An impact label for use as a baseball training aid includes a deformable layer and an incompressible layer which may include aluminum foil and paper, respectively. The incompressible layer includes voids distributed in a regular pattern. A first side of the incompressible layer is adhered to the deformable layer. A second side of the incompressible layer is formed around the barrel of a baseball bat, e.g., via an adhesive on a base layer. Areas of the deformable layer proximate to the voids and within an area of contact with a baseball during a swing of the bat are adapted to deform in response to contact with the baseball, thereby creating dimples that are indicative of the area of contact and force of contact.

A ball swing training system includes a training device having a swing assembly carried by a support assembly. The swing assembly may include a bracket, which may be C-shaped, carrying one or more pairs of elastically deformable, resistance pads. The pads may be elastically biased to a rest position in which the pads are oriented towards one another with respective front sides of the pads providing a striking surface. From the rest position, the pads may be elastically deformed by a hand-operated bat impacting the striking surface. The pads are configured to absorb part of the mechanical energy of the impacting bat, and to deform sufficiently away from one another to allow the bat to pass through. The system allows to develop proper swing mechanics for swinging in different strike zone quadrants, launch angles, planes, and directions, these multiple adjustments usable simultaneously.

A training bat for optimizing the swing of a hitter includes a barrel portion and a handle portion connected to the barrel portion. The handle portion includes a handle having a generally cylindrical exterior surface that is engaged by a user to enable the user to grab and swing the training bat. The generally cylindrical exterior surface has a handle diameter sized large enough to substantially inhibit at least one hand of the user from wrapping around the generally cylindrical exterior surface when said at least one hand of the user grabs the generally cylindrical exterior surface of the handle to swing the training bat.

A method of customizing a golf club, wherein the method includes generating operating data representative of a user operating a mechanical device. The operating data is generated by a first sensor sized and configured to be removably positioned in a mounting port formed on the mechanical device during operation of the mechanical device. The sensor is interchangeably positionable in the mounting port with at least one mass insert, the at least one mass insert being adapted to be interchangeably positioned in the mounting to provide at least two different mass configurations. The method further includes determining a recommended configuration of the at least one mass insert specific to the user based on the operating data generated by the sensor, and transmitting information representative of the recommended mass insert.

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, coordinate dynamic adjustments of a trailer based in part on a user profile associated with a user physically present at the trailer and an activity profile associated with an activity selected to be performed at the trailer. A dynamic adjustment may modify a tilt of a lower surface of the trailer. A dynamic adjustment may modify a dimension(s) of the trailer based in part on a detected object(s). Various dynamic adjustments may occur concurrently, individually and/or sequentially. The trailer may be a moveable trailer for temporary attachment with a vehicle.

Provided is a technique with which a batter who is practicing batting with a tee can acknowledge how the batter should change his/her hitting posture. An information processing device includes a processor that executes: (a) continuously measuring, according to either or both of output signals from a motion sensor and a force plate, a posture of a batter who is practicing batting with a tee; (b) determining, according to an output signal from a force sensor internally stored in the tee, a timing at which the batter hits a ball placed at the tee; (c) determining, as a hitting posture of the batter, a posture of the batter at the determined timing; and (d) outputting a message instructing the batter to change the batter's hitting posture, according to information indicating an exemplary hitting posture and information indicating the determined batter's hitting posture.

A batting tee supporting a ball has a base, a telescoping post having a first tube, a second tube, a rod, and a flexible ball holder secured to the telescoping post. Wearable bushing assemblies enable friction between components of the tee to remain at least substantially constant over a range of tolerances, even as bushings wear. Each bushing assembly includes a bushing holder, a C-shaped spring positioned around at least a portion of the bushing holder, and a C-shaped bushing constructed of wearable material and positioned at least partially around an outer periphery of the C-shaped spring. Each bushing assembly is positioned into a respective tube such that the C-shaped bushing contacts an inner surface of its respective tube. The C-shaped spring provides an outward radial force for applying friction between the C-shaped bushing and the inner surface of the tube when one component is axially moved relative to another.

The present invention is a ball feeding and throwing apparatus that is capable of feeding multiple ball throwing devices. The present invention feeds balls to each device at a constant rate and allows each ball feed to be independently controlled via a remote control. The present invention comprises a main hull, feeder modules, feeding tubes, and ball throwing devices. The main hull be an all-in-one system which feeds balls via the feeder modules at a constant rate. The feeder modules then transfer the balls through the feeding tubes to each of the multiple ball throwing devices where the balls are thrown towards an athlete.

The present invention allows a single coach to control a number of ball feeds remotely and independently. Thereby allowing a single coach to train a number of athletes at one time. Further, the training experience is improved as the coach is free to control the ball feeds remotely, placing the coach in close proximity to an athlete. The close proximity allowing improved communication, greater observation, and allows for hands on training and demonstration.

An apparatus, a system and a method protects a pitcher from being struck by a returning ball and has a container that encloses a bag of balls, a screen and/or a base that is attached to a lid. The lid is removed from the container and placed in front of the container which may provide a seating surface for the pitcher. The base has sides that define a channel in the base which receives the screen. The base may hold the screen in an upright position. Clips may fold outwardly from the base to assist the base in holding the screen. A leg extending from the base stabilizes the base on the ground. The pitcher may conduct batting practice by sitting on the container and throwing a ball around the screen toward the batter.

A ball toss and retrieval toy provides for entertainment and exercise by children. The toy takes the form of a bat and has an open end for tossing the ball from the toy. The toy also has a cord and reel mechanism that attaches the ball to the bat, allowing for retrieval of the ball from a fixed position. The reel mechanism includes a release mechanism that allows the cord to play out as the toy is operated in a toss operation similar to a fishing casting operation. The ball can then be reeled in by the reel mechanism, which may include a mechanical crank or may be motorized.