Abstract: A system for fitting a bat to an athlete includes: a host control module configured to generate a graphical user interface including: an age field for input of a present age of the athlete; a height field for input of a present height of the athlete; a weight field for input of a present weight of the athlete; an association field for input of one of a league and a group with which the athlete is affiliated; a bat selection module configured to: determine a target drop based on data in the association field; determine a suggested bat length for the athlete based on data in the age, height, weight, and association fields; and determine a suggested bat weight based on the suggested bat length minus the target drop; and select one of a plurality of bats based on the suggested bat length and the suggested bat weight.

Abstract: A blade for a hockey stick is provided. The blade includes a first core member and a covering member. The first core member includes a tube and an expanding foam core material disposed within the tube. The tube includes an upper wall, a lower wall, a front wall, and a rear wall and is preferably made from a resin impregnated carbon fiber material (i.e., pre-preg). The covering member is similarly made from a pre-preg material and includes a front inner surface and a rear inner surface. The covering member substantially surrounds the first core member. The pre-preg material is cured in a mold that causes the front and rear walls of the tube to bond to the front and rear inner surfaces of the covering member. The foam core material expands during the curing process to maintain the integrity of the wall structure of the tube.