Abstract: A football helmet has a shell with a top portion having a raised central channel at least at one of a front area and a top area of the top portion of the shell, with a plurality of elongated vent openings on each side of the channel, the vent openings being spaced from each other on each side of the channel, from front to back, along the helmet shell, the sides of the helmet having earholes and sloped banks abutting the earholes in a wedge configuration.

Abstract: A football helmet has a shell with a top portion having a raised central channel at least at one of a front area and a top area of the top portion of the shell, with a plurality of elongated vent openings on each side of the channel, the vent openings being spaced from each other on each side of the channel, from front to back, along the helmet shell, the sides of the helmet having earholes and sloped banks abutting the earholes in a wedge configuration.

Abstract: A football helmet has a shell with a top portion having a raised central channel at least at one of a front area and a top area of the top portion of the shell, with a plurality of elongated vent openings on each side of the channel, the vent openings being spaced from each other on each side of the channel, from front to back, along the helmet shell.

Abstract: A football helmet has a shell with a top portion having a raised central channel at least at one of a front area and a top area of the top portion of the shell, with a plurality of elongated vent openings on each side of the channel, the vent openings being spaced from each other on each side of the channel, from front to back, along the helmet shell.

Abstract: A helmet having a shell configured to fit about a head of a wearer of the helmet. The shell includes a top portion that defines a front edge and a bottom portion adjoining the top portion. The bottom portion defines a first side edge integral with a first end of the front edge and a second side edge integral with a second end of the front edge. The front edge, first side edge, and second side edge define a segment of a circumference of the shell. The helmet includes a faceguard comprising a faceguard assembly formed in a substantially closed loop. A top portion of the faceguard assembly overlies the top portion of the shell and substantially overlies and coincides with an entire shape of the front edge. At least a segment of a top portion of the faceguard assembly makes direct contact with the top portion of the shell.

Abstract: A quick release base system that includes a base platform and a removable base. The base platform includes a bottom platform surface and a top platform surface. The top platform surface is positioned above the bottom platform surface. The top platform surface includes platform prongs. The platform prongs are substantially perpendicular to the top platform surface and extend away from the top platform surface and away from the bottom platform surface. The removable base rests on top of the base platform, and the removable base includes an interior base surface. The interior base surface includes base prongs. The base prongs are substantially perpendicular to the interior base surface and extend away from the interior base, and the platform prongs interact with the base prongs to create a lateral restraining force between the base platform and the removable base.

Abstract: A quick release base system that includes a base platform and a removable base. The base platform includes a bottom platform surface and a top platform surface. The top platform surface is positioned above the bottom platform surface. The top platform surface includes platform prongs. The platform prongs are substantially perpendicular to the top platform surface and extend away from the top platform surface and away from the bottom platform surface. The removable base rests on top of the base platform, and the removable base includes an interior base surface. The interior base surface includes base prongs. The base prongs are substantially perpendicular to the interior base surface and extend away from the interior base, and the platform prongs interact with the base prongs to create a lateral restraining force between the base platform and the removable base.

Abstract: A helmet having a shell configured to fit about a head of a wearer of the helmet. The shell includes a top portion that defines a front edge and a bottom portion adjoining the top portion. The bottom portion defines a first side edge integral with a first end of the front edge and a second side edge integral with a second end of the front edge. The front edge, first side edge, and second side edge define a segment of a circumference of the shell. The helmet includes a faceguard comprising a faceguard assembly formed in a substantially closed loop. A top portion of the faceguard assembly overlies the top portion of the shell and substantially overlies and coincides with an entire shape of the front edge. At least a segment of a top portion of the faceguard assembly makes direct contact with the top portion of the shell.

Abstract: A shin guard that includes a shell having a first surface and a second surface that face each other and define a concave interior volume of space that extends along a longitudinal dimension of the shell. A leg support includes a first end attached to the shell and a second free end that extends past the first surface and lies over the concave interior volume of space, wherein the leg support does not engage the second surface.

Abstract: A chest protector that includes a pouch assembly having an interior in communication with an opening, the pouch assembly having a hole in fluid communication with the interior and ambient air and a pad inserted into the interior, wherein the pad includes an opening that is in fluid communication with the hole of the pouch assembly.

Abstract: A shin guard that includes a shell having a first surface and a second surface that face each other and define a concave interior volume of space that extends along a longitudinal dimension of the shell. A leg support includes a first end attached to the shell and a second free end that extends past the first surface and lies over the concave interior volume of space, wherein the leg support does not engage the second surface.

Abstract: A chest protector that includes a pouch assembly having an interior in communication with an opening, the pouch assembly having a hole in fluid communication with the interior and ambient air and a pad inserted into the interior, wherein the pad includes an opening that is in fluid communication with the hole of the pouch assembly.

Abstract: A base for use during the play of baseball or softball that includes a bottom, a top face, a side wall attached to the bottom and the top face and an identification label attached to either the top face or the side wall.