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 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. Various types of pitches may be selected, and in response to the inertial measurement unit(s) and/or accelerometer(s) detecting certain parameters corresponding to a selected pitch, one or more indicators may be caused to perform an action. For example, one or more illuminating elements located on the ball may turn a first color in response to detecting parameters corresponding to the selected pitch.

A luminous ball is provided, including an internal sphere in which at least one receiving space is disposed; a light-emitting device disposed in the receiving space; at least one covering wrapping an external circumferential surface of the internal sphere; at least one seam formed on an edge of the covering; a plurality of thread apertures disposed in pairs at two sides of the at least one seam; at least one thread penetrating the plurality of thread apertures to stitch the edge of the covering between the two sides of the at least one seam; wherein the internal sphere is a transparent ball, a light generated by the light-emitting device penetrates the internal sphere through the receiving space, and is visible through the at least one seam and the plurality of the thread apertures distributed on the covering.

A sports training device for pitching and throwing has a ball core and a cover material. The core member defines a passageway extending through the ball core and also defines an anchor recess into a surface of the ball core. The anchor recess is aligned with and communicates with the passageway. A cloth member has a geometric shape with at least one corner and defining an attachment portion and a body portion extending away from the attachment portion. The attachment portion extends through the passageway and is attached to an anchor member sized to be received in the anchor recess. A cover material is installed over the ball core with the body portion of the cloth member extending through a cover opening and out from the ball core.

A sports training device for pitching and throwing has a ball core and a cover material. The core member defines a passageway extending through the ball core and also defines an anchor recess into a surface of the ball core. The anchor recess is aligned with and communicates with the passageway. A cloth member has a geometric shape with at least one corner and defining an attachment portion and a body portion extending away from the attachment portion. The attachment portion extends through the passageway and is attached to an anchor member sized to be received in the anchor recess. A cover material is installed over the ball core with the body portion of the cloth member extending through a cover opening and out from the ball core.

A luminous ball is provided, including an internal sphere in which at least one receiving space is disposed; a light-emitting device disposed in the receiving space; at least one covering wrapping an external circumferential surface of the internal sphere; at least one seam formed on an edge of the covering; a plurality of thread apertures disposed in pairs at two sides of the at least one seam; at least one thread penetrating the plurality of thread apertures to stitch the edge of the covering between the two sides of the at least one seam; wherein the internal sphere is a transparent ball, a light generated by the light-emitting device penetrates the internal sphere through the receiving space, and is visible through the at least one seam and the plurality of the thread apertures distributed on the covering.