Abstract: A ball bat may include a handle portion and a barrel portion extending away from the handle portion to an end cap. The barrel portion has an outer wall formed from aluminum and includes at least two and no greater than four inwardly projecting circumferential humps spaced by intervening circumferential valleys.

Abstract: A golf club includes a face coupled to a body. A composite axis extends from a heel to a toe of the club and parallel to ground. The face is formed of a fiber composite material including at least first and second sets of ply arrangements. Each of the ply arrangements includes a pair of plies having first and second pluralities of fibers defining first and second angles with respect to the composite axis, respectively. The face has a ball contact surface, an rear surface, and a mid-zone positioned equidistant between the contact and rear surfaces. A majority of the first and second pluralities of fibers of the ply arrangements between the mid-zone and the contact surface are formed of glass fibers, and a majority of the first and second pluralities of ply arrangements between the mid-zone and the rear surface are formed of carbon fibers.

Abstract: A ball bat configured for impacting a ball. The ball bat extends along a longitudinal axis and includes a bat frame and a pivot joint. The bat frame includes a handle portion coupled to a barrel portion. The barrel portions has a distal region. The pivot joint is coupled to the distal region of the barrel portion. The pivot joint movably supports the barrel portion relative to the longitudinal axis such that the distal region of the barrel portion may pivot towards and away from the longitudinal axis about the pivot joint.

Abstract: A knob sleeve assembly for a ball bat extending along a longitudinal axis and having a tubular handle portion and a knob attached the handle portion. The knob sleeve assembly includes a plurality of annular bodies formed of a resilient material. Each of the bodies defines a central opening for receiving the handle portion of the bat. Each of the bodies has an annular body height within the range of 0.25 to 1.0 inch, and a maximum annular body outer diameter within the range of 1 to 3 inches. The plurality of annular bodies varies from one another according to at least one annular body characteristic. The knob sleeve characteristic is selected from the group consisting of annular body height, maximum annular body outer diameter, weight, color, material durometer value, annular body draft angle and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A ball bat configured for impacting a ball. The ball bat extends along a longitudinal axis and includes a bat frame and a pivot joint. The bat frame includes a handle portion coupled to a barrel portion. The barrel portions has a distal region. The pivot joint is coupled to the distal region of the barrel portion. The pivot joint movably supports the barrel portion relative to the longitudinal axis such that the distal region of the barrel portion may pivot towards and away from the longitudinal axis about the pivot joint.

Abstract: A ball bat configured for impacting a ball. The ball bat extends along a longitudinal axis and includes a unitary bat frame and a pivot joint. The unitary bat frame includes a handle portion and a barrel portion having a distal region. The pivot joint is coupled to the distal region of the barrel portion. The pivot joint movably supports the barrel portion relative to the longitudinal axis such that the distal region of the barrel portion may pivot towards and away from the longitudinal axis about the pivot joint.

Abstract: A knob sleeve assembly for a ball bat extending along a longitudinal axis and having a tubular handle portion and a knob attached the handle portion. The knob sleeve assembly includes a plurality of annular bodies formed of a resilient material. Each of the bodies defines a central opening for receiving the handle portion of the bat. Each of the bodies has an annular body height within the range of 0.25 to 1.0 inch, and a maximum annular body outer diameter within the range of 1 to 3 inches. The plurality of annular bodies varies from one another according to at least one annular body characteristic. The knob sleeve characteristic is selected from the group consisting of annular body height, maximum annular body outer diameter, weight, color, material durometer value, annular body draft angle and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A ball bat configured for impacting a ball. The ball bat extends along a longitudinal axis and includes a unitary bat frame and a pivot joint. The unitary bat frame includes a handle portion and a barrel portion having a distal region. The pivot joint is coupled to the distal region of the barrel portion. The pivot joint movably supports the barrel portion relative to the longitudinal axis such that the distal region of the barrel portion may pivot towards and away from the longitudinal axis about the pivot joint.

Abstract: An endcap assembly for a bat may include a body across an open end of a bat barrel and a core received by the body. In one implementation, the body and the core may be retained relative to one another by a bayonet connector radially spaced from interior sides of the bat barrel by at least 0.3 inch. In one implementation, the body may include a cup having a mouth and receiving the core. In one implementation, the cup is to be radially spaced from interior sides of the bat barrel by at least 0.3 inch. In one implementation, the mouth is axially recessed. In one implementation, the cup and the core are joined by a bayonet connector having a U-shaped slot facing away from a mouth of the cup.

