Baseball Board Game
Disclosed is a baseball board game and method for playing a baseball board game the includes a game board having a baseball diamond provided thereon, one or more conventional, six-sided game dice that are rolled to achieve a sum value of three through eighteen, and rules which include batting outcomes that correspond with the three through eighteen sum values to determine events that occur during a simulated baseball game that includes two participants taking turns rolling the dice, each turn including three or more dice rolls and representing three outs of the simulated baseball game, each out being determined according to the batting outcomes. In some embodiments, the baseball board game also includes two sets of nine or more baseball cards that may be positioned at locations proximate each of the four bases on the baseball diamond. One or more score sheets are also provided in some embodiments.
N/A
FIELD OF INVENTIONThe present inventive concept relates generally to a baseball board game, and more particularly to a system and method to simulate a baseball game on a game board wherein conventional six-sided game dice are rolled to achieve a sum value that corresponds to a particular baseball event, namely a batting outcome.
BACKGROUNDThe concept of simulating a baseball game using a playing surface and dice has been provided in the art according to various arrangements, configurations, and rules. For instance, various baseball board games utilize a game board and specialized dice to simulate baseball events. Other games utilize random number generators and one or more sets of special event cards to simulate baseball events. Indeed, known prior art baseball board games may require specialized dice or additional components beyond baseball player cards, conventional game dice, and a game board. Prior art baseball board games may also include opportunities for participating players to strategize or make choices to affect the game play. Some individuals may find these prior art baseball board games to be undesirable due to, for example, the required components, the complexity of the strategy involved in the game play, or both.
In light of the above, there exists a need in the art for a baseball board game that can be played using a game board, conventional game dice, optional collectible baseball player cards, and one or more optional score sheets. The present general inventive concept is particularly applicable to children and adults who wish to play a baseball board game without having to engage in complicated strategy and without having to use and/or keep track of specialized dice.
BRIEF SUMMARYThe present general inventive concept provides a system and method of playing a baseball board game wherein game dice and optional baseball player cards are used on a playing surface to simulate baseball events, namely batting outcomes, which may be kept track of using a score sheet.
In accordance with various example embodiments of the present general inventive concept, a baseball board game may include a game board having a baseball diamond provided thereon; one or more six-sided game dice having indicia to represent a value of one through six on each side, the one or more dice adapted to be rolled to achieve a sum value of three through eighteen; and rules including batting outcomes that correspond with the sum values to determine events that occur during a simulated baseball game that includes two participants taking turns rolling the three dice, each turn including three or more dice rolls and representing three outs of the simulated baseball game, each out being determined according to the batting outcomes.
In some embodiments, the baseball board game further includes at least two sets of nine or more baseball cards.
In some embodiments, the baseball diamond includes four bases and locations for baseball cards to be positioned at each of the four bases.
In some embodiments, the game board includes a nine-inning scoreboard.
In some embodiments, the rules include the following sum values and corresponding batting outcomes: 3=HOME RUN: advances each card to score; 4=TRIPLE: advances each card three bases; 5=DOUBLE: advances each card two bases; 6=BASE ON BALLS: advances each card one base; 7=SACRIFICE FLY: (i) if a card is on third base, advances that card to score and records one out for the card at bat, unless the sacrifice fly is the third out of the inning, or (ii) if no card is on third base, records one out; 8=DOUBLE PLAY: (i) if a card is on first base, records two outs for the card on first base and the card at bat and advances cards on second base and/or third base one base if there were no outs prior to the at bat, or (ii) if no card is on first base, records one out for the card at bat and advances cards on second base and/or third base one base if there was one out or less prior to the at bat; 9=FLY OUT: records one out for the card at bat; 10=GROUND OUT: records one out for the card at bat; 11=FLY OUT: records one out for the card at bat; 12=DOUBLE PLAY: same as 8; 13=STRIKE OUT: records one out for the card at bat; 14=SINGLE: Advances each card one base, and if a card is on second base it advances to home for a run scored; 15=SINGLE: same as 14; 16=DOUBLE: same as 5; 17=TRIPLE: same as 4; 18=HOME RUN: same as 3.
In accordance with various example embodiments of the present general inventive concept, a method for playing a baseball board game may include providing a game board and one or more six-sided game dice having indicia to represent a value of one through six on each side to two players; rolling the one or more game dice to achieve a sum value of three through eighteen; matching the achieved sum value with a corresponding batting outcome; and repeating the rolling and matching operations until three outs have resulted according to the batting outcomes; whereby two players take turns performing the rolling, matching, and repeating operations, each turn including three or more rolling and matching operations and representing three outs of the game, each out being determined according to the batting outcomes.
