Baseball game and method of play
A baseball game set provides system for interactive play of the baseball game, with simple structures. This game and playing process provides a balance of luck and strategy with luck supplanted by strategy as the game progresses. There are two spinning wheels: a batter spinning wheel and a pitcher spinning wheel, and player cards which are collected and utilized throughout game play.
[0001] The present invention relates to a simply realized baseball game operated with spinners and strategy cards and especially to a simple system which simulates the thrill and strategy of baseball play against a three dimensional backdrop using a fold out field and players.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002] Prior baseball games utilize cards for generating the progression of the game. Play can suffer where the players fail to shuffle properly to create a more complete randomization function for the progression of play. In addition, games utilizing cards wholly as a method of game progression suffer from wear, and the ability to more easily identify the next play in advance by a familiar player.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION[0003] A baseball game set provides system for interactive play of the baseball game, complete with fold-out board and player pieces. This game and playing process provides a balance of luck and strategy. Luck is facilitated by the probability associated with using spinning wheels. There are two spinning wheels: a batter spinning wheel and a pitcher spinning wheel. Each wheel has pre-determined actions that represent the play of the baseball game. The percentage or probability is pre-determined, so player or team luck is determined by the number of times that player or team can beat the odds of probability.
[0004] As the game is played probability and luck allow the player or team to accumulate playing cards. Playing cards are earned when the pitchers spinning wheel indicates a player or team may draw a card. Playing cards used enable the players or teams to use judgement and strategy as the game proceeds. As more playing cards are collected throughout the course of the game, individual intellectual strategies begin to overrule luck, and drastically change the game. The game becomes highly competitive and every decision and move becomes tactical as it becomes a strategic effort for one team or player to win the game.
[0005] The game individual player pieces are similar to chess game player pieces, locatable on a board and physically represent the tactical moves and decisions made by the teams or players. The management of player placement is critical to winning the game. Mismanagement of player placement can cause a team or player to miss scoring opportunities.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS[0006] The invention, its configuration, construction, and operation will be best further described in the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
[0007] FIG. 1 illustrates the main playing components including board, players, card deck, two spinner indicators and optional score sheet;
[0008] FIG. 2 illustrates an electronic device which could be utilized to replace the two spinner indicators seen in FIG. 1; and
[0009] FIG. 3 illustrates one realization of a computer screen for a method of play which organizes graphics, commonly viewed actions and privately viewed strategic assets.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT[0010] A description of the inventive game system as shown in FIG. 1 as game system 11. The game system 11 includes a baseball diamond board 13 which may be of one piece or multi-piece construction. The baseball diamond board 13 may be of soft, roll up construction or multi section folded board, or any other realization which aids the players in keeping up with the positions of the players in the game. As another example, the field may be represented by four sticks which form, though not necessarily at their ends, a rectangle or diamond.
[0011] A preferable configuration of a rigid board section construction would include a four section board having two of the adjacent quarters folding in parallel toward two other adjacent quarters to make a half fold, with the other two adjacent quarters foldable downwardly along their boundary toward each other to form a quarter folded stowage structure. This folded structure fits well in a storage box.
[0012] A series of player representations are seen as FIGS. 15, although flat figures may be used and are equivalent to the FIGS. 15. The FIGS. 15 may preferably have a “T” shaped base fitted with flat plastic or cardboard to yield easily storable members which have a three dimensional appearance when placed on the board. In the alternative, three dimensional player FIGS. 15 may be used.
[0013] Also seen in FIG. 1 is a pitcher spinner wheel 17 and a batter spinner wheel 19. Typically players will sit on either side of the baseball diamond board 13 and thus the pitcher spinner wheel 17 and a batter spinner wheel 19 will typically be located on opposite sides of the board 13. Typically players will simply manually exchange the pitcher spinner wheel 17 and a batter spinner wheel 19 at the end of each inning.
[0014] The pitcher spinner wheel 17 and a batter spinner wheel 19 are each typically planar expanse of plastic or cardboard material having a center hole into which is mounted, rivet style (removable or non removable) a spinable arrow pointer. It is contemplated that for ease of play, the pitcher spinner wheel 17 and batter spinner wheel 19 be provided as two separate structures so that a physical exchange need only be made at the end of a half inning. As an alternative, a single expanse of material could be provided with the pitcher spinner wheel 17 on one side and the batter spinner wheel 19 on the other side, and having a pair of arrows joined at their spin axle. This would provide for more back and forth movement of the combined device. Thus, when pitcher spinner wheel 17 and batter spinner wheel 19 are referred to, they need not be separate, independent structures.
[0015] Also seen in FIG. 1 is a deck of player cards 21 which are typically shuffled thoroughly before play begins, or which may be mixed in a flat box to be randomly selected. As will be examined, there are about eighty one player cards 21, of which many are identical. This aliasing of the type of card has several advantages.
[0016] First, it enables a significant number of the player cards 21 to be selected and held by the two player sides while providing a larger reservoir of un-selected player cards 21 which remain fairly random. Second, it enables a complete game to be played, likely without having to resort to re-adding the discarded player cards 21 and without re-shuffling. Third, it reduces the wear on the player cards 21. Fourth, by using a larger number of player cards 21 the randomness can be more easily maintained without copious amounts of shuffling.
[0017] Also seen in FIG. 1 is an optional score pad 23. The optional score pad 23 can be provided as a glossy, plastic covered board with color in boxes or circles to be marked by an erasable marker, or it may be provided as a tear away pad of disposable pages especially for use with a pencil or pen.
