US20030148833A1

US20030148833A1 - Fast-pitch softball pitching tutor

Info

Publication number: US20030148833A1
Application number: US10/067,729
Authority: US
Inventors: Brian O'Hara
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-02-07
Filing date: 2002-02-07
Publication date: 2003-08-07

Abstract

The “Fast-Pitch Softball Pitching Tutor” is a new and useful device for pitchers in the game of softball. The “Pitching Tutor” is effective in correcting and perfecting the daily problems a pitcher may encounter. The “Pitching Tutor's” audience relates to the many people who strive to learn and improve the basic skills of pitching.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

The field of endeavor in which the “Pitching Tutor” pertains to is softball. The subject matter of the “Pitching Tutor” is used for softball pitchers to correct systematic errors and to teach pitchers the basic fundamentals of pitching. This device helps the accuracy of a pitch and to help conquer the every day struggles a pitcher encounters.

DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

There are basic steps a pitcher learns as he/she begins pitching; these steps are the foundation of being an elite softball pitcher. The basic fundamentals of pitching consists of a straight arm circle (no bending of the elbow), release by the hip, and—most importantly—wrist snap that is released against the body. These necessary steps are a daily struggle to perfect throughout a pitcher's softball career. The “Pitching Tutor” will enhance a pitcher's ability to correct and master these necessary fundamentals in his/her pitching career. This device will correct a pitchers straight arm; the “Pitching Tutor” will contact the forearm, stopping the elbow from bending. Secondly, the pitching tutor will correct the release point. The release point should be at the hip and so close to the body that it skims the clothes of the pitcher; many pitchers find this hard to do and will release in front of their hip and far away from their body; the result is a wild pitch. Thirdly, the device focuses on wrist snap. The hardest achievement in softball is the correct wrist snap, with this device the pitcher will learn to snap the wrist correctly due to the blocking of the forearm, which forces a pitcher to snap the wrist to get movement on the ball. The importance of a fast wrist snap is to increase the speed of a pitch; the faster and harder the wrist snap the more spin and the faster the ball goes. By using the “Pitching Tutor” these basic fundamentals can be mastered, this device will open up a window of opportunity for a pitcher to rise above the rest.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The “Pitching Tutor” is an advanced tool for softball pitchers. The function of this tool is to teach beginner pitchers the basic fundamentals of pitching and also to correct common pitching errors. There are several existing problems that occur when pitching which can be solved by using the “Pitching Tutor”. The most common error in pitching is where to release the ball. For instance, a pitcher releases the ball past her hips, the ball will go high above the strike zone, but if the ball is released behind his/her hips it will hit the dirt before it reaches the plate. Also, a pitcher often releases the ball away from his/her hip, which the ball will move far to the right or to the left and most likely hit the batter. Another problem that can be solved using this device is the tendency to bend the elbow when releasing the ball. For example, the main part of pitching is the wrist snap. If the elbow bends when a pitcher's wrist snaps, the ball will have the tendency to be high because the whole arm is lined up above the hip and not at the hip. The advantage of using the “Pitching Tutor” is a softball pitcher will have the correct form a pitcher needs to be a dominant player on the diamond. This invention will guarantee that the pitcher will have correct wrist snap as he/ she releases the ball and that the elbow will not bend due to the forearm contacting the “Pitching Tutor” which prevents the natural bending of the arm. The “Pitching Tutor” will force a pitcher to release close to the body and at the hip; these are basic fundamentals that have to be taught and mastered to excel as a pitcher in softball.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIEMENT

The “Pitching Tutor” is an advanced tool for softball pitchers. The function of the “Pitching Tutor” is to teach beginner pitchers the basic fundamentals of pitching and also to correct common pitching errors. The “Tutor” is one size, which fits all players. A description of the “Pitching Tutor's” design illustrates its function. [0004]
The four main materials used to create the “Pitching Tutor” are as followed: An “L” shaped plastic piece, which consists of the plastic backing and the plastic siding. The plastic backing, 1 cm×8 cm×16 cm, rests on the hip. The plastic siding, 1 cm×13.5-cm×16 cm, is the part that protrudes away from the plastic backing. The second material is the belt, 0.5 cm×9 cm-×90 cm, which connects to the plastic “L” shaped piece. The velcro which connects to the belt is ¼ cm×6 cm×47 cm. The third part is the foam padding glued to the plastic backing. This is 3 cm×10 cm×18 cm. The foam padding for the plastic siding is 10 cm×15.5 cm×18.5 cm. The last major material is the leather cover, ¼ cm×36 cm×46 cm, which is wrapped around the entire project for completion. [0005]
The “Pitching Tutor” consists of four main parts (See diagram). The first and most important part of the invention is the Plastic. The plastic, which is “L” shaped, has a rectangular cut out at the crease of the “L” shape. The “L” shaped plastic is broken down into 2 parts, the plastic backing and the plastic siding. The plastic backing is the horizontal part of “L”. The plastic backing is the back of the “Tutor” which rests on the hip of the pitcher. The second part is the plastic siding, which is the vertical part of “L”. This piece extends out from the backing at approximately sixteen centimeters long. The plastic siding's purpose is to maintain the pitcher's release of the ball close to the hip. The two parts of the “L” shaped plastic serve to maintain the shape and durability of the invention. [0006]
Attached to the “L” shaped plastic is the belt; Velcro is sewed around the belt to ensure the tightness of the belt around the hip. The belt, slightly smaller in width than the plastic piece, is approximately ninety centimeters long. The belt slides through the rectangular cut out, on the inside of the “L” shaped plastic backing. The belt securely fastens the “Pitching Tutor” to the hip. [0007]
After the belt and the plastic are securely together the next step in the process is to add two pieces of foam padding over the main plastic parts. In doing this process there are two steps. The first step is to glue the foam pad on the interior and exterior parts of the plastic backing. The second step is to glue the foam pad on the interior of the plastic siding. The foam's purpose is to guarantee safety and comfort when the pitcher is releasing the ball into the pitching tutor. The final touch to add to the pitching tutor is the leather cover. The leather cover is wrapped completely around the plastic pieces. The leather cover ties in the whole product as one. It secures the main pieces together for a long lasting “Pitching Tutor”. [0008]
The Pitching Tutor is an all around problem solver in the pitcher's world. It solves the major imperfections and difficulties of releasing at the hip and right to the hip. [0009]

DECRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0010] 1. Plastic Backing—to insure durability and to guarantee a long lasting “Pitching Tutor”.
[0011] 2. Plastic Siding—insures durability while being flexible to guarantee a long lasting “Pitching Tutor”.
[0012] 3. Belt—to help provide a snug fit for any player.
[0013] 4. Foam Pad—to provide comfort when used and to insure the users safety.
[0014] 5. Velcro Landing—where the Velcro Strap is connected to provide a more convenient hold.
[0015] 6. Velcro Strap—connected to Velcro Landing to provide a more convenient hold. Leather Cover—is placed around the Foam and connected to the Plastic with glue to insure the foam not to move on impact.

Claims

1. What I claim as my invention is the protruding arm (plastic siding) which protrudes away from the body to provide a blocking point for the pitcher's forearm.

2. What I claim as my invention is the unique design of the protruding arm (plastic siding) which enables right and left handers to use the “Pitching Tutor”.

3. What I claim as my invention is the design of the “Pitching Tutor”.

The “L” shaped backing and siding

The manner of how the device is secured on the hip

4. What I claim as my invention is the structure of the “Pitching Tutor” which enables durability.

5. What I claim as my invention is the purpose of the “Pitching Tutor”

To release the ball at the hip

To have accurate wrist snap

To control the bending of the arm