Abstract: A player training apparatus for use with a portable performance system. The portable performance system includes a processor, a memory and a display. The training apparatus includes an American-style football, at least one sensor coupled to the football, at least one transmitter coupled to the football and operably coupled to the sensor, and a non-transient computer-readable medium containing code. The code directs the processor to: receive input pertaining to motion of the football; derive at least one football motion parameter from the input pertaining to the motion of the football; and display information relating to the input. The at least one football motion parameter includes spiral efficiency.

Abstract: A player training apparatus for use with a portable performance system. The portable performance system includes a processor, a memory and a display. The training apparatus includes an American-style football, at least one sensor coupled to the football, at least one transmitter coupled to the football and operably coupled to the sensor, and a non-transient computer-readable medium containing code. The code directs the processor to: receive input pertaining to motion of the football resulting from the player performing an act with the football; store information related to the input into the memory; compare the received input with previously stored celebrity information regarding similar football acts performed by a celebrity; and display information relating to the input and the comparison to the celebrity information.

Abstract: An American style football including an inflatable bladder, a cover surrounding the bladder, and an electronic circuit. The bladder includes first and second side walls defining an expandable cavity and a cross-member configured to extend through the expandable cavity. The side walls and cross-member are coupled together to form a bladder seam. The electronic circuit is coupled to the cross-member and produces a signal to enable the position and movement of the football to be monitored during use.

Abstract: A ball bat extending about a longitudinal axis. The bat includes a handle and a barrel portion. The barrel portion has a total length and includes a barrel rolling detection region having a length of at least two inches. The detection region is formed of a fiber composite material. The composite material includes at least first and second plies. The first and second plies each include first and second pluralities of fibers aligned adjacent to one another and first and second resins, respectively. The first and second pluralities of fibers of the first and second plies are generally aligned to define first and second angles with respect to the axis, respectively. The first ply is positioned over and within 0.002 in of the second ply. The first and second angles are each within the range of 20 to 80 degrees. The first and second angles are substantially the same.

Abstract: A ball bat extending about a axis, and including a barrel portion formed of a fiber composite material. The material includes first and second plies arrangements. The first and second ply arrangements define first and second ply arrangement thicknesses, respectively. The first and second arrangements include at least one ply having first and second plurality of fibers and first and second resin, respectively. The first and second arrangements define at least one first angle and second angle with respect to the axis, respectively. Each of the at least one first angle is of the same angular polarity and each of the at least second angle is of the same angular polarity. The first angle is of opposite polarity of the second angle. The ratio of the first and second arrangement thicknesses is at least 1.5. The first arrangement is positioned over and within 0.002 in of the second arrangement.

Abstract: A basketball including a carcass, cover panels, and cover strips. The carcass has an outer surface defining a first set of channels and cover panels regions between the first set of channels. The panels are respectively positioned over the panel regions and are spaced apart from each other. The strips are positioned over the channels. The strips have inner and outer surfaces extending between first and second sidewalls. The strips have a thickness that is measured radially from a centerpoint from the inner to the outer surface, and a width that is measured from the first to the second sidewall. At least one groove is formed into the outer surface. The groove has a width that extends between 20 to 70 percent of the width of the strip and has a maximum depth from the outer surface that is at least 50 percent of the maximum thickness of the strip.

Abstract: A baseball capable of being tested under ASTM F1887-09 wherein the baseball is projected at a strike plate at a speed of approximately 60 mph to measure the COR of the baseball. The baseball includes a core formed of a diene-based rubber composition, at least one layer of yarn surrounding the core, and a cover assembly surrounding the one layer of yarn. The core has a diameter of less than 2.0 inches and a weight less than 1.5 ounces. The baseball has a circumference of less than 9.5 inches and a weight of less than 5.5 ounces. The baseball has an initial COR value when tested in accordance with ASTM F1887-09 and a second COR value measured after the baseball has undergone at least 60 impacts of approximately 60 mph against the strike plate. The second COR value is greater than 95 percent of the initial COR value.

