Abstract:
The present invention provides a visual representation of and unique, universal definition for a strike zone, said strike zone having a plurality of sub-zones. The strike zone representation allows for a signaling methodology to be developed in which a coach may discretely communicate signals during a game to his pitcher (ex.—baseball or softball pitcher) which request both a specific type and location for a particular pitch, based upon the game situation. Further, implementation of said signaling methodology based upon said strike zone representation allows for a performance factor to be determined for the pitcher. The performance factor may be determined based on results generated through use of the signaling methodology and may provide a universally-recognized gauge or measure of a pitcher&#39;s command of his pitches.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the field of athletic performance and particularly to a system and method for providing a performance factor for a pitcher (exs.—a baseball pitcher, a softball pitcher, etc.). 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Over the last 10-15 years baseball (and softball) coaches at all levels of the sport have become more involved with in-game strategy on a pitch-by-pitch basis. Many coaches now attempt to control the type of pitches his pitcher throws during a game by providing signals from the dugout or coaching box. For instance, a coach may signal the type of pitch (exs.—fastball, slider, curve, change-up, etc.) he wants the pitcher to throw based upon a game situation and/or game factors (exs.—the hitter who is batting, the number of runners on base, etc.). When providing the signals from the dugout, the coach may provide said signals either directly to the pitcher, or to the catcher, who may then relay the signals to the pitcher. 
     Numerical signal systems for signaling the type of pitch to be thrown have long been in existence. In such systems, a coach may provide signals indicating the type of pitch he wants the pitcher to throw by using his hands to signal a number associated with a type of pitch. For example, the coach may signal a number “1” if he wants the pitcher to throw a fastball, a number “2” if he wants the pitcher to throw a curve, a number “3” if he wants the pitcher to throw a slider, a number “4” if he wants the pitcher to throw a change-up, and a number “5” if he wants the pitcher to throw a different type of pitch than those mentioned above (exs.—sinker, knuckleball, screwball, forkball, pitch out, etc.). Over the years, it has been relatively easy for coaches to disguise the above-referenced signals from opposing team members by using such tactics as providing a sequential series of signals where only one of the signals in the series (decided upon beforehand by the coach and his players) is the true signal, or having multiple coaches and/or players send in signals at the same time, with only one of those coaches/players (the identity of whom is known only by the coach and his players) being the one sending in the true signals. 
     Alternatively, when it comes to signaling a location where the coach wants the pitch to be thrown, no practical system for doing so currently exists. In some current available systems, a coach may use verbal signals such as “keep it low” or may point to areas on his body to signal a desired location where he wants the pitcher to throw a given pitch. However, such currently available systems may not provide sufficient detail to the pitcher for communicating the exact desired location where the coach wants the ball thrown and further, may not provide a way for the signals to be easily disguised. 
     Thus, it would be desirable to provide a signaling system/method which obviates the problems associated with currently available signaling systems. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, an embodiment of the present invention is directed to a non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing a method for providing a performance factor for a pitcher, said method including: receiving a first input, the first input providing a first location for a first pitch; receiving a second input, the second input providing a second location for the first pitch; comparing the first location for the first pitch to the second location for the first pitch; assigning an accuracy measurement for the first pitch based upon said comparing; receiving a third input, the third input providing a first location for a second pitch; receiving a fourth input, the fourth input providing a second location for the second pitch; comparing the first location for the second pitch to the second location for the second pitch; assigning an accuracy measurement for the second pitch based upon said comparing of the first location for the second pitch to the second location for the second pitch; calculating the performance factor based upon the accuracy measurement for the first pitch and the accuracy measurement for the second pitch; and outputting the calculated performance factor. 
     A further embodiment of the present invention is directed to a non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing a method for providing a performance factor for a pitcher, said method including: receiving a first input and a second input, the first input providing a first location associated with a first pitch, the second input providing a second location associated with the first pitch; receiving a third input and a fourth input, the third input providing a first pitch type associated with the first pitch, the fourth input providing a second pitch type associated with the first pitch; comparing the first location associated with the first pitch to the second location associated with the first pitch; assigning an accuracy measurement for the first pitch based upon said comparing of the first location to the second location; comparing the first pitch type associated with the first pitch to the second pitch type associated with the first pitch; assigning a consistency measurement for the first pitch based upon said comparing of the first pitch type to the second pitch type; receiving a fifth input and a sixth input, the fifth input providing a first location associated with a second pitch, the sixth input providing a second location associated with the second pitch; receiving a seventh input and an eighth input, the seventh input providing a first pitch type associated with the second pitch, the eighth input providing a second pitch type associated with the second pitch; comparing the first location associated with the second pitch to the second location associated with the second pitch; assigning an accuracy measurement for the second pitch based upon said comparing of the first location associated with the second pitch to the second location associated with the second pitch; comparing the first pitch type associated with the second pitch to the second pitch type associated with the second pitch; assigning a consistency measurement for the second pitch based upon said comparing of the first pitch type associated with the second pitch to the second pitch type associated with the second pitch; calculating the performance factor based upon the accuracy measurement for the first pitch, the accuracy measurement for the second pitch, the consistency measurement for the first pitch, and the consistency measurement for the second pitch; and outputting the calculated performance factor. 