[0018] The player cards 21 number eighty-one and represent a probability of one of eighty one by virtue of the probability of draw from a full deck. The pitcher spinner wheel 17 and a batter spinner wheel 19 are provided with angular sectors associated with play probabilities. The physical structure of the game components will be discussed at length with a discussion of the manner in which the game is played.
[0019] Playing the Game:
[0020] The user sets up the player FIGS. 15 on the field of the baseball diamond board 13. The player FIGS. 15 may be solid standing player FIGS. 15 with a base surface, or may be placards with a plastic base stand. The game may be played by a pair of opposing players, or by players representing two teams, especially with a division of labor and collaboration between members on the same team. Each player or group of players selects to be the home team or visiting team. As in a standard baseball game, the visiting team will bat first and the home team will take the field.
[0021] The home team will utilize the player FIGS. 15 having lighter colored uniforms and the visiting team the player FIGS. 15 having the darker colored uniforms. The home team player FIGS. 15 in the light colored uniforms are then placed on the baseball field of the baseball diamond board 13. A player position diagram may be used as a guide. After the home team is placed on the field, the visiting team will place a player FIG. 15, as a batter, next to home plate to begin play.
[0022] The visiting team will take the field after it gets three outs and then the field position will be changed and the home team will bat. This process of changing field position will continue throughout the entire game until a set of 9 full innings of play is accomplished, and possibly extra innings of play.
[0023] An out is when a batter has three strikes for a particular time at bat. Or if they hit a fly ball and the ball is caught or is thrown out while running to a base or trying to steal a base. When the team at bat gets three outs within an inning that team retires from batting, switches pitcher spinner wheel 17 and batter spinner wheel 19 between opponents, and changes field positions.
[0024] The pitcher spinner wheel 17 and batter spinner wheel 19 will be actuated, typically by flicking a center balanced spinning arrow, to spin and then come to a stop to randomly select one of a finite number of actions and are used to unambiguously inform all players on the field of the actions to be taken. The home team will pitch first using the pitcher spinner wheel 17. Thereafter, and depending upon the result of actuating the pitcher spinner wheel 17, the visiting team will bat first using the batter spinning wheel 19. After the visiting team accrues three outs, the home team and visiting team will change possession of the pitcher spinner wheel 17 and batter spinner wheel 19 pitcher and batter spinners and will also change field positions, and continue play for another three outs. The exchanging of pitcher spinner wheel 17 and batter spinner wheel 19 and the change of field positions will continue for the entire game.
[0025] In the event extra innings need to be played due to the score being tied after nine full innings, this process of changing pitcher spinner wheel 17 and batter spinner wheel 19 spinners and of changing field positions will continue until a winner is determined.
[0026] The pitcher spinning wheel 17 actions include Strike, Ball, Wild Pitch, Hit, Pitcher Hits Batter, Pitcher Throws runner out, and Pitcher Change. There can be multiple ones of the above general actions, each with its own different category of more specific result producing action. Put another way, the above actions are common to several sets of smaller more specific types of actions. In the spinning wheel manual format this results in multiple wheel sectors having the title Strike, for example, but with each having its own more specific action.
[0027] Similarly, the batter spinning wheel 19 actions include Home Run, Foul Ball, Fly Ball, Single, Double, Triple, Bunt, Line Drive, hit to short stop, hit to first baseman, hit to third baseman, hit to second baseman, hit to pitcher and draw a playing card. The playing cards can be used to achieve a particular strategy that a team may have. Under preferred rules herein, only one playing card can be pulled by the batter and only when the pitcher spinning wheel arrow points to “ball”.
[0028] For example, a playing card can be played by the “batter”, in lieu of “spinning” the batter spinning wheel, and only when the “pitcher spinning wheel” arrow is on “hit” or “ball”. Only one player card can be played at a time when the “pitcher's” spinning wheel arrow is on “hit” or “ball”. Several player cards can be played within an inning of play by one team.
[0029] It is understood that the pitcher spinner wheel 17 and batter spinner wheel 19 could be advantageously replaced by any random result generating device, such as a microprocessor. Since the player cards 21 are to be kept, managed, organized and generally confidential by the team or player having custody of them, the player cards 21 are a good structure to hold these game assets.
[0030] In terms of an electronic realization of the game, particularly using digital randomization, the spinning wheels would be the first to be replaced, typically with a common computer and having a pitcher actuation button and a batter activation button. Since the player card 21 assets have to be segregated in private to the players in a manner which excludes the opponent's view, the players cards 21 would likely to be continued to be used even with a single central computer used to generate batter and pitcher game actions.
[0031] However, the game system 11 can easily realize a complete digital embodiment once each side has an opportunity to keep private its strategy plays as embodied in the player cards 21. One such realization would include playing the game system 21 on the Internet with a program which creates a common screen portion which automatically shows a representation of the field, visually similar to the baseball diamond board 13, especially with automatically added and manipulated player figures on screen similar to the physically moveable player FIGS. 15. The screen would also have a separate section for each side showing that side's strategy assets which are currently supported and managed using the player cards 21.
[0032] Where multiple players, with more than one player on a side is in play, players on the same team will see the same screen and perhaps even be able to communicate by telephone, Internet phone, or other indicator to either discuss or even “vote” on which strategy assets to employ at any given moment during game play. Regardless of the electronic realization, the player actions, player card strategic possibilities which will be programmed may follow the specific configurations which are described below for the version of the game system 11 seen in FIG. 1.
