Abstract:
A game apparatus for use in conjunction with a sporting event is provided which allows players of the game to predict the outcome of actions that occur during the sporting event, and which allows the players to keep track of who has made the greater number of correct predictions.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to a game apparatus for use in conjunction with a sporting event, and more particularly but not exclusively to a game board configured to permit players of the game apparatus to predict actions that may occur during the sporting event. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    As any fan knows much of the excitement of watching a sporting event comes from the suspense of not knowing the outcome of the game or the various plays that occur during the game. Invariably fans find themselves forming expectations about what a team or player may do next or should do next. Indeed, fans often pride themselves on knowing the sport well enough to be able to predict what will be done. Consequently, there is a great appeal to individuals viewing sporting events to be able to record their predictions of actions during a sporting event and to receive recognition for making correct predictions. Thus, there is a need in the field of game equipment for a game apparatus that allows spectators to record predictions of actions that may occur during a sporting event and that recognizes the spectator who makes the greatest number of correct predictions as the winner of the game apparatus. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    In one of its aspects, the present invention provides a game apparatus for use in conjunction with a sporting event which allows players of the game to predict the outcome of actions (e.g., plays) that occur during the sporting event and which allows the players to keep track of who has made the greater number of correct predictions. In this regard, the game apparatus may include a game board which includes a first outcome indicator disposed on the game board. The first outcome indicator may include indicia relating to two or more possible actions that may be performed by a first side (e.g., a team) participating in the sporting event. In addition, the first outcome indicator may be configured to permit a player of the game apparatus to select a possible action to record the player&#39;s prediction of a future action of the first side in the sporting event. For example, the indicia of the first outcome indicator may comprise plays that may be made by a member of the first side participating in a sporting event. Thus, the player of the game apparatus may select and predict a possible upcoming action by the first side in the sporting event. For instance, the sporting event may comprise baseball and the plays may include one or more of a single, double, triple, bunt, ground out, popout, line out, field out, home run, walk, and strike out. 
         [0004]    In a similar manner, a second outcome indicator may be disposed on the game board having indicia relating to two or more possible actions that may be performed by a second side opposing the first side and participating in the sporting event. The second outcome indicator may be configured to permit the player of the game apparatus to select a possible action to record the player&#39;s prediction of a future action of the second side in the sporting event. For example, the indicia of the second outcome indicator may comprise the identities of two or more specific members of the second side participating in the sporting event to permit the player of the game apparatus to select and predict the member of the second side who will respond to the upcoming action of the first side. By way of example, the identities of the specific members may include one or more of a catcher, pitcher, first baseman, second baseman, third baseman, shortstop, right fielder, centerfielder, and left fielder. In order to keep track of the players&#39; scores, the gaming apparatus may include a scoring indicator disposed on the game board configured to record the score of the players of the game apparatus. 
         [0005]    In one of its exemplary configurations, one or more of the first and second outcome indicators of the game apparatus may comprise a slot and a marker slidably disposed in the slot so that the marker may be moved within the slot to point to one of the indicia associated with the respective first and second outcome indicators. Alternatively, in another reconfiguration, one or more of the first and second outcome indicators may comprise a marker configured to be magnetically attached to the game board so that the marker may be positioned on the game board to point to one of the indicia associated with the respective first and second outcome indicators. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    The foregoing summary and the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be best understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings, in which: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  schematically illustrates an exemplary configuration of an upper playing surface of a game board in accordance with the present invention; and 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  schematically illustrates an exemplary configuration of a lower surface of the game board of  FIG. 1  in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    Referring now to the figures, wherein like elements are numbered alike throughout,  FIGS. 1 and 2  schematically illustrate an exemplary configuration of a game apparatus, generally designated  100 , in accordance with the present invention. The game apparatus  100  permits two players who are viewing a sporting event to record predictions regarding an upcoming play in the sporting event and to record the players&#39; scores where points are awarded for making correct predictions. 
         [0010]    In this regard, for example, the game apparatus  100  may comprise a game board  50  having an upper gaming surface  10  ( FIG. 1 ) and a lower surface  80  ( FIG. 2 ). The upper surface  10  of the game board  50  may include two substantially identical sections  12 ,  14  disposed side-by-side for use by each player of the game for recording their respective predictions and scores. For instance, the upper surface  10  may have a first player section  12  on the left and a second player section  14  on the right, though other configurations and layouts are possible in keeping with the function of the game apparatus  100  to permit players to record their predictions. In particular, to illustrate the present invention, the exemplary game apparatus  100  depicted in the figures is configured to permit players to make predictions of events that occur during a baseball game. Accordingly, the terminology depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2  is specific to that of a baseball game; however, game apparatuses of the present invention are not limited to baseball, but in keeping with the disclosure provided herein may be configured to be usable with any sporting event for which predictions can be made by spectators viewing the sporting event. As will be appreciated the game apparatus  100  of the present invention may be used at the venue of a sporting event or at a remote location where the game may be viewed, live or recorded, on a television or listened to on a radio. 
