Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture to track movement of sports implements are disclosed herein. An example sensing unit disclosed herein is to be coupled to a sports implement. The sensing unit includes an inertial measurement unit to obtain movement data of said sports implement during a swing of said sports implement and a swing analyzer to determine whether the swing is a horizontal shot or a vertical shot based on the movement data.

A method of making a ball bat may include forming a bat frame with a handle and an inner barrel structure, providing spacer elements extending radially outwardly from the inner barrel structure, and forming a barrel shell having a main barrel and a tapered section. An inner diameter in the tapered section may be equal to an outer diameter of a first one of the spacer elements. The method may include mechanically locking the barrel shell to the bat frame by passing the handle through the barrel shell and moving the barrel shell toward the inner barrel structure until the barrel shell contacts the first one of the spacer elements. A gap is maintained between an outer diameter of the inner barrel structure and the barrel shell. The barrel shell may deflect during a hit to create a trampoline effect, while the inner barrel structure limits the deflection.

A projectile launching machine includes a base having a front end and a rear end, a front leg assembly coupled to the front end and an upper end, distal from the lower end. A throwing arm is coupled to the upper end of the front leg assembly at a pivot. The throwing arm has a biased end extending from the pivot and a ball end distal from the biased end. The throwing arm is movable between a locked position and a throw position. A biasing member is connected to the biased end and a second biasing member end is movably coupled to the front leg assembly. An arm release mechanism has a first end connected to the front leg assembly and a second end movable between a locking position wherein the throwing arm is in the locked position and a release position.

A system for refereeing a sports match including a portable processing device for compiling data associated with the sports match and eyeglasses including data display means for displaying the data associated with the sports match to a wearer of the eyeglasses.

A complete helmet assembly comprising an inner helmet assembly similar to a baseball, softball, or cricket helmet and an exterior shell assembly are disclosed. The inner helmet assembly is similar to a standard helmet. The exterior shell assembly comprises two or more layers, one of said layers (preferably the more exterior layer) being hard and elastic and one or more of said layers (preferably a more internal layer) being a plastically deformable layer comprising a crumple zone that would need to be replaced after the exterior shell assembly receives significant damage. The user gets the advantages of both a reusable interior helmet and the advantages of single impact safety materials commonly used in bicycle and motorcycle helmets.

Embodiments of a glove including a cut out portion and a reinforcing panel are described herein. In many embodiments, a glove comprises a glove body with a dorsal side, a palmar side, a plurality of finger portions, a thumb portion, and a wrist portion. The wrist portion defines a glove opening in communication with an interior portion defined within the glove body. A reinforcing panel is secured on an outer surface of a palm portion adjacent the wrist portion of the glove body. A cut out portion defines an opening formed through the reinforcing panel and in communication with the interior portion of the glove body to minimize bunching up of the glove body. Other embodiments are also described herein.

A lacrosse training ball that is made up of a shell that defines an enclosure having an interior volume is disclosed. The shell includes a plurality of pads connected along a plurality of seams sewn with a thread having a finishing knot. The interior volume is substantially occupied by a filler that includes a mixture of a first material and a second material.

A helmet including a head-facing portion with an exterior surface and an antimicrobial coating applied thereto. The antimicrobial coating includes a silane quaternary ammonium ion or salt thereof. Exemplary silane quaternary ammonium ions or salts thereof include: 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium ion, 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride, 3-(trihydroxysilyl)propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium ion, and 3-(trihydroxysilyl)propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride.

An adjustable, easy to use, improved training apparatus for helping an individual hit a ball more correctly and fundamentally sound by improving said individuals posture and hitting position through use of the training apparatus.

The present disclosure provides for various objects (weights, playing apparatuses, balls, clothing, etc.) that have liquid disposed in them to assist in building and strengthening small muscle fibers and/or nerves. The various objects can include weights, playing apparatuses such as objects that can be swung in sports, balls, and clothing or other objects that can be worn by humans or other animals. The objects include fluid paths and redirections walls disposed within the fluid paths to direct fluid flow to particular areas within the objects. The designated areas to where fluid flow is directed aid in development of small muscle fibers and/or nerves due to the fluid sloshing around at those particular locations. Methods of making and using the various objects disclosed are also provided.