[0033] Referring to FIG. 2, a brief view of a realization of an electronic component to replace the pitcher spinner wheel 17 and batter spinner wheel 19 is seen as an play generation device 51. Play generation device 51 has a housing 53 which includes a screen 55 for displaying the randomly selected play which would otherwise be generated by the pitcher spinner wheel 17 and batter spinner wheel 19.
[0034] Screen 55 may likely display the randomly selected play with a liquid crystal display or other graphic visual component. As an option, the result could also be called out audibly through a speaker 57. In some cases the screen display 55 could be eliminated in favor of a speaker 57 standing alone.
[0035] The play generation device 51 will preferably have a pitcher actuation button 59 and a batter actuation button 61. Again the type of play generation device 51 seen would be used in common view of the two opposing players or teams and would likely not be able to replace the privacy and manipulability of the player cards 21.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 3, a computer screen display 71 shows one realization of the game system 11 as seen on a computer terminal or personal computer. An upper part of the screen 73 includes a graphical display of the baseball field which is shown as an aerial view. The baseball diamond is shown with respect to field players shown as triangles and a batter and runner shown as circles. Color may be used to differentiate each team. The upper part of the screen 73 has information which is typically simultaneously viewed by all players.
[0037] A lower right part of the screen 75 is also simultaneously viewed by all players and displays the current pitcher play action and batter play action, equivalent to the pitcher and player actions which would be randomly selected by spinning the pitcher spinner wheel 17 and batter spinner wheel 19.
[0038] A lower left part of the screen 77 would contain the strategic assets only of the particular player or side viewing the screen and which are currently printed on the player cards 21. The strategic assets would be randomly selected and pop onto the screen by a “draw” function, and when such strategic assets were spent or employed, they would be removed from the lower left part of the screen 77 automatically. In a digital realization, the probabilities associated with the strategy actions of the player cards 21 can be further manipulated or allowed to occur as if drawn initially from an 81 card deck, even as the game play progresses.
[0039] Returning to the player card 21 and pitcher spinner wheel 17 and batter spinner wheel 19 realization of the game system 11, an explanation of the specifics of the playing components of FIG. 1, and more specifically the pitcher spinner wheel 17, batter spinner wheel 19, and player cards 21, will be explored. The player cards 21 include the following actions and values followed by the number in parenthesis indicating the number of their occurrence in the pack. 1 TABLE I Home Run 1st Inning Only(2) Wild Pitch Card, runner on 1st Base Advances to Second Base (10) Wild Pitch Card, Runner on 2nd Base Advances to Third Base (10) Home Run 2nd Inning Only(2) Stolen Base, Runner on 1st steals 2nd base (4) Stolen Base, Runner on 2nd base steals 3rd base (4) Home Run 3rd Inning Only(2) Pitch Hitter, Automatic Double runner and 2nd and 3rd score (6) Home Run 4th Inning Only(2) Game Rained Out, can be used in innings 5-9 only (2) Home Run 5th Inning Only (2) The Sun Is Shining, this card cancels “Game Rained Out” card (2) Home Run 6th Inning Only (2) Infielder Makes Great Play, this card cancels “Stolen Base Card” and can be used any time (4). Home Run 7th Inning Only (2) Outfielder Makes Great Play, this card cancels “Home Run Card” and can be used any time (8). Home Run 8th Inning Only (2) Catcher Recovers and Makes Great Throw, this card cancels “Wild Pitch Card” and can be used any time (10). Home Run 9th Inning Only (2) Triple Play Offense, fan distracts pitcher and the batter hits in the park triple, batter can play at any time. (1) Triple Play Defense, this card cancels the Triple Play Offense card. (1) Disgruntled fan card, the team holding this card automatically wins the game, if after nine innings of play the game is tied. (1) No additional innings of play are required when the disgruntled fan card is played.
