BAT-AND-BALL GAME SYSTEM AND METHOD

THE FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to ball games. More specifically, the present invention relates to a bat-and-ball game adapted for indoor or small space play.

BACKGROUND

Bat-and-ball games are generally field games played by two opposing teams. There are many examples of bat-and-ball games, including baseball, rounders, softball, stickball, t-ball, Wiffle Ball®, and cricket. Bat-and-ball game teams typically alternate between defensive and offensive roles. The team in the offensive role is sometimes referred to as the team that is “at bat.” The team in the defensive role is usually the team that is out in the field.

A player on the team out in the field may put a ball in play by throwing or otherwise delivering the ball to a player on the offensive team who is “at bat”. The player at bat attempts to score points for his or her team by striking the ball in such a way as to achieve a particular result depending on the rules of the particular bat-and-ball game.

For example, in some bat-and-ball games, after striking the ball with the bat the offensive player who is at bat, also known as the batter, may attempt to run from the “at bat” position to a scoring position. This is often accomplished by running through a series of safe havens or “bases” until reaching a scoring or “home” base.

While in contact with a base, the runner is “safe” from the fielding team and may attempt to move to additional bases until reaching the scoring position or base to score a point or a “run” for his or her team. When a runner on the offensive team is not on a base, the runner may be at risk of “getting out” by the defensive team thus removing the player from the path of bases leading to the scoring position.

The teams switch offensive and defensive roles when the fielding team gets the batting team out, which occurs when the defensive team gets a certain number of offensive players “out.” The number of outs required for a team to get out will depend on the rules of the particular game. The duration of a bat-and-ball game is typically not determined by a set time, but rather by completing a number of periods, sometimes called innings, in which each team will have both a turn playing offense and a turn playing defense.

There are some disadvantages, however, with many of the bat-and-ball games currently played. For example, some bat-and-ball games, such as baseball, require a large playing field and a large number of players to cover the playing field (9 players per team in the case of baseball). This limits where the game may be played and also makes it more difficult for a few players to get together to play a “pickup” game. Also, the playing equipment for many bat-and-ball games may not be compatible with indoor or small space use. While some bat-and-ball games have been adapted to small space play, they often lack sophistication and may easily lose the interest of players or spectators. Furthermore, some bat-and-ball games adapted for small space use may not require substantial athleticism or engender an energetic game pace.

Thus, it is thus desirable to have an improved bat-and-ball game system and method that is compatible with indoor and small space play, provides sophisticated game play, and encourages athletic intensity and competitive play.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved bat-and-ball game system and method.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a bat-and-ball game system is provided that is adaptable for indoor and small space play.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the bat-and-ball game system may include a playing field. The playing field may include a batting area, two defensive bases, a single runner's base, a pitcher's rubber, and a scoring zone wherein a substantially vertical scoring board may be disposed. The pitcher's rubber may be disposed on the field about one half the distance between a first and a second defensive base near the center of the playing field. A batter's plate may also be disposed within the batting area. The runner's base may be disposed between the batter's plate and the first defensive base.

According to another aspect of the invention, a pitching target may be located adjacent to a rear end of the batting area. The pitching target may be used for determining whether or not a pitch thrown is a strike or a ball.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a scoring board may be disposed behind the first and second defensive bases in an outfield area adjacent to or within the scoring zone. The scoring board may be a substantially vertical board having designated sections where batted balls may strike the scoring board and marked so as to communicate the score or progress achieved when a ball strikes a particular designated section of the scoring board.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, two ball teams comprising between about 3 and 5 players each may play a bat-and-ball game using the playing field of the present invention using game rules specifically adapted for the bat-and-ball game system of the invention.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a bat, a ball, and gloves used by players out in the field, and other equipment may be specifically configured for use in the bat-and-ball game system of the present invention.

These and other aspects of the present invention are realized in a bat-and-ball game system and method as shown and described in the following figures and related description. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which together illustrate by way of example, the features of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the present invention are shown and described in reference to the numbered drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 shows an aerial view of a playing field in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a front view of a scoring board in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 3A shows a front view of a pitching target in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 3B shows a side view of a pitching target in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows a cutaway view of a playing ball in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 5A shows a side view of a bat in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 5B shows a side view of weight rods for adjusting the weight of the bat of FIG. 5A in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 5C shows a top cutaway view of the bat of FIG. 5A in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 5D shows an exploded view of the bat of 5A showing the cap of the bat removed for insertion of weight rods in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 shows a front view of a glove or mitt having an extended web for encouraging players to watch a ball into the glove in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention.

