Softball

Abstract

An improved softball that resists the softening effects on the core that ultraviolet light impinging upon the ball and warm ambient air cause. The softball has a coating on the core that blocks most or all of the ultraviolet light impinging upon the ball from penetrating to the core. Also, the ball's core can have a modified chemistry that causes the core to resist softening even if the core gets warmer from ambient air (i.e., without any light impinging upon the ball).

1 . An improved softball having a core and a jacket, the improvement comprising a coating interposed between an outwardly facing surface of the core and an inwardly facing surface of the jacket, said coating blocking a substantial portion of any ultraviolet light that impacts the coating from passing through the coating to the core, thereby mitigating any softening of the core that would otherwise occur from heating by the ultraviolet light. 
     
     
         2 . The improved softball in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the coating is attached to the outwardly facing surface of the core, and covers substantially the entire outwardly facing surface of the core. 
     
     
         3 . The improved softball in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein the coating is a solidified liquid that at least partially penetrates the outwardly facing surface of the core. 
     
     
         4 . The improved softball in accordance with  claim 3 , wherein the coating includes a particulate material integrated into the solidified liquid. 
     
     
         5 . The improved softball in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein the coating is a solid film adhered to the outwardly facing surface of the core. 
     
     
         6 . The improved softball in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the coating is a solid film attached to the jacket, and the film covers substantially the entire inwardly facing surface of the jacket. 
     
     
         7 . The improved softball in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the coating is a solidified liquid that at least partially penetrates the inwardly facing surface of the jacket. 
     
     
         8 . An improved softball having a core and a jacket, the improvement comprising an additive integrated into the core that reduces a softening effect warm ambient air has on the core. 
     
     
         9 . The improved softball in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein the additive further comprises about 10 weight percent GLFT RU-5135-T of the core. 
     
     
         10 . The improved softball in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein the additive further comprises about 10 weight percent GLFT RU-6021-R of the core. 
     
     
         11 . A method of making a softball having a core and a jacket, the method comprising:
 (a) interposing a coating between an outwardly facing surface of the core and an inwardly facing surface of the jacket, said coating blocking a substantial portion of any ultraviolet light that impacts the coating from passing through the coating to the core, thereby mitigating any softening of the core that would otherwise occur from heating by the ultraviolet light; and   (b) mounting the jacket over the coating and the core.   
     
     
         12 . The method in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein the step of interposing further comprises applying a liquid to the core and curing the liquid to form the coating adhered to the outwardly facing surface of the core. 
     
     
         13 . The method in accordance with  claim 12 , further comprising mixing particulate with the liquid prior to applying the liquid to the core. 
     
     
         14 . An improved softball having a core and a jacket, the improvement comprising:
 (a) a coating interposed between an outwardly facing surface of the core and an inwardly facing surface of the jacket, said coating blocking a substantial portion of any ultraviolet light that impacts the coating from passing through the coating to the core, thereby mitigating any softening of the core that would otherwise occur from heating by the ultraviolet light; and   (b) an additive integrated into the core that reduces a softening effect warm ambient air has on the core.   
     
     
         15 . The improved softball in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein the coating is attached to the outwardly facing surface of the core, and covers substantially the entire outwardly facing surface of the core. 
     
     
         16 . The improved softball in accordance with  claim 15 , wherein the coating is a solidified liquid that at least partially penetrates the outwardly facing surface of the core. 
     
     
         17 . The improved softball in accordance with  claim 16 , wherein the coating includes a particulate material integrated into the solidified liquid. 
     
     
         18 . The improved softball in accordance with  claim 15 , wherein the coating is a solid film adhered to the outwardly facing surface of the core. 
     
     
         19 . The improved softball in accordance with  claim 16 , wherein the additive further comprises about 10 weight percent GLFT RU-5135-T of the core. 
     
     
         20 . The improved softball in accordance with  claim 16 , wherein the additive further comprises about 10 weight percent GLFT RU-6021-R of the core.