Low-impact training ball

Abstract

A training ball having substantially the same size, and exterior construction and appearance as a regulation ball, but having a lighter weight than a regulation ball. The training ball is deformable upon contact with the fielder. The training ball includes an outer shell filled with a particulate material such as polypropylene beads, resulting in a ball having a lower coefficient of restitution than a regulation ball.

1 . A training ball having an exterior shell of substantially the same size, construction and appearance as a corresponding regulation ball, but having a lighter weight than a regulation ball.  
   
   
       2 . The training ball of  claim 1 , wherein the corresponding regulation ball is a baseball, and the exterior shell of the training ball has a generally spherical shape with a diameter of between about 2¾″ to 3″, and a weight of between about 3½ ounces to about 4½ ounces.  
   
   
       3 . The training ball of  claim 2 , having a weight of between about 4.0 ounces to about 4.25 ounces.  
   
   
       4 . The training ball of  claim 1 , wherein the exterior shell is constructed of two panels of white leather joined by red stitching.  
   
   
       5 . The training ball of  claim 1 , wherein the exterior shell is substantially filled with beads.  
   
   
       6 . The training ball of  claim 5 , wherein the beads are formed of polypropylene.  
   
   
       7 . The training ball of  claim 5 , wherein the beads have a diameter of between about 0.1 to 0.2 inches.  
   
   
       8 . The training ball of  claim 5 , wherein the beads are enclosed within an inner shell, which is enclosed within the exterior shell.  
   
   
       9 . The training ball of  claim 1 , having a substantially reduced coefficient of restitution relative to the corresponding regulation ball.  
   
   
       10 . A training ball having an exterior shell of substantially the same size, construction and appearance as a corresponding regulation ball, but being substantially more deformable than the regulation ball.  
   
   
       11 . The training ball of  claim 10 , wherein the outer shell is filled with a particulate material.  
   
   
       12 . The training ball of  claim 11 , wherein the particulate material comprises polypropylene beads.  
   
   
       13 . The training ball of  claim 11 , wherein the particulate material comprises beads having a diameter of between about 0.1 to 0.2 inches.  
   
   
       14 . The training ball of  claim 10 , having a lower weight than the corresponding regulation ball.  
   
   
       15 . The training ball of  claim 14 , wherein the corresponding regulation ball is a baseball, and wherein the training ball has a weight of between about 4.0 ounces to about 4.25 ounces.  
   
   
       16 . The training ball of  claim 10 , wherein the exterior shell is constructed of two panels of white leather joined by red stitching.  
   
   
       17 . A method of practicing play with a regulation ball, said method comprising delivering the ball of  claim 10  to a player.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the player is a fielder, and the method further comprises contacting the delivered training ball with a fielding glove of the player.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the player is a batter, and the method further comprises contacting the delivered training ball with a bat.  
   
   
       20 . A game comprising the steps of: 
 a) forming teams of five players;    b) positioning each of the five players of a defensive team as infielders in a position selected from first baseman, second baseman, shortstop, third baseman and pitcher positions;    c) designating one of the five players of an offensive team as catcher;    d) setting base-path lengths based on an average ability level of the players;    e) commencing play following standard rules of baseball, with the following exceptions: 
 i. each batter begins with a count of one ball and one strike and the batting team begins its inning with one out;  
 ii. a coach or a member of the batting team pitches the ball;  
 iii. any ball that rolls past the infield is an automatic double with the batter advancing to second base;  
 iv. any ball that goes over the head of the infielders on the fly is considered an automatic home run;  
 v. offensive players do not advance on an overthrow of any base.