It will be appreciated that the drawings are illustrative and not limiting of the scope of the invention which is defined by the appended claims. The embodiments shown accomplish various aspects and objects of the invention. It is appreciated that it is not possible to clearly show each element and aspect of the invention in a single figure, and as such, multiple figures are presented to separately illustrate the various details of the invention in greater clarity. Similarly, not every embodiment need accomplish all advantages of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention and accompanying drawings will now be discussed so as to enable one skilled in the art to practice the present invention. The drawings and descriptions are exemplary of various aspects of the invention and are not intended to narrow the scope of the appended claims.

Turning now to FIG. 1, a bat-and-ball playing field 10 is shown in accordance with the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a perimeter of the playing field may be configured substantially in the shape of a triangle, wherein the perimeter may be defined by a right field line 14A, a left field line 14B, and an outfield line 14C. A scoring board 20 may be disposed adjacent to and parallel to the outfield line 14C. The outfield line 14C may also be defined by or comprised of the scoring board 20. In a preferred embodiment the scoring board 20 and the outfield line 14C may each have a distance of about one hundred feet in length.

The playing field also may include a first defensive base 12A, a second defensive base 12B, a runner's base 18, a pitcher's rubber 16, and a batting plate 19. The playing field may also include a batting area at an infield corner where the right field line 14A and the left field line 14B intersect. The batting area may be comprised of one or more batter's boxes 17A, 17B and a batter's plate 19. The batting area may also include a pitching target 30. In a preferred embodiment, the distance between the batter's plate 19 and the outfield line 14C is about seventy feet.

The angle of the corner created from intersection of the right field line 14A and the left field line 14B adjacent to the batting area may range from about sixty-five to ninety five degrees. The size and approximate shape of the playing field 10 may be adjusted depending on the playing area available or the maturity level of the players. The angle of the batting area corner may be more or less depending on the need to adjust for the parameters of the particular area used for the playing field.

The first defensive base 12A and the second defensive base 12B are disposed in the outfield respectively near right field line 14A and left field line 14B. In a preferred embodiment, the first defensive base 12A and the second defensive base 12B are each disposed adjacent to the right field line 14A and the left field line 14B respectively.

The first and second defensive bases 12A, 12B may be disposed in the right and left outfields. The first and second defensive bases 12A, 12B may be comprised of a plate for a baseman to step on or may also be comprised a target that a fielder may throw a ball at to get a batter out.

The runner's base 18 may be disposed between the batter's plate 19 and the first defensive base 12A adjacent to the right field line 14A. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the distance between the batter's plate 19 and the runner's base 18 may be about thirty-five feet. It is understood, however, that the distance between the batter's plate 19 and the runner's base 18 may be adjusted to accommodate the maturity or skill level of the players or to accommodate for the area available for play.

The pitcher's rubber 16 may be disposed on the playing field about half the distance between the first defensive base 12A and the second defensive base 12B. In a preferred embodiment, the pitcher's rubber 16 may be disposed on the playing field 10 about fifty feet from the batter's plate 19 directly in front of the batter's plate 18 so that a line intersecting the batter's plate and the pitcher's rubber would create an angle of about ninety degrees between the intersecting line the outfield line 14C on each side of the intersecting line. It is understood, however, that the distance between the batter's plate 19 and the pitcher's rubber 16 may be adjusted to accommodate the maturity or skill level of the players or to accommodate for the area available for play.

The scoring board 20 may be positioned at a backend of an outfield section of the playing field 10. The scoring board 20 may be adjacent to or correspond to the outfield line 14C of the perimeter of the playing field 10 at the backend of the outfield.

As shown in FIG. 2, the scoring board 20 may have markings designating scores or runs earned when a batted ball strikes a particular section of the scoring board. In a preferred embodiment, the scoring board 20 may be approximately thirty feet high and one hundred feet wide and configured with markings dividing the scoring board into scoring zones or areas as shown in FIG. 2. The scoring zones or areas may represent three different scores.

The scoring board 20 may include a four point scoring zone 22 that is about twenty feet in height disposed in the center of the scoring board 20 about ten feet from a bottom perimeter of the scoring board 20 and extending to a top perimeter of the scoring board 20. The four point scoring zone 22 may be bordered on a right and left side by one or more three point scoring zones 24A, 24B as shown in FIG. 2.

