Baseball game apparatus

A baseball game apparatus arranged to simulate family participation in a baseball game and to reflect the interest and pitfalls of such attendance includes a game board having a first serpentine path of various awards and penalties directed to a stadium, wherein attendance and participation in a baseball game is effected with associated awards and penalties imparted by the use of game cards to direct awards and penalties as to whether the family or family members remain in place, with a second deck of cards provided as location cards to determine where the family is to proceed for that turn, with associated awards and penalties and a third deck of cards relative to problems associated in remaining at the stadium during play of that inning, with nine innings played to associate nine rounds of play relative to the selection of the cards. Return of the family subsequent to a completion of baseball simulation is effected through a second path from the stadium space to return to a home space, with associated awards and penalties with totals effecting status of the players among themselves relative to their dissatisfaction in attending a baseball game as a family unit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The field of invention relates to baseball game apparatus, and more 
particularly pertains to a new and improved baseball game apparatus 
wherein the same is arranged to reflect family attendance and 
participation at a baseball game simulation. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
Baseball games of various types have been utilized in the prior art and 
directed to the entertainment and amusement as well as education of 
individuals relative to baseball. Such game structure is indicated in U.S. 
Pat. Nos. 4,261,659; 4,179,123; and 3,972,530. 
The instant invention attempts to overcome deficiencies of the prior art by 
focusing on the interplay and relative satisfaction in intense of baseball 
games by a family unit. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of 
baseball game apparatus now present in the prior art, the present 
invention provides a baseball game apparatus arranged to reflect family 
enjoyment and participation at a simulation baseball game. As such, the 
general purpose of the present invention, which will be described 
subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved baseball 
game apparatus which has all the advantages of the prior art baseball game 
apparatus and none of the disadvantages. 
To attain this, the present invention provides a baseball game apparatus 
arranged to simulate family participation in a baseball game and to 
reflect the interest and pitfalls of such attendance including a game 
board having a first serpentine path of various awards and penalities 
directed to a stadium, wherein attendance and participation in a baseball 
game is effected with associated awards and penalities imparted by the use 
of game cards to direct awards and penalties as to whether the family or 
family members remain in place, with a second deck of cards provided as 
location cards to determine where the family is to proceed for that turn, 
with associated awards and penalties and a third deck of cards relative to 
problems associated in remaining at the stadium during play of that 
inning, with nine innings played to associate nine rounds of play relative 
to the selection of the cards. Return of the family subsequent to a 
completion of baseball simulation is effected through a second path from 
the stadium space to return to a home space, with associated awards and 
penalties with totals effecting status of the players among themselves 
relative to their dissatisfaction in attending a baseball game as a family 
unit. 
My invention resides not in any one of these features per se, but rather in 
the particular combination of all of them herein disclosed and claimed and 
it is distinguished from the prior art in this particular combination of 
all of its structures for the functions specified. 
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features 
of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that 
follows may be better understood, and in order that the present 
contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, 
additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter 
and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which 
this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the 
designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the 
several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, 
that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions 
insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present 
invention. 
Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent 
and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the 
scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar 
with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a 
cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of 
the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention 
of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to 
be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and 
improved baseball game apparatus which has all the advantages of the prior 
art baseball game apparatus and none of the disadvantages. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved 
baseball game apparatus which may be easily and efficiently manufactured 
and marketed. 
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and 
improved baseball game apparatus which is of a durable and reliable 
construction. 
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and 
improved baseball game apparatus which is susceptible of a low cost of 
manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly 
is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby 
making such baseball game apparatus economically available to the buying 
public. 
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and 
improved baseball game apparatus which provides in the apparatuses and 
methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while 
simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated 
therewith. 
These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various 
features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with 
particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this 
disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating 
advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should 
be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there 
is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 to 16 
thereof, a new and improved baseball game apparatus embodying the 
principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated 
by the reference numerals 11-43 will be described. 
