Abstract: An inline floor hockey playing surface including a main playing surface provided with a goal or net close to either end of the playing surface and opposite thereto. A ramped half-pipe surface surrounds the main playing surface. An upper deck platform extends for a portion along the sides of the main playing surface. A launch area is provided in the middle of the playing surface and is elevated from the rest of the playing surface by the inclusion of two ramped half-pipes. Side walls and end walls enclose the upper deck platform. Players can utilize the ramped half-pipe surfaces as well as the upper deck platform surface during game competitions.

Abstract: A sensor is provided for measuring the speed of a moving sports object, for example a ball such as a baseball or softball. The sensor is operable over a short range and is preferably mounted in close proximity to the path of the moving object. For measuring the speed of a ball, the sensor is preferably mounted on or in a ball glove or is otherwise mounted on the forearm of a person catching or otherwise receiving or interacting with the ball, for example, by wearing the sensor on such person's wrist. The sensor measures the speed of a ball about to be caught, for example, and displays the speed of the ball to the catching player. The sensor of the preferred embodiment utilizes CW Doppler radar in the form of a microwave radio frequency transmitter and receiver that has a single-transistor integrated antenna/oscillator. A simple, low cost unit having a low radiation and low energy consumption transmitter, receiver and signal processor, is provided.

Abstract: A goalie training system for providing a realistic training system that accommodates a goalie and a plurality of shooters at different angles. The inventive device includes a goalie zone and a plurality of shooting lanes extending from the goalie zone at various angles. The goalie zone is comprised of a center member, a pair of side members adjacent the center member, a center surface above the center member, and a pair of side surfaces above the side members. The center surface, the side surfaces and the lane surface are comprised of a synthetic ice material that allows conventional ice skates to be utilized. The plurality of shooting lanes are comprised of at least one lane member and at least one lane surface positioned above the lane member. A goal is positioned behind the goalie zone for simulating a realistic hockey rink. At least one shooter is able to utilize the shooting lane for shooting pucks at the goal which the goalie attempts to deflect within the goalie zone.

Abstract: A method for conducting a championship playoff includes the steps of ranking participating teams after a regular season by adding the ranks of each team based upon at least two different polls, and assigning a final rank for each team based upon the summation of these polls. A championship tournament is then conducted with a plurality of rounds of events to reduce the initial number of teams to a single champion. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, one poll is a poll of sports writers, a second poll is a poll of coaches, and a third poll is an objective poll, with the first and second polls being weighted more heavily than the objective poll. Each round of events in the championship playoff would be played at different site locations. A secondary tournament would be conducted utilizing the highest ranked teams below those which are utilized in the championship tournament.

Abstract: A system and method for playing a game in three dimensions. The system includes a three-dimensional playing field at least partially surrounded by a volume-defining surface, and an air mover operatively connected to the playing field to produce a stream of air within the playing field. A goal may be formed within the playing field so that an object may be moved relative to the goal. An air control system may control the stream of air within the playing field, so that the stream of air within the playing field has a volume flow rate that may be varied substantially by the air control system within at least one selected area of the playing field. A sensor may be provided for sensing the location of an object within the playing field. Goggles may be provided for wearing by a player, the goggles including a display device interconnected to a computer processor to display an image controlled by the processor. The method may use the described system to play a game while suspended in a stream of air.

Abstract: A tag game kit of parts comprising of a plurality of tag units. Each tag unit has a clothing attachment clip to which is rotatably connected, via a connecting ring, a colored, strip-like, fabric pennant. The tag game kit of parts is provided with at least three groups of tag units, each tag unit group being provided with pennants of a distinctive color, with each distinctive color being different from the colors of the other groups' pennants. For game play, at least two players divide into at least two groups, with each group being represented by the color of the groups' tag unit pennants. Each player, using the clips, attaches a number of tag units to the player's clothing. Then, the players chase after each other with the members of each team attempting to obtain the tag units of the other teams' members by grabbing and pulling the pennants and thus detaching the clips from the clothing. Once a player loses all of his or her tag units, that player is out of the game.

Abstract: A baseball glove including a hand covering having a palm portion, a thumb portion, four finger portions, a webbed portion extending between said thumb portion and the nearest finger portion, and a flap portion attached to the palm portion which has at least one strap for a finger to be inserted therein is disclosed. The flap portion forms a pocket with the palm portion when a finger is placed within the finger gripping means so that a baseball may be caught within the pocket. In an alternative embodiment, the baseball glove may have three finger straps.