[0040] The pitcher spinning wheel 17 has a total of twenty play possibilities and is divided into generally angularly even sectors each having about five percent of a full circle. The play possibilities are aliased, with a common play possibility occurring more than once around the circle and having a possibly different play reasoning associated with the action being assigned, and the play probabilities for each of the twenty play possibilities for the pitcher spinning wheel 17 is seem in the following table II with the associated probabilities for the major action headings seen in table III. 2 TABLE II Pitcher Spinning Wheel (20 Total Spaces) No. Action Reasoning 1. Hit batter's turn to spin 2. Ball batter pulls playing card 3. Hit batter's turn to spin 4. P hits B automatic walk 5. Strike knuckle ball 6. Hit batter's turn to spin 7. Wild pitch all runners advance 1 base safely, batter pulls playing card 8. P throws R out on 1st base 9. Hit batter's turn to spin 10. Strike slider 11. Ball batter pulls playing card 12. Hit batter's turn to spin 13. P throws R out on 3rd base 14. Hit batter's turn to spin 15. Strike fastball 16. Hit batter's turn to spin 17. P change strike 2 count on batter 18. Strike curve ball 19. Hit batter's turn to spin 20. P throws R out on 2nd base
[0041] 3 TABLE III Pitcher Spinning Wheel Action Probabilities 40% Chance of Spinning a Hit 20% Chance of Spinning a Strike 15% Chance of Spinning a Pitcher Throws Runner Out 10% Chance of Spinning a Ball 5% Chance of Spinning a Pitcher Change 5% Chance of Spinning a Pitcher Hits Batter 5% Chance of Spinning a Wild Pitch
[0042] The batter spinning wheel 19 also has a total of twenty play possibilities and is divided into generally angularly even sectors each having about five percent of a full circle. The play possibilities are slightly less aliased, with a common play possibility occurring more than once around the circle and having a possibly different play reasoning associated with the action being assigned, and the play probabilities for each of the twenty play possibilities for the batter spinning wheel 19 is seem in the following table IV with the associated probabilities for the major action headings seen in table V. 4 TABLE IV Batter Spinning Wheel (20 Total Spaces) No. Action Reasoning 1. Bunt all runners advance 1 base safely 2. Triple all runners advance 3 bases safely 3. Double all runners advance 2 bases safely 4. Single all runners advance 1 base safely 5. Fly Ball right fielder catches batter out 6. Foul Ball count strike to batter 7. Home Run all runners advance to home safely 8. Hit to 3rd BM -error- all runners advance 1 base safely 9. Hit to P out at home, safe at 1st, runners advance 1 base 10. Hit to 2nd BM out at 1st 11. Hit to 3 BM out a 2nd and safe at 1st 12. Line drive to SS -error- all runners advance 1 base safely 13. Fly Ball center field, batter out, no runners advance 14. Hit to 1st BM out at 1st base 15. Hit to SS out at 1st & 2nd 16. Fly Ball left field batter out runners advance 1 base 17. Single runner thrown out at home base 18. Double runner thrown out at 3rd base 19. Bunt batter out and runner on 2nd base out 20. Single runner thrown out at 3rd base
[0043] 5 TABLE V Batter Spinning Wheel Action Probabilities 15% Chance of Spinning a Single 15% Chance of Spinning a Fly Ball 10% Chance of Spinning a Double 10% Chance of Spinning a Bunt 10% Chance of Spinning Hit to SS 10% Chance of Spinning a Hit to 3rd BM 5% Chance of Spinning a Foul Ball 5% Chance of Spinning a Triple 5% Chance of Spinning a Hit to 1st BM 5% Chance of Spinning a Hit to 2nd BM 5% Chance of Spinning a Hit to P 5% Chance of Spinning a Home Run
[0044] In the above tables, and as may appear on the pitcher spinner wheel 17 and batter spinner wheel 19 to save space, P stands for pitcher, B stands for batter, R stands for runner, BM stands for baseman and SS stands for short stop.
[0045] An even more specific set of rulings are provided so that play may unambiguously continue. Table VI includes specific details of actions and status of other FIGS. 15 and other effects based upon pitcher spinning actions. Table VII includes the same types of details based upon batter spinning actions. 6 TABLE VI Rulings for Pitcher Spinning Wheel Plays I. Batter to spin Batter Spinning Wheel Wild Pitch 1. If runner on 1st base advance to 2nd base. 2. If runner on 2nd base advance to 3rd base. 3. If runner on 3rd base advance to home base. 4. As a result of runner advancing to home base 1 run scored. 5. Batter Pulls a player card from deck-but cannot use until next turn. Pitcher Throws Runner Out-On 1st base 1. If runner on 1st base then runner would be out. 2. If runner on 2nd base then runner would stay on 2nd base. 3. If runner on 3rd base then runner would stay on 3rd base. Strike 1. Batter has one strike. 2. If the pitcher spins 3 strikes the batter has an out. Ball 1. When the pitcher spins 4 balls to the same batter during an at bat this is called a walk. (Batter advances to first base) 2. Batter also pulls player cards for each ball the pitcher spins (a total of 4 player Cards during 1 at bat. 3. If runner on 1st base advance to 2nd base. 4. If runner on 2nd base advance to 3rd base. 5. If runner on 3rd base advance to home base. 6. As a result of runner advancing to home base 1 run scored. Pitcher Throws Runner Out-On 3rd base 1. If runner on 1st base then runner would be safe. 2. If runner on 2nd base then runner would be safe. 3. If runner on 3rd base then runner would be out. Pitcher Change-Add 2 Strikes on Batter 1. The batter automatically gets 2 strikes. 2. If the batter had one or more strikes then the batter would be out. Pitcher Throws Runner Out-On 2nd base 1. If runner on 1st base then runner would be safe. 2. If runner on 2nd base then runner would be out. 3. If runner on 3rd base then runner would be safe. Pitcher Hits Batter 1. Batter would advance to 1st base. 2. If runner on 1st base advance to 2nd base. 3. If runner on 2nd base advance to 3rd base. 4. If runner on 3rd base advance to home base. 5. As a result of runner advancing to home base 1 run scored.