More specifically, the baseball game apparatus of the instant invention 
essentially comprises a game board 11, having a row of start spaces 12, 
with a single start space associated with a family token structure 
indicated either as an individual token as indicated in FIG. 4, or 
preferably as a family token, to include the family car token 37 to 
contain a father token 38, a mother token 39, a simulation twelve year old 
son token 40, a ten year old daughter token 41, a six year old son token 
42, and a one year old daughter token 43 to indicate the family token unit 
when positioned within the car token 37 for positioning within and 
movement along the first path 13 from the start spaces 12 to the parking 
lot space 15 for positioning of the family car token 37, with the 
individual family tokens 38-43 of each player positioned within the 
stadium space 16. Subsequent to play of the baseball simulation game, a 
second path 17 of second path spaces 18 is directed from the stadium space 
16 back to the start spaces 12 for completion of the game board by 
individual players. The first path spaces 14, numbered one through 
twenty-three for twenty-three spaces, and the second path spaces 18, also 
of an equal number of spaces one through twenty-three, each include 
penalty and award spaces. Such by way of example is indicated as follows: 
FREEWAY SQUARES 
1. Flat tire lose one turn. 
2. Stop for treats plus 15 pts. 
3. Smooth traffic roll again. 
4. Forgot tickets return home. 
5. Traffic jam, lose 15 pts. 
6. Found a short cut plus 15 pts. 
7. Stop for gas minus 10 pts. 
8. Sing songs to pass the time away plus 5 pts. 
9. Mom packed food to eat on the way plus 15 pts. 
10. Dad has to stop at work minus 10 pts. 
11. The baby falls asleep, plus 10 pts. 
12. The kids draw pictures on the way plus 5 pts. 
13. Your son throws up in the car minus 20 pts. 
14. Smooth sailing, roll again. 
15. Dad tells funny jokes on the way, plus 5 pts. 
16. The kids choose the radio station, minus 10 pts. 
17. The kids are not fighting, plus 10 pts. 
18. Car overheats. Lose a turn. 
19. The air conditioner is turned on, plus 15 pts. 
20. Dad's beeper goes off. Must call work, minus 10 pts. 
21. You can see the ball park, plus 10 pts. 
22. Kids are hyper, minus 10 pts. 
23. You have a free parking coupon, plus 20 pts. 
BACK ROAD SQUARES 
1. Battery is dead. get a jump start, minus 20 pts. 
2. Get out of parking lot quickly, roll again. 
3. Stop for drinks, plus 10 pts. 
4. Find some candy in the glove compartment, plus 10 pts. 
5. Stop to get gas, minus 10 pts. 
6. Stop for ice cream plus 15 pts. 
7. Pit stop for restroom break, minus 10 pts. 
8. Dad drag races another station wagon, plus 10 pts. 
9. Your horn gets stuck minus 10 pts. 
10. Everyone is behaving, plus 10 pts. 
11. Dad bought a surprise at the game, plus 20 pts. 
12. Pulled over for speeding, minus 30 pts. for the ticket. 
13. Your son loses his hat out the window, minus 10 pts. 
14. The kids all fall asleep, plus 10 pts for silence. 
15. Your run over an animal, minus 15 pts. 
16. Traffic thinning out. Roll again. 
17. Stop for fast food, plus 15 pts. 
18. It begins to rain, roads are slick. Minus 10 pts. 
19. Flat tire. Lose a turn. 
20. Your car is running well, plus 5 pts. 
21. Someone ran over a skunk, minus 10 pts. 
22. You are relieved to almost be home, plus 5 pts. 
23. Sigh of relief as you come home, plus 15 pts. 
Movement along the first path spaces 14 and the second path spaces 18 is 
effected by rolling of the die member 25 to indicate the number of spaces 
each player's family unit is to proceed along the respective first and 
second paths 13 and 17. 
The object of the game is to accumulate the most "pleasure points" for an 
individual unit by game's end. The game is played with this regard. The 
game is played solitarily or by a plurality of players, with each player 
determining who will go in sequential order, typically by rolling the dice 
25 to attain successively or successively low totals by the die member. 
The game board includes a first deck of game cards 19 known as "Situation 
cards" positioned within a first game card space 20. A second deck of game 
cards 21 known as "Location cards" is positioned within a second game card 
space 22. A third deck of game cards 23 known as "Hassle factor cards" is 
positioned within a third game space 24. A scoring space 26 divided into 
scoring space sections 27 is provided, with each of the sections having a 
second base 28 and an overlying polymeric web overlay 29 arranged for 
lifting relative to the underlying section base 28 to permit for the 
erasure of numerical totals imparted upon each of the sections 27. 