     A still further embodiment of the present invention is directed to a system of protective gear configured for being worn by a catcher, comprising: a chest protector, the chest protector being configured with a representation of a first sub-zone of a strike zone, a representation of a second sub-zone of the strike zone; and a representation of a third sub-zone of the strike zone; a first knee guard, the first knee guard being configured with a representation of a fourth sub-zone of the strike zone; and a second knee guard, the second knee guard being configured with a representation of a fifth sub-zone of the strike zone, wherein the representations are configured for providing visual cues to a pitcher for promoting recall of locations associated with the first sub-zone, second sub-zone, third sub-zone, fourth sub-zone and fifth sub-zone of the strike zone. 
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not necessarily restrictive of the invention as claimed. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the general description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The numerous advantages of the present invention may be better understood by those skilled in the art by reference to the accompanying figures in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a view of a representation of a strike zone, said strike zone including a plurality of sub-zones in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a view of protective gear configured for being worn by a catcher, said protective gear including representations of sub-zones of the strike zone shown in  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a view of the protective gear of  FIG. 2 , shown being worn by a catcher in accordance with a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  depicts a flowchart illustrating a method for providing a performance factor for a pitcher in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  depict a flowchart illustrating a method for providing a performance factor for a pitcher in accordance with a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
     In baseball (or softball), the strike zone may be defined as a conceptual rectangular area over home plate which defines the boundaries through which a pitch must pass in order to count as a strike when the batter does not swing. Referring generally to  FIG. 1 , a representation of a strike zone in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. In current embodiments of the present invention, the representation of the strike zone  100  may be rectangular-shaped and may include a plurality of sub-zones. For example, in the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, the representation of the strike zone  100  may include five sub-zones ( 102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110 ). The first sub-zone  102  may be represented via a diamond shape and may be centrally located within the strike zone representation  100 . In alternative embodiments, the first sub-zone  102  may be represented via a square shape, a rectangular shape, a circular shape, an oval shape, or the like. The second through fifth sub-zones ( 104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110 ) may be represented via similar shapes (ex.—pentagonal shapes) which are connected to (ex.—surround) the first sub-zone  102  and may form the upper right, lower right, lower left and upper left regions (ex.—corners) of the strike zone  100  respectively. In further exemplary embodiments, the second through fifth sub-zones ( 104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110 ) may be equally sized. In alternative embodiments, the second through fifth sub-zones ( 104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110 ) may be different sizes and/or shapes. Still further, each of the sub-zones may be further represented via unique corresponding numerals (ex.—the first sub-zone  102  may be represented by and/or associated with the numeral “1”, the second sub-zone  104  may be associated with the numeral “2”, the third sub-zone  106  may be associated with the numeral “3”, the fourth sub-zone  108  may be associated with the numeral “4”, and the fifth sub-zone  110  may be associated with the numeral “5”. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the second sub-zone  104  may be connected to (ex.—adjacent to) the third and fifth sub-zones ( 106  and  110 ), the third sub-zone  106  may be connected to (ex.—adjacent to) the second and fourth sub-zones ( 104  and  108 ), the fourth sub-zone  108  may be connected to (ex.—adjacent to) the third and fifth sub-zones ( 106 ,  110 ) and the fifth sub-zone  110  may be connected to (ex.—adjacent to) the second and fourth sub-zones ( 104 ,  108 ). In still further embodiments, each of the sub-zones may be further represented via unique corresponding colors and/or letters. 