The one or more three point scoring zones 24A, 24B may be about ten feet in height and disposed on the scoring board 20 on each corner of the scoring board 20. The one or more three point scoring zones 24A, 24B may be disposed on the scoring board 20 about fifteen feet from the bottom perimeter of the scoring board 20 and extending to the top perimeter of the scoring board 20.

The scoring board 20 may also include one or more two point scoring zones 26 disposed on a lower section of the scoring board 20. The one or more two point scoring zones 26 may be disposed on the scoring board 20 about fifteen feet from the bottom perimeter of the scoring board 20 and extending to the bottom perimeter of the scoring board 20. In an embodiment having a single two point scoring zone 26, the four point scoring zone 22 may extend into the two point scoring zone 26 as showing in FIG. 2. In another embodiment, the four point scoring zone 22 may be the same height of the three point scoring zones 24A, 24B so that it does not extend into the two point scoring zone 26.

In a preferred embodiment, the scoring board 20 may configured substantially vertical with respect to the playing field 10. However, it should be understood that the scoring board 20 may also be configured at an angle with respect to the playing field 20 so that batted balls can descend onto the scoring board. It is understood that the height and width of the scoring board 20 may be reduced or enlarged to adjust for the maturity or skill of the players or to adapt to the parameters of the locations selected for the playing field 10.

The scoring board 20 may be comprised of any material suitable for making a wall, such as wood, polymers, composite materials, etc. The scoring board 20 may also be comprised of poles and tethered ropes to create the three scoring divisions. Furthermore, the scoring board 20 may be comprised of a plurality of smaller walls or boards each having different scoring or run values. Scoring and run values may be also be disposed horizontally across the scoring board using different values as well as vertically.

The bat-and-ball game system of the present invention may also include equipment specifically configured for practicing the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a pitching target 30 may be disposed behind the batter's plate 19. The pitching target 30 may be used for determining whether or not a pitch thrown is a strike or a ball. The pitching target 30 may be a mobile or portable free standing apparatus providing a floating strike zone and configured with adjustable height control. The pitching target 30 may be comprised of a lightweight metal or composite material.

As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the pitching target may be comprised of a stand or post 32, a base, 34, and target board 36. The target board 36 may be secured to the pitching target post 32 either directly or using support braces 38. The pitching target post 32 may be adjustable so the height of the target may be adjusted to accommodate different heights of players.

The target board 36 may be comprised of a singular board or it may be multi-layered. As shown in FIG. 3B, in a preferred embodiment, the target board includes a backboard 39 and a target cover 37 having space between the backboard 39 and the target cover 37 to increase, enhance, or create sounds when a ball strikes the target board 36. The target cover may be made of plastic or a lightweight metal such as aluminum or a metal alloy.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the target board 36 may include a strike zone 31E and one or more sound zones 31A, 31B, 31C, 31D, 31E. The surface of the strike zone 31E section of the target board 36 may be configured to make a distinctive “ting” when a ball hits the strike zone 31E. The “ting” may provide a player with instant feedback to help their performance.

The pitching target 30 may also include pads securable to the target board 36 using magnetic adhesion or hook and loop fasteners, which pads may be used to enlarge or narrow the strike zone to allow a player to work on accuracy. The pads may also be used to adjust the strike zone for different sizes of hitters. In a preferred embodiment, the pads are made of foam or rubber.

The pitching target 30 may be portable. As shown in FIG. 3A, in a preferred embodiment, the target board 36 may be configured with one or more foldable seams or joints 33A, 33B. A person may remove the target board 36 from the pitching stand post 32 and fold it along the one or more foldable joints 33A, 33B for easy storage and carry. The adjustable

pitching target stand 32 may also be adjusted to a smaller size for easy storage or carry along with the target board 36.

As shown in FIG. 4, the bat-and-ball game system of the present invention may also include a ball 40 specifically configured for practicing the present invention. The ball 40 may comprise a lightweight hollow smooth ball configured for over speed arm training and reduced pressure on the players elbow and shoulder. The lightweight ball 40 may be configured for indoor use and safety while still allowing for true pitch flight and travel off a bat. The ball 40 may be configured to limit curve and other breaking pitches, while allowing for control of a fastball and change-up pitch.

In a preferred embodiment, the ball 40 may have a hollow center 43 and be comprised of a plurality of substantially spherical layers. A first inner layer 44 may be a spherical shell comprised of a substantially rigid yet flexible material, such as PVC plastic or other polymers. The first inner layer 44 of the ball 40 could also be made of other substantially rigid yet flexible materials.

