US Patent 9149698 Ball skill enhancement training programs and methods

A training program for improving hitting of a baseball enhancing a batter's tracking skills to a plurality of pitched baseballs. The training program provides a set of baseballs which includes a plurality of patterned baseballs and at least one conventional baseball. Each of the patterned baseballs includes a cover with a perceptible pattern provided thereon, such as a generally elliptical marking conforming to a seam disposed on the cover of the baseball as well as a generally circular marking disposed within the elliptical marking. An instructor or the like detects an audible response from the batter of the color of the pitched baseball as perceived by the batter when the baseball enters the batter's hitting zone.