     In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the strike zone representation  100  of the present invention provides a universal definition of the strike zone, which may allow said representation  100  to be easily implemented with numerical signaling systems. For example, a numerical signaling system may be developed which allows a coach/manager to signal both a type of pitch (exs.—fastball, curve, etc.) that the manager wants the pitcher to throw and a location within the strike zone  100  where the manager wants the pitch to be thrown to (ex.—down the middle, upper inside corner, lower outside corner, etc.). In a current exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a signaling system may be implemented in which the coach may signal a first number which represents the type of pitch he wants thrown. For instance, the coach may signal a number “1” if he wants the pitcher to throw a fastball, a number “2” if he wants the pitcher to throw a curve, a number “3” if he wants the pitcher to throw a slider, a number “4” if he wants the pitcher to throw a change-up, and a number “5” if he wants the pitcher to throw a different type of pitch than those mentioned above (exs.—sinker, knuckleball, screwball, forkball, pitch out, etc.). 
     Further, in said signaling system of the present invention, the coach may signal a second number which represents a location within the strike zone  100  where he wants the pitch to be thrown to. For example, the coach may signal a number “1” if he wants the pitcher to throw a pitch to the first sub-zone  102  (ex.—the middle of the strike zone), a number “2” if he wants the pitcher to throw a pitch to the second sub-zone  104  (ex.—the upper right hand portion of the strike zone when viewed from the pitcher&#39;s perspective standing on the pitcher&#39;s mound and throwing towards home plate), a number “3” if he wants the pitcher to throw a pitch to the third sub-zone  106  (ex.—the lower right hand portion of the strike zone), a number “4” if he wants the pitcher to throw a pitch to the fourth sub-zone  108  (ex.—the lower left hand portion of the strike zone), and a number “5” if he wants the pitcher to throw a pitch to the fifth sub-zone  110  (ex.—the upper left hand portion of the strike zone). Thus, various two digit signals (exs.—11-15, 21-25, 31-35, 41-45 and 51-55) may be provided by the coach for requesting a desired type of pitch and a desired location (ex.—within the strike zone) for a pitch. For instance, the number “44” may be used by the coach to signal that he wants a change-up thrown to the fourth sub-zone  108  (ex.—lower left hand portion of the strike zone), while a “32” may be used to signal a slider thrown to the second sub-zone  104  (ex.—upper right hand portion of the strike zone). In alternative embodiments, a signaling system, as described above, may be adapted in which the sequence could be reversed, such that the first digit signals the desired location, while the second digit signals the desired pitch type. Further, the two digit signal may be a visual signal or an audible signal. 
     In current exemplary embodiments of the present invention, numerical signaling systems based upon the strike zone  100  of the present invention may be implemented in other devices for promoting ease of implementation of and/or ease of learning of said numerical signaling systems. For example, instructional materials, such as a DVD, CD-ROM, or the like for communicating information about the strike zone  100  and how to implement said numerical signaling system(s) may be provided. Further, flash cards which may be used for teaching and communicating signals of said numerical signaling system(s) based upon said strike zone  100  may also be provided. 
     In further embodiments of the present invention, the representation of the strike zone  100  shown in  FIG. 1  may be configured on various equipment for promoting learning, memorization and recall of the strike zone  100 . In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the representation of the strike zone  100  may be configured on gear (ex.—protective gear) worn by a catcher, as shown in  FIG. 2 . In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, the representation of the strike zone  100  may be configured on a system of protective gear  200  which includes leg guards ( 202 ,  204 ) and a chest protector  206 , each configured for being worn by a catcher. 
     In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the chest protector  206  may be configured with a representation of the first sub-zone  102  of the strike zone  100 . For example, the representation of the first sub-zone  102  of the strike zone  100  may be established at a generally central location on a surface (ex.—front surface)  208  of the chest protector  206 . In further embodiments, the front surface  208  of the chest protector  206  may be further configured with a representation of the second sub-zone  104  of the strike zone  100  and a representation of the fifth sub-zone  110  of the strike zone  100 . For instance, the representations of the second sub-zone  104  and the fifth sub-zone  110  of the strike zone  100  may be established on upper left and upper right (ex.—front shoulder cover) portions ( 210 ,  212 ) respectively of the chest protector  206 . 
     In further embodiments of the present invention, a first leg guard (ex.—a left leg guard)  202  may be configured with a representation of the third sub-zone  106  of the strike zone  100  and a second leg guard (ex.—a right leg guard)  204  may be configured with a representation of the fourth sub-zone  108  of the strike zone  100 . For instance, the representations of the third sub-zone  106  and the fourth sub-zone  108  may be configured on left and right knee cover portions ( 214 ,  216 ) respectively of the leg guards ( 202 ,  204 ). In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the representations of the first through fifth sub-zones ( 102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110 ) of the strike zone  100  may be both sized and located for being visible (ex.—readable) from a distance of at least sixty feet away, such that a pitcher standing on a pitcher&#39;s mound facing the catcher (who is positioned behind home plate in a traditional catcher&#39;s crouch) and facing the pitcher) may be able to view and read the sub-zone representations ( 102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110 ) configured on the catcher&#39;s gear  200 . (as shown in  FIG. 3 ). Such equipment may promote ease of learning and recall of where the particular sub-zones ( 102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110 ) of the strike zone  100  are located, which may allow the pitcher to more easily recall where he needs to throw a pitch when his coach provides a signal requesting that the pitcher throw the ball into a particular sub-zone. 
