Disclosed is a towel rack for use during a tennis or other sports event. In one example, the towel rack includes a support for supporting a towel, and at least one display panel for displaying a message. In a disclosed method, a message is displayed during the sports event, and the towel is placed on the support such that the message is unobstructed by the towel.

The decorative decal assembly (20) is configured to be secured within a recessed surface (26) of a weight plate (18) and includes an adhesive layer (36), a printable surface (44) of an adjacent ink protective printing layer (42), and one or more print decals (48) secured to the printable surface (44) and between an upper support surface (40) of the adhesive layer (36) and the ink protective layer (42). The recessed surface (26) defines a display area (56) surrounded on all sides by an expansion zone (58) extending between the display area (56) and the shoulders (30, 32) of the weight plate (18) that define the recessed surface (26) to permit limited expansion of perimeter edges (62A, 62B) of the decal assembly (20) into the expansion zone (58) without contacting the shoulders (30, 32) whenever the weight plate (18) experiences a bounce shock.

A method of manufacturing a piece of sporting equipment is provided. A namebar is affixed to a surface of the sporting equipment, the namebar being blank and adapted to receive thereon a printed design. A solvent-based clear coat is applied to the surface of the sporting equipment including the namebar, subsequent to the affixing of the namebar. A removable covering is applied over the namebar, subsequent to the applying of the solvent-based clear coat. Then, a gripping material is applied to at least a portion of the surface of the sporting equipment including the removable covering over the namebar, subsequently to the applying of the removable covering.

A layered metal display has a base layer, an item layer, and one or more design layers. The item layer is coupled to the base layer via a plurality of tabs. The tabs extend rearwardly substantially perpendicular to the item layer and pass through tab receiving slots in the base layer. The distal ends of the tabs may be bent, welded, or otherwise secured to the base layer. The two or more layers form a display.

A sports paraphernalia device may be provided as a physical object that is configured to resemble a particular sports entity and that is configured to receive sports entity updates from a sports entity server. A sports entity can employ the sports entity server to send sports entity updates to sports paraphernalia devices to thereby interact directly with fans. Such interactions can include causing the sports paraphernalia devices to provide visual, audio or mechanical output.

A wrap configured for application to a ferrule of a golf club includes a flexible sheet defining an outer major surface and an inner major surface disposed opposite thereto. The outer major surface displays a graphic thereon and the inner major surface is configured to be adhered to an outer surface of the ferrule when the wrap is applied to the ferrule. The wrap is configured to protect the ferrule, secure the ferrule to the golf club, provide a desired appearance thereof, and optionally to track or identify the golf club to which the wrap is applied.

This disclosure relates to exercise weight plates that contain custom images such as color, lettering and/or logos, and more particularly to exercise weight plates having a removable ring that contains a custom image. The exercise weight plate may include a weight body having one or more recessed areas and one or more rings, each of which fits in one of the recessed areas. Each of the rings may be secured to the weight body so that it remains affixed during use.

A baseball and softball training and performance system and set are disclosed. The system and set may include a home plate and/or other bases disposed on a field or in a training area, and a mat or stenciled target near the home plate. The home plate and mat or stenciled target may have identical or common text and/or graphic elements communicating a safety and/or performance message and providing a target symbol to remind a player to place a bat on the mat or stenciled target. The system may further include one or more of a banner, ball, helmet, bat, or other equipment and accessories having an identical or common text and/or graphic elements communicating the safety and/or performance message and providing the target symbol. The home plate may be an expanded strike zone home plate.

A messaging apparatus for wearable items. The messaging apparatus may comprise a light source, at least one sensor to detect an event, and a controller to control the flashing of the light source in response to the detection of the event. The controlling of the flashing of the light source may generate at least one visible element that is visible to a viewer. Further, the light source may not be adapted in the form of the at least one visible element, but rather, the controlled flashing of the light source may be in the form of the at least one visible element.

A messaging apparatus for wearable items. The messaging apparatus may comprise a light source, at least one sensor to detect an event, and a controller to control the flashing of the light source in response to the detection of the event. The controlling of the flashing of the light source may generate at least one visible element that is visible to a viewer. Further, the light source may not be adapted in the form of the at least one visible element, but rather, the controlled flashing of the light source may be in the form of the at least one visible element.