| Apparatus and method for training base runners -> Monitor Keywords |
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Apparatus and method for training base runnersRelated Patent Categories: Exercise Devices, For Track Or Field SportApparatus and method for training base runners description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060160663, Apparatus and method for training base runners. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] Priority is claimed to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/643,752 filed Jan. 13, 2005, titled "APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR TRAINING BASE RUNNERS," which is referred to and incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference. STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002] Not Applicable SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM [0003] Not Applicable BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION--FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0004] This invention relates to base running training aids. More specifically, this application relates to an apparatus and method for teaching base runners how to step and go round a base path efficiently and rapidly. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION--DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART [0005] Since the inception of the games of baseball and softball, the bases and general dimensions and layouts of the playing fields have remained substantially unchanged. Conventional bases used in the game of softball or baseball are typically 14 or 15 inches square, between 2 to 5 inches thick, and white in color. The bases are padded and covered with canvas or other material made to withstand the rough usage frequently encountered in the games. [0006] In major league baseball, for example, a distance of 90 feet exists between home plate and first base. For the last 45 feet down the base path between home plate and first base, a 3-foot wide running lane is provided outside the foul line or base line. Once a batter hits the ball, he becomes a base runner with the objective of running to first base, second base, third base, and then home plate, in an attempt score a run for his team. [0007] In softball, a distance of between 50 and 65 feet exists between home plate and first base. In little league baseball, a distance of 60 feet exists between home plate and first base. In each of these field configurations, effective base running is important to success of a team. The following overview applies equally to major league baseball, softball and little league. [0008] After hitting the ball, the batter becomes a base runner and has but one objective: to reach home plate and score a run for his team. When first setting out toward first base, a base runner will swing wide to the right into the first base running lane to begin a turn to second while attempting to maintain maximum running speed. Generally, the runner will reach top speed over the 55 to 90 feet between home plate and first base. Consequently, regardless of the runner's size, a great deal of momentum has been created by the runner's velocity which will tend to carry the runner either in a straight line or in a very wide arc across first base, as he attempts to re-direct his travel to second base. In all circumstances, the runner is trying to get to the next base before the fielders are able to relay the ball to another player at that base in an attempt to tag the runner out. [0009] On the standard playing field, each subsequent base path is oriented at right angles to the preceding base path. The geometrically shortest distance between each base is a straight line between those bases. However, this shortest distance between the bases is not the path that delivers the fastest time between bases. [0010] Whenever a runner is turning across one base en route to a subsequent base, the runner cannot physically accomplish an exact 90 degree turn at each base without losing significant running speed. Consequently, an efficient base runner will strive to make the most aggressive turn at each base, staying as tight to the base path as possible, while avoiding excessive loss of speed. [0011] Optimum base running involves running at top speed while maintaining maximum momentum as each base is rounded. Top speed is maintained by a runner when he can bank into each turn at each base. An effective runner will use the raised portion at the inside corner of each base to make the best, high-speed turn possible, maintaining momentum and maximum speed toward each successive base. [0012] Base running as a skill is frequently very underrated, especially in youth baseball or softball. However, some coaches believe a youth team can get one to three extra runs per game using effective base running techniques. Seasoned base running coaches recognize that a runner's base running technique must make effective use of the insider corner of each base to reach each subsequent base in the shortest time possible, beating the throw of the ball to the base. [0013] The subtleties of effective base running take time and frequent repetition to master. Consequently, it is important to teach baseball and softball players proper base running technique at an early age and continue that training throughout their playing career. As a player ages and grows, his height, weight, gait, running speed, and leg strength change. Consequently, the player must continually practice his base running techniques to accommodate these changes. [0014] As a player reaches maturity and is able to run at maximum speed, thereby creating maximum momentum, it becomes even more critical that the player make his turn at each base optimally. He must carry the right amount of speed through the base; he must use the right amount of inward and forward lean; he must guide his running line to create the optimum turn radius; he must strike the inside corner of the base with the appropriate level of force; he must adjust his gait and stride length to allow striking the base firmly in stride; he must push off the base aggressively but without losing traction; he must carry enough speed to move rapidly around the bases; he must not carry so much speed that he is unable to make a tight turn, and, he must be prepared to make an optimum turn at first, second and third base without stopping, if necessary. Learning how to perform all the above actions effectively requires practice. Unfortunately, depending on the age of the players and the available practice time, little time may be spent by a coach teaching base running; in favor of teaching other basic skills like batting, fielding, catching and throwing. Consequently, the provision of a base running training aid that can be used independently and correctly by players after normal practice to refine their skills, without the presence of a coach, is very desirable. [0015] Existing bases are white, blank palettes with no visual cues to communicate to a novice or more experienced base runner the optimum "inside corner" base running technique, which requires proper placement of the runner's foot on each base's inside corner. Many youths, when they first start to run bases, presume that they are supposed to step on each base in its middle to make sure that contact is made. By trial and error, they can eventually learn that stepping in the middle of the bases is not the best method for running the bases quickly. Surprisingly, even a number of inexperienced coaches in youth leagues are not familiar with proper base running techniques and provide incorrect instruction to their players. [0016] A base running training apparatus and method capable of assisting a coach in teaching the following base running fundamentals is very desirable, particularly for younger players. [0017] First, after striking the ball and beginning his acceleration to first base, a batter will look down the first base line toward first base and the first base coach to determine if he should begin to setup a turn for running to second base. If the runner is directed by his coach or sees an opportunity to head to second base, the runner should begin a banana-shaped turn about half way down the base line toward first base. Then, as the runner rounds first base, leaning inward to the inside of the base path, he will attempt to maintain the arc of the banana turn at maximum speed by adjusting his gait to strike the inside corner of first base with his preferred foot. The base runner will use the inside base corner as a foot plant to support an aggressive left turn toward second base. [0018] An effective base runner seeks to avoid running too far out of the straight line base path between first and second. When the base runner is running hard to first base, the runner's momentum can carry him out in a wider arc if the runner does not effectively use the inside corner of the base as a foot plant to help him make his left turn toward second base. An improper foot plant elsewhere on the base, off the inside corner of the base, can cause the runner's momentum to carry him in a much wider arc, substantially increasing the distance the base runner must travel between first base and second base. Greater distance traveled at an equivalent speed will cause the runner's time between bases to increase, thereby increasing the probability that the ball will reach the base before the runner, allowing the runner to be tagged out by the opposing team's fielder. [0019] Likewise, if a runner is headed to second base and intends to round second base efficiently to head to third base, it is again most efficient to strike the insider corner of second base with his preferred foot, using a proper foot plant on the insider corner of the base as a means of more aggressively turning to the left toward third base without losing speed. Again, the base runner seeks to make the tightest turn possible toward third base, proscribing a shorter and tighter arc along the base path, while avoiding the loss of running speed. Continue reading about Apparatus and method for training base runners... Full patent description for Apparatus and method for training base runners Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Apparatus and method for training base runners patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Apparatus and method for training base runners or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Installation for the interactive management of a sporting event running time Next Patent Application: User activated water sprinkler system for trampolines and playground equipment Industry Class: Exercise devices ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Apparatus and method for training base runners patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.90603 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Accenture , Agouron Pharmaceuticals , Amgen , AT&T , Bausch & Lomb , Callaway Golf 174 |
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