[0046] 7 TABLE VII Rulings for: Batter Spinning Wheel Plays Single-runner thrown out at home base 1. Batter would advance to 1st base. 2. If runner on 1st base advance to 2nd base. 3. If runner on 2nd base advance to 3rd base. 4. If runner on 3rd base then runner would be out at home base. 5. No run is scored. Single-runner thrown out at 3rd base 1. Batter would advance to 1st base. 2. If runner on 1st base advance to 2nd base. 3. If runner on 2nd base, then runner would be out at 3rd base. 4. If runner on 3rd base, then runner advances to home base. 5. A runner advancing to home base scores one run. 6. No run is scored if the out at 3rd base was the team's third out. Single-all runners advance 1 base safely 1. Batter would advance to 1st base. 2. If runner on 1st base advance to 2nd base. 3. If runner on 2nd base advance to 3rd base. 4. If runner on 3rd base advance to home base. 5. As a result of runner advancing to home base 1 run scored. Double-all runners advance 2 bases safely 1. Batter would advance to 2nd base. 2. If runner on 1st base advance to 3rd base. 3. If runner on 2nd base advance to home base. 4. As a result of runner advancing to home base 1 run scored. 5. If runner on 3rd base advance to home base. 6. As a result of runner advancing to home base 1 run scored. Double-runner thrown out at 3rd base 1. Batter would advance to 2nd base. 2. If runner on 1st base runner would be out at 3rd base. 3. If runner on 2nd base advance to home base. 4. If runner on 3rd base advance to home base. 5. As a result of runner advancing to home base 1 run is scored. 6. No run is scored if an out at 3rd base is the teams third out Triple-all runners advance 3 bases safely 1. Batter would advance to 3rd base. 2. If runner on 1st base advance to home base. 3. As a result of runner advancing to home base 1 run scored. 4. If runner on 2nd base advance to home base. 5. As a result of runner advancing to home base 1 run scored. 6. If runner on 3rd base advance to home base. 7. As a result of runner advancing to home base 1 run is scored. Bunt-all runners advance 1 base safely 1. Batter would advance to 1st base. 2. If runner on 1st advance to 2nd base. 3. If runner on 2nd advance to 3rd base. 4. If runner on 3rd advance to home base. 5. As a result of runner advancing to home base 1 run is scored. Bunt-batter out and runner on 2nd base out 1. Batter would be out. 2. If runner on 1st base would be out at 2nd base. 3. If runner on 2nd base advance to 3rd base. 4. If runner on 3rd base advance to home base. 5. As a result of runner advancing to home base 1 run scored. 6. No run is scored if out on batter or runner is team's third out. Hit to Pitcher-out at home safe at 1st, runners advance 1 base 1. Batter would advance to 1st base. 2. If runner on 1st advance to 2nd base. 3. If runner on 2nd base advance to 3rd base. 4. If runner on 3rd base then runner would be out at home base. 5. No run is scored. Hit to 1st Baseman-out at 1st base 1. Batter would be out at 1st base. 2. If runner on 1st base advance to 2nd base. 3. If runner on 2nd base advance to 3rd base. 4. If runner on 3rd base advance to home base. 5. As a result of runner advancing to home base 1 run is scored. 6. No run is scored if out at 1st base is team's third out. Hit to 2nd Baseman-out at 1st base 1. Batter would be out at 1st base. 2. If runner on 1st base advance to 2nd base. 3. If runner on 2nd base advance to 3rd base. 4. If runner on 3rd base advance to home base. 5. As a result of runner advancing to home base 1 run scored. 6. No run is scored if out at 1st base is team's third out. Hit to 3rd Baseman-error-all runners advance 1 base safely 1. Batter would advance to 1st base. 2. If runner on 1st base advance to 2nd base. 3. If runner on 2nd base advance to 3rd base. 4. If runner on 3rd base advance to home base. 5. As a result of runner advancing to home base 1 run scored. Hit to 3rd Baseman-out at 2nd, safe at 1st 1. Batter would advance to 1st base. 2. If runner on 1st base runner would be out at 2nd base. 3. If runner on 2nd base advance to 3rd base. 4. If runner on 3rd base advance to home base. 5. As a result of runner advancing to home base 1 run scored. 6. No run is scored if out at 2nd base is team's third out. Line Drive To Short Stop-all runners advance 1 base safely 1. Batter would advance to 1st base. 2. If runner on 1st base advance to 2nd base. 3. If runner on 2nd base advance to 3rd base. 4. If runner on 3rd base advance to home base. 5. As a result of runner advancing to home base 1 run scored. Hit to Short Stop-out at 1st base and 2nd base 1. Batter would be out at 1st base. 2. If runner on 1st base runner would be out at 2nd base. 3. If runner on 2nd base advance to 3rd base. 4. If runner on 3rd base advance to home base. 5. As a result of runner advancing to home base 1 run scored. 6. No run is scored if out at 1st base or 2nd base is team's third out. Fly Ball-left fielder catches, runners advance 1 base 1. Batter would be out at 1st base. 2. If runner on 1st base advance to 2nd base. 3. If runner on 2nd base advance to 3rd base. 4. If runner on 3rd base advance to home base. 5. As a result of runner advancing to home base 1 run scored. 6. No run is scored if out is the team's third out. Fly Ball-right fielder catches, batter out 1. Batter would be out at 1st base. 2. If runner on 1st base advance to 2nd base. 3. If runner on 2nd base advance to 3rd base. 4. If runner on 3rd base advance to home base. 5. As a result of runner advancing to home base 1 run scored. 6. No run is scored if out is the team's third out. Fly Ball-center fielder catches, batter out, no runners advance 1. Batter would be out at 1st base. 2. If runner on 1st base runner would stay on 1st base. 3. If runner on 2nd base runner would stay on 2nd base. 4. If runner on 3rd base runner would stay on 3rd base. 5. No run is scored. Foul Ball-count strike to batter 1. Batter would gain 1 strike. 2. Batter can only gain 2 strikes from foul balls. 3. If runner on 1st base runner would stay on 1st base. 4. If runner on 2nd base runner would stay on 2nd base. 5. If runner on 3rd base runner would stay on 3rd base. Home Run-all runners advance to home safely 1. Batter would advance to home base. 2. If runner on 1st base advance to home base. 3. As a result of runner advancing to home base 1 run scored. 4. If runner on 2nd base advance to home base. 5. As a result of runner advancing to home base 1 run scored. 6. If runner on 3rd base advance to home base. 7. As a result of runner advancing to home base 1 run scored.
