Abstract: A grip guide apparatus is disclosed for use as a training aid. The grip guide apparatus includes a substrate and chromic material. The substrate is dimensioned to cover at least a portion of an article of sports equipment such as a handle. The chromic material is capable of changing colors in response to one or more external stimuli. Changes in color of chromic material thereby indicate whether the user has proper or improper hand placement on the article of sports equipment. The chromic material may also indicate whether the user has applied the proper or improper amount of pressure to the article of sports equipment. The substrate may include an adhesive backing to affix the grip guide apparatus to the article of sports equipment. By generating feedback from the chromic material, good habits can be formed with respect to taking a proper grip of the article of sports equipment.

Abstract: A sport-specific training and conditioning device for a sport using a hand-held implement having a grip portion, includes a handle shaped like the grip portion of the implement, the handle having first and second ends, and a weight on the second end of the handle, the center of mass of the weight being less than about 13 inches from the first end of the handle.

Abstract: A device for picking up one or more objects, e.g., particular one or more prizes to be won, and subsequently moving the same to a dispensing position includes: a pick-up device, such as a grabber or a vacuum head; and a positioning device to be controlled by a user for positioning the pick-up device over one or more objects. A weight determination device is provided for determining the weight of the pick-up device, in which one or more picked up objects may be present in case of a successful pick-up attempt, or of a variable related to the weight.

Abstract: Croquet equipment formed of a mallet, a ball, a hoop and a stake is disclosed in which, the mallet has two vibration switch-controlled light emitting modules detachably mounted in the two ends of the light penetrable head thereof; the ball has a vibration switch-controlled light emitting module detachably mounted in the light penetrable body thereof; the stake has a manual on/off switch-controlled light emitting module detachably mounted in the anchoring point and a light guide axially extended from the light emitting module for guiding light through the periphery of the tubular shaft thereof.

Abstract: A ball spinning device which has one or more balls, each ball having the surface appearance of a baseball. For an embodiment that has more than one ball, all balls are positioned in a straight line by connecting spindles. A power transferring spindle is sized and shaped so it can be connected to an electric motor which is capable of spinning the device at the same speeds as those of pitched baseballs. For each ball, its axis of rotation relative to its seam is determined by where spindles are joined to the ball with respect to its seam.

Abstract: A grip for a polo mallet is integrally formed of a composite, shock absorbing material and includes a longitudinal bore extending between a proximal end and a distal end, and a knob formed on the proximal end zone. One or more chambers are provided for receipt of weight elements within the grip in order to selectively balance the polo mallet in accordance with a player's specifications. In one embodiment, a spring clip removably attaches a hand strap to the grip, adjacent the knob. In another embodiment, the hand strap includes a closed loop portion and a free extension fitted through a strap holder on one side of the grip and releasably attachable to the loop to adjustably tighten the hand strap about the player's hand. The head of the mallet may be wrapped with a layer of ballistic material to increase its hardness. A method of balancing the polo mallet is also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved polo mallet includes a single-cane upper shaft portion spliced to a twin-cane lower shaft portion which is securely joined to a mallet head. The upper shaft portion maintains the flexibility required for effective game play while the lower shaft portion provides increased strength and durability at the point of frequent breakage for increasing the useful life of the polo mallet. The lower shaft portion is secured within a non-circular aperture in the mallet head to thereby prevent shaft twisting or rotation which may cause unnecessary premature breakage. This invention further includes a cost-effective method of repairing broken polo mallets whereby a broken shaft is removed and replaced with a twin-cane shaft which is then spliced to the remaining original shaft and is insertably secured within corresponding apertures in the mallet head.

Abstract: A game played on either an indoor/outdoor court. The game includes a bat, a game ball and two sets of balls which are of different colors. The bat has a substantially round drive head with which to bat balls. A game ball is hit up the court. Then one player hits their ball up the court and as close to the game ball as possible. The game continues until all the balls are hit. Then the person or team with the ball(s) closest to the game ball scores a point for each ball that rests closer to the game ball than the closest ball of the opposite side or team.

Abstract: A sports swing exercise device composed of a weight attached to a shaft by means of a spring. When the shaft is swung, the muscles used in the swing are not only strengthened with repeat use, they are stretched toward full articulation with the spring as it eases the transition of momentum and inertia at the ends of the swing from one direction to its opposite.