Title:
BASEBALL GAME
United States Patent 3734501
Abstract:
This invention pertains to a baseball game which provides a game board, including indicia generally representative of a typical baseball diamond, two sets of dice, one representing each team and a compartmented "dug-out" tray for each set of dice. Each set of dice is of a distinctive color and includes nine dice, representing the nine regular batters, and one dice representing a pitcher, one a relief pitcher and one a pinch hitter. All of the dice contain indicia on each facet which indicates various circumstances occasioned during the active playing of a baseball game. The game is controlled generally by rolling the "pitcher" dice of the "out" team and the indicia appearing on the "up" side of the "pitcher" dice sequentially controls the fate of the "batter" dice of the "up" team as they come to bat in a prearranged batting order. The game progresses and is scored in general accord with regular baseball rules.
US Patent References:
Baseball game
Funai - April 1924 - 1492368
Game
Snover - June 1930 - 1765625
Apparatus for playing baseball game
Lenbom - July 1948 - 2444516
/1320315.html
Clarke - October 1919 - 1320315
Baseball game
Funai - April 1924 - 1492368
Game
Snover - June 1930 - 1765625
Apparatus for playing baseball game
Lenbom - July 1948 - 2444516
/1320315.html
Clarke - October 1919 - 1320315
Application Number:
05/131249
Publication Date:
05/22/1973
Filing Date:
04/05/1971
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
273/244
International Classes:
A63F3/00; A63F9/04; A63F7/06
Field of Search:
273/93R,93A,134DB
Other References:
All Star Baseball Mfg. by Cadaco-Ellis Inc. see Sears 1968 Christmas Catalog p. 468 and Playthings 4/60, page 3..
Primary Examiner:
Oechsle, Anton O.
Assistant Examiner:
Shapiro, Paul E.
Claims:
1. indicia representing a baseball diamond including,
Description:
STATE OF THE PRIOR ART
Many types of baseball games have been devised in the past ranging from, a "pin ball" type of game in which a small ball is released and directed toward a batter, to games controlled by cards having printed indicia and battery operated devices which spin dials which contain indicia, directed to various circumstances which arise during the progress of a ball game. Many of the games were quite complicated and expensive to make, some more unrealistic in concept and became boring to the participants after a short period of time because the outcome was left completely to change, providing no actual control of the respective "teams" by the participants. Other baseball games provided unrealistically high "final" scores and still others provided means which made scoring so difficult it dimmed the interest of the participants.
BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The baseball game of the present invention was devised to provide a game which is generally played according to regular baseball rules and provides realistic scores in accord with those occurring in real baseball games. This invention further provides a baseball game in which each participant has a lineup of nine "batters," each having different batting averages, the average results obtained by each "batter?batter"being substantially commensurate with "his" average. In this manner, varying results can be obtained by various arrangements of the batting order, thereby providing interest to the game by introducing an element of skill in devising the most proficient "batting order" as determined by the respective batting averages of each "player."
Each "batter" is represented by a dice and each team includes nine dice representing the nine batters, one dice for the pitcher, one for a relief pitcher and one for a pinch hitter.
Each dice has six facets and each of the "batter" dice contain indicia on each facet which indicates various circumstances which may result from a "time at bat." Each dice has a different "batting average" and the indicia on the dice is determined by the batting average, the higher the batting average, the more favorable are the results provided by the indicia thereon.
Each pitcher and relief pitcher dice provides indicia on each facet which indicates either a strike or a swing. The game consists of nine innings with each team having an "up at bat" and an "out in the field" turn in each inning. The participant representing the "out" team rolls his "pitcher" dice and if a "strike" appears on the top facet for three consecutive rolls the "up" batter is struck out, if it indicates a "swing", the participant, representing the "up" team, rolls the "batter dice" positioned at home plate, and the indicia appearing on the top facet indicates the results of that time at bat. The "batter" dice provide a variety of indicia indicating a variety of results ranging from, strike outs, walks, various kinds of hits ranging from singles to a home run, and various conventional kinds of "outs." Some facets include supplemental indicia to determine the fate of base runners, for instance, when the "batter" hits a single or double or grounds or flies out.
