Molded game ball

Abstract

A baseball or softball comprising a cover having an outer surface that is formed of a first material. A second material that is easier to grip than the first material is affixed to the cover in the same location as the seam on a conventional baseball or softball. The ball's outer surface is molded and stitchless, meaning that the outer covering is not made by stitching panels together. While the ball may be stitchless, it may have simulated, molded stitches. The second material, when positioned on a planar surface, comprises a continuous strip having two generally semicircular ends each integral with a pair of opposed concave sides (e.g. a FIG. 8 configuration).

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is as follows:  
     
         1 . A game ball, comprising:
 a molded stitchless cover comprising an outer surface at least a portion of which is formed of a first material molded over an interior structure of the ball to form a molded cover; and   a second material affixed to said cover and positioned to mimic the pattern of a seam of a conventional baseball or softball, said second material being easier to grip than said first material.   
     
     
         2 . The game ball of  claim 1 , wherein said first material is formed from thermoplastic polyurethane, polyurethane, rubber, ionomer, polyvinylchloride, or combinations thereof 
     
     
         3 . The game ball of  claim 1 , wherein said second material has a coefficient of friction that is greater than said first material. 
     
     
         4 . The game ball of  claim 1 , wherein said second material is tackier than said first material. 
     
     
         5 . The game ball of  claim 1 , wherein said second material is textured. 
     
     
         6 . The game ball of  claim 1 , wherein said second material has a lower hardness or durometer than said first material. 
     
     
         7 . The game ball of  claim 3 , wherein said second material has a static coefficient of friction that is greater than said first material. 
     
     
         8 . The game ball of  claim 7 , wherein said first material has a static coefficient of friction between 0.75 to 1, and said second material has a static coefficient of friction between 1 to 1.4. 
     
     
         9 . The game ball of  claim 3 , wherein said second material has a dynamic coefficient of friction that is greater than said first material. 
     
     
         10 . The game ball of  claim 9 , wherein said first material has a dynamic coefficient of friction between 0.5 to 0.95, and said second material has a dynamic coefficient of friction between 0.95 to 1.2. 
     
     
         11 . The game ball of  claim 1 , wherein said second material has a different color than said first material. 
     
     
         12 . The game ball of  claim 1 , wherein said second material is ink. 
     
     
         13 . The game ball of  claim 1 , wherein said second material is affixed with adhesive or a chemical bond to said first material. 
     
     
         14 . The game ball of  claim 2 , wherein said second material comprises ink, silicone enhanced ink, paint, adhesive, polyurethane, polyvinylchloride, rubber, leather, synthetic leather, or an elastomer. 
     
     
         15 . The ball of  claim 1 , wherein molded raised protrusions are formed on said outer surface to simulate the stitches of a conventional baseball or softball. 
     
     
         16 . The ball of  claim 1 , wherein molded raised protrusions are formed on said second material to simulate the stitches of a conventional baseball or softball.