A dual-flat-end bat for hitting a ball, in which the bat has a handle region, a first flat end paddle region defined by first and second parallel planar surfaces having a first orientation, and a second flat end paddle region defined by third and fourth parallel planar surfaces having a second orientation perpendicular to the first orientation. Methods of using the bat for swing training include timing the swing so that a lower portion of the bat contacts the user's forearms simultaneously with the upper paddle positioned for contact with a hittable ball.

A sports implement includes a main body portion, a handle portion extending from the main body portion, and a grip member. The main body portion includes a first contact surface, a second contact surface, and a sidewall positioned about a perimeter of each of the first and the second contact surfaces. The handle portion defines a handle central axis extending therethrough. The grip member includes a grip body portion and a grip end portion. The grip body portion is operably coupled with the handle portion. The grip end portion defines a grip central axis extending therethrough. The handle central axis is offset from and parallel to the grip central axis.

A bat configured to improve batting skills during practice and training. The bat includes a body extending between first and second ends of the bat and including opposed first and second ball-contacting surfaces and first and second cutout portions of the bat body formed along a length thereof and forming a wedge therebetween. The wedge extends between the first and second ball-contacting surfaces. The cutout portions include respective flat machined surfaces forming opposing sides of the wedge. The bat body defines a longitudinal axis, and the wedge is formed such that the flat machined surfaces each form an acute angle with an imaginary reference line that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

A bat configured to improve batting skills during practice and training. The bat includes a body extending between first and second ends of the bat and including opposed first and second ball-contacting surfaces and first and second cutout portions of the bat body formed along a length thereof and forming a wedge therebetween. The wedge extends between the first and second ball-contacting surfaces. The cutout portions include respective flat machined surfaces forming opposing sides of the wedge. The bat body defines a longitudinal axis, and the wedge is formed such that the flat machined surfaces each form an acute angle with an imaginary reference line that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

Baseball bats described herein may have handle, throat and/or barrel portions that include non-circular cross-sections.

Baseball bats described herein may have handle, throat and/or barrel portions that include non-circular cross-sections.

A training bat includes a barrel, the barrel includes a sweet spot visual indicator region, the sweet spot visual indicator region including one or more parallel visual markings positioned to indicate a relative distance from where a ball strikes a sweet spot of the barrel, the sweet spot representing a location on the barrel that results in maximum power.

A training bat includes a barrel, the barrel includes a sweet spot visual indicator region, the sweet spot visual indicator region including one or more parallel visual markings positioned to indicate a relative distance from where a ball strikes a sweet spot of the barrel, the sweet spot representing a location on the barrel that results in maximum power.

A trainer for practicing a proper cricket bat swing is shaped like a conventional cricket bat. A cavity with parallel side walls and toe and shoulder end walls extends through the trainer from its face to its swell. A weight freely reciprocates on a shaft aligned on the longitudinal axis of the cavity. The toe end of the cavity blocks sliding of the weight at the sweet spot of the trainer. When the trainer is swung in cricket bat fashion, the weight slides distally from the shoulder end wall and strikes the toe end wall of the cavity, providing audible indication of whether the contact of a conventional cricket bat with a bowled cricket ball would have occurred before, at or after the optimal ball-striking moment.

A trainer for practicing a proper cricket bat swing is shaped like a conventional cricket bat. A cavity with parallel side walls and toe and shoulder end walls extends through the trainer from its face to its swell. A weight freely reciprocates on a shaft aligned on the longitudinal axis of the cavity. The toe end of the cavity blocks sliding of the weight at the sweet spot of the trainer. When the trainer is swung in cricket bat fashion, the weight slides distally from the shoulder end wall and strikes the toe end wall of the cavity, providing audible indication of whether the contact of a conventional cricket bat with a bowled cricket ball would have occurred before, at or after the optimal ball-striking moment.