BALL BATS WITH REINFORCING INSERTS

Abstract

A ball bat includes a cylindrical barrel portion surrounding a tubular insert. The tubular insert comprises a thermoplastic material. The length, diameter, wall thickness, position and weight of the insert may be controlled in order to improve performance of the ball bat.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/889,702, filed on Oct. 11, 2013, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/951,903, filed on Mar. 12, 2014, which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to ball bats having improved durability and enhanced performance.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Certain types of softball and baseball bats are made of materials that fall within association specifications when they are new, but which fall outside of the specifications after repeated use. For example, certain types of conventional ball bats may initially meet the applicable ASA, USSSA, NSA, SSUSA, NFHS, NCAA and Little League tests, but subsequently fall outside of such specifications after prolonged use and/or repeated bat-ball collisions.

As a particular example, conventional composite ball bats comprising carbon fiber reinforced epoxy resin may initially meet the applicable performance standards or tests that are set and/or regulated by various associations, but may no longer conform to such performance standards or tests after prolonged use and/or repeated bat-ball collisions. Such prolonged use and/or repeated bat-ball collisions can loosen and/or break the carbon fibers in the epoxy resin, which may initially provide for a larger trampoline effect, but can eventually cause cracking and/or catastrophic failure or breakage of the ball bat.

Such conventional composite ball bats may possess only a single point location or a relatively small “sweet spot” on the barrel of the ball bat that exhibits maximum batted-ball speed performance and/or best feel to the hands of the person hitting the ball off the bat. Since it can oftentimes prove difficult to consistently hit the ball on the single point location or the small “sweet spot” of the barrel, the likelihood of a player regularly achieving enhanced or maximum batted-ball speed performance and/or best feel upon bat-ball impact using conventional composite ball bats is greatly diminished.

Accordingly, a need exists for a ball bat that exhibits improved durability over prolonged periods of repeated bat-ball collisions, bigger “sweet spots” for achieving enhanced or maximum batted-ball speed performance over a larger region of the barrel and/or improved feel to the hands upon bat-ball impact. A need also exists for inserts for ball bats that conform with association specifications over the lives of the bats after prolonged use and/or repeated bat-ball collisions, wherein the inserts control bat break in to keep the bats legal for play for a longer life cycle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aspect of the present invention provides ball bats with tubular inserts that conform with association specifications over the lives of the bats. The inserts may control the break-in of the bats to keep them legal for play for longer life cycles.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a barrel portion of a ball bat that possesses a bigger “sweet spot” along the cylindrical barrel portion of the bat that achieves enhanced or maximum batted-ball speed performance over a larger region of the barrel, imparts improved feel to the hands upon bat-ball impact, obviating or preventing the breakage of reinforcement material, the occurrence of cracking and/or the catastrophic failure of the composite ball bat.

A further aspect of the present invention provides a protective layer arranged on an outer surface of the cylindrical barrel portion of the ball bat that protects the outer surface of the cylindrical barrel portion, increases the durability of the ball bat and/or conceals any seams that may be present along an axial length of the cylindrical barrel portion.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a ball bat comprising a cylindrical barrel portion having an inner surface, and a tubular insert inside the cylindrical barrel portion having a cylindrical outer surface, wherein the tubular insert comprises a thermoplastic material having a tensile strength above 5,000 psi.

These and other aspects of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing a bat with an insert in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the bat taken through section 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view showing an embodiment of the bat.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of this invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing a bat 10 with an insert 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The bat 10 may be of standard ball bat configuration, having a cylindrical barrel portion 12, tapered neck portion 13, handle 14, handle cap 15 and end cap 16. The tapered neck portion 13 that interconnects the cylindrical barrel portion 12 to the handle portion 14 decreases in diameter in a direction toward the handle portion 14. As shown in FIG. 1, in certain embodiments, the tubular insert 20 extends along at least a portion of length of the cylindrical barrel portion 12, however the tubular insert does not extend from the cylindrical barrel portion 12 into the tapered neck portion 13 of the bat 10. The handle cap 15 is arranged on the handle portion 14, while the end cap 16 is preferably arranged on the cylindrical barrel portion 12. The components of the bat 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 may be of any known type of construction and may be made from any known types of materials typically used in softball and baseball bats. In certain embodiments, at least the cylindrical barrel portion 12 of the bat comprises a composite material such as a carbon fiber/epoxy composite material conventionally used for softball and baseball bats. In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, at least the cylindrical barrel portion 12 of the bat comprises a thermoplastic material.

