An article (600) is provided which includes a body (500) having an interior volume (100), and hook (124) and loop (125) features which, when pressed closed in at least one locations (130, 131) location, creates a dynamic hammock dam (132) that retains a fill material (140) that has been inserted into the interior volume. The strength of the hammock dam increases with outward pressure (141) applied on the closure by the fill material. The article is preferably equipped with a large mouth opening (110) which allows rapid filling or emptying of the fill material from the internal volume.

An article (600) is provided which includes a body (500) having an interior volume (100), and hook (124) and loop (125) features which, when pressed closed in at least one locations (130, 131) location, creates a dynamic hammock dam (132) that retains a fill material (140) that has been inserted into the interior volume. The strength of the hammock dam increases with outward pressure (141) applied on the closure by the fill material. The article is preferably equipped with a large mouth opening (110) which allows rapid filling or emptying of the fill material from the internal volume.

A ball, and in particular a baseball or softball, including one or more sensors such as accelerometers and/or inertial measurement units, and systems and methods using the same to improve a pitcher's pitching performance are described herein. In some embodiments, the ball may include one or more inertial measurement units and/or accelerometers capable of monitoring motion of the ball while it is thrown. Once a ball is thrown, in response to the inertial measurement unit(s) and/or accelerometer(s), one or more indicators may be caused to perform an action. For example, one or more user interfaces may be used to display graphs for illustrating a trajectory of a ball after it has been thrown. Various statistics, such as velocity, a change in vertical displacement, a change in horizontal displacement, and a spin rate may also be indicated on the user interface.

A luminous ball is provided, including a sphere, at least one covering spliced to wrap the sphere, at least one seam formed on an edge of the covering, a plurality of thread apertures disposed at two sides of the seam, at least one thread penetrating the plurality of thread apertures to stitch the edge of the covering between the two sides of the seam, and a light-emitting device disposed in the sphere. The light-emitting device includes a light-emitting unit, a power unit, and an electrical insulating unit breaking an electrical connection between the light-emitting unit and the power unit. The electrical insulating unit is removable. The electrical connection between the light-emitting unit and the power unit is provided when the electrical insulating unit is removed such that lights emitted by the light-emitting unit penetrate the sphere and are visible through the seam and the thread apertures.

A game ball including a leather cover secured about a solid core, wherein the leather cover includes an inner surface contacting the solid core and an opposing outer surface and wherein the game ball is characterized by including polyacrylate particles dispersed on but not encased about the outer surface of the leather cover.

A baseball and a method of instructing throwing a baseball is disclosed. The baseball has a seam, a first, preferably green, color zone placed on a first side of the ball, a second, preferably yellow color zone placed around a first circumference of the ball, and a third, preferably red, color zone placed on a second side of the ball. A pair of finger placement markings are carried on the first color zone. The baseball player is instructed to engage in a proper throwing motion, and the ball confirms by maintaining visual line of sight with the first color zone throughout, providing feedback of a correct throwing motion in which the ball is drawn. away from the target with the arm and hand placed in a correct position.

A youth baseball includes a core center and an outer surface that encircles the core center. The circumference of the outer surface is less than or equal to 8.375 inches. The weight of the youth baseball is less than or equal to 4.7 ounces.

A game ball including a leather cover secured about a solid core, wherein the leather cover includes an inner surface contacting the solid core and an opposing outer surface and wherein the game ball is characterized by including polyacrylate particles dispersed on but not encased about the outer surface of the leather cover.

A molded game ball comprises an outer cover or surface having a mold line that mimics the seam of a conventional baseball or softball. The outer cover or surface may additionally include a stitch pattern that mimics the stitching of a conventional baseball or softball.

A sports training ball is disclosed that is made up of a shell having an embossed design that defines an enclosure having an interior volume substantially occupied by a filler that includes a mixture of a first material, a second material, and a third material.