Initially, each of the family tokens, including the tokens 37-43, proceed 
along the first path spaces 14 to attain or be penalized in various point 
totals of game points. It should be noted that at no point may any one 
player be afforded less than zero point total. More than one family car 
token 37 and associated family members therewithin may occupy a single 
space at any one time of the spaces 14 or 18. Families proceed along the 
first path 13 to the parking lot space 15 to park the family car token 37 
and position the family tokens on the stadium space 16 relative to each of 
the players. The first two families to arrive at the stadium space 16 are 
awarded a bonus of fifty points. Subsequent families receive no bonus 
points. Further, the stadium space 16 may be demarcated into "box seats" 
and "general admission" to further demarcate the earlier arriving family 
token groups. 
Upon being seated in the stadium space of the first two families, those not 
having reached the space for the parking lot space 15 may be provided an 
additional turn to reach the spaces 15 and 16. Subsequently, those 
families that have not yet arrived at the stadium space will not permitted 
to draw the second and third game cards 21 and 23 but must continue to 
roll the dice member 25 until they are seated. 
The baseball game itself requires nine innings or nine complete turns for 
each player, and each inning being considered one turn. 
At each inning, and upon each turn of by each player, the drawing of three 
different cards of the first, second, and third game cards 19, 21, and 23 
will be drawn by each player. It should be noted that the first, second, 
and third game cards 19, 21, and 23 each include various penalties and 
awards in play. For example, the following are exemplary and are not 
limiting relative to the "hassle factor cards" or third game cards 23: 
You are engulfed in the excitement of the game when your six year old son 
spills his entire cup of root beer, which you had just purchased for him. 
Minus 15 pleasure points. 
The stadium is filled to its capacity tonight. The lines to buy tickets 
were extremely long. Just the thought of the long wait you suffered causes 
you to lose 5 pleasure points. 
The umpiring of this game is much to be desired. Minus 5 pleasure points. 
But yelling at them at the top of your lungs awards you 10 pleasure 
points. 
The best thing about tonight's game is that your neighbor could not come 
and he gave you his seats for the evening. Plus 50 pleasure points for 
free tickets. 
Further, examples of the second game cards 21 are as follows: 
Remain in your seats this turn. Keep this card. Receive 25 pleasure points. 
Remain in your seats this turn. Keep this card. Receive 25 pleasure points. 
Remain in your seats this turn. Keep this card. Receive 25 pleasure points. 
Remain in your seats this turn. Keep this card. Receive 25 pleasure points. 
Remain in your seats this turn. Keep this card. Receive 25 pleasure points. 
Remain in your seats this turn. Keep this card. Receive 25 pleasure points. 
Remain in your seats this turn. Keep this card. Receive 25 pleasure points. 
Remain in your seats this turn. Keep this card. Receive 25 pleasure points. 
Skipping down the aisles headed to the concession stands your ten year old 
daughter slips and falls. After slightly spraining her ankle you spend the 
entire inning getting it wrapped at the first aid booth. Minus 25 pleasure 
points for her mishap. 
Your oldest son tries to impress some girls sitting close to him by jumping 
over a railing. To his embarrassment and misfortune his foot gets caught 
causing him to land on his head. He's ok but his ego is damaged. Spend one 
inning at the first aid station checking him out. Minus 25 pleasure 
points. 
Restroom time. Take the children to the restrooms during this inning. Minus 
25 points for not seeing the action on the field. 
Restroom time. Take the children to the restrooms during this inning. Minus 
25 points for not seeing the action on the field. 
The tribe is hungry. Spend this turn at the concession stand missing an 
inning of the thing you came to see, the baseball game, minus 25 pleasure 
points. 
The kids feel it necessary to get something to remember the game by. Spend 
one turn at the souvenir stand. Minus 25 pleasure points. 
The first game cards or "game situation cards" indicate game play, as 
indicated by example as follows, on pages 26 to 29. 
It should be noted that the examples per the game cards 19, 21, 23 are 
exemplary and any total of cards may be employed subject to the 
imagination and desire of individuals in play of the game. Typically as a 
minimum twenty to twenty-five cards should considered a minimum in play of 
any of the individual decks of game cards 19, 21, and 23. In play of the 
first game cards 19, should the number of hits, runs, and the like are 
imparted upon the score board space 26 in consistency with the essence of 
a baseball game during play of the game of the invention. 
