Abstract:
What is disclosed is a portable field game apparatus and method for playing the game. The apparatus comprises several ropes and spikes to delineate the playing field and a plurality of balls for playing the game.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention is directed to a rolling ball game. The present invention comprises a novel apparatus that is portable, can be easily transported and is adapted to be set up easily and quickly on a variety of outdoor playing surfaces.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The game apparatus comprises a plurality of ropes and spikes utilized to form the playing surface. The game is played in teams by tossing balls at targets with predetermined preset values. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0003]    [0003]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the playing field for the present invention.  
         [0004]    [0004]FIG. 2 is a detailed perspective view of the layout for the playing field of the present invention.  
         [0005]    [0005]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the playing field illustrating the scoring systems. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]    While this specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming that which is regarded as the present invention, the objects and advantages of this invention may be more readily ascertained from the following description of a preferred embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.  
         [0007]    As illustrated in FIG. 1, the game is adapted to be played on an area with a length “L” of approximately 36 feet and a width “W” of approximately 9 feet. The playing field  10  is rectangular in shape and is formed by two different colored ropes  12  and  14 . The field  10  further comprises two scoring zones  16  on opposite ends of the playing field. The two ropes  12  and  14  are anchored in place by a plurality of stakes  18 . The plurality of stakes  19  are each provided with a colored flag  19  to allow for better depth perception by the participants.  
         [0008]    As illustrated in step  1  in FIG. 2, initially the rope  12  which is white in color will be used to outline the outer edges of the playing field  10 . One of the plurality of stakes  18  with flag  19  will be placed at each of the four corners of the rectangular playing field  10 . Nest, in step  2  four of the stakes  18  with flag  19  will be placed at the front of each scoring zone  16 . Next in step  3 , two of the stakes  18  with flag  19  will be placed at the center line of the playing field  10 . The rope  14  which is of the second color will then be placed around the stakes  18  delineating the scoring zones  16  as shown in step  4  FIG. 2. In order to enhance visibility by the participants in the game, the rope  14  is presently contemplated to be fluorescent color such as green, yellow or orange. The ropes  14  within each of the scoring zones  16  are attached to the outside boundary rope  12  by a plurality of 1″ inch metal rings  13 . The plurality of rings  13  are adapted to allow the ropes to remain under tension when the stakes  18  are driven through the metal rings to hold the court in place.  
         [0009]    As illustrated in FIG. 3, a plurality of flat round disks  20  with different numbers thereon will be placed in the scoring zones  16 . As explained in detail below, the numbers identify various scoring regions for the participants.  
         [0010]    The game apparatus of the present invention provides clear advantages over presently available yard type games. The apparatus can be installed on numerous types of playing surfaces such as grass, dirt, a sandy beach, and even gravel or stones. Unlike other yard games, the more unstable the playing surface, the more challenging the game becomes. This makes the game playable for anyone with a yard big or small and mobile enough to be taken to the park or beach. Since the materials that comprises the present invention (rope, stakes, flags, and balls) are lightweight and portable, the game is adapted for ready easy set up in a matter of minutes.  
         [0011]    The present invention comprises a plurality of balls. In the presently preferred embodiment of the present invention, a set of eight playing balls is utilized. In the preferred embodiment, three of the balls are of a first color such as blue with a white stripe, three of the balls are of a second color such as orange with a white stripe, one of the balls is of a solid color such as blue without a stripe, and one of the balls is of a solid color such as orange without a stripe. The balls are approximately three and one-half inches in diameter. The white stripes are approximately one-half inch wide and can be fabricated from wood, dense plastic, hollow plastic or rubber. Each of the teams will be provided with three striped balls and one solid color ball. Each team will have distinctively colored balls to allow differentiation between the teams.  
         [0012]    The set of eight balls contemplates two teams with either one or two players each. It is also presently contemplated that if more players wish to participate in the game that additional sets of eight balls can be utilized for either additional teams or to allow more people to participate on two teams.  
