Adhesive Finger Grip for Baseball Pitch Training

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pitch training devices fail to provide a solution that can be easily attached to any existing baseball or pitching ball and effectively teach proper finger placement for multiple types of pitches.

Innovation Solution

A finger grip with a curved bottom side and a peripheral wall that is adhesive on one side, allowing it to be affixed to a pitching ball, providing a raised structure to guide finger placement and facilitate spin.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If pitch training devices use fixed finger placement markings or stitching layers on the baseball itself, then finger placement guidance is provided, but the device cannot be easily attached to or removed from existing baseballs and is limited to specific ball designs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with different baseball designsVSAvoidintegration with ball structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The training device is segmented into a separate removable component (finger placement guide with adhesive backing) that can be independently attached to the baseball surface, rather than being integrated into the ball's internal structure. This allows the guide to be applied to any baseball design without modifying the ball itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An adhesive layer serves as an intermediary between the finger placement guide and the baseball surface, enabling easy attachment and removal without permanent modification to the ball. This intermediary layer resolves the contradiction by providing secure attachment while maintaining compatibility with various baseball designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If pitch training devices incorporate multiple tactile feedback mechanisms (weighted material, pegs), then tactile and audible feedback about pitch is provided, but the device becomes more complex and harder to attach to existing baseballs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetactile feedback accuracyVSAvoidattachment simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The complex tactile feedback mechanisms (weighted material, movable pegs) are extracted from the baseball and replaced with a simplified static finger placement guide that provides tactile feedback through its raised structure and adhesive attachment, eliminating the need for complex internal mechanisms while maintaining training effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of incorporating complex feedback mechanisms throughout the baseball, the invention provides localized tactile feedback at the specific finger placement locations through the raised guide structure and adhesive layers, achieving reliable tactile guidance without overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Measurement precision

If pitch training devices use permanent markings or integrated stitching on the baseball, then proper finger placement is taught, but the device cannot be easily adjusted for different pitch types or removed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefinger placement accuracyVSAvoidreconfigurability for different pitches

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The finger placement guide transitions from a static permanent marking to a dynamic removable component that can be repositioned and reconfigured on the baseball surface, allowing adjustment for different pitch types while maintaining precise finger placement guidance through its structured design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The finger grip enables users to learn proper finger placement for various pitches by providing tactile feedback and improving the transfer of pressure to the ball, making it easier to throw different types of pitches.

Implementation Method 1

An adhesive covers at least a portion of the bottom side, affixing the finger grip onto the outer surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesive: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS20250065204A1Pitch training device

Publication Date: 2025.02.27 DOBRE MICHAEL

AI summary

A pitch training device for teaching proper finger placement for pitches includes a finger grip having a top side, a bottom side, and a peripheral wall extending between the top side and the bottom side. The bottom side is curved, such that the bottom side is complementary to the curvature of the outer surface of a pitching ball. The finger grip extends from the outer surface. The finger grip is positioned on the pitching ball such that the finger grip is configured to properly align the finger for the pitch when the finger is positioned along-side the raised structure. The finger grip is configured to facilitate the transfer of pressure from the finger into rotation of the pitching ball. An adhesive covers at least a portion of the bottom side, affixing the finger grip onto the outer surface.