In some embodiments, the method further includes the operations of providing a set of nine or more baseball cards to each player; selectively ordering each set of nine or more baseball cards according to a preferred batting order; positioning a card on the game board; and modifying the position of the card relative the game board based on a batting outcome.
In some embodiments, the method further includes the operation of recording the corresponding batting outcome for the achieved sum value on one or more score sheets.
Additional aspects and advantages of the present general inventive concept will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the present general inventive concept.
The following example embodiments are representative of example techniques and structures designed to carry out the objects of the present general inventive concept, but the present general inventive concept is not limited to these example embodiments. In the accompanying drawings and illustrations, the sizes and relative sizes, shapes, and qualities of lines, entities, and regions may be exaggerated for clarity. A wide variety of additional embodiments will be more readily understood and appreciated through the following detailed description of the example embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Reference will now be made to various example embodiments of the present general inventive concept, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and illustrations. The example embodiments are described herein in order to explain the present general inventive concept by referring to the figures. The following detailed description is provided to assist the reader in gaining a comprehensive understanding of the methods, apparatuses, and/or systems described herein. Accordingly, various changes, modifications, and equivalents of the methods, apparatuses, and/or systems described herein will be suggested to those of ordinary skill in the art.
In accordance with various example embodiments of the present general inventive concept, a baseball board game enables two players to simulate a baseball game using a playing surface, optional collectible baseball player cards, and conventional game dice. In some embodiments, the players may keep track of the simulated events occurring throughout the game, as well as the score of the game, using a score sheet.
The playing surface or game board 101 may be any suitable material to lay flat on a surface and depict a baseball diamond 105 thereon. In various example embodiments, the playing surface 101 may be a dry wipe or markerboard material to accommodate erasing and/or repeated use. The board 101 may be decorated to resemble an existing baseball stadium, and may also include indicia and/or decoration directed to one or more amateur or professional baseball teams.
Still referring to
The illustrated example embodiment also includes the three six-sided game dice 115A-C. Each of the three game dice 115A-C are provided with indicia on each of their six sides to represent a value of one through six. It will be noted that the game dice 115A-C included in the present embodiment may be conventional game dice that have not been modified or altered in any way for any specific type of game. Hereinafter, game dice refers to six-sided cubes wherein each face has indicia representing a value of one through six thereon. Players may roll all three game dice 115A-C at a time to achieve a value corresponding to one of sixteen particular outcomes or events, as determined by the rules. Stated differently, a sum ranging from three to eighteen is possible each time a player rolls the three dice 115A-C, with each sum value corresponding to a particular event in the rules. In other embodiments, the present general inventive concept includes only one conventional game dye that may be rolled three consecutive times to achieve a sum value of three through eighteen. For the sake of reference in this application, “three dice” will refer to three individual game dice that may be rolled substantially simultaneously, and/or to one individual game dye that may be rolled three consecutive times. Hereinafter, “dice roll” or “at bat” both refer to the roll of three dice 115A-C (or three consecutive rolls of the same dye), representing a batting occurrence by a player.
As illustrated in the example embodiment of
Each set of baseball cards 117A-I and 119A-I may include players that are each affiliated with the same team, or may include players that are affiliated with different teams, or no teams at all. In the illustrated embodiment, one baseball card set 117A-I is positioned along a side of the game board 101 labeled “Home,” and another baseball card set 119A-I is positioned along a side of the game board 101 labeled “Visitors.” Stated differently, one baseball card set 117A-I is associated with one competing player participating under the moniker of the ‘home team,’ and the other baseball card set 119A-I is associated with another competing player participating under the moniker of the ‘visiting team.’
Various example embodiments may also include one or more score sheets to record each at bat and corresponding batting outcome throughout the game.
-
- Rules of the game—The visiting team will bat first. After you have selected your players or team, you put them in your favorite batting order. You are the manager. The visiting team will begin by rolling the dice for the first batter to determine the results. With three dice, you can roll between 3 and 18. Your total count of the three dice determines your batter's results.