[0047] 8 TABLE VIII Rulings for Player Card 21 Plays Home Run 1st Inning Only 1. The batter can only play this card once the pitcher has spun hit on the pitching spinning wheel. 2. This card can only be used in the 1st inning. Home Run 2nd Inning Only 1. The batter can only play this card once the pitcher has spun hit on the pitching spinning wheel. 2. This card can only be used in the 2nd inning. Home Run 3rd Inning Only 1. The batter can only play this card once the pitcher has spun hit on the pitching spinning wheel. 2. This card can only be used in the 3rd inning. Home Run 4th Inning Only 1. The batter can only play this card once the pitcher has spun hit on the pitching spinning wheel. 2. This card can only be used in the 4th inning. Home Run 5th Inning Only 1. The batter can only play this card once the pitcher has spun a hit on the pitching spinning wheel. 2. This card can only be used in the 5th inning. Home Run 6th Inning Only 1. The batter can only play this card once the pitcher has spun hit on the pitching spinning wheel. 2. This card can only be used in the 6th inning. Home Run 7th Inning Only 1. The batter can only play this card once the pitcher has spun a hit on the pitching spinning wheel. 2. This card can only be used in the 7th inning. Home Run 8th Inning Only 1. The batter can only play this card once the pitcher has spun a hit on the pitching spinning wheel. 2. This card can only be used in the 8th inning. Home Run 9th Inning Only 1. The batter can only play this card once the pitcher has spun a hit on the pitching spinning wheel. 2. This card can only be used in the 9th inning. Wild Pitch Card 1. If pitcher spinning wheel arrow points to hit or ball, batter has option to play Wild Pitch Card To: a. Advance runner on 1st base to 2nd base. b. Advance runner on 2nd base to 3rd base. c. If there is a runner on 3rd base, then that runner will score as a result of runner on 2nd base moving to 3rd base as indicated above Stolen Base 1. If pitcher spinning wheel arrow points to hit, the batter has option to play Stolen Base Card To: a. Advance runner on 1st base to 2nd base. b. Advance runner on 2nd base to 3rd base. c. Advance runner on 3rd base to home base. d. As result of runner advancing to home base, 1 run is scored. Pinch Hitter 1. If pitcher spinning wheel arrow points to hit, batter has option to play Pinch Hitter Card To: a. Advance runner on 2nd base to home base. b. As a result of runner advancing to home base 1 run scored. c. Advance runner on 3rd base to home base. d. As a result of runner advancing to home base 1 run scored. Game Rained Out 1. If pitcher spinning wheel arrow points to hit, batter has option to play Game Rained Out Card To: a. End the game. b. This card can only be played during the 5th-9th innings. c. Team with highest score wins game. The Sun Is Shinning 1. If the batter plays the Game Rained Out Card, the pitcher has the option of playing the Sun Is Shinning Card To: a. Cancel the Game Rained Out Card. b. Resume the game. Infielder Makes Great Play 1. If the batter plays the Stolen Base Card, the pitcher has the option of playing the Infielder Makes Great Play Card To: a. Cancel the Stolen Base Card. b. If runner were on 1st base, the runner would stay on 1st base. c. If runner were on 2nd base, the runner would stay on 2nd base. d. If runner were on 3rd base, the runner would stay on 3rd base. Outfielder Makes Super Catch 1. If the batter plays the Home Run Card, the pitcher has the option of playing the Outfielder Makes Super Catch Card To: a. Cancel the Home Run Card. b. The batter would not advance. c. If runner were on 1st base, the runner would stay on 1st base. d. If runner were on 2nd base, the runner would stay on 2nd base. e. If runner were on 3rd base, the runner would stay on 3rd base. f. No runners advance. g. No runs scored. Catcher Recovers and Makes Great Throw 1. If the batter plays the Wild Pitch Card, the pitcher has the option of playing the Catcher Recovers and Makes Great Throw Card To: a. Cancel the Wild Pitch Card. b. If runner were on 1st base, the runner would stay on 1st base. c. If runner were on 2nd base, the runner would stay on 2nd base. d. If runner were on 3rd base, the runner would stay on 3rd base. e. No runners advance. f. No runs scored. Triple Play (A) (baseball fan distracts pitcher and batter hits in the park triple. Batter can play at any time) 1. This card can be played by the batter at any time during an at bat. 2. Batter advances to home base. 3. As a result of runner advancing to home base 1 run is scored. 4. If runner were on 1st base, advance to home base. 5. As a result of runner advancing to home base 1 run is scored. 6. If runner were on 2nd base, advance to home base. 7. As a result of runner advancing to home base 1 run is scored. 8. If runner were on 3rd base, advance to home base. 9. As a result of runner advancing to home base 1 run is scored. Triple Play (B) (baseball fan distracts batter and causes batter to hit ball into a triple play. All runners out, no runners score.) 1. If batter plays the Triple Play Card (A), then the pitcher can play the Triple Play Card (B) To: a. Cancel the Triple Play Card (A) b. Batter would be out. c. If runner on 1st base then the runner would be out. d. If runner on 2nd base then the runner would be out. e. If runner on 3rd base then the runner would be out. Baseball Fan Character Card 1. If the game score is tied. The team holding the Baseball Fan Character Card automatically wins the game after 9 innings of play. No additional innings of play is required. 2. If a team draws the Baseball Fan Character Card during extra innings of play, the card must be played immediately and the team with the Highest Score Wins the Game and no additional innings of play is required.