The tubular insert 20 allows conventional composite ball bats comprising a carbon fiber reinforced epoxy resin that initially meet the applicable performance standards or tests that are set and/or regulated by various associations, to conform to such performance standards or tests after prolonged use and/or repeated bat-ball collisions. The properties of the thermoplastic tubular insert 20 limit the prolonged use and/or repeated bat-ball collisions from causing larger trampoline effect, cracking and/or catastrophic failure or breakage of the ball bat.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the bat barrel 12 taken through section 2-2 of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of a bat 10 similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. It is noted that features shown in the figures may not be drawn to scale in order to illustrate aspects of the invention. The cylindrical barrel portion 12 of the bat 10 surrounds the tubular insert 20 having certain properties described in more detail below. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the outer surface of the insert 20 directly contacts the inner surface of the cylindrical barrel 12. The insert 20 may be positioned within the cylindrical barrel 12 by any known means such as by inserting the insert 20 into the open cylindrical barrel portion 12 before the end cap 16 of the bat is installed. The insert 20 may be secured in its position within the cylindrical barrel 12 by the use of adhesive such as urethane adhesives or the like. In certain embodiments, the insert 20 may be friction fit or press fit within the cylindrical barrel 12 by any known means. Alternatively, the cylindrical barrel 12 may be formed around the insert 20, e.g., by forming multiple layers of carbon fibers having different orientations around the outside surface of the insert 20 followed by impregnation and curing of an epoxy resin, or by forming multiple layers of pre-preg carbon fiber sheets having different orientations around the insert 20 followed by heating to cure the pre-preg resin.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the tubular insert 20 may comprise a hollow thermoplastic tube with an inner diameter and an outer diameter having a wall thickness T_I that may be greater than 0.04 inch, for example, greater than 0.05 or 0.06 inch. In certain embodiments, the wall thickness T_I may range from 0.05 to 1.5 inches, including for example, from 0.06 to 1 or 0.75 inch, or from 0.07 to 0.5 or 0.25 inch. The tubular insert 20 may comprise a single layer, or multiple layers, of the thermoplastic material. When multiple layers are used, each layer may have a wall thickness ranging from 0.01 to 0.1 inch, with a total thickness as described above. In certain embodiments, the insert may be provided as two or more sections, e.g., multiple cylindrical segments aligned along the axis of the insert and/or multiple arcuate segments arranged around the circumference of the insert. For example, two, three, four or more segments may be used. The insert 20 may be formed by conventional tube-forming methods such as extrusion, injection molding, blow molding, shrink molding, vacuum molding or the like. The as-extruded or as-molded thickness of the tube may be within the ranges described above, or the as-extruded or as-molded tube may be machined or otherwise worked to reduce the wall thickness to the desired size. For example, the inner diameter and/or outer diameter of a tube may be machined to provide the desired wall thickness of the insert 20.

In certain embodiments, the tubular insert 20 has a substantially constant wall thickness along an axial length of the tubular insert. In certain embodiments, the tubular insert 20 has a substantially uniform inner diameter along an axial length of the tubular insert. In certain embodiments, the tubular insert 20 has a substantially uniform outer diameter along an axial length of the tubular insert. In a preferred embodiment, the tubular insert 20 has a substantially uniform inner and outer diameter along an axial length of the tubular insert.

The weight of the tubular insert 20, may typically be from 0.5 to 20 ounces, including for example, from 1 to 10 ounces, from 1.2 to 8 ounces, or from 1.5 to 7 ounces.

As previously discussed, in certain embodiments the cylindrical outer surface of the tubular insert 20 may be friction fit or press fit against the inner surface of the cylindrical barrel portion 12. The term “friction fit or press fit” is understood in the context of this application to mean that a fastening between two parts is achieved by friction after the two parts are pushed together with one part being forced against the other part. In certain embodiments, the friction fit or press fit is sufficient to hold the two parts together in the absence of any other fastening means. Accordingly, the cylindrical outer surface of the tubular insert 20 and the inner surface of the cylindrical barrel portion 12 can be held together without the use of an adhesive and/or a mechanical fastener. In another embodiment, the proximal end of the tubular insert 20 may be friction fit or press fit by contact with the tapered neck portion 13.

