Abstract:
This patent application is for a baseball and softball home plate system generally, and more specifically a home plate system with changeable top plate sections and an up-tight bevel.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/882,725, filed Dec. 29, 2006 and which is herein incorporated in its entirety by reference. 

   TECHNICAL FIELD 
   Baseball and softball home plate systems generally, and more specifically a home plate system with changeable top plate sections and an up-tight bevel. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise precisely specified. 
       FIG. 1  is a partially exploded top, front left perspective view of a home plate system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2A  is a top view of the home plate system of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2B  is a side view of the home plate system of  FIG. 2A , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the home plate system of  FIG. 2A  along line A-A, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a detailed view of highlighted area A of a home plate system in  FIG. 3 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the home plate system of  FIG. 2A  along line B-B, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 6  is a detailed view of highlighted area B of a home plate system in  FIG. 5 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 7  is a front right perspective view of a home plate system showing how a removable top plate portion is removed from a removable collar using a tool, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 8A  is a top view of a top plate portion of a home plate system with a smooth top, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 8B  is a bottom view of the top plate portion of the home plate system in  FIG. 8A , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 8C  is a side view of the top plate portion of the home plate system in  FIGS. 8A and 8B , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the home plate system of  FIG. 8A  along line A-A, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of the home plate system of  FIG. 8B  along line B-B, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 11  is a top view of a top plate portion of a home plate system with large grooves on the top, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of the home plate system of  FIG. 11  along line A-A, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 13  is a detailed view of highlighted area A of a home plate system in  FIG. 12 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 14  is a top view of a top plate portion of a home plate system with small grooves on the top, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view of the home plate system of  FIG. 14  along line A-A, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 16  is a detailed view of highlighted area A of a home plate system in  FIG. 15 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 17  is a top view of a removable collar of a home plate system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 18  is a cross-sectional view of the removable collar of the home plate system of  FIG. 17  along line A-A, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 19  is a detailed view of highlighted area D of a home plate system in  FIG. 18 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 20  is a detailed view of highlighted area C of a home plate system in  FIG. 17 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 21  is a cross-sectional view of the removable collar of the home plate system of  FIG. 17  along line B-B, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 22  is a detailed view of highlighted area F of a home plate system in  FIG. 22 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 23  is a top view of an anchor section of a home plate system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 24  is a detailed view of highlighted area C of the anchor section a home plate system in  FIG. 23 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 25  is a cross-sectional view of the anchor section of the anchor section system of  FIG. 23  along line A-A, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 26  is a cross-sectional view of the anchor section of the home plate system of  FIG. 23  along line B-B, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 27  is a front view of a setup pin plug of a home plate system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 28  is a cross-sectional view of the setup pin plug of the home plate system of  FIG. 27  along line A-A, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 29  is a cross-sectional view of the setup pin plug of the home plate system of  FIG. 27  along line B-B, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 30  is a top view of the setup pin plug of the home plate system of  FIG. 27 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 31  is a side view of the setup pin plug of the home plate system of  FIG. 31 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 32  is a front perspective view of a setup pin of a home plate system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 33  is a side view of the setup pin of the home plate system of  FIG. 32 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 34  is a cross-sectional view of the setup pin of the home plate system of  FIG. 32  along line A-A, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 35  is a cross-sectional view of the setup pin of the home plate system of  FIG. 32  along line B-B, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 36  is top view of the setup pin of the home plate system of  FIG. 32 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DESCRIPTION 
   In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, a home plate system may include (i.e., comprise) a base anchor, a removable collar with an up-tight bevel, a setup pin plug, a setup pin, and a removable home plate top plate section, as variously shown and described in the attached Drawings. In general, the home plate components may be manufactured from one or more elastomeric materials, for example, but not limited to, neoprene, to a variety of hardness qualities ranging from about 40 or less durometer (soft) to about 90 or higher durometer (hard). For example, but not limited to the following, the removable home plate top section may be made to have durometer readings of 40, 50, 60, 70 and 80 and with a smooth, a large grooved or a small grooved top surface. The style and level of hardness may be determined by the age of the players and level of the players skill, for example, for Major League Baseball smooth home plates with higher durometer readings will likely be used, while for Little League Baseball small grooved home plates with lower durometer readings and/or Youth League Softball large grooved home plates with lower durometer will likely be used. Similarly, lower durometer home plates will generally be used for non-metal cleats and higher durometer home plates will generally be used for metal cleats. 