[0048] To Begin Play of game, the home team will select a person to pitch. Preferably this person will pitch the entire game. Preferably the only time a pitching change can occur is when the current pitcher spins the pitcher wheel 17 to “pitcher change”, at which time a new person on the team will pitch the game to its conclusion. A team can have several pitching changes within the course of the game. A two person game will not have a person with whom the change will be done and thus pitcher change is an option for instances where there is more than one player. Preferably the visiting team will select its first batter and will set its line-up of batters so every member on the team gets a chance at bat. Each team will set the order for players on that team to spin the batter spinning wheel 19. Once a team has set its batting line-up it should not be changed. The home team will set its batting line-up when it's their turn at bat.
[0049] For the first pitch, the home team's pitcher, using the pitcher spinning wheel 17 will spin the arrow and allow the arrow to come to a complete stop. The pitcher spinning wheel 17 will inform all players of the action to be taken. Examples: If the pitcher spinning wheel 17, for example, reads “strike”, then the team at bat will record one strike against the player at bat. If the pitchers spinning wheel 17 reads “hit”, the team at bat will spin the batter spinning wheel 19. The batter spinning wheel 19 will inform all players of the action to be taken.
[0050] Game Action generally is dictated by the success of the pitchers and the batters. The defensive and offensive plays are the team's or players to make. All of the directions for play are stated exactly. But If there is a questionable call on what game action should be taken, the instructions in (1) the Batter Spinning Wheel Plays, (2) The Pitcher Spinning Wheel Plays, or (3) the player card section of the rules supplied with the game.
[0051] Winning the Game will be in accord with general baseball action. Each team will have 9 full innings to score points. The team with the most points at the end of 9 innings wins. If both teams'scores are tied after nine innings, one additional inning will be played until the tie is broken. Each team will have a complete inning at bat to attempt to score runs. An inning of play can last a long time. But an inning is over for the team at bat when that team has 3 outs, within an inning.
[0052] In the event that both teams have the same score after 9 full innings of play, it will be necessary to play an extra inning. Each team will have a chance to spin the Batter Spinning Wheel and score. One Full Inning will be played when it is necessary to play an extra inning. A full inning is played when both teams have a chance to spin the batter spinning wheel with both teams being allowed three outs.
[0053] Although the invention has been derived with reference to particular illustrative embodiments thereof, many changes and modifications of the invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, included within the patent warranted hereon are all such changes and modifications as may reasonably and properly be included within the scope of this contribution to the art.
Claims
1. A baseball game for at least two players, at least one of which is on each of two opposing sides, comprising:
- a physical structure representing a baseball field;
- a plurality of movable player pieces for simulating at least one of batters and runners and which are locatable with respect to said physical structure and during a playing of said baseball game;
- a pitcher random action generator device for generally randomly generating a pitcher action;
- a batter random action generator device for generally randomly generating a batter action; and
- a plurality of accumulatable, manageable and player selectable strategy actions for player actuation at pre-selected opportunities during said playing of said baseball game.
2. The baseball game as recited in claim 1 wherein at least one of said plurality of accumulatable, manageable and player selectable strategy actions override said randomly generated pitcher action and said randomly generated batter action.
3. The baseball game as recited in claim 1 wherein said pitcher random action generator device and said batter random action generator device are spinners having an expanse of material with a pivoting arrow.
4. The baseball game as recited in claim 1 wherein said plurality of accumulatable, manageable and player selectable strategy actions for player actuation at pre-selected opportunities during said playing of said baseball game are on individual cards, one for each of said plurality of accumulatable, manageable and player selectable strategy actions.
5. A process for playing baseball game for a first side having at least one player and a second side having at least one player, comprising the steps of:
- providing a physical structure representing a baseball field;
- providing a plurality of movable player pieces for simulating at least one of batters and runners and which are locatable with respect to said physical structure and during a playing of said baseball game;
- actuating a pitcher random action generator device for generally randomly generating a pitcher action;
- actuating a batter random action generator device for generally randomly generating a batter action based upon said randomly generated pitcher action; and
- granting accumulatable, manageable and player selectable strategy actions for player actuation at pre-selected opportunities during said playing of said baseball game to a said first side opposite said second side operating said randomly generated pitcher action.
6. The process for playing baseball game, as recited in claim 5 and further comprising the step of executing one of said accumulatable, manageable and player selectable strategy actions for player actuation in lieu of actuating a batter random action generator device, when permitted, by said first side opposite a second side operating said randomly generated pitcher action.
7. The process for playing baseball game as recited in claim 5 wherein said generally randomly generating a pitcher actions include at least five of Hit, Strike, Pitcher Throws Runner Out, Ball, Pitcher Change, Pitcher Hits Batter and Wild Pitch.