The pinch hitter dice contain indicia similar to the regular "batter" dice and the game progresses according to regular baseball rules and "runs" are scored and "outs" made as dictated by the dice indicia.
Each team is provided with a compartmented "dug-out" tray for all of its players, each tray providing two parallel rows of compartments for maintaining the "batting order" in its preselected order at all times as well as removable tabs indicating the batting averages for the respective "player" dice. Additional space is provided in each tray for the pitcher, relief pitcher and pinch hitter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the baseball game board of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a compartmented "dug-out" tray with the various "player" dice and "batting average" tabs contained therein;
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view of a portion of the game board, indicating the manner in which a typical "player" dice is nested within a cut-out recess as provided at home plate and first, second and third bases;
FIG. 4 is a layout view of a typical "batter" dice; and
FIG. 5 is a layout view of a typical "pitcher" dice.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In the drawings in which like reference numerals designate like or similar parts throughout the various views, the numeral 10 generally indicates the game board of the present invention which includes indicia generally representative of a typical baseball diamond. The infield is indicated at 12, the outfield at 14, the fowl lines at 16 and 18, the catchers box 20, the pitchers mound 22 and cut-out recesses 24, 26, 28 and 30 indicating home plate and first, second and third base respectively.
FIG. 2 illustrates a typical compartmented "dug-out" tray 32 containing all of the dice 34 representing one baseball team. It is to be understood that at least two trays 32 and sets of dice 34 are provided with the game, however, as they are exact duplicates only one has been illustrated which will be described in the singular.
The tray 32 provides a bottom wall 36, front and back walls 38 and 40, a longitudinal partition 42 and a plurality of transverse partitions 44 which divide the main body portion thereof into two parallel longitudinal rows of 9 compartments each, the front row compartments being designated 46 and the back row compartments 48.
Each "team" 34 includes nine "batter" dice 50 which are normally positioned in one of the rows, preferably the front row, at the start of the game. A slideway 52 is provided in the front of the tray adjacent each "batter" dice which is adapted to removably receive a tab 54 which displays the "batting average" 56 of each of the "batter" dice.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, each "batter" dice also displays a batting average as at 58 and the "batting average" tabs 54 are disposed relative to the "batter dice" to indicate the batting average displayed on the respective dice 50.
Each "batter" dice provides six facets and, as illustrated by the layout view in FIG. 4 of one of these dice, each facet indicates the batting average of that particular dice such as 0.345. In addition, each facet of each "batter" dice provides indicia 60 presenting the result of one time at bat. The indicia 60 in addition to indicating the direct result to the "batter" dice, indicates, when necessary, the resulting action of base runners. For example, when a batter walks, triples or hits a home run, the resulting action of base runners is well known by anyone familiar with baseball, but when a "batter" dice "hits" a single, double, flies or grounds out, the advance, if any, made by base runners is variable and in all such circumstances is indicated on the "batter" dice as seen in FIG. 4. Various other plays such as "ground outs", "force outs", "double plays", etc. are indicated.
While a layout is illustrated for only one of the "batter" dice, each one provides indicia on all six facets indicating various results of a time at bat, however, as illustrated in FIG. 2, each "batter" dice is provided with a different "batting average" and in keeping with the game of baseball, the indicia on the high "batting average" dice provides more favorable results, providing more hits and runs, than the lower average dice. For instance, on the 0.345 average dice illustrated, five of the six facets provide favorable results while the lowest batting average dice may provide but one facet indicating a favorable result with the intermediate average dice providing favorable results in direct proportion to their respective averages.
