CROSS-REFERENCE TQ RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is claims priority on U.S. Patent Application No. 12/196,907, filed on August 22, 2008, which is incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to the game of baseball, and, in particular, the instruction of the pitch known as the "gyroball" pitch.

BACKGROUND

The "gyroball" pitch was first identified by the Japanese scientist Gitau

Kimani, and later developed into specific throwing technique by baseball instructor, Kazushi Tezuka, who used computer simulations to create a new style of delivery intended to reduce stress on the pitcher. According to Tezuka, a gyroball is thrown so hard, at the point of release, instead of having the pitcher's arm move inwards towards the body (the standard method used in the United States), the pitcher rotates his arm so that it moves away from his body, toward third base for a right-handed pitcher and toward first base for a left-handed pitcher. While explaining the proper and improper methods of throwing a gyroball pitch can a relatively simple task, teaching a pitcher to actually throw the gyroball pitch is frequently a difficult endeavor. However, the technique to throwing the gyrobali pitch appears to be in the arm, not in the unique grip of the baseball. The unusual method of delivery creates a bullet-like spin on the bail with the axis of spin in line with the direction of the throw. The gyroball pitch, if thrown correctly, also is meant to fly straight like a fastball.

In baseball, the ability to throw a gyroball pitch can be useful against batters. Batters use the arm speed of the pitcher and the spin on a baseball, made visible by the seams, to judge the speed and trajectory of a pitch. However, the gyroball is thrown with the arm speed of a usual fastball, but with a different actual speed. Its bullet-like spinning motion may hide the seams of a ball from the view of the batter, which makes it more difficult to predict the pitch. The batter, predicting a change in speed caused by the ball's spin, may adapt to the wrong speed and swing incorrectly.

Accordingly, there is a need for an instructional ball to help pitchers learn to throw a proper or improved gyrobali. It is to this need, among others, that the present invention is directed.

SUMMARY

This application discloses an instructional ball that can be used to provide individuals with a training aid for learning or improving upon baseball or softball throwing skills. The instructionul ball may be structured to have characterises, including shape, size, and weight, that are similar to the characteristics of a conventional or regulation baseball. Accordingly, the instructional ball may have a relatively small size that is appropriate for children, or the instructional ball may have a standard, regulation size for professionals. By configuring the instructional bail to have conventiona! characteristics, the individual may transition to a conventional baseball, following training, without having to modify the learned or improved skills to accommodate a conventional baseball.

In operation, the instructional ball is for training a pitcher's arm and/or wrists for throwing a gyrobail pitch and trains the pitcher's arm and/or wrist to make this pitch. The pitcher grabs the instructional ball with the appropriate grip and imparts a spin into the instructional ball of the type required for a gyrobal! pitch. Continuous practice while spinning a ball in this nature teaches the pitcher the proper wrist motion in throwing a baseball for producing a gyroball pitch. A participant practices using the instructional ball and builds up the muscles to throw a gyroball pitch. Specifically, by using the correct muscle groups and motions, the participant can throw a gyroball pitch when he or she throws a regulation baseball.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Specific embodiments of the invention will become apparent and its construction and operation better understood, from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a elevation view of one specific embodiment of the instructional ball looking at the instructional ball from the right side;

FIG. 2 is another elevation view of the specific embodiment shown in FIG. 1 (turned 90 degrees about axis 4) looking at the instructional ball from the right side; FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 4 looking at the present invention from the end;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 from the right side; and FiG. 5 is another cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 from the end.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following discussion and accompanying figures disclose specific embodiments of the instructiona! ball 10. The primary purpose of the instructional ball 10 is to provide individuals with a training aid for learning or improving upon baseball or softball throwing skills. The instructional ball 10 may be structured to have characteristics, including shape, size, and weight, that are similar to the characteristics of a conventional baseball. The instructional ball 10 may have a relatively small size that is appropriate for children, or the instructional ball 10 may have a standard size for professionals. By configuring the instructional ball 10 to have conventional characteristics, the individual may transition to a conventional baseball following training without having to modify the learned or improved skills to accommodate a conventional baseball. FlGs. 1 and 2 are a side view of an embodiment of an instructional ball 10.

The instructional ball 10 may be provided with a football-shaped body 12 in that it may be an ellipsoid having a longitudinal axis 4 and a generally circular transverse cross section along axis 5. The football-shaped body 12 may be provided with a size similar to that of a regulation baseball to ailow it to be gripped by one's hand prior to throwing the instructional ball 10.

FIGS. 2 through 5 show that the instructional ball 10 can have a conventional construction. A football shaped body 12 can be formed around a core which is enclosed within a cover 14. The core (generally) refers to the material beneath the cover 14 and may have any suitable construction such as a conventional wound construction. In FIGS. 4 and 5, the instructional ball 10 can be shaped as a football and has substantially the same interior as regulation type baseball. When thrown, the instructional ball creates a bullet-like spin on the ball with the axis of spin in line with the direction of the throw.