8. The process for playing baseball game, as recited in claim 7 wherein said generally randomly generating a pitcher action includes “Ball” and wherein said granting accumulatable, manageable and player selectable strategy actions for player actuation at pre-selected opportunities during said playing of said baseball game occurs when said generally randomly generating a pitcher action indicates “Ball”.
9. The process for playing baseball game as recited in claim 7 wherein said generally randomly generating a pitcher action includes “Hit” and further comprising a step of executing one of said accumulatable, manageable and player selectable strategy actions for player actuation in lieu of actuating a batter random action generator device, when said generally randomly generating a pitcher action indicates “Hit”, by said first side opposite said second side operating said randomly generated pitcher action.
10. The process for playing baseball game as recited in claim 6 wherein said generally randomly generating a pitcher actions are all included and are associated with the following probabilities for each actuation: Hit 40%; Strike 20%; Pitcher Throws Runner Out 15%; Ball 10%; Pitcher Change 5%; Pitcher Hits Batter 5%; and Wild Pitch 5%.
11. The process for playing baseball game as recited in claim 10 and wherein said randomly generating pitcher actions are performed using a digital computation device.
12. The process for playing baseball game as recited in claim 5 wherein said generally randomly generating a batter action include at least five of Single, Fly Ball, Double, Bunt, Hit to SS, Hit to 3rd BM, Foul Ball, Triple, Hit to 1st BM, Hit to 2nd BM, Hit to P, and Home Run.
13. The process for playing baseball game as recited in claim 12 wherein said generally randomly generating a batter action are all included and associated with the following probabilities for each actuation: Single 15%; Fly Ball 15%; Double 10%; Bunt 10%;Hit to SS 10%; Hit to 3rd BM 10%; Foul Ball 5%; Triple 5%; Hit to 1st BM 5%; Hit to 2nd BM 5%; Hit to P 5%; Home Run 5%.
14. The process for playing baseball game as recited in claim 13 and wherein said randomly generating batter actions are performed using a digital computation device.
15. The process for playing baseball game as recited in claim 5 wherein said accumulatable, manageable and player selectable strategy actions for player actuation at pre-selected opportunities during said playing of said baseball game include at least five of Home Run 1st Inning Only, Wild Pitch Card, runner on 1st Base Advances to Second Base, Wild Pitch Card, Runner on 2nd Base Advances to Third Base, Home Run 2nd Inning Only, Stolen Base, Runner on 1st steals 2nd base, Stolen Base, Runner on 2nd base steals 3rd base, Home Run 3rd Inning Only, Pitch Hitter, Automatic Double runner and 2nd and 3rd score, Home Run 4th Inning Only, Game Rained Out, can be used in innings 5-9 only, Home Run 5th Inning Only, The Sun Is Shining, this card cancels “Game Rained Out” card, Home Run 6th Inning Only, Infielder Makes Great Play, this card cancels “Stolen Base Card” and can be used any time, Home Run 7th Inning Only, Outfielder Makes Great Play, this card cancels “Home Run Card” and can be used any time, Home Run 8th Inning Only, Catcher Recovers and Makes Great Throw, this card cancels “Wild Pitch Card” and can be used any time, Home Run 9th Inning Only, Triple Play Offense, fan distracts pitcher and the batter hits in the park triple, batter can play at any time, Triple Play Defense, this card can be used to cancel the Triple Play Offense card, and disgruntled fan card, the team holding this card automatically wins the game, if after nine innings of play the game is tied.
16. The process for playing baseball game as recited in claim 15 wherein said accumulatable, manageable and player selectable strategy actions for player actuation at pre-selected opportunities during said playing of said baseball game are all included and are associated with the following probabilities for each actuation: Home Run 1st Inning Only(2/81); Wild Pitch Card, runner on 1st Base Advances to Second Base (10/81); Wild Pitch Card, Runner on 2nd Base Advances to Third Base (10/81); Home Run 2nd Inning Only(2/81); Stolen Base, Runner on 1st steals 2nd base (4/81); Stolen Base, Runner on 2nd base steals 3rd base (4/81); Home Run 3rd Inning Only(2/81); Pitch Hitter, Automatic Double runner and 2nd and 3rd score (6/81); Home Run 4th Inning Only(2/81); Game Rained Out, can be used in innings 5-9 only (2/81); Home Run 5th Inning Only (2/81); The Sun Is Shining, this card cancels “Game Rained Out” card (2/81); Home Run 6th Inning Only (2/81); Infielder Makes Great Play, this card cancels “Stolen Base Card” and can be used any time (4/81); Home Run 7th Inning Only (2/81); Outfielder Makes Great Play, this card cancels “Home Run Card” and can be used any time (8/81); Home Run 8th Inning Only (2/81); Catcher Recovers and Makes Great Throw, this card cancels “Wild Pitch Card” and can be used any time (10/81); Home Run 9th Inning Only (2/81); Triple Play Offense, fan distracts pitcher and the batter hits in the park triple, batter can play at any time.(1/81); Triple Play Defense card, this card cancels the Triple Play Offense card (1/81); disgruntled character card, this card wins game if after 9 innings of play the game is tied (1/81).
17. The process for playing baseball game as recited in claim 16 wherein said accumulatable, manageable and player selectable strategy actions for player actuation at pre-selected opportunities during said playing of said baseball game are accumulated and invoked using a digital computation device.
Type: Application
Filed: May 2, 2003
Publication Date: Nov 4, 2004
Inventor: Frederick Gambrell (San Antonio, TX)
Application Number: 10428671