Each tray 34 provides an enlarged end compartment 62 for a "pitcher" dice 64, relief "pitcher" dice 66 and a "pinch hitter" dice 68. The "pinch hitter" dice contains indicia much like the regular "batter" dice but may not include a batting average. As illustrated in the layout in FIG. 5, each pitcher dice preferably provides "swing" or "strike" on all six facets. FIG. 5 illustrates the indicia on the regular "pitcher" dice, providing "swing" on three facets and "strike" on three facets, however, this proportion of "swing" and "strike" facets may be varied on the relief "pitcher", dice to give him an advantage over the regular "pitcher" dice. For instance "strike" may be on five of the facets and "swing" on only one.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the 0.345 "batting average" dice 58 nested in one of the cut-out recesses such as 24 as previously described.
Two or four people can play the game, if four play, they act as two teams of two. One "pitches" for each team and acts as score keeper when his team is up and the other player for each team handles the "batters".
Each of the team dice comprising the nine regular "batters" may be of a distinctive color and the regular "pitcher," "pinch hitter" and relief "pitcher" may likewise be of various distinctive colors.
At the outset of the game, each side arranges any desired batting order of nine "batters" longitudinally in the front compartments 46 and places the tabs 54 respective to the "batter" dice to clearly indicate the batting averages to their opponent or opponents.
Various methods can be devised to determine which team is at bat first, for instance one player may make a blind choice between two different color dice with a prearranged color giving the player a choice or making the actual determination.
The batting orders are preferably arranged from left to right in the opponents respective trays 34. The person representing the team which is "at bat" places his "lead off batter" dice in the recess 24 at home plate and his opponent rolls his "pitcher" dice. If a "strike" appears on the top facet thereof he continues to roll the "pitcher" dice until he either throws three consecutive "strikes", or "swing" appears on the top facet. If "swing" appears before three "strikes" are thrown the person representing the "batter" picks his dice out of the home plate recess and rolls it and does whatever is indicated on the top facet of his "batter" dice. This procedure is followed by both sides for nine innings and outs are made and runs are scored as provided by the indicia on the "batter" dice as previously described and the team scoring the most runs wins, with extra innings being played to bring the game to a decision in the event of a nine inning tie.
Each time a "batter" is out or scores, the dice are sequentially placed in a compartment of the back row of the dug-out tray corresponding to the front row compartment from which it was removed, so that the entire batting orders eventually are positioned in the back row at which time the process is reversed and the dice are sequentially moved back to the front row after each out or run. This facilitates retaining the same batting order throughout the game.
The dice always indicate the action of the runners on base under circumstances when the amount of advance by a runner or runners is in doubt.
Various rules may be applied to the game regarding the insertion of a "pinch hitter" or "relief pitcher" for instance, the "pinch hitter" may replace any "batter" in the line up from the beginning of the sixth inning until the end of the game. "He" remains in the line up and takes his regular turn in the order of the "hitter" he replaced. Another rule could provide for the "pinch hitter" dice to be rolled immediately without being pitched to.
As stated previously, the "relief pitcher" dice may provide five "strike" facets and only one "swing" facet, in which event both sides would be limited to using the "relief pitcher" dice for any two innings of the game, but in only two innings after the opposing team has scored at least one run in the inning.
While a preferred form of the present invention has been illustrated and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the true scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
Many types of baseball games have been devised in the past ranging from, a "pin ball" type of game in which a small ball is released and directed toward a batter, to games controlled by cards having printed indicia and battery operated devices which spin dials which contain indicia, directed to various circumstances which arise during the progress of a ball game. Many of the games were quite complicated and expensive to make, some more unrealistic in concept and became boring to the participants after a short period of time because the outcome was left completely to change, providing no actual control of the respective "teams" by the participants. Other baseball games provided unrealistically high "final" scores and still others provided means which made scoring so difficult it dimmed the interest of the participants.
BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The baseball game of the present invention was devised to provide a game which is generally played according to regular baseball rules and provides realistic scores in accord with those occurring in real baseball games. This invention further provides a baseball game in which each participant has a lineup of nine "batters," each having different batting averages, the average results obtained by each "batter?batter"being substantially commensurate with "his" average. In this manner, varying results can be obtained by various arrangements of the batting order, thereby providing interest to the game by introducing an element of skill in devising the most proficient "batting order" as determined by the respective batting averages of each "player."