   In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, the removable home plate top section may also include a rib and/or retaining lip around substantially the entire perimeter of the removable home plate top section, which may be used to hold the home plate top section securely within a groove in the removable collar and one or more openings to receive a post anchor and/or upwardly protruding fastener. Also, one or more of the post anchors and/or upwardly protruding fasteners may be attached to the removable collar for mating with the bottom of the home plate top section may be replaced with male threaded and/or un-threaded posts, a threaded and/or un-threaded female channel for receiving a threaded and/or un-threaded fastener that may be inserted through the removable home plate top section. All materials used for the home plate system, in general, are environmentally sound and weather-resistant, to that end, multi-season testing (fall-winter-spring-summer) of the home plate system is being performed to validate the soundness and weather-resistance of a variety of different configurations (i.e., hardness and weather-resistance qualities) of the home plate system. 
   In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, installation of the home plate system, generally, may be done according to the following. The proper location for the home plate system may be determined and a hole dug in the shape of the home plate system, but slightly larger and with a level bottom, so that the top surface of the removable top plate is level with the surrounding soil. The front of the home plate system may be aligned with the field by extending a string from the setup pin in the a back end of and across the home plate system over a centering mark in the removable top plate across the pitchers plate and to second base. Alternatively, the home plate system may be aligned with the field using the first and third base foul lines, but the foul lines need to be at a true 90-degree angle to each other for the alignment to be accurate. 
   The setup pin may be removed and the setup pin plug may be inserted into the setup plug opening and the hole may be refilled with the removed dirt up to the top of the home plate system, which may be manually compacted as well as watered to aid in the compacting. 
     FIG. 1  is a partially exploded top, front left perspective view of a home plate system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 1 , a home plate system  100  may include a removable top plate  110  positioned above a removable collar  120  into which removable top plate  110  may be removably fastened, and removable collar  120  is positioned above a base anchor  130  onto which removable collar  120  may likewise be removably fastened. The home plate system  100  may also include a setup pin plug  140  removably fastened in a setup pin opening  145  defined adjacent a back corner of removable collar  120 . Setup pin plug  140 , generally, is fastened in the setup pin opening  145  at all times, except when the field is being lined and a setup pin  150  is in the setup pin opening  145  to hold a string, cord and/or the like for use in applying the baselines to the field. 
     FIG. 2A  is a top view of the home plate system of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 2A , the removable top plate  110  of home plate system  100  is seated in and fastened to removable collar  120 . However, base anchor  130  is not seen as it is obscured by removable top plate  110  and removable collar  120 . Removable collar  120  may include an uptight bevel  122 , a beveled edge  124  and two “V”-shaped grooves  125  that may extend longitudinally and continuously around the beveled edge  124 . Home plate system  100 , and each of the removable top plate  110 , the removable collar  120  and the base anchor  130 , has a front side  101 , two substantially perpendicular sidewalls  102  depending away from opposite ends of front side  101  and two substantially diagonal sidewalls  103 , each depending away from a distal end of one of the substantially diagonal sidewalls  103  and toward the distal end of the other substantially diagonal sidewall  103  until meeting at a back corner  104 . Also seen adjacent back corner  104  is setup pin  150  disposed in setup pin opening  145 . 
     FIG. 2B  is a front side view of the home plate system of  FIG. 2A , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 2B , the front side  101  of the home plate system  100  is shown to include base anchor  130  and removable collar  120 , which obscures the view of removable top plate  110 . A top of setup pin  150  may be seen extending above removable collar  120  from its position in setup pin opening  145 . 
     FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the home plate system of  FIG. 2A  along line A-A, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 3 , line A-A extends from a center of front side  101  to back corner  104  and removable top plate  110  is seen seated in and fastened to removable collar  120 , which in turn is seated on base anchor  130 . Setup pin opening  145  is seen to extend from a top side of beveled edge  124  through removable collar  120  and almost completely through base anchor  130  near back corner  104 . In  FIG. 3 , uptight bevel  122  defines the bottom of removable collar  120  and is substantially horizontal and an upright wall portion  123  extends substantially perpendicularly and upwardly away from an inner perimeter of uptight bevel  122  to a bottom of beveled edge  124 . The bottom of beveled edge  124  extends substantially perpendicularly away from a top end of upright wall portion  123  toward a middle of removable collar  120 . The top of beveled edge  124  extends diagonally upwardly and inwardly from the top end of upright wall portion  123  toward the middle of removable collar  120 . Two “V”-shaped and substantially parallel channels  125  are located in approximately the middle of the top of beveled edge  124  and the two “V”-shaped channels  125  extend longitudinally around the entire top of beveled edge  124 . The “V”-shaped channels  125  allow dirt/soil around an installed home plate system  100  to settle within the “V”-shaped channels  125 , which aids in maintaining the dirt/soil around the top of the home plate system. In other embodiments of the present invention, the two “V”-shaped channels  125  may not extend longitudinally around the entire top of beveled edge  124 . Instead, they may be a series of short and/or long “V”-shaped channel sections separated by un-grooved sections. Generally, the shorter the un-grooved sections the better the retention of dirt/soil around the top of an installed home plate system  100 . 
   In  FIG. 3 , at a top end of beveled edge  124 , a downwardly depending face  128  extends toward a top side of a flange  126  that extends inwardly from beveled edge  124  toward the middle of removable collar  120 . As better seen in  FIG. 4 , an inner groove  129  is disposed around the perimeter of downwardly depending face  128  to receive a ridge and/or beveled sidewall protrusion  115  that extends around substantially the entire perimeter of removable top plate  110 . However, in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , no ridge is shown associated with removable top plate  110  near back corner  104 . Although in other embodiments of the present invention the ridge may be continuous around the entire perimeter, in the present embodiment, not having the ridge near back corner  104  aids in the installation and removal of removable top plate  110 . Returning to  FIG. 3 , on the top side of the flange  126  a post anchor and/or upwardly extending fastener  127  is removably fastened into a conforming opening in the bottom of removable top plate  110  at both the front end  101  and back corner  104  of removable top plate  110 . 
     FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the home plate system of  FIG. 2A  along line B-B, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 5 , line B-B extends perpendicular to line A-A from side-to-side of removable top plate  110 , which is seen seated in and fastened to removable collar  120 , which in turn is seated on base anchor  130 . As in  FIG. 3 , in  FIG. 5 , uptight bevel  122  defines the bottom of removable collar  120  and is substantially horizontal and an upright wall portion  123  extends substantially perpendicularly and upwardly away from an inner perimeter of uptight bevel  122  to a bottom of beveled edge  124 . The bottom of beveled edge  124  extends substantially perpendicularly away from a top end of upright wall portion  123  toward a middle of removable collar  120 . The top of beveled edge  124  extends diagonally upwardly and inwardly from the top end of upright wall portion  123  toward the middle of removable collar  120 . The two “V”-shaped and substantially parallel channels  125  are located in approximately the middle of the top of beveled edge  124  and the two “V”-shaped channels  125  extend longitudinally around the entire top of beveled edge  124 . 
   In  FIG. 5 , at the top end of beveled edge  124 , downwardly depending face  128  extends toward the top side of flange  126  that extends inwardly from beveled edge  124  toward the middle of removable collar  120 . As better seen in  FIG. 6 , an inner groove  129  is disposed around the perimeter of downwardly depending face  128  to receive ridge and/or beveled sidewall protrusion  115  that extends around substantially the entire perimeter of removable top plate  110 . Although in other embodiments of the present invention the ridge may be continuous around the entire perimeter, in the present embodiment, not having the ridge near back corner  104  aids in the installation and removal of removable top plate  110 . Returning to  FIG. 5 , on the top side of the flange  126  a post anchor and/or upwardly extending fastener  127  is removably fastened into a conforming opening in the bottom of removable top plate  110  at both the front end  101  and back corner  104  of removable top plate  110 . 