         [0011]    Turning then to the structures of the game board  50  for recording predictions, the upper playing surface  10  may include a first outcome indicator  20  for recording actions that may be performed by a first side participating in the sporting event. For example, for a baseball game, the first outcome indicator  20  may relate to an upcoming play for the team at bat. The fist outcome indicator  20  may include indicia  22  listing two or more possible actions that may be performed by the first side in the sporting event. The indicia  22  may include a listing of possible plays, such as single, double, triple, bunt, ground out, popout, line out, field out, home run, walk, and strike out, in keeping with the baseball game example. The first outcome indicator  20  may be configured to permit the player of the game apparatus  100  to record a selection from the list of indicia  22  to render a prediction of a future action of the first side in a sporting event. In this regard, the first outcome indicator  20  may comprise a slot  24  disposed alongside the indicia  22  with a particular region of the slot  24  corresponding to a respective action listed in the indicia  22 . A marker  26  may be provided in the slot  24  and may be configured to slide within the slot  24  so that the marker  26  may be positioned proximate a particular item in the list of indicia  22  to record a prediction by the first player of an upcoming play in a sporting event. For example, as illustrated, the marker  26  may be positioned next to the word “double” indicating that the first player has predicted that the next play by the team at bat will be a “double.” 
         [0012]    In addition, the upper playing surface  10  may also include a second outcome indicator  30  for recording actions that may be performed by the second side participating in a sporting event. Like the first outcome indicator  20 , the second outcome indicator  30  may include indicia  32  listing two or more possible actions that may be performed by the second side participating in a sporting event. In particular, the “action” of the second side may be indicated in shorthand notation by the identity of the player on the second side that responds to the upcoming play of the first side. For instance, in the baseball context, the “action” of the second side to be predicted may in fact be denoted by the name of the fielder on the second team who will first catch or otherwise retrieve the baseball. That is, the indicia  32  may include a listing of possible fielders, such as catcher, pitcher, first baseman, second baseman, third baseman, shortstop, right fielder, centerfielder, and left fielder. 
         [0013]    The second outcome indicator  30  may be configured to permit the player of the game apparatus  100  to record a selection from the list of indicia  32  to render a prediction of a future action of the second side in the sporting event. Like the first outcome indicator  20 , the second outcome indicator  30  may comprise a slot  34  disposed alongside the indicia  32  with a particular region of the slot  34  corresponding to a respective item listed in the indicia  32 . A marker  36  may also be provided in the slot  34  and may be configured to slide within the slot  34  in a manner similar to that of the marker  26 . For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a player of the game apparatus  100  may slide the marker  36  to a position near the words “2nd base” to indicate that the second baseman will catch or otherwise be the first person on the second team to retrieve the baseball. As already mentioned, the second player section  14  of the game board  50  may be substantially identical to that of the first player, and thus comprises analogous structures to the first and second outcome indicators  20 ,  30  to permit the second player of the game to record their predictions regarding the upcoming actions of the first and second sides of the sporting event. 
         [0014]    Once the predictions have been made by each player of the game apparatus  100  and the next play has been made in the sporting event to which the predictions pertain, points may be attributed to each of the players in accordance with the accuracy of their recorded predictions. In this regard, the game board  50  may include a scoring indicator  40  to record the score. As with the outcome indicators  20 ,  30 , the scoring indicator  40  may be provided in the form of a slot  44  with a marker  46  slidably disposed therein. As points are accumulated, the marker  46  is moved along the slot to be positioned proximate the numerical value that indicates the current score of the player of the game apparatus. For example, with reference to  FIG. 2 , the second surface  80  of the game apparatus  100  may include both simplified instructions for playing the game as well as point values for correct predictions. Specifically, by way of example, players of the game apparatus  100  may receive one point for calling the play correctly (i.e., making a correct prediction on the first outcome indicator  20 ) and may receive one point for predicting the fielder correctly (i.e., making a correct prediction on the second outcome indicator  30 ). Additionally, bonus points may be awarded such as two points for predicting a home run correctly, or a three-point bonus for correctly naming both the play and the fielder. A winner may be declared when a set number of points are reached, for example 10 points, or a winner may be declared as the person having the most number of points by the end of the sporting event. Naturally, other scoring variations are possible for use with the game apparatus  100  in accordance with the present invention. For example, a scoring system may be implemented in which negative points are awarded for incorrect predictions. 
         [0015]    These and other advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing specification. Accordingly, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that changes or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the broad inventive concepts of the invention. For example, while the outcome indicators  20 ,  30  have been illustrated as slots with slidable markers disposed therein, other structures may also be used such as dials, magnets, or other suitable structures. It should therefore be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described herein, but is intended to include all changes and modifications that are within the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth in the claims.