order to train players to hit a baseball, batting mats or decks have been provided which support or receive a batting tee so that the player can hit a baseball that is situated on the tee. Some of the mats have predetermined spots for placing the batting tee. The batting tee supports the ball in a stationary position above the ground so that a batter can hit it. Two such systems include the Pitch Location Mat from Muhl Tech Baseball located in Wharton, Tex., and Papa Jack's Hitting Mat from Gap to Gap located in Tampa, Fla. One batting tee is the batting tee offered by Joe H. Tanner Baseball Products LLC of Sarasota, Fla., 34240, the assignee o...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014]Still another object of one embodiment of the invention is to provide an interval system in the form of a scale or a ruler to provide a player with the ability to measure a distance between a player's feet when the player is situated in operative relationship with the batting mat and to assist the player in consistently placing his or her feet relative to the plurality of indicia, home plate and / or the batting mat. In one aspect, one embodiment of the invention comprises a hitting deck system for training a hitter, comprising a hitting deck mat for placing on a surface, the hitting deck mat having a plurality of indicia adapted to identify a plurality of tee placement locations adapted to identify or define a plurality of points of contact, respectively, where a batting tee can be placed, and each of the plurality of indicia each comprise a direction indicia indicating a general direction, area or sector where a ball should be hit if the hitter hits the ball off of the batting tee after the batting tee is placed on or near one of the plurality of tee placement or points of contacts locations, the plurality of indicia being arranged in a predetermined pattern to facilitate training both a right-side hitter and a left-side hitter to hit a ball to at least one of the direction, area or sector.

Problems solved by technology

One problem with the batting mats of the past is that they did not provide an accurate, repeatable and adjustable indication, training or guidance for multiple players of different sizes as to where the batter should stand and place his or her feet relative to each other and relative to the batting mat.

Still another problem with the prior art batting mats is that they were not ambidextrous and typically could not be used by both a left-handed and a right-handed hitter, but rather, a dedicated mat for each type of hitter was offered.

Another problem with is that the prior art mats did not allow a player to measure a distance between his or her feet when in a hitting position relative to the mat.

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