     FIG. 7  is a front right perspective view of a home plate system showing how a removable top plate portion is removed from a removable collar using a tool, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 7 , a flat, rigid tool  710 , for example, a Dig Out Tool™ from Rogers USA, Inc., assignee of the present invention, may be used to remove removable top plate  110  from removable collar  120  and base anchor  130 . A front end  712  of tool  710  may be inserted into a slot/space  705  located on beveled edge  124  between removable top plate  110  and removable collar  120  and then the handle  714  of tool  710  may be pulled away from removable top plate  110  to pry up the portion of the side of removable top plate  110  against tool  710 . Generally, placing tool  710  near or above the area on removable top plate  110  that does not have ridge  115  results in the most efficient and easiest removal of top plate  110 . In  FIG. 7 , since the embodiment of removable top plate  110  does not have ridge  115  near back end  104 , tool  710  is placed between removable top plate  110  and removable collar  120  near the area without ridge  115 . 
     FIG. 8A  is a top view of a top plate portion of a home plate system with a smooth top, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 8A , removable top plate  110  includes a ridge  115  extending substantially, completely around the outer perimeter of removable top plate  110 . Two portions  117  of the outer perimeter of removable top plate  110  near back end  104  are without ridge  115 . Multiple post anchor recesses and/or fastener recesses  112  are shown in shadow line to be located on a bottom of removable top plate  110 . Recesses are generally located in each corner of removable top plate  110  and then evenly spaced between adjacent pairs of corner recesses. For example, between the recesses in the corners at the front end  101  of removable top plate  110 , there are three substantially evenly spaced recesses with the middle of the three being substantially located in the middle of the front end  101  of removable top plate  110 . Likewise, between the recesses in the corners of the sidewalls  102 , there is a single recess and between the recesses in the corners of the diagonal sidewalls  103 , there are two recesses. In addition, there are two recesses on opposite sides of the midline shown by line A-A and approximately midway between the front end  101  and back end  104 . In accordance with the present embodiment, removable top plate  110  has an approximately 17″ front end  101  not including ridge  115  and approximately 17.3″ including ridge  115 , an approximately 8.5″ pair of sidewalls, and an approximately 12″ pair of diagonal sidewalls that depend toward each other and meet at back end  104 . 
   Although the above described configuration of recesses  112  and ridge  115  provides excellent retention of removable top plate  110 , other embodiments are contemplated in which the same, more and/or less recesses  112  and ridge  115  are used. For example, but not limited to, any combination of the above described recesses, recesses only in the five corners, recesses in the five corners and one recess between each pair of corner recesses, no corner recesses and only one or more recesses on each side, ridge as described above, ridge only along substantially the entire length of each side but not around any corners, ridge only around corners, short ridge sections not next to recesses, short ridge sections only next to recesses, and the like. 
     FIG. 8B  is a bottom view of the top plate portion of the home plate system in  FIG. 8A , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 8B , the distance between recesses along front end  101  is approximately 3.9″, the distance between recesses along sidewalls  102  is approximately 3.75″, and the distance between recesses along diagonal sidewalls  103  is approximately 3.67″. However, as described above, alternative embodiments with different spacing are contemplated. 
   Removable top plate  110  may also be used independently of the home plate system  100  for pitching, batting and/or other practice in, for example, a bull pen and/or other practice area by embedding removable top plate  110  in the ground. This may be accomplished by, for example, loosing the soil in an area slightly larger than the area of removable top plate  110 , mixing water into the loosened soil until it becomes muddy, then pressing removable top plate  110  into the mud until the top of removable top plate  110  is level with the top of the mud, and allowing the mud to dry. Pressing removable top plate  110  into the mud forces mud up into recesses  112  and around and over ridge  115 , so that when the mud dries, removable top plate  110  will be held substantially rigidly in place in the ground. 
     FIG. 8C  is a side view of the top plate portion of the home plate system in  FIGS. 8A and 8B , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 8C , ridge  115  is shown located in approximately the middle of the perimeter of removable top plate  110  extending along the entire length of sidewall  102 , but only to within about 1.5″ of back end  104 . 
     FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the home plate system of  FIG. 8A  along line A-A, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 9 , recesses  112  in the back end  104  and middle of front end  101  are seen located near the perimeter of removable top plate  110 . 
