Abstract: An apparatus includes a heel section, a mid-foot section, and a toe section. The heel section, the mid-foot section, and the toe section collectively have a geometric shape having a first slope of a polarity along an inner edge of the apparatus from the toe section to the heel section and a second slope of the polarity along the inner edge of the apparatus to an outer edge of the apparatus at the toe section.

Abstract: A baseball shoe includes an upper section and a sole section. The sole section includes a sole and a plurality of cleats. The sole includes a cleat pattern section and a no-cleat section, wherein the no-cleat section is positioned at a mid toe section of the sole. The cleats are attached to the sole within the cleat pattern section and are grouped into three groups: a heel group of cleats, an outer mid foot-to-toe group of cleats, and an inner mid foot-to-toe group of cleats. The inner mid foot-to-toe group of cleats and/or the outer mid foot-to-toe group of cleats are substantially aligned, such that, when a pitcher wears the baseball shoe, the inner mid foot-to-toe group of cleats or the outer mid foot-to-toe group of cleats engages a pitching rubber.

Abstract: A pitching mound includes a level area, a sloped area, and surrounding areas. The level area includes a replaceable drive area. The sloped area has a slope from a first end of the sloped area that abuts to the level area to a second end of the sloped area. The sloped area includes a replaceable landing area. The surrounding areas encircle the level area and the sloped area.

Abstract: A baseball shoe includes an upper section coupled to a sole section. The sole section includes a sole, a plurality of cleats, and a pitching rubber engaging mechanism. The cleats are coupled to the sole and the pitching rubber engaging mechanism is associated with the sole. When a pitcher wears the baseball shoe, the pitching rubber engaging mechanism engages a pitching rubber to assist the pitcher with at least one of drive and alignment.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a heel section, a mid-foot section, and a toe section. The heel section, the mid-foot section, and the toe section collectively have a geometric shape having a first slope of a polarity along an inner edge of the apparatus from the toe section to the heel section and a second slope of the polarity along the inner edge of the apparatus to an outer edge of the apparatus at the toe section.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a heel section, a mid-foot section, and a toe section. The heel section, the mid-foot section, and the toe section collectively have a geometric shape having a first slope of a polarity along an inner edge of the apparatus from the toe section to the heel section and a second slope of the polarity along the inner edge of the apparatus to an outer edge of the apparatus at the toe section.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a heel section, a mid-foot section, and a toe section. The heel section, the mid-foot section, and the toe section collectively have a geometric shape having a first slope of a polarity along an inner edge of the apparatus from the toe section to the heel section and a second slope of the polarity along the inner edge of the apparatus to an outer edge of the apparatus at the toe section.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a heel section, a mid-foot section, and a toe section. The heel section, the mid-foot section, and the toe section collectively have a geometric shape having a first slope of a polarity along an inner edge of the apparatus from the toe section to the heel section and a second slope of the polarity along the inner edge of the apparatus to an outer edge of the apparatus at the toe section.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a heel section, a mid-foot section, and a toe section. The heel section, the mid-foot section, and the toe section collectively have a geometric shape having a first slope of a polarity along an inner edge of the apparatus from the toe section to the heel section and a second slope of the polarity along the inner edge of the apparatus to an outer edge of the apparatus at the toe section.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a heel section, a mid-foot section, and a toe section. The heel section, the mid-foot section, and the toe section collectively have a geometric shape having a first slope of a polarity along an inner edge of the apparatus from the toe section to the heel section and a second slope of the polarity along the inner edge of the apparatus to an outer edge of the apparatus at the toe section.

Abstract: A pitching mound includes a level area, a sloped area, and surrounding areas. The level area includes a replaceable drive area. The sloped area has a slope from a first end of the sloped area that abuts to the level area to a second end of the sloped area. The sloped area includes a replaceable landing area. The surrounding areas encircle the level area and the sloped area.

Abstract: A pitching mound includes a level area, a sloped area, and surrounding areas. The level area includes a replaceable drive area. The sloped area has a slope from a first end of the sloped area that abuts to the level area to a second end of the sloped area. The sloped area includes a replaceable landing area. The surrounding areas encircle the level area and the sloped area.