The ball may include a second layer 46 that may cover all or a portion of an outer surface of the first inner layer 44 of the ball, the second layer 46 comprising a substantially pliable or elastic material such as leather or rubber. The second layer 44 of the ball 40 could also be made of other substantially pliable or elastic materials. The ball 40 may also include a tacky or slightly adhesive outer surface to assist a defensive player in securing a ball 40 with a glove or mitt.

As shown in FIGS. 5A-5D, the bat-and-ball game system of the present invention may also include a bat 50 specifically configured for practicing the present invention. The bat 50 may be an adjustable weight bat designed for over and under speed training. The bat 50 may permit a batter to adjust the weighting of the bat 50 to work on strength or quickness. The bat 50 may comprise a bat body 54 having a removable top end 52. The bat body 54 and the removable top end 52 of the bat 50 may be configured so that the removable top end 52 of the bat 50 can be secured onto the bat body 54 without coming off when a player swings the bat 50. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bat body 54 and the removable top end 52 are threaded so that the removable top end 52 may be securely twisted onto the bat body 54.

The adjustable weight bat 50 may include a plurality of weight rods 56A, 56B, 56C which may be inserted and removed from the bat 50 to adjust the weight of the bat 50. As can be seen from FIGS. 5C and 5D, the removable top end 52 of the bat 50 may be removed to expose hollow recesses 58A, 58B, 58C, 58D, 58E, 58F, 58G within the bat 50 for receiving one or more of the weight rods 56A, 56B, 56C. After inserting or removing one or more of the weight rods 56A, 56B, 56C into or from one or more of the recesses 58A, 58B, 58C, 58D, 58E, 58F, 58G within the bat 50, the removable top end 52 of the bat 50 may be secured on the bat body 54 to cover the weight rods 56A, 56B, 56C and recesses 58A, 58B, 58C, 58D, 58E, 58F, 58G to ready the bat 50 for use by a player. In a preferred embodiment, the bat 50 may include between about seven and ten weight rods 56A, 56B, 56C and between about seven and ten recesses 58A, 58B, 58C, 58D, 58E, 58F, 58G for holding weight rods.

The bat may be made of metal, composite material, plastic, or other polymers. The selection of a particular bat composition may depend on the ball to be used during play and the desired effect. The weight rods 56A, 56B, 56C may be comprised of metal, heavy rubber or other suitable materials.

As shown in FIG. 6, the bat-and-ball game system of the present invention may also include a glove 60 specifically configured for practicing the present invention. The glove 60 may be a small lightweight glove that permits a defensive player to feel the ball while at the same time providing sufficient padding for protection. The glove 60 may be configured with a webbed fielding pocket 61 that extends substantially beyond the ends of the thumb and pointer finger pockets of the glove 60 to encourage a player to watch the ball into their hand and use the opposite hand to secure the ball. The fielding pocket 61 may be comprised of a fielding pocket frame 63 that is flexible yet rigid enough to maintain its pocket shape and a fielding pocket web 62. The fielding pocket frame may be comprised of composite, plastic or other polymers, leather, canvas, or any combination of such materials or other suitable materials that have the appropriate balance of flexibility and rigidness. The fielding pocket web 62 may be comprised of any material suitable for webbing or netting that will not break when receiving a fielded ball.

The glove 60 may be configured with a free malleable finger design that provides increased a players ability to feel and touch the ball, which may increase a players focus on fielding a ball. Thus, the fingers 66A, 66B, 66C, 66D of the glove 60 may be independent from each other so that each finger may move independently without lateral attachment to an adjacent finger. The malleable fingers of the glove also encourage a player to use the web to field the ball.

The glove 60 may also be configured with a tacky or slightly adhesive surface on the palm side of the glove 60 to assist a player in securing a ball in the glove.

In another aspect of the present invention, two teams having between about 3 and 5 players each may play a bat-and-ball game using game rules specifically adapted for the bat-and-ball game system of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, each team comprises four players. An offensive team will be at bat, and a defensive team will defend the field. Three to four players may play the field at any one time. If the teams are comprised of five players each, the each of the five players on an offensive team may be in the batting line up; however, when on defense no more than four players may typically defend the field. It is understood, of course, that in some embodiments of the present invention, game play may be adapted to include five defensive players in the field for defending the field.