     FIG. 10  is a detailed cross-sectional view of the home plate system of highlighted area A of a home plate system in  FIG. 9 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 10 , details of removable top plate  110  around recess  112  and the perimeter of front end  101  of removable top plate  110  are seen. For example, but not limited to, removable top plate  110  may have a thickness of about 0.75″ and ridge  129  may have an angled side  1005  depending upwardly from and located approximately in the middle of the perimeter of removable top plate  110  and a substantially flat surface  1010 . Recess  112  is shown to have an initial beveled opening starting with a diameter of approximately 0.75″ and after about 0.062″ tapering down to a first constant diameter column  1032  with a diameter of approximately 0.6″ and a length of approximately 0.063″. First constant diameter column  1032  ends and a second constant diameter column  1033  with a diameter of approximately 0.75″ and a length of approximately 0.085″, which creates an interior lip  1035  to hold a post anchor and/or fastener. Second constant diameter column  1033  is subsequently connected to a tapered top portion  1037  that tapers inwardly away from second constant diameter column  1033  toward a substantially a flat top  1039  that ends approximately 0.5″ in from the bottom of removable top plate  110 . 
     FIG. 11  is a top view of a top plate portion of a home plate system with large grooves on the top, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As in  FIG. 8A , in  FIG. 11 , a removable top plate  1110  with multiple large grooves  1112  on the top includes a ridge  115  extending substantially, completely around the outer perimeter of removable top plate  1110 . Two portions  117  of the outer perimeter of removable top plate  1110  near back end  104  are without ridge  115 . Multiple post anchor recesses and/or fastener recesses  112  are shown in shadow line to be located on a bottom of removable top plate  1110 . Recesses are generally located in each corner of removable top plate  1110  and then evenly spaced between adjacent pairs of corner recesses. For example, between the recesses in the corners at the front end  101  of removable top plate  1110 , there are three substantially evenly spaced recesses with the middle of the three being substantially located in the middle of the front end  101  of removable top plate  1110 . Likewise, between the recesses in the corners of the sidewalls  102 , there is a single recess and between the recesses in the corners of the diagonal sidewalls  103 , there are two recesses. In addition, there are two recesses on opposite sides of the midline shown by line A-A and approximately midway between the front end  101  and back end  104 . In accordance with the present embodiment, removable top plate  1110  has an approximately 17″ front end  101  not including ridge  115  and approximately 17.3″ including ridge  115 , an approximately 8.5″ pair of sidewalls, and an approximately 12″ pair of diagonal sidewalls that depend toward each other and meet at back end  104 . 
   Although the above described configuration of recesses  112  and ridge  115  provides excellent retention of removable top plate  1110 , other embodiments are contemplated in which the same, more and/or less recesses  112  and ridge  115  are used. For example, but not limited to, any combination of the above described recesses, recesses only in the five corners, recesses in the five corners and one recess between each pair of corner recesses, no corner recesses and only one or more recesses on each side, ridge as described above, ridge only along substantially the entire length of each side but not around any corners, ridge only around corners, short ridge sections not next to recesses, short ridge sections only next to recesses, and the like. 
     FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of the home plate system of  FIG. 11  along line A-A, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 12 , recesses  112  in the back end  104  and middle of front end  101  are seen located near the perimeter of removable top plate  110 . Also, the thickness of removable top plate  110  may vary between 0.75″ in a groove trough and 0.95″ at a top of a groove. 
     FIG. 13  is a detailed cross-sectional view of highlighted area A of a home plate system in  FIG. 12 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 13 , details of removable top plate  1110  around recess  112  and the perimeter of front end  101  of removable top plate  1110  are seen. For example, but not limited to, removable top plate  1110  may have a thickness of about 0.75″ to 0.95″ and ridge  129  may have an angled side  1305  depending upwardly from and located approximately in the middle of the perimeter of removable top plate  110  and a substantially flat surface  1310 . Recess  112  is shown to have an initial beveled opening starting with a diameter of approximately 0.75″ and after about 0.062″ tapering down to a first constant diameter column  1332  with a diameter of approximately 0.6″ and a length of approximately 0.063″. First constant diameter column  1332  ends and a second constant diameter column  1333  with a diameter of approximately 0.75″ and a length of approximately 0.085″, which creates an interior lip  1335  to hold a post anchor and/or fastener. Second constant diameter column  1333  is subsequently connected to a tapered top portion  1337  that tapers inwardly away from second constant diameter column  1333  toward a substantially flat top  1339  that ends approximately 0.5″ in from the bottom of removable top plate  1310 . 