3=HOME RUN: Advances each card to score;
4=TRIPLE: Advances each card three bases;
5=DOUBLE: Advances each card two bases;
6=BASE ON BALLS: Advances each card one base;
7=SACRIFICE FLY:
-
- (i) If a card is on third base, advances that card to score and records one out for the card at bat, unless the sacrifice fly is the third out of the inning, OR
- (ii) If no card is on third base, records one out;
8=DOUBLE PLAY:
-
- (i) If a card is on first base, records two outs for the card on first base and the card at bat and advances cards on second base and/or third base one base if there were no outs prior to the at bat, OR
- (ii) If no card is on first base, records one out for the card at bat and advances cards on second base and/or third base one base if there was one out or less prior to the at bat;
9=FLY OUT: Records one out for the card at bat;
10=GROUND OUT: Records one out for the card at bat;
11=FLY OUT: Records one out for the card at bat;
12=DOUBLE PLAY: Same as 8;
13=STRIKE OUT: Records one out for the card at bat;
14=SINGLE: Advances each card one base, and if a card is on second base it advances to home for a run scored;
15=SINGLE: Same as 14;
16=DOUBLE: Same as 5;
17=TRIPLE: Same as 4;
18=HOME RUN: Same as 3.
Various example embodiments of the present general inventive concept also include a method for playing a baseball board game.
Still referring to
The example embodiment method 500 may also include matching the player's achieved sum value with the corresponding batting outcome (discussed above), as depicted at 505 in
Following the optional recording 506 and modifying 507 operations, the batting player repeats operations 503-507 until three outs have resulted, according the batting outcomes, as depicted at 508 in
Still referring to
It can be determined from the foregoing discussion that various embodiments of a baseball board game have applicability in entertaining individuals interested in simulating a baseball game without having to engage in complicated strategy or keep track of specialized game components, namely specialized dice.
Numerous variations, modifications, and additional embodiments are possible, and accordingly, all such variations, modifications, and embodiments are to be regarded as being within the spirit and scope of the present general inventive concept. For example, regardless of the content of any portion of this application, unless clearly specified to the contrary, there is no requirement for the inclusion in any claim herein or of any application claiming priority hereto of any particular described or illustrated activity or element, any particular sequence of such activities, or any particular interrelationship of such elements. Moreover, any activity can be repeated, any activity can be performed by multiple entities, and/or any element can be duplicated.
While the present general inventive concept has been illustrated by description of several example embodiments, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the inventive concept to such descriptions and illustrations. Instead, the descriptions, drawings, and claims herein are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive, and additional embodiments will readily appear to those skilled in the art upon reading the above description and drawings.
Claims
1. A baseball board game comprising:
- at least two sets of baseball cards, each set comprising nine baseball cards, each baseball card representing one batter in a simulated baseball game;
- a game board including first indicia provided thereon, said first indicia defining a scoreboard and a baseball diamond having a home plate, a first base, a second base, and a third base, said first indicia further defining a location for placement of one of said baseball cards at each of said home plate, first base, second base, and third base;
- one or more game dice having a plurality of sides with indicia to represent a numeric value on each side, said game dice being adapted to be rolled to achieve a sum value ranging from three to eighteen; and
- a score sheet having second indicia provided thereon, said second indicia defining a plurality of rows and intersecting columns configured contain game data corresponding to at least one batting outcome of one of said batters in said simulated baseball game;
- whereby each of said possible sum values achievable by rolling said game dice corresponds to possible batting outcome in said simulated baseball game; whereby two participants may take turns rolling said game dice on behalf of at least one of said batters represented by said baseball cards to determine at least one batting outcome of said at least one batter in said simulated baseball game; and whereby said at least one determined batting outcome may be recorded on at least one of said scoreboard and said score sheet.
2-3. (canceled)
