Lacrosse accessory

Abstract

Disclosed is a device used in forming and maintaining a legal pocket in lacrosse head, and methods for its use.

1 . A ball shaper insertable within a lacrosse head having a frame with at least two siderails, an opening and a mesh extending at least between the siderails, comprising:
 a ball seat having extending therefrom a first set of arms defining an arm plane, and transverse thereto, a second set of arms preferably also within the arm plane, each of the arms having a tip and intermediate the arms of the first set of arms and of the second set of arms an access slot, wherein each of the arms and slots are suitably dimensioned such that a part of each of the arms may be positioned abutting a top edge of the siderails opposite that of the mesh which is affixed to at least the two siderails of the frame, the ball seat also having extending therefrom a third set of spring arms positioned within the locus of the access slot, the spring arms having a part extending below the arm plane and further wherein the spring arms are engageable with parts of the at least two siderails,   wherein the ball shaper, when installed within a lacrosse head such that a part of each of the first and second set of arms and the spring arms, the ball shaper engages a regulation sized lacrosse ball to position and retains the ball such that the ball imparts pressure against the mesh, in the region beneath the ball seat, and concurrently, the ball seat positions an apex of the ball to be above a virtual plane defined as extending across the opening of the frame head and intersecting or being tangential to bottommost edges of the frame head in a region most proximate to the apex of the ball when the frame is held in a horizontal manner.   
     
     
         2 . The ball shaper of  claim 1 , wherein the ball seat comprises an internal concavity which is radiused to accommodate the outer surface of a regulation lacrosse ball. 
     
     
         3 . The ball shaper of  claim 1 , wherein the ball seat is elongated. 
     
     
         4 . The ball shaper of  claim 2 , wherein the internal concavity comprises an uppermost peak which contacts an apex of the ball. 
     
     
         5 . The ball shaper of  claim 2 , wherein the ball seat comprises a bore. 
     
     
         6 . The ball shaper of  claim 5 , wherein the bore is circular. 
     
     
         7 . The ball shaper of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the arms are angled, bowed, or stepped. 
     
     
         8 . The ball shaper of  claim 1 , wherein at least a part of each of the spring arms extends below the arm plane and below the ball seat. 
     
     
         9 . A method of distending a mesh of a lacrosse head to form a pocket within the mesh, comprising the steps of:
 inserting a ball shaper according to  claim 1  within the lacrosse head, such that one or more of the arms of the ball shaper are engaged with corresponding opening or slots of in the head;   inserting and retaining a regulation sized lacrosse ball between the ball shaper and the mesh to distend the mesh to form a legal pocket within the mesh.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the pocket is formed within the mesh of the lacrosse head is a legal pocket as established for female players, or for use by lacrosse players in a game adhering to rules governing female lacrosse games.