A chest protector includes a protective vest portion and a harness portion to hold the vest portion on a user. The harness portion includes a first side strap and a second side strap, each of the first and second side straps being connected to the vest portion on opposing sides of the vest portion; a first slide connected to the first side strap; a second slide connected to the second side strap; a central strap passing through the first slide and the second slide and forming a loop connecting the first and second slides; a vertical strap connected to the central strap; and a strap adjuster connecting the vest portion and the vertical strap. The vertical strap passes through the strap adjuster and a free end of the vertical strap can be pulled to tighten the harness portion around a user. The vertical strap may be the only adjustable strap.

A method includes anchoring a first loop strap and a first hook strap at a first surface of a rectangular arcuate panel proximate a first end of the first surface, providing a retaining element anchored to the rectangular arcuate panel, with the retaining element forming a loop, and providing a second extension strap anchored to the rectangular arcuate panel proximate the retaining element to form a fielding aid accessory. The method also includes wrappably attaching the anchored first hook strap with the anchored first loop strap around a forearm of an athlete and securely positioning fingers of a hand thereof by way of the loop of the retaining element such that the forearm contacts a second surface of the rectangular arcuate panel. The fielding aid accessory is configured to be used by the athlete in two modes of operation based on a configuration of coupling of the second extension strap.

This disclosure relates generally to sport ball systems, methods, and devices. More specifically, this disclosure relates to weighted sport balls, such as softballs, baseballs, footballs, volleyballs, and basketballs, used for training athletes. Even more particularly, this disclosure relates to weighted sport balls with outer shells having seams. This disclosure also relates to weighted sports balls with seams that match regulation sport ball seams.

A chest protector includes a protective vest portion and a harness portion to hold the vest portion on a user. The harness portion includes a first side strap and a second side strap, each of the first and second side straps being connected to the vest portion on opposing sides of the vest portion; a first slide connected to the first side strap; a second slide connected to the second side strap; a central strap passing through the first slide and the second slide and forming a loop connecting the first and second slides; a vertical strap connected to the central strap; and a strap adjuster connecting the vest portion and the vertical strap. The vertical strap passes through the strap adjuster and a free end of the vertical strap can be pulled to tighten the harness portion around a user. The vertical strap may be the only adjustable strap.

A sports ball rebounder net has a rebound surface positioned and angled to receive balls and to return or propel those projected balls back to the athlete. The net frame has brackets extending from the rear of each vertical post. The brackets each have an arcuate hole at a first radial distance from a center of rotation, and a series of spaced apart holes along an arc located at a second distance from the center of rotation. One arm of the back support is connected to the first bracket and a second arm connected to the second bracket, each at the respective centers of rotation. The angular position of the back support in respect of the net frame is adjusted by pulling a cord that is attached at each end to a respective plunger associated with each arm of the back support, each of which has a pin that is retracted upon pulling the cord. The respective pins of the plungers mate with one of each series of holes through the bracket attached to the net frame.

A correction and training tool to teach fundamentals of important actions and postures in baseball and softball games. To accomplish this, the device includes a shoulder strap, a wrist strap, and a detachable connecting link that connects the shoulder strap to the wrist strap. The connecting link may be made longer or shorter depending on the training goals. When worn on the glove arm of a user, the device restricts extension of the elbow of that arm while still giving room for slight motions, which makes it a great starter tool for young players who are just learning how to catch a baseball. The device helps improve fundamentals in pitching accuracy, catching, and fielding by not allowing the glove arm to fly open. Thus, the training device not only fundamentally helps reduce errors, but also improves accuracy in all fields.

A system for remotely communicating sports instructions that includes a transmitter and an audio receiver. The transmitter includes a transmitter unit configured to transmit wireless signals, a first microcontroller coupled to the transmitter unit, the first microcontroller configured to provide the transmitter unit with a selection signal to wirelessly transmit, and a display screen with plurality of user actuatable input elements coupled to the transmitter unit. The user actuatable input elements respectively correspond to different sports instructions. The first microcontroller is configured to provide the transmitter unit with the selection signal to wirelessly transmit a prewritten text in accordance with actuation of the user actuatable input elements, the selection signal corresponding to a sports instruction. The audio receiver includes a first receiving unit configured to wirelessly receive the prewritten text, and a text to speech converter configured to audibly reproduce the received prerecorded text. The transmitter and the receiver can be connected through a cellular network so that the selection signal can be transmitter and received over the cellular network.

A covert sports communication system has a transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit coded audio track selection signals. The system includes a receiver that may be worn within headgear. The receiver includes stored audio tracks and is configured to receive coded audio track selection signals from the transmitter, decode the audio track selection signals, and play at least one stored audio track in accordance with the decoded audio track selection signals. The audio tracks may include audio instructions to a participant of a sporting event.

A sports training mat with a plurality of inserted or insertable bump elements configured to create an unpredictable change in trajectory when a ball contacts one or more bump element. The mat may be carried to a field or indoor practice area and then used to deflect balls that are rolled over it. The bump elements may be any three dimensional shape including symmetric or asymmetric spherical sections, polygonal, or irregular, such as an arrowhead shape. The relatively small three-dimensional bump elements provide a surprising lateral and height range of bounce, thereby requiring the athlete to move laterally quickly in response to the bounce. Mat sections have side edge mating features that are configured to connect two or more mat sections to form a single elongated training device. The device eliminates the need to set-up multiple training obstacle elements, and substantially improves the convenience of executing training drills, speed in repetitions, and practice efficiencies for both players and coaches.

A method and system of a training aid to assist a user to learn to catch including a pair of gloves in which at least a portion of an outer surface of a trainee's glove is attached to at least a portion of an inner surface of a trainer's glove to allow the trainer to guide the trainee's glove into proper positions used during catching. Alternatively, a belt portion is attached around the thumb and pinky of the trainee's glove and trainer's glove to attach the gloves to one another.