     FIG. 14  is a top view of a top plate portion of a home plate system with small grooves on the top, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As in  FIG. 8A , in  FIG. 14 , a removable top plate  1410  with multiple small grooves  1412  on the top includes a ridge  115  extending substantially, completely around the outer perimeter of removable top plate  1410 . Two portions  117  of the outer perimeter of removable top plate  1410  near back end  104  are without ridge  115 . Multiple post anchor recesses and/or fastener recesses  112  are shown in shadow line to be located on a bottom of removable top plate  1410 . Recesses are generally located in each corner of removable top plate  1410  and then evenly spaced between adjacent pairs of corner recesses. For example, between the recesses in the corners at the front end  101  of removable top plate  1410 , there are three substantially evenly spaced recesses with the middle of the three being substantially located in the middle of the front end  101  of removable top plate  1410 . Likewise, between the recesses in the corners of the sidewalls  102 , there is a single recess and between the recesses in the corners of the diagonal sidewalls  103 , there are two recesses. In addition, there are two recesses on opposite sides of the midline shown by line A-A and approximately midway between the front end  101  and back end  104 . In accordance with the present embodiment, removable top plate  1410  has an approximately 17″ front end  101  not including ridge  115  and approximately 17.3″ including ridge  115 , an approximately 8.5″ pair of sidewalls, and an approximately 12″ pair of diagonal sidewalls that depend toward each other and meet at back end  104 . 
   Although the above described configuration of recesses  112  and ridge  115  provides excellent retention of removable top plate  1410 , other embodiments are contemplated in which the same, more and/or less recesses  112  and ridge  115  are used. For example, but not limited to, any combination of the above described recesses, recesses only in the five corners, recesses in the five corners and one recess between each pair of corner recesses, no corner recesses and only one or more recesses on each side, ridge as described above, ridge only along substantially the entire length of each side but not around any corners, ridge only around corners, short ridge sections not next to recesses, short ridge sections only next to recesses, and the like. 
     FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view of the home plate system of  FIG. 14  along line A-A, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 15 , recesses  112  in the back end  104  and middle of front end  101  are seen located near the perimeter of removable top plate  110 . Also, the thickness of removable top plate  1410  may vary between 0.75″ in a groove trough and 0.85″ at a top of a groove. 
     FIG. 16  is a detailed cross-sectional view of highlighted area A of a home plate system in  FIG. 15 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 16 , details of removable top plate  1410  around recess  112  and the perimeter of front end  101  of removable top plate  1410  are seen. For example, but not limited to, removable top plate  1410  may have a thickness of about 0.75″ to 0.95″ and ridge  129  may have an angled side  1605  depending upwardly from and located approximately in the middle of the perimeter of removable top plate  1410  and a substantially flat surface  1610 . Recess  112  is shown to have an initial beveled opening starting with a diameter of approximately 0.75″ and after about 0.062″ tapering down to a first constant diameter column  1632  with a diameter of approximately 0.6″ and a length of approximately 0.063″. First constant diameter column  1632  ends and a second constant diameter column  1633  with a diameter of approximately 0.75″ and a length of approximately 0.085″, which creates an interior lip  1635  to hold a post anchor and/or fastener. Second constant diameter column  1633  is subsequently connected to a tapered top portion  1637  that tapers inwardly away from second constant diameter column  1633  toward a substantially flat top  1639  that ends approximately 0.5″ in from the bottom of removable top plate  1410 . 