Referring to FIGs. 4 and 5, the football-shaped body 12 may be provided with an inner core 22, which may comprise a cork-type material, and an outer core 23, which may comprise a rubber-like material that resists abrasion. The specific materials that can be used in the football-shaped body 12 are not considered important to the invention and in many cases are the typical materials used to construct a regulation baseball. While the inner core 22 is shown to be less than the size of the instructional ball 10, it is understood that the inner core 22 can be sized to take up the entire structure. It is also understood that outer core 23 is unnecessary when the inner core 22 takes up the entire structure of the football shaped body 12. As can be seen, the cross section of the instructional ball 10 can be very similar to that of a regulation baseball.

For example and as shown in FIGS. 1 through 5, the instructional ball 10 has the same characteristics as a baseball used primarily in the sport of the same name, baseball. In one embodiment, the instructionai ball 10 can have longitudinal perimeter of between about 7 inches and 11 inches and generally between 8 1/2 inches and 9 1/2 inches in circumference {in the center longitudinally about axis 5), and about 4 to 8 ounces in weight For example, the instructional bail 10 can be generally between 9 inches (22.9 cm) and 9% inches (23.5 cm) in circumference (in the center longitudinally), and 5 ounces in weight, though sometimes different-size balls may be used in children's leagues. The inner core 22 or the outer core 23 of the instructional ball 10 can be cork, rubber, or a mixture of the two, and can be sometimes layered. Around the inner core 22, there can be various linear materials including yarn and twine, sometimes wool. A leather cover is put on, in two pieces, and stitched together using stitches of waxed cotton thread which is typically red in color. Rolled stitching can be flattering and can create less air-resistance.

In order to create a consistent texture (e.g. smooth, natural feel to the fingers), the same material as conventional baseballs can be used to help enable the pitcher to throw the ball without the distraction of varying surface textures. In order to further minimize any perceptible differences between throwing a regulation baseball and throwing the instructional ball 10, the instructional ball 10 may be constructed from materials having a density greater than that of the materials from which a regulation baseball is constructed such that the weight of the invention is the same as the weight of a regulation baseball.

The cover of the instructional ball 10 may have any suitable construction and may be constructed of any suitable material such as cowhide or horsehide. The cover 14 presents an ellipsoid, having a longitudinal axis 4 and a generally circular transverse cross about axis 5, section when it is applied around the core. In one specific example, the core is covered with two pieces of leather that are stitched together using 108 stitches of thread. As can be seen, the instructional ball 10 can be constructed by one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the instructional ball 10 can be crafted from hide that is typically used with traditional baseballs. While this discussion has been with respect to the instructional ball 10 as it relates to a regulation baseball, the instructional ball 10 need not necessary to be for regulation baseball. For example, the instructional ball 10 can be used for softbail.

Since the instructional ball 10 is not intended to be used in a regulation game, it may be made from any number of materials of appropriate density and weight, such as those plastics from which practice balls are currently made, and may be shaped using any number of manufacturing methods including, but not limited to, injection molding. Similarly, where a horsehide cover is utilized, which it need not be if a simulated seam (which is considered a seam for purposes of this invention) is supplied, the cover need not be an altered regulation baseball cover.

In operation, the instructional ball 10 is for training a pitcher's arm and/or wrists for throwing a gyroball pitch and trains the pitcher's arm and/or wrists to make this pitch. The pitcher grabs the instructional ball 10 with the appropriate grip and imparts a spin into the instructional ball of the type required for a gyroball pitch. Continuous practice while spinning a ball in this nature teaches the pitcher the proper wrist motion in throwing a baseball for producing a gyroball pitch and over time the "wobble" can be corrected. A participant practices using the instructional ball 10 and builds up the muscles to throw a gyroball pitch. Specifically, by using the correct muscle groups and adapting the pitch, the participant can throw a gyroball pitch when he or she throws a regulation baseball.

While the above is a description of the invention in its embodiments, various modifications, alternate constructions and equivalents may be employed, only some of which have been described above. For example, in view of the principles of baseball aerodynamics and the need for symmetry in the invention as discussed above, one skilled in the art will appreciate that acceptable results can be obtained if depressions of suitable dimensions are provided in only two non-adjacent areas of the four areas defined by the horseshoe-shaped boundaries formed by the seam of the covering of a regulation baseball. Therefore, the above description and illustration should not be taken as linrting the scope of the invention which is defined by the appended claims.

The above detailed description, and the examples, are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope and spirit of the invention, and its equivalents, as defined by the appended claims. One skilled in the art will recognize that many variations can be made to the invention disclosed in this specification without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.