4. The baseball board game of claim 1, wherein said scoreboard is a nine-inning scoreboard.
5-6. (canceled)
7. A method for playing a baseball board game, the method comprising:
- providing a game board including first indicia provided thereon, the first indicia defining a scoreboard and a baseball diamond having a home plate, a first base, a second base, and a third base, the first indicia further defining a location for placement of a baseball card at each of the home plate, first base, second base, and third base, each baseball card representing a batter in a simulated baseball game;
- providing one or more game dice having a plurality of sides with indicia to represent a numerical value on each side;
- rolling the one or more game dice to achieve a sum value ranging from three to eighteen;
- matching the achieved sum value with a corresponding batting outcome of a batter in the simulated baseball game;
- recording said batting outcome on a score sheet having second indicia provided thereon, the second indicia defining a plurality of rows and intersecting columns configured to contain game data corresponding to at least one batting outcome of one of the batters in the simulated baseball game; and
- repeating the rolling and matching operations until three outs have resulted according to the batting outcomes;
- whereby, two players take turns performing the rolling, matching, and repeating operations, each turn including three or more rolling and matching operations and representing three outs of the game, each out being determined according to the batting outcomes.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the corresponding batting outcomes and sum values include: 3=HOME RUN: advances each card to score; 4=TRIPLE: advances each card three bases; 5=DOUBLE: advances each card two bases; 6=BASE ON BALLS: advances each card one base; 7=SACRIFICE FLY: (i) if a card is on third base, advances that card to score and records one out for the card at bat, unless the sacrifice fly is the third out of the inning, or (ii) if no card is on third base, records one out; 8=DOUBLE PLAY: (i) if a card is on first base, records two outs for the card on first base and the card at bat and advances cards on second base and/or third base one base if there were no outs prior to the at bat, or (ii) if no card is on first base, records one out for the card at bat and advances cards on second base and/or third base one base if there was one out or less prior to the at bat; 9=FLY OUT: records one out for the card at bat; 10=GROUND OUT: records one out for the card at bat; 11=FLY OUT: records one out for the card at bat; 12=DOUBLE PLAY: same as 8; 13=STRIKE OUT: records one out for the card at bat; 14=SINGLE: Advances each card one base, and if a card is on second base it advances to home for a run scored; 15=SINGLE: same as 14; 16=DOUBLE: same as 5; 17=TRIPLE: same as 4; 18=HOME RUN: same as 3.
9. The method of claim 7, further comprising:
- providing a set of nine or more baseball cards to each player;
- selectively ordering the set of nine or more baseball cards according to a preferred batting order;
- positioning a baseball card corresponding to a batter in the simulated baseball game on the game board at one of the locations for placement of a baseball card at the home plate, first base, second base, and third base according to a batting outcome of the batter in the simulated baseball game; and
- moving the baseball card to another one of the locations for placement of a baseball card at the home plate, first base, second base, and third base of the game board based on a subsequent batting outcome.
10. (canceled)
11. The baseball board game of claim 1, wherein each said column of said second indicia corresponds to one type of game data of said simulated baseball game.
12. The baseball board game of claim 11, at least one of said columns of said second indicia corresponding to a lineup of said simulated baseball game, at least nine of said columns of said second indicia corresponding to respective innings of said simulated baseball game, and at least one of said columns of said second indicia corresponding to batting statistics of said simulated baseball game.
13. The baseball board game of claim 12, said at least one column corresponding to batting statistics of said simulated baseball game being subdivided into a plurality of sub-columns, each said sub-column corresponding to one of an at bat statistic, a number of runs per game statistic, a number of hits per game statistic, and a number of runs batted in statistic.
14. The baseball board game of claim 1 wherein at least one of said score sheet and said scoreboard portion of said game board are fabricated from an erasable markerboard material to allow marking and erasing of marks thereon.
15. A method for playing a simulated baseball game, the method comprising:
- providing three game dice, each game die having six sides with indicia on each side representing a numeric value of one through six;
- designating a batting outcome in the simulated baseball game corresponding to each of a range of numbers from three to eighteen, at least one designated batting outcome being an out;
- rolling the three game dice to determine a countable side of each die;
- adding the numeric values of the determined countable sides to achieve a sum value ranging from three to eighteen;
- determining a designated batting outcome corresponding to the achieved sum value;
- recording the determined batting outcome on a score sheet as game data corresponding to an outcome of a batter in the simulated baseball game; and
- repeating the rolling, matching, and recording operations until three outs have resulted according to the batting outcomes.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the designated batting outcomes include a home run, a single, a double, a triple, a base on balls, a sacrifice fly, a double play, a fly out, a ground out, and a strike out.
17. The method of claim 15 further including the operations of:
- providing a plurality of baseball cards, each baseball card representing a batter in the simulated baseball game;
- providing a game board having indicia provided thereon, the indicia defining a baseball diamond having a home plate, a first base, a second base, and a third base;
- positioning a baseball card corresponding to a batter in the simulated baseball game on the game board at one of the home plate, first base, second base, and third base according to the determined batting outcome to represent the outcome of the batter in the simulated baseball game.
18. The method of claim 17 wherein the indicia of the provided game board include locations for placement of a baseball card at the home plate, first base, second base, and third base, and wherein the operation of positioning a baseball card corresponding to a batter in the simulated baseball game on the game board includes positioning the baseball card in one of the locations for placement.
Type: Application
Filed: May 24, 2012
Publication Date: Nov 28, 2013
Inventor: John D. THOMAS (Knoxville, TN)
Application Number: 13/479,332
International Classification: A63F 3/00 (20060101);