Abstract: In order to simulate the true action of a sports ball in breaking in a sports glove, a mallet tool is provide with a spherical head designed to replicate the size, feel and appearance of a regulation sports ball. A handle is rigidly attached to the spherical head and is grasped by the operator in one hand while the sports glove is worn in the other. By holding and repeatedly striking the mallet tool into the glove's pocket area repeatedly, the creation and maintenance of a pocket in the glove is facilitated. The mallet head and handle may be formed as an integral piece either molded, cast or machined from a blank, but in the preferred embodiment includes a mallet head that is an genuine regulation sports ball (baseball, softball or other) attached either mechanically or with glue to a handle resembling a miniature or youth baseball bat handle.

Abstract: A winter weather footwear article is disclosed which is formed of a molded sole, a flexible and foot-conformable upper attached to the top surface of the molded sole, and sandal strapping coupled to the sole or the upper and tightenable and fastenable about the exterior of the upper to set the tightness of fit of the article to the wearer's foot. The upper is made up of a fabric layer having a flexible and foot-conformable layer of closed cell polymer foam laminated to the interior surface. This article is preferably used in combination with an inner liner made of a soft insulative material. In preferred embodiments, the upper includes a fabric layer with a flexible and foot-conformable layer of closed cell polymer foam laminated to the interior surface of the fabric layer.