In certain embodiments, a gap may exist between the outer surface of the tubular insert 20 and an inner surface of the cylindrical barrel portion 12. The gap measured in a radial direction between the outer surface of the tubular insert and the inner surface of the cylindrical barrel portion 12, may typically be from zero to 0.2 inch, for example, from 0.001 to 0.1 inch, or from 0.01 to 0.05 inch. When there is a gap, the tubular insert 20 may be held in place by friction or press fit between the proximal end of the tubular insert 20 and the tapered neck portion 13, or by some other fastening means including an adhesive and/or a mechanical fastener or spacer. In addition or as an alternative, the distal end of the tubular insert 20 may be secured to an end cap 16 by friction or press fit or by some other fastening means including an adhesive and/or a mechanical fastener (not shown).

FIG. 3 illustrates that the cylindrical barrel portion 12 has a length L_B and a wall thickness T_B, and the tubular insert 20 has a length L_I and a wall thickness T_I. The tubular insert 20 is positioned within the cylindrical barrel portion 12 such that there is a distance D_T that is measured from the proximal end of the tubular insert 20 to the tapered neck portion 13, and a distance D_E that is measured from the distal end of the tubular insert 20 to the distal end of the cylindrical barrel portion 12.

The cylindrical barrel 12 has a typical wall thickness T_B of from 0.1 to 0.5 inch, for example, from 0.2 to 0.4 inch. In a particular embodiment, the thickness T_B is about 0.33 inch. The ratio of the thickness of tubular insert 20 T_I to the thickness of cylindrical barrel 12 T_B typically ranges from 0.05:1 to 5:1, for example, from 0.1:1 to 1:1, or from 0.2:1 to 0.08:1.

The length L_I of the tubular insert 20 may typically be from 20 percent to 99 percent of the length L_B cylindrical barrel portion 12. For example, the length L_I of the tubular insert 20 may be from 25 to 98 percent, from 30 to 80 percent, or from 35 to 70 percent of the length L_B of the cylindrical barrel portion 12. In an exemplary embodiment, the length L_I is from 40 percent to 60 percent of the length L_B. In a particular embodiment, the cylindrical barrel portion 12 has a length L_B of from 11 to 12 inches, the tubular insert 20 has a length L_I of from 4 to 9 inches that is secured with adhesive within the cylindrical barrel portion 12.

As shown in FIG. 3, the tubular insert 20 may be axially located within the cylindrical barrel portion 12 in a manner such that there is a tapered distance D_T of from 1 or 2 to 4 inches inch, and an end distance D_E of from 1 or 2 to 4 inches. The tapered and end distances D_T and D_E may be the same or different. The ratio of the length of the insert L_I to the tapered distance D_T or the end distance D_E may typically range from 1:1 to 10:1, or from 1.5:1 to 5:1, or from 1.8:1 to 3:1, or approximately 2:1.

In certain embodiments, the tapered distance D_T and/or the end distance D_E may impart improved flexibility at the respective end or ends of the cylindrical barrel portion which may result in a bigger “sweet spot” along the cylindrical barrel portion of the ball bat that achieves enhanced or maximum batted-ball speed performance over a larger region of the barrel, imparts improved feel to the hands upon bat-ball impact, and/or imparts improved durability by reducing, obviating or preventing the breakage of reinforcement material, the occurrence of cracking and/or the catastrophic failure of the composite ball bat. Since it is easier to consistently hit the ball on a bigger “sweet spot” along the cylindrical barrel portion of the ball bat, the likelihood of a player regularly achieving maximum batted-ball speed performance and/or improved feel to the hands using the ball bat of the present invention is greatly improved.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a bat 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention including a cylindrical barrel 12, an inner tubular insert 20, and an outer protective layer 30 covering at least a portion of the outer surface of the cylindrical barrel portion 12. The protective layer 30 protects the outer surface of the cylindrical barrel portion 12 and/or increases the durability of the ball bat 10. Such a protective layer can conceal the appearance of exposed reinforcing fibers or seams that may exist along the axial length of the cylindrical barrel portion 12 as a result of a non-seamless construction or manufacturing process. The protective layer 30 can have any desired thickness T_P, non-limiting examples of which include from 0.001 inch to 0.5 inch, including for example, from 0.01 to 0.3 inch, or from 0.04 to 0.1 inch. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the protective layer 30 may be made of the same or different material than the insert 20. For example, the protective layer 30 may be provided in the form of a tube or coating having a composition similar to those described for the tubular insert 20. In other embodiments, other layered configurations may be provided. Non-limiting examples of such other layered configurations include a tubular insert sandwiched between an inner cylindrical barrel portion and an outer cylindrical barrel portion, or multiple layers of tubular inserts alternating with multiple layers of cylindrical barrel portions.

