Marking System for a Sports Implement

Abstract

A marking system for a baseball bat includes a bat including a barrel extending along a central longitudinal axis, the barrel defining a minimal vibration region. The marking system also includes a sheet having a first edge, a second edge positioned opposite the first edge, a third edge positioned between the first and the second edges, and a fourth edge positioned opposite the third edge, the first edge having a first curvature and the second edge having a second curvature, the sheet adapted to at least partially encircle a portion of the barrel of the bat. Additionally, a first positioning feature is disposed on the sheet, and a first alignment feature is disposed proximate the first edge of the sheet. Furthermore, the first positioning feature may be configured to be positioned adjacent to at least a portion of the minimal vibration region.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A marking system for a baseball bat, comprising:
 a bat including a barrel extending along a central longitudinal axis, the barrel defining a minimal vibration region;   a sheet having a first edge, a second edge positioned opposite the first edge, a third edge positioned between the first and the second edges, and a fourth edge positioned opposite the third edge, the first edge having a first curvature and the second edge having a second curvature, the sheet adapted to at least partially encircle a portion of the barrel of the bat;   a first positioning feature disposed on the sheet; and   a first alignment feature disposed proximate the first edge of the sheet,   wherein the first positioning feature is configured to be positioned adjacent to at least a portion of the minimal vibration region.   
     
     
         2 . The marking system of  claim 1 , further comprising a second alignment feature disposed proximate the second edge opposite the first alignment feature. 
     
     
         3 . The marking system of  claim 2 , further comprising a sheet axis disposed through at least two of the first positioning feature, the first alignment feature, or the second alignment feature, the sheet axis being positioned parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the barrel upon at least partially encircling a portion thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The marking system of  claim 2 , wherein the first alignment feature and the second alignment feature are die cut in the sheet. 
     
     
         5 . The marking system of  claim 1 , wherein the first curvature is different than the second curvature. 
     
     
         6 . The marking system of  claim 5 , wherein the first curvature is greater than the second curvature. 
     
     
         7 . The marking system of  claim 1 , wherein the sheet includes an adhesive to secure the sheet to the bat. 
     
     
         8 . The marking system of  claim 1 , wherein the first positioning feature is die-cut in the sheet. 
     
     
         9 . The marking system of  claim 1 , wherein the first positioning feature is centrally disposed on the sheet. 
     
     
         10 . A sheet for identifying a minimal vibration region of a sports implement, comprising:
 a sheet having a first edge, second edge, third edge, and a fourth edge;   a first indicia disposed on the sheet; and   a second indicia disposed on the sheet, proximate the first edge of the sheet.   
     
     
         11 . The sheet of  claim 10 , further comprising a third indicia disposed proximate the second edge opposite the second indicia. 
     
     
         12 . The sheet of  claim 11 , further comprising a sheet axis disposed through at least two of the first indicia, the second indicia, or the third indicia. 
     
     
         13 . The sheet of  claim 12 , wherein the sheet axis is disposed perpendicular to at least a portion of the first edge or the second edge. 
     
     
         14 . The sheet of  claim 11 , wherein the second indicia and the third indicia each comprises a marking disposed on the sheet. 
     
     
         15 . The sheet of  claim 10 , wherein the first indicia is centrally disposed on the sheet. 
     
     
         16 . The sheet of  claim 10 , wherein the first edge has a first curvature and the second edge has a second curvature. 
     
     
         17 . The sheet of  claim 16 , wherein the first curvature is different than the second curvature. 
     
     
         18 . The sheet of  claim 17 , wherein the first curvature is greater than the second curvature. 
     
     
         19 . The sheet of  claim 10 , wherein the sheet includes an adhesive. 
     
     
         20 . The sheet of  claim 19 , wherein the adhesive selectively secures the sheet to the bat. 
     
     
         21 . A sheet for identifying contact with minimal vibration region of a sports implement, comprising:
 a sheet having a first edge, a second edge, a third edge, and a fourth edge;   a first positioning feature disposed on the sheet;   a first alignment feature disposed on the sheet, proximate the first edge of the sheet; and   a pressure sensitive material configured to change coloration when subjected to an external pressure.   
     
     
         22 . The sheet of  claim 21 , wherein the pressure sensitive material is a mechanochromic polymer. 
     
     
         23 . The sheet of  claim 21 , wherein the pressure sensitive material is disposed proximate the first positioning feature between the third edge and the fourth edge. 
     
     
         24 . The marking system of  claim 21 , further comprising a second alignment feature disposed proximate the second edge opposite the second marking feature.