Abstract: A ball bat extending along a longitudinal axis. The bat includes a handle portion, a barrel portion and an end cap. The barrel portion includes a proximal region and a distal region. The proximal region of the barrel portion is coupled to the handle portion by a first pivot joint. The distal region of the barrel portion is coupled to the end cap by a second pivot joint. The first and second pivot joints movably support the barrel portion relative to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A knob sleeve for a ball bat extending along a longitudinal axis and having a tubular handle portion and a knob attached to the handle portion. The knob sleeve includes a tubular body having a distal end and a proximal end. The body defines a central bore for receiving the handle portion. The body includes at least first and second regions positioned adjacent the distal and proximal ends of the body, respectively. The first and second regions have first and second maximum outside diameters, respectively. The second maximum outside diameter is greater than the first maximum outside diameter. Each of the first and second regions has a height measured with respect to the longitudinal axis of at least 0.4 inch.

Abstract: An endcap assembly for a bat may include a body across an open end of a bat barrel and a core received by the body. In one implementation, the body and the core may be retained relative to one another by a bayonet connector radially spaced from interior sides of the bat barrel by at least 0.3 inch. In one implementation, the body may include a cup having a mouth and receiving the core. In one implementation, the cup is to be radially spaced from interior sides of the bat barrel by at least 0.3 inch. In one implementation, the mouth is axially recessed. In one implementation, the cup and the core are joined by a bayonet connector having a U-shaped slot facing away from a mouth of the cup.

Abstract: A ball bat includes a handle portion, a barrel portion, an inner tube extending within the barrel portion and a weight axially secured within the inner tube within the barrel portion. The barrel portion has an outer wall about a hollow interior. The inner tube extends along an axis within the hollow interior and is radially spaced from and out of contact with the outer wall.

Abstract: A variable stiffness striking implement, such as, for example, a ball bat typically used in baseball, softball, or rubber ball. The striking implement, preferably has a separate barrel and handle. A wedge and joint attached directly to the handle or indirectly to the handle using an interface portion engage the interior surface of the barrel. Most preferably, the wedge and joint are molded about the interface portion and a handle preform is then inserted into the intention of the interface portion and the handle is then molded. Wedge hardness is selectable and a stiffness member may also be employed. Stiffness member hardness may be selectable or may be adjustable by varied adjustment of a cap in relation to the barrel. Alternatively, the cap may not be adjustable in relation to the barrel so that a selected stiffness member hardness is fixed.

Abstract: A ball bat extending along a longitudinal axis. The bat includes a handle portion, a barrel portion and an end cap. The barrel portion includes a proximal region and a distal region. The proximal region of the barrel portion is coupled to the handle portion by a first pivot joint. The distal region of the barrel portion is coupled to the end cap by a second pivot joint. The first and second pivot joints movably support the barrel portion relative to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A variable stiffness striking implement, such as, for example, a ball bat typically used in baseball, softball, or rubber ball. The striking implement, preferably has a separate barrel and handle and includes a variable stiffness assembly which results in the user being able to adjust stiffness. This is accomplished by the user selecting a stiffness member having a desired hardness and inserting the selected stiffness around the handle and abutting the end of the barrel closest to the handle end and using a cap to hold the stiffness member in place, or, if desired by the user, the striking implement may be used without a stiffness member.

Abstract: A variable stiffness striking implement, such as, for example, a ball bat typically used in baseball, softball, or rubber ball. The striking implement, preferably has a separate barrel and handle and includes a variable stiffness assembly which results in the user being able to adjust stiffness. This is accomplished by the user selecting a stiffness member having a desired hardness and inserting the selected stiffness around the handle and abutting the end of the barrel closest to the handle end and using a cap to hold the stiffness member in place, or, if desired by the user, the striking implement may be used without a stiffness member.

Abstract: A variable stiffness striking implement, such as, for example, a ball bat typically used in baseball, softball, or rubber ball. The striking implement, preferably has a separate barrel and handle and includes a variable stiffness assembly which results in the user being able to adjust stiffness. This is accomplished by the user selecting a stiffness member having a desired hardness and inserting the selected stiffness around the handle and abutting the end of the barrel closest to the handle end and using a cap to hold the stiffness member in place, or, if desired by the user, the striking implement may be used without a stiffness member.

Abstract: A variable stiffness striking implement, such as, for example, a ball bat typically used in baseball, softball, or rubber ball. The striking implement, preferably has a separate barrel and handle and includes a variable stiffness assembly which results in the user being able to adjust stiffness. This is accomplished by the user selecting a stiffness member having a desired hardness and inserting the selected stiffness around the handle and abutting the end of the barrel closest to the handle end and using a cap to hold the stiffness member in place, or, if desired by the user, the striking implement may be used without a stiffness member.