         [0013]    As illustrated in FIG. 3, a first row  22  of each of the scoring zone  16  comprises the #1 and #2 scoring zones. The first row  22  has a width of approximately 20″ inches. A second row  24  of each of the scoring zones  16  comprises the #3, #5, and the bulls eye #10 scoring zones. The second row  24  has a width L3 of approximately 16″ inches. A third row  26  of each of the scoring zones  16  holds the #4 and #6 scoring zones. The third row has a width L4 of approximately 12″ inches. As explained above and illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, the second rope  14  is connected from corner to corner within each scoring zone to form an “x” on both ends of the playing field  10 . The second rope  14  thus divides each scoring zone  16  into different sections, allowing different point values based on the size and location of each zone as well as forming the bull&#39;s-eye with the smallest zone #10.  
         [0014]    In order to facilitate rapid setup of the game, the following method is utilized to properly lay out the court. A first step is to remove the ropes  12  and  14  from the box and lay it out on your playing surface such as illustrated in FIG. 1. A second step is to stake the four outside corners of the field until they are taught with the stakes  18  as noted in FIG. 2. The inside four corners are pulled taut with the stakes  18 . A third step is to create a center line  30  with two additional stakes  18 . The center-line  30  is created by pulling the center rope  14  to be taut. A fourth step is to attach the flags  19  on all main corners, both inside and outside as well as the centerline.  
         [0015]    The primary objective of the game of the present invention is for the first person or team to score 31 points or some other desired score set before the commencement of play. The teams can be comprised of either one player or 2 players per team. One player from each team lines up on opposite sides of the playing field. If playing one on one both players start on the same side. Each team is provided with four balls  22  of different colors. Each player alternates tossing one of the balls  22 . Winners of each round will begin the next round.  
         [0016]    A teams has the option of rolling, throwing, arching, etc. its ball down the court provided it does not go out of bounds. Once the ball goes outside the boundary line it is considered a foul and will not count even if it comes back into play. The foul ball is to be removed from play before another ball is thrown. If a foul ball interferes with another within the scoring zones, the ball is returned to its location prior to the foul ball hitting it.  
         [0017]    A player has the option of “knocking” any opposing team&#39;s balls out of a scoring zone or even out of bounds in an effort to reduce your opponent&#39;s score or obtain a higher score for your team. At the end of each round, when all the balls have been thrown, scores will be counted.  
         [0018]    Points are scored based upon the team&#39;s ability to land their balls in higher scoring zones than their opponents. Each zone represents a different value, as noted in FIG. 3. The teams with the highest point value or values will cancel out the opponent&#39;s lower point values. Only one team can score points per round. If each team has balls in the same scoring zone, those balls cancel each other out and no points are earned for either team.  
         [0019]    The following represent some examples of how a game is scored:  
       EXAMPLE 1  
       [0020]    Team “A” has one ball in the 6 pt. zone, and one ball in the 4 pt. zone.  
         [0021]    Team “B” has one ball in the 5 pt. zone, and one ball in the 4 pt. zone.  
         [0022]    Scoring: Team “A” gets the 6 points and nothing else for that round.  
       EXAMPLE 2  
       [0023]    Team “A” has one ball in the 4 pt. zone, and one ball in the 3 pt. zone.  
         [0024]    Team “B” has two balls in the 2 pt. zone, and one ball in the 1 pt. zone.  
         [0025]    Scoring: Team “A” gets 7 points for that round.  
         [0026]    Each team is also provided with one solid colored ball. As an option, this can be used as a “blocker ball” or “bonus ball” if so desired when playing the game. As a “blocker ball” this would be used to block one of your higher scoring balls to prevent your opponent from knocking it out. The reverse applies as well; it can be used to “knock” your opponent&#39;s ball out of play as well. If playing by these rules, that ball will not count for points regardless where it lands.  
         [0027]    As a “bonus ball”, it would count as double the scoring zone it lands on. If the ball landed in a 4 pt. zone, it would now count as 8. If the ball landed on the bull&#39;s eye or the 10 pt. zone, it would now count as 20. Highest point value is still in effect when counting scores and canceling out your opponent&#39;s regardless of what scoring zone you land in when playing the “bonus ball” rule.  
         [0028]    Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the embodiments just described merely illustrate the principles of the present invention. Many modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.