Subsequent to completion of nine innings of the baseball game, the families 
need to be positioned back in their individual family car tokens 37 to 
proceed along the second path 17 of the second path spaces 18 and the 
associated awards and penalties as noted above to return to an individual 
start space 12. The first family to obtain landing upon a start space 12 
is awarded fifty additional points for beating the other teams and 
traffic. The family with the most points is declared the winner and 
relative enthusiasm in play of the game may be arbitrarily demarcated such 
as the following: 
600 points or more--Ultimate Family Baseball Fans. 
450 points to 599--Super Family Baseball Fans. 
300 points to 449--Pretty Big Family Baseball Fans. 
150 points to 299--Average Family Baseball Fans. 
0 points to 149--Horrible Family Baseball Fans. 
The home team scores four runs on two hits and two walks. One hit includes 
a grand slam. The visiting team is shut out with one hit and no runs 
scored. 
Neither team is able to score a run, with the home team collecting one hit 
and the visitors no hits. 
Big inning for the visitors as they score three runs on two hits and a hit 
batter. Unfortunately for the home they are shut down on no hits and no 
runs. 
Brilliant pitching on both sides, as both teams are set down in order with 
no runs or hits for either team. 
Both teams are able to pitch out of tight situations. No runs are scored 
while the home team collects two hits and the visitors one. 
Pitchers duel this inning, no runs or hits for either team. 
Lots of action this inning. The visitors begin with three runs on three 
hits, and the home team counters with three runs as well on four hits. 
The visitors manage two hits but are unable to bring anyone across. The 
home team gets two hits as well and brings home one on a wild pitch. 
The visitors are able to load the bases on three walks, but then amazingly 
strike out three times in a row. No runs or hits as well for the home 
team. 
Fireworks for both teams this inning. The visitors get a single run on one 
solo home run hit. The home club get two runs on two hits including a two 
run homer. 
Boring inning as the visitors hit into three ground outs. The home team 
flys out twice and strikes out once. No runs or hits for either team. 
The visitors gain a walk and then a triple scoring the runner for their 
only hit and run of the inning. However the home team rallies for two runs 
on three hits. 
Despite very loud cheering the vising team slugs the ball hard and scores 
twice on a single and a towering home run. The home team struggles to get 
one hit and does not score a run to the disappointment of the fans. 
Huge inning for the visitors. A double, two walks and a grand slam. Two 
hits and four runs. The dejected home club strikes out three straight 
times against a pumped up pitcher. 
Visitors are held both scoreless and hitless this inning. The home team 
manages to get two hits and push one run across. 
A quick inning for both teams. One, two, three outs for both teams. 
This inning both teams play very hard and are able to gain one run apiece. 
The visitors get a single, a stolen base, and another single to score the 
first batter. The home team gets a double and then a single to get their 
run. 
The home team pitcher bears down and stops the visitors cold with no runs 
or hits. However, his team is only able to come up with one hit and no 
runs themselves. 
Both sides are shut down completely this inning. No runs on no hits. Do the 
wave and cheer loud for the home team. 
Real excitement this inning. The visitors lead off with a double and then 
score on the next play due to an error. One hit, one run. The home team 
gets fired up with a single and then a homer by the guy who made the 
error. Two runs, two hits. 
Things are calm this inning. The visitors get one hit, but no runs. 
Inspired by the team mascot the home club gets two hits but both runs are 
left stranded for no runs. 
The FIGS. 8 and 9 indicates the use of a modified game board 11a having 
reception within a tubular container 30 of a parallelepiped configuration, 
with the tubular container 30 having an entrance opening 31. The game 11a 
includes a game board first side 32 spaced from a second side 33, with 
three hinge lines 34 orthogonally directed between the first and second 
sides 32 and 33, with a row of game board openings 35 arranged parallel to 
the second side 33, whereupon interfolding of the game board, in a manner 
as indicated in FIG. 9, provides for a longitudinally aligned array of the 
game board openings 35. In this manner, the game cards 19, 21, and 23 may 
be positioned within the unitary opening defined by the alignment of the 
game board openings 35, as well as the dice member 25 and the various 
tokens and upon positioning of the game board within the container 30, 
provides for ease of storage in various components of the organization. 
As to the manner of usage and operation of the instant invention, the same 
should be apparent from the above disclosure, and accordingly no further 
discussion relative to the manner of usage and operation of the instant 
invention shall be provided. 
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the 
optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to 
include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of 
operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to 
one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those 
illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are 
intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the 
principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and 
changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired 
to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and 
described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may 
be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.