VALPARAISO – Stephen Bartholomew has been named Innovator of the Month for February by the Society of Innovators of Northwest Indiana.

Working in the basement of his home, Bartholomew introduced a new generation of throwing weights for indoor competition. His company, Dominator Athletics LLC, makes 35, 25, and 20 pound weights. He uses a throwing handle connected to a ball using heavier tungsten material that weighs the same as competing implements, but is denser.

It is the smallest ball allowed in competition that is similar to a hammer throw, except it is done inside by men and women.

He was nominated by Bruce MacLean of Valparaiso University.