Embodiments of the invention include a pickleball paddle and method for making a pickleball paddle that produce a paddle that produces a lower audible sound when the paddle strikes a ball. The embodiment includes a core with a handle extending therefrom and first and second skins covering outer surfaces of the core. A sound reducing edge is secured to a circumferential core edge and the first and second skins are secured over the sound reducing edge. A transition between the core and the handle additionally adds to sound reduction.

According to one exemplary embodiment, a computer implemented personified sporting apparatus, system, method and/or computer program product may provide an electronically and programmably controlled sporting device. Certain embodiments include one or two or more robots with one two or more sporting devices coupled to each robot(s). A sporting apparatus can include: at least one sporting device, wherein said at least one sporting device comprises: at least one electronic computer processor; at least one electronic memory device coupled to said at least one electronic computer processor; at least one of at least one electronic input device or at least one electronic output device and at least one electronic user interface configured to at least one of: enable at least one user to interact with said at least one sporting device; receive a selection of at least one sporting routine; or receive instructions to control said at least one sporting device.

A variable-color region (106) of an information-presentation structure extends to an exposed surface (102) at a surface zone (112) and normally appears along it as a principal color. An impact-dependent portion (138) of the variable-color region responds to an object (104) impacting the zone at an object-contact area (116) by temporarily appearing along a print area (118) of the zone as generic changed color materially different from the principal color. The print area closely matches the object-contact area in size, shape, and location. The colors are chosen to accommodate persons who are color blind. One of the principal and changed colors is usually restricted from being any color from green to red in the visible light spectrum or any color having a non-insignificant component of any color from green to red in the light spectrum for accommodating persons having the predominant red-green color blindness.

A sports ball, such as a lacrosse ball, comprising, an outer shell layer defining an enclosure having an interior volume for housing a filler material, the outer shell layer comprising a plurality of sections (pads or panels) connected along a plurality of seams, the sections having an outer surface comprising one or more layers of a substantially smooth non-woven synthetic leather, such as a synthetic suede, microfiber, or micro-velour, with an optional surface coating, which produce a frictional resistance (coefficient of friction) which decreases ball slippage against a surface or when released from the strings of a lacrosse stick.

A variable-color region (106) of an information-presentation structure extends to an exposed surface (102) at a surface zone (112) and normally appears along it as a principal color. An impact-dependent portion (138) of the variable-color region responds to an object (104) impacting the zone at an object-contact area (116) by providing an impact signal if the impact meets threshold impact criteria. The impact signal identifies an expected location of a print area (118) in the zone and supplemental impact information for the impact. Responsive to the impact signal, a controller (702) determines whether the supplemental impact information meets supplemental impact criteria and, if so, provides an initiation signal. The impact-dependent portion responds to the initiation signal, if provided, by temporarily appearing along the print area as changed color materially different from the principal color. The print area closely matches the object-contact area in size, shape, and location.

A game stick and game are disclosed. The game stick includes a shaft with a head at one end. A channel wide enough for a game ball is defined in the head. The ball is placed in the channel and when the game stick is swung, the ball rides along the channel and is released therefrom to fly through the air. The head may be adjustable to affect the way in which the ball is thrown. The game is similar to golf except that instead of hitting the ball, the ball is thrown toward a target location at the end of a fairway. When the target location is reached, the game stick may be used as a putter to push or putt the ball to sink it into a sunken cup in the ground.

A computer implemented personified sporting apparatus, system, method and/or computer program product may provide an electronically and programmably controlled personification attributes of a sport, and can include: a sporting device, comprising a processor; a memory coupled to the processor; at least one personified feature, attribute, or movement; and at least one user interface coupled to sporting device, wherein said user interface comprises at least one of: a display device, at least one input device, at least one output device, a keyboard, or a touchscreen, and wherein said at least one sporting device is configured to at least one of: enable at least one user to interact with said at least one sporting device; receive a selection of at least one sporting routine; or receive instructions to control said at least one sporting device. The device can include a robot, display(s), and/or optional speech bubbles.

A handle weighted bat according to various embodiments can include an elongated barrel portion. A handle weighted portion is included such that the largest concentration of mass is provided in the handle portion and for positioning the center of gravity within the handle portion of the bat. The handle weighted portion is configured as a one-piece, solid body construction that forms an integral knob and rod portion.

According to one exemplary embodiment, a computer implemented personified sporting apparatus, system, method and/or computer program product may provide an electronically and programmably controlled personification attributes of a sport, as well as one or more sensor to identify sensor data relating to interactions with sport. Certain embodiments include robotic and/or animatronically moveable appendages, and/or emotions and gestures, via audio and visual enhanced features. A personified sporting apparatus can include: at least one sporting device, wherein said at least one sporting device comprises: at least one processor; at least one memory coupled to said at least one processor; at least one of at least one input or at least one output device coupled to said at least one processor; at least one sport; at least one personified feature, attribute, or movement; and at least one user interface coupled to said sporting goal device, wherein said user interface comprises at least one of: a display device, at least one input device, at least one output device, a keyboard, or a touchscreen, and wherein said at least one sporting device is configured to at least one of: enable at least one user to interact with said at least one sporting device; receive a selection of at least one sporting routine; or receive instructions to control said at least one sporting device. The device can include a robot and/or one or more displays and/or optional speech bubbles.

A game stick and game are disclosed. The game stick includes a shaft with a head at one end. A channel wide enough for a game ball is defined in the head. The ball is placed in the channel and when the game stick is swung, the ball rides along the channel and is released therefrom to fly through the air. The head may be adjustable to affect the way in which the ball is thrown. The game is similar to golf except that instead of hitting the ball, the ball is thrown toward a target location at the end of a fairway. When the target location is reached, the game stick may be used as a putter to push or putt the ball to sink it into a sunken cup in the ground.