Each "batter" is represented by a dice and each team includes nine dice representing the nine batters, one dice for the pitcher, one for a relief pitcher and one for a pinch hitter.
Each dice has six facets and each of the "batter" dice contain indicia on each facet which indicates various circumstances which may result from a "time at bat." Each dice has a different "batting average" and the indicia on the dice is determined by the batting average, the higher the batting average, the more favorable are the results provided by the indicia thereon.
Each pitcher and relief pitcher dice provides indicia on each facet which indicates either a strike or a swing. The game consists of nine innings with each team having an "up at bat" and an "out in the field" turn in each inning. The participant representing the "out" team rolls his "pitcher" dice and if a "strike" appears on the top facet for three consecutive rolls the "up" batter is struck out, if it indicates a "swing", the participant, representing the "up" team, rolls the "batter dice" positioned at home plate, and the indicia appearing on the top facet indicates the results of that time at bat. The "batter" dice provide a variety of indicia indicating a variety of results ranging from, strike outs, walks, various kinds of hits ranging from singles to a home run, and various conventional kinds of "outs." Some facets include supplemental indicia to determine the fate of base runners, for instance, when the "batter" hits a single or double or grounds or flies out.
The pinch hitter dice contain indicia similar to the regular "batter" dice and the game progresses according to regular baseball rules and "runs" are scored and "outs" made as dictated by the dice indicia.
Each team is provided with a compartmented "dug-out" tray for all of its players, each tray providing two parallel rows of compartments for maintaining the "batting order" in its preselected order at all times as well as removable tabs indicating the batting averages for the respective "player" dice. Additional space is provided in each tray for the pitcher, relief pitcher and pinch hitter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the baseball game board of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a compartmented "dug-out" tray with the various "player" dice and "batting average" tabs contained therein;
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view of a portion of the game board, indicating the manner in which a typical "player" dice is nested within a cut-out recess as provided at home plate and first, second and third bases;
FIG. 4 is a layout view of a typical "batter" dice; and
FIG. 5 is a layout view of a typical "pitcher" dice.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In the drawings in which like reference numerals designate like or similar parts throughout the various views, the numeral 10 generally indicates the game board of the present invention which includes indicia generally representative of a typical baseball diamond. The infield is indicated at 12, the outfield at 14, the fowl lines at 16 and 18, the catchers box 20, the pitchers mound 22 and cut-out recesses 24, 26, 28 and 30 indicating home plate and first, second and third base respectively.
FIG. 2 illustrates a typical compartmented "dug-out" tray 32 containing all of the dice 34 representing one baseball team. It is to be understood that at least two trays 32 and sets of dice 34 are provided with the game, however, as they are exact duplicates only one has been illustrated which will be described in the singular.
The tray 32 provides a bottom wall 36, front and back walls 38 and 40, a longitudinal partition 42 and a plurality of transverse partitions 44 which divide the main body portion thereof into two parallel longitudinal rows of 9 compartments each, the front row compartments being designated 46 and the back row compartments 48.
Each "team" 34 includes nine "batter" dice 50 which are normally positioned in one of the rows, preferably the front row, at the start of the game. A slideway 52 is provided in the front of the tray adjacent each "batter" dice which is adapted to removably receive a tab 54 which displays the "batting average" 56 of each of the "batter" dice.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, each "batter" dice also displays a batting average as at 58 and the "batting average" tabs 54 are disposed relative to the "batter dice" to indicate the batting average displayed on the respective dice 50.
Each "batter" dice provides six facets and, as illustrated by the layout view in FIG. 4 of one of these dice, each facet indicates the batting average of that particular dice such as 0.345. In addition, each facet of each "batter" dice provides indicia 60 presenting the result of one time at bat. The indicia 60 in addition to indicating the direct result to the "batter" dice, indicates, when necessary, the resulting action of base runners. For example, when a batter walks, triples or hits a home run, the resulting action of base runners is well known by anyone familiar with baseball, but when a "batter" dice "hits" a single, double, flies or grounds out, the advance, if any, made by base runners is variable and in all such circumstances is indicated on the "batter" dice as seen in FIG. 4. Various other plays such as "ground outs", "force outs", "double plays", etc. are indicated.
