A pitch training device used to improve the throwing technique of balls used in sports. The device includes a core and a substantially disk-shaped body that provides immediate visual feedback as to whether the device was properly thrown. The core exhibits a density greater than the density of the body, thereby mimicking the moment of inertia of many sports balls. This, in turn, allows the user of the device to improve the training techniques used to increase spin efficiency of a ball while also helping train and improve other throwing techniques.

Improved pitching machines capable of providing accurate, repeatable, and various pitches for training or simulation purposes (e.g., batting and catching). The pitching machine of the present invention may be operable to deliver pitches that each have a different predetermined trajectory, location, velocity (speed to target), and rotational velocity with repeatable precision and accuracy. Additionally, the pitching machine may be programmable and capable of simulating a pitch sequence, as thrown by a pitcher in a game situation, which provides a novel and effective tool for training batters.

A system for illustrating the flight of a sports ball includes a radar, an imager, and a controller. The imager is configured to image a moving sports ball. The controller is configured to (i) receive, from the imager, an image including the moving sports ball, (ii) receive, from the radar, radar data associated with the moving sports ball, (iii) determine, from the radar data, a portion of a trajectory of the moving sports ball, (iv) alter the image to illustrate the portion of the trajectory relative to the moving sports ball, and (v) output the altered image.

Embodiments of golf gloves having a cut out portion and methods to manufacture gloves having a cut out portion are generally described herein. Other embodiments of gloves may be described and claimed.

The present disclosure generally relates to virtual reality simulation, and more specifically, in some implementations, to devices, systems, and methods for use in a virtual reality sports simulation. A system for virtual reality simulation may include an accessory (e.g., one or more of a bat, a glove, or a helmet) for interacting with a virtual reality environment. The accessory may provide the user with haptic feedback that emulates sensations that the user would experience when playing a live-action sport to provide the user with a more meaningful and realistic experience when playing a virtual reality game. Further, virtual reality simulations disclosed herein may include incorporating data from a live-action event (e.g., a live-action sporting event) into a virtual reality environment to provide a user with a realistic experience.

A method for selecting a most suitable golf club from a set, where the shafts of the set are of different levels of flexibility along the shaft, includes using a pressure sensing mat upon which the player places both feet while carrying out a sample swing to measure forces applied by feet of the player during the stroke. The pressure sensing mat provides output signals indicative of vertical forces, lateral forces, both heel to toe and side to side, lateral speed, both heel to toe and side to side applied by the feet of the player during the swing and a processor operating on the signals selects certain ones of the output signals to calculate a load factor from the selected signals which is used to select one of the set most suitable for use by the player using a color coding system applied to the load factor.

A data-collecting play object. The play object includes a body manipulated by a player. A data-collecting unit is disposed in the interior of the body. The data-collecting unit includes an accelerometer unit measuring acceleration values along at least one translational degree of freedom, a gyroscope unit measuring rotation values about at least one rotational degree of freedom, and a processor in communication with the accelerometer unit and with the gyroscope unit. The processor obtains the acceleration values from the accelerometer unit and the rotation values from the gyroscope unit. The processor wirelessly transmits the acceleration and rotation values at discrete intervals. A power source supplies electrical power to the accelerometer unit, the gyroscope unit, and the processor. The play object being used in combination with an identification tag attached to a play accessory is also disclosed. A system and a method are also disclosed.

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 composite panel structure has opposing outer walls or surfaces and a core comprising a plurality of ribs extending between and connected to the outer walls and defining chambers which are filled with expanding foams, non-expanding foams, gases, or a combination thereof. The outer panel surfaces and internal chamber walls or ribs are made of woven or non-woven fibrous material impregnated with one or more resins. The panel structure may be used for making a variety of products including sports equipment such as sports paddles, surfboards, kite boards, skateboards, wakeboards, as well as construction panels for walls, ceilings or floors, display panels, panels for the vehicle industry, furniture, and other structures requiring high strength to weight properties.

A ball bat includes outer shell segments longitudinally spaced apart from each other to form a gap between them. A joint connects the segments. A first outer shell segment may include a barrel portion of the ball bat and at least part of a tapered portion of the ball bat. A second outer shell segment may include at least part of the tapered portion. The joint may include a tubular element having a first portion positioned within the first outer shell segment and at least partially overlapping an interior surface of the first outer shell segment, and a second portion positioned within the second outer shell segment and at least partially overlapping an interior surface of the second outer shell segment. The tubular element may include an elastomeric material. In some embodiments, the joint may be formed by an elastomeric material connecting the outer shell segments in the gap.