Abstract: A sports helmet, such as a batting helmet, includes a shell and a facemask that is removably attached to the shell with at least one fastening component that is integral with the facemask and at least one mating fastening component that is integral with the shell. The facemask may have at least one integral fastening component at each distal end of the facemask. Correspondingly, the shell may have at least one mating fastening component on each of two opposing interior surfaces of the shell. The fastening components can be removably connected to the mating fastening components on the interior surface of the shell. The helmet may include an ear guard attached to the facemask and removably attached to the shell with at least one fastening component that is integral with the ear guard and at least one mating fastening component that is integral with the shell.

Abstract: A facemask coupled to a sports helmut such that it will absorb a very high percentage of the impact energy from a ball or other oncoming force. The shock-absorbing facemask attachment assembly includes a housing attached to a helmet. An insert may be coupled to the facemask and the housing such that the insert is pushed further into the housing in response to an applied force. Alternatively, one or more springs may be coupled to the facemask and the housing such that the springs are compressed further toward the housing in response to an applied force. As another alternative, a spring assembly may include at least one spring coupled to the helmet and the housing and at least one spring coupled to the facemask and the housing.

Abstract: A ball glove including a front glove portion, a back glove portion and a webbing. The back glove portion is coupled to the front glove portion to define a hand cavity and to form first, second, third and fourth finger stalls and a thumb stall. Each finger stall includes a distal region and a proximal region. At least one through-stall opening is formed into the distal region of at least one of the finger stalls. The through-stall opening having a size of at least 0.25 square inches. The webbing is coupled to, and positioned between, the first finger stall and the thumb stall.

Abstract: A sports helmet configured for protecting a user's head. The helmet includes a shell and a padding assembly. The shell includes first and second side panels sized to generally cover the ears of the user. The shell and the first and second side panels have an inner surface. The padding assembly is coupled to the inner surface, and includes first and second pad sub-assemblies extending over at least a portion of the inner surface of the first and second side panels, respectively. The first and second pad sub-assemblies include first and second slots, respectively. Each of the first and second slots upwardly extends from a lower edge of the first and second pad sub-assemblies. Each of the first and second slots is sized to receive the user's ears and to facilitate the placement and removal of the helmet onto, and from, the user's head.

Abstract: An adjustable sports helmet configured for protecting a user's head. The helmet includes a shell, a padding assembly and an adjustment assembly. The shell has an inner surface and an outer surface. The padding assembly is coupled to the inner surface of the shell. The padding assembly has at least two spaced apart adjustment points. The adjustment assembly includes a guide, a strap and at least one adjusting member. The guide is operably coupled to the inner surface of the shell. The strap has a first portion connected to the guide and a second portion releasably connected to the outer surface of the helmet. The adjusting member is operably engaged to the guide and is connected to the adjustment points of the padding assembly.

Abstract: An adjustable sports helmet configured for protecting a user's head. The helmet includes a shell, a padding assembly and an adjustment assembly. The shell has an inner surface and an outer surface. The padding assembly is coupled to the inner surface of the shell. The padding assembly has at least two spaced apart adjustment points. The adjustment assembly includes a guide, a strap and at least one adjusting member. The guide is operably coupled to the inner surface of the shell. The strap has a first portion connected to the guide and a second portion releasably connected to the outer surface of the helmet. The adjusting member is operably engaged to the guide and is connected to the adjustment points of the padding assembly.

Abstract: A ball glove including front and back portions, at least one notch, and at least one elastic strip. The front and back portions have front and back lower edges, respectively. The back portion is coupled to the front portion to form a hand cavity. The front and back portions are separated along the front and back lower edges to define a hand-receiving opening. The notch is formed into the back portion and upwardly extends from the back lower edge. The at least one elastic strip extends across the notch generally parallel with the back lower edge. The strip at least partially fills the notch and is fixedly secured to the back portion. The at least one elastic strip enables the hand-receiving opening to resiliently expand to receive a user's hand and then to generally conform to the user's wrist.

Abstract: A ball glove including front and back portions, at least one notch, and at least one elastic strip. The front and back portions have front and back lower edges, respectively. The back portion is coupled to the front portion to form a hand cavity. The front and back portions are separated along the front and back lower edges to define a hand-receiving opening. The notch is formed into the back portion and upwardly extends from the back lower edge. The at least one elastic strip extends across the notch generally parallel with the back lower edge. The strip at least partially fills the notch and is fixedly secured to the back portion. The at least one elastic strip enables the hand-receiving opening to resiliently expand to receive a user's hand and then to generally conform to the user's wrist.