In certain embodiments, the tubular insert 20 and/or the protective layer 30 (if present) are made of a thermoplastic material having a tensile strength above 5,000 psi, as well as a compressive strength above 10,000 psi. For example, the tensile strength and/or compressive strength of the insert material may be greater than 12,000 psi, or greater than 15,000 psi, or greater than 20,000 psi, or greater than 22,000 or 23,000 psi. In certain embodiments, the thermoplastic material is non-reinforced in that the thermoplastic is not reinforced with any reinforcement materials. In certain embodiments, the thermoplastic material may be reinforced with various reinforcing materials such as those described below.

In certain embodiments, the thermoplastic material of the tubular insert 20 comprises an aliphatic polyester, a semi-aromatic polyester, an aromatic polyester, a polysaccharide based polyester, and combinations thereof. Non-limiting examples of aliphatic polyesters include polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), polyethylene adipate (PEA), and polybutylene succinate (PBS). Non-limiting examples of semi-aromatic polyesters include polyalkylene terephthalates (PAT), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT), polypropylene terephthalate (PPT), and polyethylene naphthalate (PEN). A non-limiting example of an aromatic polyester includes a polycondensation product of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and 6-hydroxynapthalene-2-caroxylic acid. A non-limiting example of a polysaccharide based polyester includes cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB).

In certain embodiments, the thermoplastic material of the tubular insert 20 comprises polybutylene terephthalate (PBT). PBT has been shown to possess advantageous physicochemical properties with respect to tensile strength, tensile modulus, flexural modulus, flexural strength, compressive strength, hardness, toughness, impact strength, moldability, thermal stability, chemical resistance, environmental resistance, and/or low moisture absorption when used as bat inserts in accordance with the present invention. In certain embodiments, the PBT may have a tensile strength above 5,000 psi or above 8,000 psi, as well as a compressive strength above 10,000 psi or above 12,000 psi. The PBT may be reinforced with various reinforcing materials such as those described herein, in which case the tensile strength and/or compressive strength of the reinforced PBT may be greater than 15,000 psi, or greater than 20,000 psi, or greater than 22,000 or 23,000 psi.

In certain embodiments, the thermoplastic material of the tubular insert 20 comprises a polyamide. Polyamides also have been found to possess advantageous physicochemical properties when used as a component of a bat insert in accordance with an exemplary aspect of the present invention. Accordingly, the tubular insert may be made of a polyamide such as Nylon. Nylon may have a tensile strength above 10,000 psi or above 12,000 psi, as well as a compressive strength above 10,000 psi or above 12,000 psi. The Nylon may be reinforced with various reinforcing materials such as those described herein, in which case the tensile strength and/or compressive strength of the reinforced Nylon may be greater than 15,000 psi, or greater than 20,000 psi, or greater than 22,000 or 23,000 psi.

In certain embodiments, thermoplastic material as described above may further comprise one or more additional thermoplastic materials, and the weight ratio of the thermoplastic material to the one or more additional thermoplastic materials may be from 1:1 to 50:1. The thermoplastic material may thus be used alone or as a blend, e.g., blended with other thermoplastics as listed below in any suitable ratio that provides the desired mechanical properties and bat performance properties. Such blended thermoplastics may be non-reinforced, or may be reinforced. In certain embodiments, the tubular insert 20 is composed of other types of thermoplastic materials that may be blended with the thermoplastic material or used alone and possibly include polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF); polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE); ethylene-chlorotrifluoroethylene (ECTFE); fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP); polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE); perfluoroalkoxy (PFA); polyphenylene sulfide (PPS); polyetheretherketone (PEEK); acetal (POM); polyethylene terephthalate (PET); ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE); high density polyethylene (HDPE); low density polyethylene (LDPE); polypropylene (PP); polymethylpentene (PMP); polysulfone (PSU); polyetherimide (PEI); polyethersulfone (PES); polyarylsulfone (PAS); polyarylethersulfone (PAES); polycarbonate (PC); polyphenylene oxide (Mod PPO); polyphenylene ether (Mod PPE); thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU); acrylic (PMMA); polystyrene (PS); acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS); polyvinyl chloride (PVC); polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG); cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB); and nylon.