While a layout is illustrated for only one of the "batter" dice, each one provides indicia on all six facets indicating various results of a time at bat, however, as illustrated in FIG. 2, each "batter" dice is provided with a different "batting average" and in keeping with the game of baseball, the indicia on the high "batting average" dice provides more favorable results, providing more hits and runs, than the lower average dice. For instance, on the 0.345 average dice illustrated, five of the six facets provide favorable results while the lowest batting average dice may provide but one facet indicating a favorable result with the intermediate average dice providing favorable results in direct proportion to their respective averages.
Each tray 34 provides an enlarged end compartment 62 for a "pitcher" dice 64, relief "pitcher" dice 66 and a "pinch hitter" dice 68. The "pinch hitter" dice contains indicia much like the regular "batter" dice but may not include a batting average. As illustrated in the layout in FIG. 5, each pitcher dice preferably provides "swing" or "strike" on all six facets. FIG. 5 illustrates the indicia on the regular "pitcher" dice, providing "swing" on three facets and "strike" on three facets, however, this proportion of "swing" and "strike" facets may be varied on the relief "pitcher", dice to give him an advantage over the regular "pitcher" dice. For instance "strike" may be on five of the facets and "swing" on only one.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the 0.345 "batting average" dice 58 nested in one of the cut-out recesses such as 24 as previously described.
Two or four people can play the game, if four play, they act as two teams of two. One "pitches" for each team and acts as score keeper when his team is up and the other player for each team handles the "batters".
Each of the team dice comprising the nine regular "batters" may be of a distinctive color and the regular "pitcher," "pinch hitter" and relief "pitcher" may likewise be of various distinctive colors.
At the outset of the game, each side arranges any desired batting order of nine "batters" longitudinally in the front compartments 46 and places the tabs 54 respective to the "batter" dice to clearly indicate the batting averages to their opponent or opponents.
Various methods can be devised to determine which team is at bat first, for instance one player may make a blind choice between two different color dice with a prearranged color giving the player a choice or making the actual determination.
The batting orders are preferably arranged from left to right in the opponents respective trays 34. The person representing the team which is "at bat" places his "lead off batter" dice in the recess 24 at home plate and his opponent rolls his "pitcher" dice. If a "strike" appears on the top facet thereof he continues to roll the "pitcher" dice until he either throws three consecutive "strikes", or "swing" appears on the top facet. If "swing" appears before three "strikes" are thrown the person representing the "batter" picks his dice out of the home plate recess and rolls it and does whatever is indicated on the top facet of his "batter" dice. This procedure is followed by both sides for nine innings and outs are made and runs are scored as provided by the indicia on the "batter" dice as previously described and the team scoring the most runs wins, with extra innings being played to bring the game to a decision in the event of a nine inning tie.
Each time a "batter" is out or scores, the dice are sequentially placed in a compartment of the back row of the dug-out tray corresponding to the front row compartment from which it was removed, so that the entire batting orders eventually are positioned in the back row at which time the process is reversed and the dice are sequentially moved back to the front row after each out or run. This facilitates retaining the same batting order throughout the game.
The dice always indicate the action of the runners on base under circumstances when the amount of advance by a runner or runners is in doubt.
Various rules may be applied to the game regarding the insertion of a "pinch hitter" or "relief pitcher" for instance, the "pinch hitter" may replace any "batter" in the line up from the beginning of the sixth inning until the end of the game. "He" remains in the line up and takes his regular turn in the order of the "hitter" he replaced. Another rule could provide for the "pinch hitter" dice to be rolled immediately without being pitched to.
As stated previously, the "relief pitcher" dice may provide five "strike" facets and only one "swing" facet, in which event both sides would be limited to using the "relief pitcher" dice for any two innings of the game, but in only two innings after the opposing team has scored at least one run in the inning.
While a preferred form of the present invention has been illustrated and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the true scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.