A non-spherical ball includes a plurality of shaped components secured together and forming a body of the non-spherical ball; a cylindrical exterior shape extending around a first axis of the body; a cube exterior shape extending around a second axis of the body; the cylindrical exterior shape and the cube shape intersect at a right angle; and the cube exterior shape minimizes roll of the non-spherical ball when thrown on the second axis; and the cylindrical exterior shape maximizes roll of the non-spherical ball when thrown on the first axis.

This invention provides sports ball having asymmetrical traction and/or asymmetrical surface structure. The asymmetrical traction is useful for differentially controlling ball spin and trajectory height as the ball is projected from a pitching machine. The asymmetrical surface structure is useful for differentially controlling the lateral component of the ball's trajectory. Optionally, the ball is a pitching machine ball. The method also provides a method of projecting the ball from a pitching machine.

An exercise ball includes a spherical cage and a sphere. The spherical cage includes two opposite openings. The sphere includes two opposite convex portions formed thereon. The sphere is inserted in the spherical cage and the convex portions are inserted in the openings to keep the sphere in the spherical cage.

A training ball system comprising a training ball including a receiver for receiving a wireless signal from a remote location, the training ball further comprising a vibration module for providing a sensory indication to a user carrying the training ball; an input device physically separate from the training ball including a transmitter for enabling transmission of a wireless signal to the receiver; where the receiver responds to receiving a wireless signal from the input device to trigger vibration of the motor immediately upon receipt of the wireless signal.

A self-propelled rocket toy includes an elongated body located along a longitudinal axis having a top end opposite a bottom end. The body may include at least two supports outwardly extending from and fixed relative to the body. A propeller is centered about the longitudinal axis located about the body's bottom end. An electric motor is disposed within the body and mechanically coupled to the propeller. A power source is disposed within the body and electrically coupled to the electric motor. An activation mechanism is electrically coupled to the electric motor and power source. The activation mechanism may be a launch button or a centrifugal switch. The at least two supports are fins extending outwardly and are configured to induce an autorotation for a controlled descent, either by their shape and design and/or by including a pivotably attached flap.

A non-spherical ball includes a plurality of shaped components secured together and forming a body of the non-spherical ball; a cylindrical exterior shape extending around a first axis of the body; a cube exterior shape extending around a second axis of the body; the cylindrical exterior shape and the cube shape intersect at a right angle; and the cube exterior shape minimizes roll of the non-spherical ball when thrown on the second axis; and the cylindrical exterior shape maximizes roll of the non-spherical ball when thrown on the first axis.

An object with a tactile outer layer includes, for example, a ball having an outer surface and a series of protrusions or spikes on the outer surface. The protrusion each appear as a tear-dropped shape mass that includes a base having a relatively flat bottom adhered to the outer surface of the ball and a narrow tip and/or curved tail extending away from the outer surface. Manufacturing can be performed by mounting the object and utilizing injection arms that deposit elastomer globules on the object. The globules are deposited by pressure through a reservoir in the injection arm and the injection arms are then withdrawn to product the tail shape.

The present invention compromises a novel softball training aid that accelerates the ability an understanding of throwing and spinning a softball in different orientations. In various embodiments the invention will help create and maintain a more effective pitcher and/or softball player

The present invention relates to two integrated billiard balls for training, which include an image ball and an object ball assembled together by a connecting means and integrated through spherical contact therebetween so that, at the time of billiard training, a trainee can figure out a situation in which the trainee can hit the object ball coupled to the image ball of the training billiard balls, with a predetermined thickness, just by accurately hitting a cue ball while aiming the center of the image ball. Therefore, the present invention enables a trainee to easily practice thickness adjustment of an object ball and thus improve his or her billiard capability.

An American-style football configured for direct contact with a user's hands. The football includes an inflatable prolate spheroidal shaped bladder, at least first, second, third and fourth cover panels collectively positioned over the bladder, and a lacing coupled to the first and fourth cover panels. The cover panels are formed of a natural leather and include a pebbled texture. Each of the first, second, third and fourth cover panels have an outer surface that defines cover panel outer surface areas. At least one of the cover panels includes a prep gauge portion and a non-prep gauge portion. The prep gauge portion extends over at least 5 percent, and less than 80 percent, of the outer surface area of the at least one of the cover panels. The non-prep gauge portion has a first color and the prep gauge portion has a second color that is darker than the first color.