Abstract: Airborne team game apparatus including a rectangular chamber-form, playing court having an elastomeric mesh floor, transparent upstanding sidewalls, a mesh ceiling and goals on respective end walls. A series of fan outlets provide an airborne body supporting updraft throughout the court so that players can fly past each other during play while throwing a game projectile into a goal to score. The game projectile is molded in one piece from elastomeric material and has a spherical portion centrally mounted in an inwardly tapering, annular vane or wing.

Abstract: A sensor is provided for measuring the speed of a moving sports object, for example a ball such as a baseball or softball. The sensor is operable over a short range and is preferably mounted in close proximity to the path of the moving object. For measuring the speed of a ball, the sensor is preferably mounted on or in a ball glove or is otherwise mounted on the forearm of a person catching or otherwise receiving or interacting with the ball, for example, by wearing the sensor on such person's wrist. The sensor measures the speed of a ball about to be caught, for example, and displays the speed of the ball to the catching player. The sensor of the preferred embodiment utilizes CW Doppler radar in the form of a microwave radio frequency transmitter and receiver that has a single-transistor integrated antenna/oscillator. A simple, low cost unit having a low radiation and low energy consumption transmitter, receiver and signal processor, is provided.

Abstract: A new field game and board game on which the field game rules are applied is disclosed. In the field game an offensive team and a defensive team oppose each other. The offensive team is divided into an equal number of carrier players and escort players. The carrier players attempt to remove an object from the center marker located in the center of a round or oval playing area. The defensive players attempt to tag-out the carrier player while the escort player attempts to simultaneously tag-out the defensive players. The offensive team scores by either successfully removing the object from the field or by tagging-out all of the defensive players. If the offensive team does not score, the offense and defense change roles. The game continues to be played round by round until a predetermined number of points is reached. The field game offers the advantages of providing a game that demands stamina, agility and mental quickness without requiring elaborate or expensive equipment for the players or for the field.

Abstract: A martial arts game method includes the steps of selecting a predetermined playing field marked off in a predetermined manner and having a goal pole at each end thereof. Each goal pole has a removably attached kick scoring member attached in a predetermined position. A baton is selected along with a plurality of martial arts players to form two teams. One team is given possession of the selected baton for the players to move the baton down the selected field to the goal pole to kick the kick scoring member on the goal pole to one side over the defense of the other martial arts team using martial arts techniques to defend the goal pole at one end of the selected playing field.

Abstract: An inflatable portable substantially collapsible structure comprising an inflatable substantially collapsible playing field having at least two walls, a top and a bottom, at least one object director to direct an object with a fluid along or above the playing surface and at least one score area.

Abstract: A hollow inflatable barrier for sports games formed of flexible air impervious material is supported on a generally flat surface to form a continuous configuration of sufficient size and shape to surround the perimeter of a game playing area. A fan or blower connected by a conduit in fluid communication with the hollow barrier conducts air into the hollow barrier to inflate it. In the inflated condition the barrier forms a perimeter barrier surrounding the game playing area to bar passage of small objects traveling across the generally flat surface. In a preferred embodiment the inflatable barrier is formed of a plurality of elongate hollow tubular members releasably joined end-to-end to form the continuous configuration. The tubular members may be provided in various shapes including straight for forming straight sections of the barrier, and straight with angled ends or curved for forming the corners of the barrier.

Abstract: A collapsible device used in marking the batter's box on a playing surface of a baseball field. The device uses a first frame half and a second frame half. Each frame half has an elongated side with first and second ends. A first arm with an inwardly disposed end is pivotally connected to the first end of the elongated side and an outwardly disposable end that is movable between an extended position and a closed position located against the elongated side. A second arm with an inwardly disposed end is pivotally connected to the second end of the elongated side and an outwardly disposable end that is movable between an extended position and a closed position that is located against the elongated side. A first hinge pivotally connects the outwardly disposable end of the first arm of the first frame half to the outwardly disposable end of the first arm of the second frame half.

Abstract: A dark court game apparatus and method involves securing illumination markers to a ball-based game court to identify portions of the court so the players can orient themselves relative to the court when it is rendered dark. At least a portion of a game ball is likewise illuminated so that its location and direction can be detected in the dark. Various combinations of illumination markers may be illuminated for varying the difficulty of game play with the least number of illumination markers corresponding to the highest level of difficulty. The invention is further directed to the court, illumination markers and game ball used to accomplish the method of the invention.