Abstract: An athletic positioning shoe includes an upper section, a sole, and an insole. The sole includes a heel section, an angled support platform, and a toe area section. The heel section has a first height along a rear edge of the sole from an inner edge to an outer edge and has a first slope from the rear edge to an abutment with the angled support platform. The angled support platform has a first angle along the outer edge from the heel section to a front edge of the sole, a second angle along a front edge to the toe section, and a third angle along the inner edge from the heel section to the toe section, wherein the first angle is less than the third angle. The toe area section has a surface for supporting an inner ball of foot and/or a big toe.

Abstract: An apparatus for use as at least part of a sole of a shoe or as at least part of an insole of the shoe, the apparatus comprises a fixed section that provides a positioning of a big toe area at a lower position than a heel area and/or at a lower position than an outer edge area, and an adjustable section associated with the fixed section, wherein the adjustable section adjusts at least one of the lower positioning of the big toe area with respect to the heel area and the lower positioning of the big toe area with respect to the outer edge area.

Abstract: An athletic shoe includes an upper section and a sole section. The sole section includes a sole and cleats, which are grouped into a heel group, a ball-of-foot group, and an outer edge mid foot-to-toe group. Cleats of the heel group are of a first length. A cleat of the outer edge mid foot-to-toe group is proximal to a heel section and has a length equal to or a first value less than the first length. A cleat of the outer edge mid foot-to-toe group is proximal to a small toe section of the athletic shoe and has a length that is a second value less than the first length, wherein the second value is greater than the first value. A cleat of the ball-of-foot group has a length that is a third value less than the first value, wherein the third value is greater than the second value.

Abstract: A pitching mound includes a level area, a sloped area, and surrounding areas. The level area includes a replaceable drive area. The sloped area has a slope from a first end of the sloped area that abuts to the level area to a second end of the sloped area. The sloped area includes a replaceable landing area. The surrounding areas encircle the level area and the sloped area.

Abstract: An apparatus for use as at least part of a sole of a shoe or as at least part of an insole of the shoe, the apparatus comprises a fixed section that provides a positioning of a big toe area at a lower position than a heel area and/or at a lower position than an outer edge area, and an adjustable section associated with the fixed section, wherein the adjustable section adjusts at least one of the lower positioning of the big toe area with respect to the heel area and the lower positioning of the big toe area with respect to the outer edge area.

Abstract: A baseball shoe includes an upper section and a sole section. The sole section includes a sole and a plurality of cleats. The sole includes a cleat pattern section and a no-cleat section, wherein the no-cleat section is positioned at a mid toe section of the sole. The cleats are attached to the sole within the cleat pattern section and are grouped into three groups: a heel group of cleats, an outer mid foot-to-toe group of cleats, and an inner mid foot-to-toe group of cleats. The inner mid foot-to-toe group of cleats and/or the outer mid foot-to-toe group of cleats are substantially aligned, such that, when a pitcher wears the baseball shoe, the inner mid foot-to-toe group of cleats or the outer mid foot-to-toe group of cleats engages a pitching rubber.

Abstract: A baseball shoe includes an upper section coupled to a sole section. The sole section includes a sole, a plurality of cleats, and a pitching rubber engaging mechanism. The cleats are coupled to the sole and the pitching rubber engaging mechanism is associated with the sole. When a pitcher wears the baseball shoe, the pitching rubber engaging mechanism engages a pitching rubber to assist the pitcher with at least one of drive and alignment.

Abstract: An athletic shoe includes an upper section and a sole section. The sole section includes a sole and cleats, which are grouped into a heel group, a ball-of-foot group, and an outer edge mid foot-to-toe group. Cleats of the heel group are of a first length. A cleat of the outer edge mid foot-to-toe group is proximal to a heel section and has a length equal to or a first value less than the first length. A cleat of the outer edge mid foot-to-toe group is proximal to a small toe section of the athletic shoe and has a length that is a second value less than the first length, wherein the second value is greater than the first value. A cleat of the ball-of-foot group has a length that is a third value less than the first value, wherein the third value is greater than the second value.