Ball bat including a reinforced, low-durability region for deterring barrel alteration

摘要

A ball bat includes one or more low-durability regions fortified by one or more reinforcing elements. If the reinforcing element is altered or removed, the durability of the ball bat is significantly reduced. For example, if the ball bat is subjected to internal shaving or external rolling in an attempt to increase the bat's performance, the reinforcing element would de removed or damaged such that the durability of the bat is reduced to the point that the ball bat's performance remains below a specified limit.

主权项

1. A ball bat, comprising:
a handle; a substantially inelastic barrel attached to or integral with the handle and extending from the handle to a distal end, the barrel including a continuous outer surface and a radially innermost surface, the barrel further including a low-durability region comprising a reduced-thickness portion of the substantially inelastic barrel; and at least one reinforcing element protruding radially inwardly from the radially innermost surface and overlying the low-durability region, the reinforcing element protruding radially inwardly beyond longitudinally neighboring barrel regions and not extending to the distal end of the barrel, wherein removal of the reinforcing element significantly reduces the durability of the barrel.