Abstract: An American style football including an inflatable bladder, a cover surrounding the bladder, and an electronic circuit. The bladder includes first and second side walls defining an expandable cavity and a cross-member configured to extend through the expandable cavity. The side walls and cross-member are coupled together to form a bladder seam. The electronic circuit is coupled to the cross-member and produces a signal to enable the position and movement of the football to be monitored during use.

Abstract: An American style football including an inflatable bladder, at least two cover panels surrounding the bladder, a lacing coupled to the at least one cover panel, and an electronic circuit. Each of the cover panels includes an outermost layer and a lining. The electronic circuit is coupled to at least one of the cover panels. The electronic circuit includes at least one sensor. The electronic circuit is configured to produce a signal to enable the position and movement of the football to be monitored during use.

Abstract: An American style football including an inflatable bladder, a cover surrounding the bladder, a lacing coupled to the at least one cover panel, and an electronic circuit. The electronic circuit is coupled to the bladder. The electronic circuit includes at least one sensor and the electronic circuit being configured to produce a signal to enable the position and movement of the football to be monitored during use.

Abstract: A bat and a method of making a bat for use in sports, such as baseball. The bat includes a one-piece, hollow bat frame formed by injection molding a durable polymer, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. The bat frame includes a barrel portion, an intermediate portion, and a handle portion, with at least one of the portions having a polygonal cross-section on an interior surface of the bat.

Abstract: A bat and a method of making a bat for use in sports, such as baseball. The bat includes a one-piece, hollow bat frame formed by injection molding a durable polymer, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. The bat frame includes a barrel portion, an intermediate portion, and a handle portion, with at least one of the portions having a polygonal cross-section on an interior surface of the bat.

Abstract: A bat has an elongate tubular striking member of a first material, and an elongate handle member of a second material. The handle may be of composite material laid up in selected layers and orientation to produce selected weight distribution, strength, and stiffness and improved batting capabilities. The striking member and handle member may have juncture sections which are substantially rigidly interconnected through mating configurations.

Abstract: A bat extending along a longitudinal axis and configured for impacting a baseball or softball in competitive play includes a handle portion coupled to a barrel portion. The handle portion has a distal end and includes a tubular tapered region positioned adjacent the distal end. The tapered region has a peripheral outer surface encircling the longitudinal axis and includes at least one window formed into the outer surface. The one or more windows can be defined by a latticework.

Abstract: A ball bat includes a substantially tubular frame having a handle portion and a primary hitting portion. The handle portion is formed of a non-steel material. The hitting portion is formed separately from, and coupled to, the handle portion. The hitting portion is formed of a steel and has an inner surface and an outer surface. At least a portion of hitting portion is carburized forming a carburized layer.

Abstract: A bat has an elongate tubular striking member of a first material, and an elongate handle member of a second material. The handle may be of composite material laid up in selected layers and orientation to produce selected weight distribution, strength, and stiffness and improved batting capabilities. The striking member and handle member may have juncture sections which are substantially rigidly interconnected through mating configurations.

Abstract: A sports ball includes an inflatable bladder, a plurality of first and second lining sheets, and a cover. The first lining sheets substantially cover the bladder to form a first lining. At least a portion of one first lining sheet overlaps at least a portion of another first lining sheet to define a first overlapped region. The first lining includes at least one first overlapped region. The second lining sheets substantially surround the first lining to form a second lining. At least a portion of one second lining sheet overlaps at least a portion of another sheet lining sheet to define a second overlapped region. The second lining includes at least one second overlapped region. The second lining is shifted with respect to the first lining to minimize overlapping of the first and second overlapped regions. The cover is coupled to and substantially surrounding the second lining.

Abstract: A game ball includes an outer spherical surface, which is formed from foamed rubber, which provides moisture-absorbing pores.