     In alternative embodiments of the present invention, the representation of the strike zone  100  (representations of the sub-zones) may be configured on other gear, equipment, and/or devices for promoting learning and recall of the strike zone  100 . In at least one embodiment, the representation of the strike zone  100  may be configured on a pitching canvas to provide a target for a pitcher to hit when throwing pitches during practice, which also provides a visually recallable image of the strike zone  100  of the present invention. The pitcher&#39;s canvas may also be configured with representations of a right-handed batter and/or a left-handed batter. In further embodiments, the representation of the strike zone  100  may be configured on a clipboard or pin-up sheets, which may, for instance, be configured for being hung (ex.—posted) in a dugout for providing a visual reminder to the players and coaches of the strike zone  100  for promoting learning and recall of the strike zone  100 . 
     In further embodiments of the present invention, the representation of the strike zone  100 , by providing a universal, recallable idea or definition of the strike zone, allows for a standardized measure of a pitcher&#39;s control to be developed based upon said strike zone  100  and signaling systems (ex.—numerical signaling systems) which are implemented based upon said strike zone  100 . Such standardized measure of a pitcher&#39;s control may be known as The Pitcher&#39;s Spot (TPS) factor, which provides a measure of how consistently a pitcher is able to throw a pitch where he is asked to throw it (ex.—or how consistently a pitcher is able to hit is intended “spots” or sub-zones of the strike zone  100 ). The TPS factor, due to its being based upon the strike zone  100  of the present invention, may become a universal or standardized statistical measure of pitching performance, much like Earned Run Average (ERA). 
     In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, determination of TPS factor may include comparing an intended location for a thrown pitch (ex.—a sub-zone that was signaled by the coach) with an actual location of the thrown pitch (ex.—sub-zone, spot or location where the thrown pitch actually ended up). In further embodiments of the present invention, such comparing may be done for all of the pitches thrown by the pitcher in a particular game (or during a particular season, inning, etc.), and a determination of what percentage of those pitches actually ended up at their intended location may be calculated, with said percentage being the TPS factor. Thus, the TPS factor may provide a universal measure of a pitcher&#39;s command of his pitches (exs.—ability to accurately hit his “spots”, consistency with which he is able to throw his pitches to the sub-zones signaled by a member of the pitcher&#39;s team (ex.—coach, catcher, etc.). In further embodiments of the present invention, determination of TPS factor may be based upon: 1) how often a pitcher is able to throw a pitch into the signaled sub-zone; and 2) how often a pitcher throws the type of pitch (exs.—fastball, slider, curve) that was signaled. In still further embodiments of the present invention, instructional materials (ex.—a DVD) may be provided for teaching how TPS factor may be calculated. In additional embodiments of the present invention, a scorebook may be provided which includes areas for allowing a user to record data (exs.—signaled pitch location, signaled pitch type, actual pitch location, actual pitch type) which may be used in determining TPS factor. In further embodiments of the present invention, a computing device and/or computer program product may also be implemented for determining TPS factor. 
