Abstract: A long life softball bat comprising a bat and a plurality of positional reference marks is disclosed and claimed. The positional reference marks provide a frame of reference which enables a user of the bat to distribute the impact force of a batted ball about the surface of said bat.

Abstract: An end plug for a tubular bat includes a rigid plug member that forms the closure of the barrel portion of the bat. The plug member has radial supports formed thereon. The end plug further includes a rigid reinforcing member that cooperatively interconnects with the plug member to reinforce the supports formed thereon. A resilient member supports the plug member and the reinforcing member within the barrel portion of the bat. A method of forming and installing an end plug includes interconnecting a plug member and a reinforcing member such that the reinforcing member reinforces supports formed on the plug member. The plug member and the reinforcing member are then positioned within the opening of the barrel portion so that the plug member forms a closure of the barrel portion. Liquid material is poured into the handle end of the bat and allowed to drain through the frame of the bat until it rests on the plug member. The liquid material then solidifies to form a support member.

Abstract: A tubular ball bat with a performance enhancing sleeve is disclosed wherein the sleeve has improvements for better manufacturability and performance. The insert is provided with a deformable end that can be forced into a tapered portion of a bat to easily and securely couple that end of the insert to the inner surface of the bat.

Abstract: A golf club head is disclosed having a club face comprised of a plurality of plates that act in concert to provide a spring-like response when the club impacts a golf ball. The plates are fluidly coupled by providing appropriate surfaces to the plates at their interface or by locating a viscous fluid between the plates. The plates are held in place by coupling them to the head body. One or more plates may be integrally formed with the body of the golf club head. Various parameters may be selected to optimize response or to customize the response for different golfing styles including the relative thickness of the plates, the presence of a viscous fluid between the plates, the type and viscosity of the viscous fluid, the material of the plates, (and hence, their coefficient of elasticity) and the type of mechanical coupling of the plates to the body of the golf club head.

Abstract: A drogue chute for increasing aerodynamic resistance against the movement of a swinging sport implement such as a bat, racket or club. The drogue includes a canopy that attaches to the sport implement by suspension lines. When the sport implement is swinging, the canopy inflates to create a relatively high aerodynamic drag. The drogue may also include a break-away fastener. When the fastener is connected, the canopy is reefed so that the drogue provides relative little aerodynamic drag to the sport implement. When the sport implement reaches a sufficient speed, the fastener disconnects allowing the canopy to inflate thereby providing a sudden increase in aerodynamic resistance.