Athletic swing plane trainer

Claim 1

A tethered ball apparatus for suspension from a backstop, the backstop having substantially vertical side wall panels and substantially horizontal overhead panels attached to the side panels, the side panels and overhead panels being of chain-link mesh, said apparatus comprising an inelastic cord having a ball attached at one of its ends and a hook attached at its other end, said hook having a portion thereof configured for interengagement with the chain-link mesh of the overhead panel, of said backstop; a ball harness attaching said ball to said one end of said inelastic cord, the harness comprising a plurality of non-stretchable fabric straps interfastened by stitching and pile and loop fasteners, with integral tabs for engaging said cord; a plurality of targets movably positioned upon said vertical panels; a transverse inelastic cord having one of its ends connected to said ball harness and its other end connected to one of said vertical panels; means of raising and positioning said hook upon said overhead panel, said means comprising a fork affixed to a pole, said fork having means for supporting said hook so that said hook can be attached to said overhead panel, and said fork having means for attachment to said cord and hook and detachment from said cord and hook after said hook is attached to said overhead panel for suspending said cord and ball therefrom.