     FIG. 17  is a top view of a removable collar of a home plate system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 17 , removable collar  120  may include uptight bevel  122 , beveled edge  124  and two “V”-shaped grooves  125  that may extend longitudinally and continuously around the beveled edge  124 . Two slots  1705  may be located in an interior face  128  of beveled edge on diagonal sidewalls  103  to aid in the removal of removable top plate  110 . Removable collar  120  may also include flange  126 , which has an inner perimeter  1710  defining and opening  1715  for base anchor  130 , and multiple post anchors  127  located around flange  126 . Multiple post anchors are sized to fit within and located in positions predetermined to be able to cooperate with and fasten to recesses  112  in removable top plate  110 . Also seen adjacent back corner  104  is setup pin opening  145 . 
     FIG. 18  is a cross-sectional view of the removable collar of the home plate system of  FIG. 17  along line A-A, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 18 , setup pin opening  145  is seen to extend from a top side of beveled edge  124  through and out a bottom of removable collar  120 . In  FIG. 18 , uptight bevel  122  defines the bottom of removable collar  120  and is substantially horizontal and an upright wall portion  123  extends substantially perpendicularly and upwardly away from an inner perimeter of uptight bevel  122  to a bottom of beveled edge  124 . The bottom of beveled edge  124  extends substantially perpendicularly away from a top end of upright wall portion  123  toward a middle of removable collar  120 . The top of beveled edge  124  extends diagonally upwardly and inwardly from the top end of upright wall portion  123  toward the middle of removable collar  120 . Two “V”-shaped and substantially parallel channels  125  are located in approximately the middle of the top of beveled edge  124  and the two “V”-shaped channels  125  extend longitudinally around the entire top of beveled edge  124 . The “V”-shaped channels  125  allow dirt/soil around an installed home plate system  100  to settle within the “V”-shaped channels  125 , which aids in maintaining the dirt/soil around the top of the home plate system. In other embodiments of the present invention, the two “V”-shaped channels  125  may not extend longitudinally around the entire top of beveled edge  124 . Instead, they may be a series of short and/or long “V”-shaped channel sections separated by un-grooved sections. Generally, the shorter the un-grooved sections the better the retention of dirt/soil around the top of an installed home plate system  100 . 
   In  FIG. 19 , at a top end of beveled edge  124 , a downwardly depending face  128  extends toward a top side of a flange  126  that extends inwardly from beveled edge  124  toward the middle of removable collar  120 . An inner groove  129  is disposed around the perimeter of downwardly depending face  128  to receive a ridge and/or beveled sidewall protrusion  115  that extends around substantially the entire perimeter of removable top plate  110 . On the top side of the flange  126  a post anchor and/or upwardly extending fastener  127  is located and configured to be removably fastened into a conforming recess  112  in the bottom of removable top plate  110  at both the front end  101  and back corner  104  of removable top plate  110 . 
     FIG. 20  is a detailed view of highlighted area C of a home plate system in  FIG. 17 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 20 , a setup pin opening  145  is seen defined in beveled edge  124  above the top “V-shaped”groove  125  in the back end  104  of removable collar  120  with associated flap recesses  2010  for receiving the setup pin opening plug  140 . 
     FIG. 21  is a cross-sectional view of the removable collar of the home plate system of  FIG. 17  along line B-B, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 21 , a cross-sectional view of the post anchors  127  on sidewalls  102  are seen along with a side view of post anchors  127  along diagonal sidewalls  103 . 
     FIG. 22  is a detailed view of highlighted area F of a home plate system in  FIG. 22  showing the configuration of a post anchor, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 22 , details of flange  126  and a post anchor  127  around the perimeter are seen. For example, but not limited to, flange  126  may have a thickness of about 0.5″ and post anchor  127  may extend above flange  126  by approximately 0.47″. Recess  112  is shown to have an initial beveled foot portion  2231  starting with a diameter of approximately 0.625″ and after about 0.06″ tapering down to a first constant diameter column  2232  with a diameter of approximately 0.5″ and a length of approximately 0.1″. First constant diameter column  2232  ends and a second constant diameter column  2233  with a diameter of approximately 0.625″ and a length of approximately 0.09″, which creates a ledge  2235  to rest against interior lip  1635  in recess  112  to removably hold post anchor and/or fastener  127  in place within recess  112 . Second constant diameter column  2233  is subsequently connected to a tapered cap  2237  that tapers inwardly away from second constant diameter column  2233  toward a substantially flat top  2239  that ends approximately 0.47″ above the second constant diameter column  2233 . 