In certain embodiments, the thermoplastic material may be combined with reinforcement materials as listed below in any suitable ratio that provides the desired mechanical properties and bat performance properties. The thermoplastic material may be reinforced with any amount and/or any type of known reinforcement material. For example, the reinforcement material may include inorganic reinforcement materials, organic reinforcement materials, and combinations thereof. Non-limiting examples of inorganic reinforcement materials include glass, milled glass, flaked glass, ground quartz, solid glass beads, hollow glass spheres or bubbles, glass fibers, silica-alumina fibers, ceramic fibers, mineral fibers, boron fibers, zirconia fibers, and metal fibers. Non-limiting examples of organic reinforcement materials include carbon fibers, aramid fibers, fluororesin fibers, and the like. In certain embodiments, the reinforcements are provided as a discontinuous phase in a matrix of the thermoplastic material, e.g., the reinforcements are provided as particulates, whiskers, fibers, plates or the like that are dispersed in the thermoplastic matrix. In certain embodiments, the reinforcement material may be in the form of a woven or non-woven matrix reinforcement material comprising an inorganic reinforcement material, an organic reinforcement material, or combinations thereof. In such an embodiment, the woven or non-woven matrix reinforcement material may be injected or infused with liquid/molten thermoplastic material resin.

For example, the thermoplastic material may be reinforced with from 5 to 60 weight percent glass fiber, based on a total weight of the tubular insert 20 and/or the protective layer (if present), e.g., 10 weight percent glass fiber, 20 weight percent glass fiber, 30 weight percent glass fiber, 40 weight percent glass fiber, 50 weight percent glass fiber, 60 weight percent glass fiber, etc.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the cylindrical barrel portion 12 of the bat may be made of a thermoplastic material, such as those described above. In this embodiment, strength-enhancing additives may be included within the thermoplastic, such as the reinforcement materials discussed herein, non-limiting examples of which include reinforcing glass fibers, glass beads, carbon fibers, and the like. The barrel of the bat, as well as other parts of the bat, may be formed by extruding the thermoplastic material alone or in combination with one or more of the other thermoplastic materials and/or the reinforcement strength-enhancing additive materials into the final shape of the bat, or injection molding the same into the shape of the bat.

In this embodiment, the wall thickness of the thermoplastic material cylindrical barrel portion 12 may typically range from 0.001 inch to 1.5 inches, for example, from 0.01 inch to 1 inch, from 0.05 inch to 0.875 inch, from 0.1 inch to 0.75 inch, or from 0.2 inch to 0.5 inch. The walls may comprise a single wall, or multiple walls, e.g., up to 5 or more walls. In certain embodiments, 2 or 3 walls may be used. Each wall may have the same or different thickness, and may be made of the same thermoplastic material or different thermoplastic materials alone or in combination with one or more of the other thermoplastic materials and/or the reinforcement strength-enhancing additive materials. For example, different types or amounts of reinforcing materials may be used in each thermoplastic material-containing wall and/or different types of thermoplastics may be used in the different walls.

Where a closed or open-ended numerical range is described herein, all numbers, values, amounts, percentages, subranges, and fractions within or encompassed by the numerical range are to be considered as being specifically included in and belonging to the original disclosure of this invention as if these numbers, values, amounts, percentages, subranges, and fractions had been explicitly written out in their entirety.

Whereas particular embodiments of this invention have been described above for purposes of illustration, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that numerous variations of the details of the present invention may be made without departing from the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A ball bat comprising:

a cylindrical barrel portion having an inner surface; and

a tubular insert inside the cylindrical barrel portion having a cylindrical outer surface,

wherein the tubular insert comprises a thermoplastic material having a tensile strength above 5,000 psi.

2. The ball bat according to claim 1, wherein the cylindrical outer surface of the tubular insert is in contact with the inner surface of the cylindrical barrel portion.