The teams may use a method such as tossing a coin to determine who is up at bat first and who defends the field first. A ball 40 is put into play by a pitcher throwing the ball 40 from the pitcher's rubber 16 at the pitching target 30. The pitcher's rubber 16 may be positioned about fifty feet from the batter's plate 19. The pitcher attempts to strike out a batter by hitting the strike section 31E of the pitching target 30. If the ball misses the pitching target 30, then the pitch is considered “a ball.”

The player at bat attempts to bat the ball 40 into the scoring area on the scoring board 29 and strike the scoring board 20 in a scoring zone order to score runs. In a preferred embodiment, the scoring board 20 is about seventy feet away from the batter's plate 19 and may be defined by scoring zones at different heights and positions as shown in FIG. 2.

If a fielder on the defensive team can stop the ball 40 from reaching a scoring zone, the defensive team earns an out against the offensive team. However, even though the ball has been stopped and the defensive team has earned an out, the ball will continue in play and a batter must run to the runner's base 18 to avoid a second out being earned. After a ball 40 is hit, whether or not a batter gets a score, if a fielder can throw the ball at a target or a baseman and it is received at either of the first defensive base 12A or the second defensive base 12B before the batter/runner reaches the runner's base 18, then the defensive team earns an additional out.

Points are scored when the batter hits a ball that reaches the scoring area on the scoring board 20 and hits the scoring board 20. If the ball bounces before it reaches the scoring board 20, it is worth one point if the ball strikes the scoring board 20 anywhere on the scoring board after the ball 40 bounces. A ball 40 that hits the scoring board 20 on one of the three point scoring zones 24A, 24B before hitting the ground will be worth three points. A ball that hits the scoring board 20 on the two point scoring zone 26 before hitting the ground will be worth two points. A ball that hits the scoring board 20 on the four point scoring zone 22 before hitting the ground is worth four points.

Runs can also be scored by the batter drawing two “walks.” If the batter draws two walks then the offensive team may score one point. If the batter draws one walk then one point is added to any scoring hit after the walk, unless that batter or the subsequent batter gets out, in which case the extra run is no longer available.

A batter gets out after three strikes. If the batter hits the ball into foul territory it is a strike. If the batter hits the ball above thirty feet on the back scoring area or above the scoring board, it is considered an out. If the batted ball hits the ceiling or roof of the facility where the game is being played then it is an out. If the ball is caught in the air it is an out. If the ball fails to reach the scoring board 20 it is an out.

Base running is executed after hitting the ball 40 with the bat 50, wherein the batter runs to the runner's base 18. In a preferred embedment of the invention the runner's base 18 may be positioned approximately thirty five feet away from the batter's plate 19 and disposed between the batter's plate 19 and the first defensive base 12A. After reaching the runner's base 18, the runner returns to a dugout or other seating area for the offensive team.

Batting lineups may be comprised of three to five batters and batters should bat in the same order they started the game in. In a preferred embodiment, all batters will bat. If a batter bats out of order or is injured or cannot play then the defense may be awarded an out.

An at bat is over when a batter strikes out, hits the ball in fair territory, or a batter is hit by a pitch or walked.

A defensive team may be comprised of between three and five players; however, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, no more than four players may be in the playing field defending the field, including a pitcher, two basemen, and a roamer. The pitcher puts a ball into play by throwing the ball 40 from the pitching rubber 16 at a pitcher's target 30 or strike zone target located behind the batter's plate 19. If the ball 40 strikes the strike zone 31E it is a strike. If the ball misses the strike zone 31E it is a ball. Three strikes may earn an out and four balls may result in a walk. If the ball hits the batter it is a walk and the batter remains up to bat with a new count if he or she chooses to do so or the batter may opt to allow the player next in the lineup to bat. If the batter or next in line to bat scores before another out is earned by the defense, then an additional point is added to the score. If a batted ball does not reach the scoring board 20 it is an out. If the ball is caught in the air it is an out.

A bonus out may be earned when a fielder fields a ball and throws it across the field to a target or baseman and the ball reaches the target or baseman before the runner touches the runner's base. The pitcher can throw to either side of the field targets or defensive bases.

In the preferred embodiment, a game is over after six innings of play. However, it is understood that the number of innings dictating the game play period may be more or less without departing from the scope of the present invention.

There is thus disclosed a novel bat-and-ball game system and method of play. It will be appreciated that numerous changes may be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the claims.