Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, a smart base for a baseball system or a softball system comprises a sensor to detect a first time at which a runner has touched the smart base, a radio-frequency (RF) receiver to receive a signal from a smart baseball that indicates a second time at which the smart baseball was caught, timing circuitry to detect if the second time occurs before or after the first time; and indicator circuitry to indicate a force out if the second time occurs before the first time.

Abstract: An electronic home plate providing assistance to an umpire in determination whether a pitch results in a “strike” or a “ball”. The electronic home plate is implemented with eye-safe LEDs producing light beams extending vertically. If a ball intersects the light beams, the light reflected from the ball is scattered and incident on photodetectors embedded in the home plate. A microcomputer embedded in the electronic home plate calculates the height of the ball crossing the light beams, and if the height falls between the top and bottom boundaries of a strike zone adjusted to the height of the batter, an indication system is activated to produce a “strike” signal. The microcomputer in the electronic home plate is further configured to calculate speed of the ball passing over the home plate, and the lateral position of the ball.

Abstract: An advanced baseball training base pad for repetitive teaching of proper base running is disclosed. Generally, the optimum pace to contact a base while rounding bases is the inside corner; therefore, sensors configured to the base pad provide indication/feedback to a user as to the part of the base pad being contacted. Alternative embodiments are provided showing different configurations of sensor arrays and multiple base pad portions that can be contacted by a base runner.

Abstract: A sensing home plate, structurally assembled from a home plate main body, and a sensing device disposed therein. The sensing device is assembled from a power supply circuit, a signal transmitting circuit, a fine tuning circuit, a signal receiving circuit, and an acousto-optic circuit. The signal transmitting circuit transmits signals, and forms a sensing area on the upper side of the home plate main body. When a baseball passes through or contacts the sensing area causing interference therewith, then a signal is received by the signal receiving circuit, and the acousto-optic circuit emits sound and light as a means to indicate such. The present invention can thus be used in the sport of baseball to accurately determine whether or not the ball pitched by the pitcher is a strike (good pitch) or ball (bad pitch), thereby assisting the chief umpire in making decisions, and reducing judgmental errors.

Abstract: A sensing home plate, structurally assembled from a home plate main body, and a sensing device disposed therein. The sensing device is assembled from a power supply circuit, a signal transmitting circuit, a fine tuning circuit, a signal receiving circuit, and an acousto-optic circuit. The signal transmitting circuit transmits signals, and forms a sensing area on the upper side of the home plate main body. When a baseball passes through or contacts the sensing area causing interference therewith, then a signal is received by the signal receiving circuit, and the acousto-optic circuit emits sound and light as a means to indicate such. The present invention can thus be used in the sport of baseball to accurately determine whether or not the ball pitched by the pitcher is a strike (good pitch) or ball (bad pitch), thereby assisting the chief umpire in making decisions, and reducing judgmental errors.

Abstract: The baseball and softball training system includes a home plate, a first base, a second base and a third base positionable relative to one another in order to practice base running and defensive baseball or softball skills. In this regard, the first base includes three indicia comprising a baseline section, a corner section and a leadoff section while the second base and the third base each include two indicia comprising a corner section and a leadoff section. The aforementioned indicia emphasize a contact location on each respective base depending on the baseball or softball game situation.

Abstract: A technique for improving the safety of a sport with bases involves providing a variety of indicia. The indicia can be associated with portions of the base to facilitate safe base running.

Abstract: A pitching assistance device resembles a home plate with a coiled measuring element stored therein. The measuring element may be selectively extended from the home plate structure to measure off a predefined distance, such as the regulation distance between a pitching mound and a home plate. Once measured, the distance may then be used by a pitcher for warming up or the creation of an improvised bullpen.

Abstract: A pitching assistance device resembles a home plate with a coiled measuring element stored therein. The measuring element may be selectively extended from the home plate structure to measure off a predefined distance, such as the regulation distance between a pitching mound and a home plate. Once measured, the distance may then be used by a pitcher for warming up or the creation of an improvised bullpen.

Abstract: A baseball home plate with laser beams arrangement is disclosed. The home plate has laser assemblies disposed along its edges emitting laser beams in the vertical direction. When a baseball thrown by a pitcher crosses over a path with one of the laser beams, the baseball is illuminated by a distinct laser spot. This permits an umpire to easily determine whether or not the baseball laterally passed through the strike zone and call the pitch a ball or a strike accordingly.

Abstract: A home plate includes a pentagonal body and a plurality of marks are marked on a top surface of the body. The body has a tapered top surface so that the pitcher can see the marks on the top surface clearly. A line is connected to the body and at least one positioning member is connected to the line so as to indicate the position of the pitcher's rubber.

Abstract: An apparatus to measure leg drive of a pitcher as the pitcher as delivering a pitch is presented. The device comprises a pressure gauge integrated into a pitching rubber to provide a pressure profile of the leg drive utilized by the pitcher during delivery of a pitch. This device would be useful in evaluating pitchers, in determining if a pitcher has recovered from injury, to determine if a pitcher is tiring during a game, and to provide a general indication of the pitchers ability to throw hard. The device could also be used a training device, and used to coach pitchers into developing a strong leg drive. The device may further be used in conjunction with additional sensors to determine the turnover ratio of a pitcher, the time from when the front foot hits the front of the mound to when the back foot comes off the pitching rubber.

Abstract: A new game is disclosed, involving objectives similar to American baseball but with equipment and rules of play tailored for young children. In this new game, there is a bat and a ball that is hit off a tee. The boundaries on the playing field are defined as a right boundary, which is a visual line between teebase and the base placed in a position similar to that of first base on a regular baseball field and a left boundary, which is a visual line between teebase and a boundary marker placed in a position angled to the left of teebase and selected according to the number and skill level of the players. There is only one base and when a batter hits the ball off the tee, he runs to a base placed on the right boundary. The base includes an air bladder that is connected to a sound generating device to produce a sound when the base is stepped on.