3. The ball bat according to claim 2, wherein the tubular insert is adhesively bonded to the cylindrical barrel portion.

4. The ball bat according to claim 2, wherein the cylindrical outer surface of the tubular insert is friction fit or press fit against the inner surface of the cylindrical barrel portion.

5. The ball bat according to claim 1, wherein the cylindrical outer surface of the tubular insert is spaced from the inner surface of the cylindrical barrel portion to form a gap therebetween.

6. The ball bat according to claim 5, wherein the gap is from 0.001 to 0.1 inch.

7. The ball bat according to claim 1, wherein the tubular insert weighs from 1 to 10 ounces.

8. The ball bat according to claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic material has a compressive strength above 10,000 psi.

9. The ball bat according to claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic material comprises one or more thermoplastic materials chosen from polyvinylidene fluoride, polytetrafluoroethylene, ethylene-chlorotrifluoroethylene, fluorinated ethylene propylene, polybutylene terephthalate, polychlorotrifluoroethylene, perfluoroalkoxy, polyphenylene sulfide, polyetheretherketone, acetal, polyethylene terephthalate, ultra high molecular weight polyethylene, high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, polypropylene, polymethylpentene, polysulfone, polyetherimide, polyethersulfone, polyarylsulfone, polyarylethersulfone, polycarbonate, polyphenylene oxide, polyphenylene ether, thermoplastic polyurethane, acrylic, polystyrene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate glycol, cellulose acetate butyrate, polyamide, polyhydroxyalkanoate, polyhydroxybutyrate, polyethylene adipate, polybutylene succinate, polyalkylene terephthalates, polytrimethylene terephthalate, polypropylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate and combinations thereof.

10. The ball bat according to claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic material comprises polybutylene terephthalate.

11. The ball bat according to claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic material comprises a polyamide.

12. The ball bat according to claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic material comprises nylon.

13. The ball bat according to claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic material further comprises one or more additional thermoplastic materials, and the weight ratio of the thermoplastic material to the one or more additional thermoplastic materials is from 1:1 to 50:1.

14. The ball bat according to claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic material is non-reinforced.

15. The ball bat according to claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic material is reinforced with a reinforcing material comprising glass fibers, glass beads, carbon fibers, or combinations thereof.

16. The ball bat according to claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic material is reinforced with a discontinuous reinforcing material that is present in an amount of from 5 to 60 weight percent, based on a total weight of the tubular insert.

17. The ball bat according to claim 1, wherein the tubular insert has a wall thickness of greater than 0.04 inch.

18. The ball bat according to claim 1, wherein the tubular insert has a wall thickness of from 0.05 to 0.5 inch.

19. The ball bat according to claim 1, wherein the tubular insert has a substantially constant wall thickness along an axial length of the tubular insert.

20. The ball bat according to claim 1, wherein the tubular insert has a substantially uniform inner diameter along an axial length of the tubular insert.

21. The ball bat according to claim 1, wherein the tubular insert has a substantially uniform outer diameter along an axial length of the tubular insert.

22. The ball bat according to claim 1, wherein the tubular insert has a length of from 1 to 99 percent of the total length of the cylindrical barrel portion.

23. The ball bat according to claim 1, wherein the tubular insert has a length of from 30 to 80 percent of the total length of the cylindrical barrel portion.

24. The ball bat according to claim 1, wherein the tubular insert comprises multiple layers of the thermoplastic material, and each layer has a wall thickness of from 0.001 to 0.1 inch.

25. The ball bat according to claim 1, wherein the cylindrical barrel portion comprises a composite material comprising a carbon fiber reinforced resin.

26. The ball bat according to claim 25, wherein the carbon fiber reinforced resin comprises an epoxy resin.

27. The ball bat according to claim 1, further comprising a thermoplastic material protective layer over at least a portion of the outer surface of the cylindrical barrel portion.

28. The ball bat according to claim 1, further comprising a tapered neck portion interconnecting the cylindrical barrel portion to a handle portion, wherein the tapered neck portion decreases in diameter in a direction toward the handle portion, and wherein the tubular insert does not extend into the tapered neck portion or the handle portion.

29. The ball bat according to claim 1, wherein the ball bat comprises a baseball bat or a softball bat.