A throwing apparatus includes a head portion configured to engage a ball, a handle portion configured for holding the throwing apparatus, and a communication portion configured to transmit a signal. A throwing system includes a throwing apparatus including a thrower portion configure to engage a ball, a communication portion enabling a user to assist in locating a ball, and a ball. A throwing method includes holding a throwing apparatus including a thrower portion configured to engage a ball and a communication portion, engaging a ball, swinging the throwing apparatus to throw the ball, choosing between the following: swinging a throwing apparatus to throw the ball to another person or swinging a throwing apparatus to throw the ball to a pet, and engaging the ball.

A hockey puck is disclosed including an internal signal transmitter enabling instantaneous identification of its position as it moves around. The puck includes two molded subcomponents, which encapsulate the signal transmitter. The signal transmitter includes driver electronics and a number of signal transmitters which together generate and emit an electromagnetic signal. The electromagnetic signal is emitted by a plurality of diodes mounted in light pipes enclosed within cavities in the subcomponents that extend to outer surfaces of the hockey puck components. The puck includes two subcomponents that are attached via complimentary sets of concentrically arranged wedges.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for measuring ball spin, the method comprising the steps of: detecting information on a mark appearing in a region corresponding to a ball hit by a user in each of a plurality of images in which the ball is photographed; determining whether it is possible to directly calculate physical quantities related to spin of the ball on the basis of the information on the mark; and when it is determined that it is not possible to directly calculate the physical quantities related to spin of the ball on the basis of the information on the mark, estimating the physical quantities related to spin of the ball on the basis of physical quantities related to at least one of a speed and an angle of the ball or a club hitting the ball.

An apparatus integrating a zoetrope including a panel made of a transparent material and strips made of an opaque material that attach to the panel at equal distance from one another. The strips include a series of graduated images at the inner side of the panel. The series of images differ slightly and progressively from one to the next. The transparent panel and the strips present a zoetrope in which the transparent panel acts as slits allowing a user to view the images on the strips at the inner side of the panel, and the strips act as a series of segments obscuring the view of the inner side of the panel. The user rotates the panel at an appropriate speed to view the images alternatively through the transparent panel and obscure the images by the strips in rapid succession creating the perception of an animation of the images.

A basketball that comprises a carcass and a cover assembly. The carcass includes a plurality of recess disposed between a plurality of grooves. The cover assembly includes a plurality of cover panels positioned within the recesses. Each of the plurality of grooves comprises a central channel. The central channel is defined by a bottom wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall. The first and second side walls are substantially planar. The central channel defines a channel depth of between about 3 mm and about 4 mm, and each of the plurality of grooves defines a ridge distance of between about 10 mm and about 12 mm.

A hockey puck is disclosed including an internal signal transmitter enabling instantaneous identification of its position as it moves around. The puck includes two molded subcomponents, which encapsulate the signal transmitter. The signal transmitter includes driver electronics and a number of signal transmitters which together generate and emit an electromagnetic signal. The electromagnetic signal is emitted by a plurality of diodes mounted in cavities in the subcomponents, for example around an outer circumference of the hockey puck and through a top and bottom surfaces of the hockey puck. The puck is alternatively formed of a material that allows electromagnetic radiation to be emitted through the subcomponents, and the diode cavities omitted.

Golf balls including one or more layers having at least one radar detectable mark disposed on the surface thereof are provided.

Golf balls including one or more layers having at least one radar detectable mark disposed on the surface thereof are provided.

Golf balls including one or more layers having at least one radar detectable mark disposed on the surface thereof are provided.