Abstract: A collar for a bat. The bat includes a barrel, a taper extending from the barrel, and a handle extending from the taper opposite the barrel. The handle includes a knob and a grip. The collar is slideably positioned on the grip between the knob and the taper to secure the grip to the handle. The collar includes a circumferential wall, a plurality of securing members positioned on the circumferential wall to engage the grip, and the collar is slideably preferably positioned on the handle between the grip and the taper. The securing members removably secure the collar to the grip and in turn removably secure the grip to the handle.

Abstract: A collar for a bat. The bat includes a barrel, a taper extending from the barrel, and a handle extending from the taper opposite the barrel. The handle includes a knob and a grip. The collar is slideably positioned on the grip between the knob and the taper to secure the grip to the handle. The collar includes a circumferential wall, a plurality of securing members positioned on the circumferential wall to engage the grip, and the collar is slideably preferably positioned on the handle between the grip and the taper. The securing members removably secure the collar to the grip and in turn removably secure the grip to the handle.

Abstract: A tamper deterring end cap for a bat. The bat includes a barrel, a taper, and a handle. The end cap comprises first and second elements integrally formed together such that attempted separation of the two elements distorts at least one of the elements. The second element can be integrally formed within the first element and the first element can include a securing member fixing the end cap to the barrel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a bat having an exterior and a hollow interior. The method consists of successive steps of placing a first layer of filament onto a rotating mandrel while simultaneously applying resin to the first layer; winding additional layers of filament around the first layer without resin; and vacuum transfer molding additional resin onto the filament layers so that the additional resin impregnates these layers. The apparatus consists of a mandrel; a mandrel holder allowing rotation of the mandrel; a resin applicator adjacent the mandrel of the same length as the mandrel; a filament winder for winding filament onto the mandrel; and a vacuum transfer molding apparatus. A bat made by this method is also disclosed. The present invention also relates to a resin bath to apply resin to a line of filament.

Abstract: Protective eyewear for protecting a wearer's eyes during a sporting event. The protective eyewear comprises a frame and a metal protective section. The frame includes a top support, a pair of armatures, and a grooved opening traversing the top support and each armature. The metal protective section includes a perimeter and a flat extension attached to the perimeter and shape to be removably engaged to the grooved opening in the frame. Additionally, the metal protective section includes a plurality of substantially aligned elongated bars horizontally segmenting the metal protective section. A plurality of cross members is vertically positioned to connect the elongated bars of the metal protective section and protect the eyes of the wearer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a bat comprising a handle portion, a transition portion attached to the handle portion, and a barrel portion attached to the transition portion. The barrel portion includes one or more first cross-sections having a first stiffness and a plurality of second cross-sections having a second stiffness. Each first cross-section is beside one second cross-section or between two of the second cross-sections and the first stiffness is greater than the second stiffness. The variance in stiffness between the first cross-sections and the second cross-sections is created by varying the amount of material in the cross-section or by, more accurately, removing material in the second cross sections to make the second cross-sections more flexible by creating slots.

Abstract: A collar for a bat. The bat includes a barrel, a taper extending from the barrel, and a handle extending from the taper opposite the barrel. The handle includes a knob and a grip. The collar is slideably positioned on the grip between the knob and the taper to secure the grip to the handle. The collar includes a circumferential wall, a plurality of securing members positioned on the circumferential wall to engage the grip, and the collar is slideably preferably positioned on the handle between the grip and the taper. The securing members removably secure the collar to the grip and in turn removably secure the grip to the handle.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a bat having an interchangeable handle portion and barrel portion. The handle portion has a first end and a second end. The barrel portion has a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end abuttable to the second end of the handle portion. A tie rod received by the handle portion and the barrel portion, the tie rod having an alpha end and a beta end, the alpha end placible proximal the first end of the handle. An end cap placible proximal the distal end, the end cap releasibly attached to the beta end of the tie rod.

Abstract: A catcher's chest protector that expands and contracts in response to the movements of a wearer. The chest protector comprises a padded main body configured to protect the wearer from the impact of a thrown ball, connected to a harness by a pair of elastic straps. The harness includes a collar configured to extend around the neck of the wearer and having a pair of laterally spaced collar ends that overlap or about the main body on either side of the wearer's neck to cover a portion of the wearer's shoulder.

Abstract: A protective sports helmet includes a rigid shell configured to fit over a wearer's head, with top, rear, and side portions to protect the top, rear and side of a wearer's head. The shell has a face opening in the area of the wearer's face and an upper face cage attached to the shell so as to cover a part of the face opening to protect the wearer's eyes and upper face. A lower face cage is attached to the shell covering a part of the face opening to protect the wearer's lower face, nose and mouth.

Abstract: A basketball game ball (20) comprising an outer cover (22) having nine to twelve cover panels and preferably ten cover panels separated by a plurality of channels (26) extending between and in abutment with the panels.