     Referring generally to  FIG. 4 , a flowchart illustrating a method for providing a performance factor (ex.—TPS factor) for a pitcher in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. The method  400  may include the step of receiving a first input, the first input providing a first location (ex.—a signaled and/or intended location or sub-zone in the strike zone  100 ) associated with a first pitch  402 . For example, the signaled and/or intended location may be within one of the five sub-zones ( 102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110 ) of the strike zone  100  or may be outside of the strike zone  100 , such as if a pitchout is called). The method  400  may further include the step of receiving a second input, the second input providing a second location (ex.—an actual location or sub-zone of the strike zone  100  where the pitch was thrown to) associated with the first pitch  404 . For instance, the actual location where the pitch was thrown to may be outside of the strike zone  100  or may be within one of the five sub-zones within the strike zone  100  other than the intended or signaled sub-zone). The method  400  may further include the step of comparing the first location associated with the first pitch to the second location associated with the first pitch  406  (ex.—determining whether the actual location or sub-zone where the first pitch was thrown to matched the intended (signaled) sub-zone for the first pitch). The method  400  may further include the step of assigning an accuracy measurement for the first pitch based upon said comparing  408 . The method  400  may further include the step of receiving a third input, the third input providing a first location associated with a second pitch  410 . The method  400  may further include receiving a fourth input, the fourth input providing a second location associated with the second pitch  412 . The method  400  may further include comparing the first location associated with the second pitch to the second location associated with the second pitch  414 . The method  400  may further include assigning an accuracy measurement for the second pitch based upon said comparing of the first location for the second pitch to the second location for the second pitch  416 . The method  400  may further include the step of calculating the performance factor (ex.—TPS factor) based upon the accuracy measurement for the first pitch and the accuracy measurement for the second pitch  418 . The method  400  may further include the step of outputting the calculated performance factor  420 . 
     Referring generally to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , a flowchart illustrating a method for providing a performance factor for a pitcher in accordance with an alternative exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. The method  500  may include the step of receiving a first input and a second input, the first input providing a first location associated with a first pitch, the second input providing a second location associated with the first pitch  502 . The method  500  may further include the step of receiving a third input and a fourth input, the third input providing a first pitch type associated with the first pitch, the fourth input providing a second pitch type associated with the first pitch  504 . The method  500  may further include the step of comparing the first location associated with the first pitch to the second location associated with the first pitch  506 . The method  500  may further include the step of assigning an accuracy measurement for the first pitch based upon said comparing of the first location to the second location  508 . The method  500  may further include the step of comparing the first pitch type associated with the first pitch to the second pitch type associated with the first pitch  510 . The method  500  may further include the step of assigning a consistency measurement (exs.—measurement indicating that the first pitch type and second pitch type associated with the first pitch matched or, a measurement indicating that the first pitch type and second pitch type associated with the first pitch didn&#39;t match) for the first pitch based upon said comparing of the first pitch type to the second pitch type  512 . The method  500  may further include the step of receiving a fifth input and a sixth input, the fifth input providing a first location associated with a second pitch, the sixth input providing a second location associated with the second pitch  514 . The method  500  may further include the step of receiving a seventh input and an eighth input, the seventh input providing a first pitch type associated with the second pitch, the eighth input providing a second pitch type associated with the second pitch  516 . The method  500  may further include the step of comparing the first location associated with the second pitch to the second location associated with the second pitch  518 . The method  500  may further include the step of assigning an accuracy measurement for the second pitch based upon said comparing of the first location associated with the second pitch to the second location associated with the second pitch  520 . The method  500  may further include the step of comparing the first pitch type associated with the second pitch to the second pitch type associated with the second pitch  522 . The method  500  may further include the step of assigning a consistency measurement (exs.—measurement indicating that the first pitch type and second pitch type associated with the second pitch matched or, a measurement indicating that the first pitch type and second pitch type associated with the second pitch didn&#39;t match) for the second pitch based upon said comparing of the first pitch type associated with the second pitch to the second pitch type associated with the second pitch  524 . The method  500  may further include the step of calculating the performance factor based upon the accuracy measurement for the first pitch, the accuracy measurement for the second pitch, the consistency measurement for the first pitch, and the consistency measurement for the second pitch  526 . The method  500  may further include the step of outputting the calculated performance factor  528 . 
     It is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps in the foregoing disclosed methods are examples of exemplary approaches. Based upon design preferences, it is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps in the method can be rearranged while remaining within the scope of the present invention. The accompanying method claims present elements of the various steps in a sample order, and are not meant to be limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented. 
     It is to be noted that the foregoing described embodiments according to the present invention may be conveniently implemented using conventional general purpose digital computers programmed according to the teachings of the present specification, as will be apparent to those skilled in the computer art. Appropriate software coding may readily be prepared by skilled programmers based on the teachings of the present disclosure, as will be apparent to those skilled in the software art. 
     It is to be understood that the present invention may be conveniently implemented in forms of a software package. Such a software package may be a computer program product which employs a computer-readable storage medium including stored computer code which is used to program a computer to perform the disclosed function and process of the present invention. The computer-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, any type of conventional floppy disk, optical disk, CD-ROM, magnetic disk, hard disk drive, magneto-optical disk, ROM, RAM, EPROM, EEPROM, magnetic or optical card, or any other suitable media for storing electronic instructions. 
     It is believed that the present invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely an explanatory embodiment thereof, it is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.