     FIG. 23  is a top view of an anchor section of a home plate system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 23 , anchor section  130  includes multiple, individually walled sections formed by the intersections of multiple longitudinal walls  2310  extending from the front end  101  to the back end  104 , multiple latitudinal walls  2320  extending completely or only partially between sidewalls  102 , and diagonal walls  2330 . The intersecting walls provide stability and strength to base anchor  130  without having to have a solid base, which keeps the weight of the base anchor  130  at a minimum. In addition, the openings formed by the intersecting walls may be used to house one or more sensors, for example, but not limited to, infrared sensors, acoustic sensors, other line-of-sight sensors, near field sensors, low energy sensors, and radio frequency (RF) sensors for detecting whether a pitch is a ball or a strike. In addition to the sensors, a source of power and a signal processing capability may be associated with the sensors either within the home plate system and/or in an external, off-plate location, for example, but not limited to, behind a backstop, in a dugout and/or in other housings. Additional modifications of the internal configuration of the anchor base  134  may include channels, grooves, and the like for wiring interconnections between sensors and/or the source of power and/or the signal processing capability. However, wireless communications may also be used between the sensors and the signal processing capability. 
     FIG. 24  is a detailed view of highlighted area C of the anchor section of the home plate system in  FIG. 23 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 24 , the setup pin opening  145  has a trapezoidal and/or triangular shape to receive the setup pin  150  and prevent rotation of setup pin  150  within setup pin opening  145 . In addition, the shape of setup pin opening  145  ensures that setup pin  150  is always installed correctly, since the trapezoidal and/or triangular shape acts as a directional key in that setup pin  150  may only be inserted into setup pin opening  145  in one direction. 
     FIG. 25  is a cross-sectional view of the anchor section of the anchor section system of  FIG. 23  along line A-A, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 25 , line A-A extends along a middle one of the latitudinal walls  2320  with two post anchors and/or fasteners  127  connected to the top of the latitudinal wall  2320 . The dimensions of the post anchors and/or fasteners  127  are the same as those described for  FIG. 22  and the post anchors and/or fasteners  127  of  FIG. 25  are approximately equal distance from a center one of the longitudinal walls  2330  and positioned to cooperatively engage the recesses  112  in the middle of top plate  110 . Anchor base  130  includes a lower portion  132  with a height of approximately 3.25″ around a perimeter of base anchor  130  and a raised portion  134  with a height of approximately 3.75″ in the center of anchor base  130  and surrounded by lower portion  132 . When removable collar  120  is combined with anchor base  130 , the raised portion  134  fits between the inner perimeter of flange  126  of the removable collar  120  and the top of the raised portion  134  is substantially level with the top of flange  126 . 
     FIG. 26  is a cross-sectional view of the anchor section of the home plate system of  FIG. 23  along line B-B, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 26 , line B-B extends between two of the latitudinal walls  2320 . Nine longitudinal walls  2330  divide up base anchor  130  into 8 columns that are further divided by seven latitudinal walls  2320  to produce multiple, substantially square, rectangular, triangular and/or trapezoidal divisions within base anchor  130 . Two post anchors and/or fasteners  127  are affixed atop latitudinal walls  2320  on either side of a middle one of the latitudinal walls  2320 . The dimensions of the post anchors and/or fasteners  127  are the same as those described for  FIG. 22  and the post anchors and/or fasteners  127  of  FIG. 26  are approximately equal distance from a center one of the latitudinal walls  2330  and positioned to cooperatively engage the recesses  112  in the middle of top plate  110 . Anchor base  130  includes lower portion  132  around a perimeter of base anchor  130  and a raised portion  134  in the center of anchor base  130  and surrounded by lower portion  132 . When removable collar  120  is combined with anchor base  130 , the raised portion  134  fits between the inner perimeter of flange  126  of the removable collar  120  and the top of the raised portion  134  is substantially level with the top of flange  126 . Although the present embodiment shows two post anchors and/or fasteners in the middle of raised portion  134 , other embodiments are also contemplated in which fewer or more post anchors and/or fasteners, for example, zero or one, or three or more are in raised portion  134 . Likewise, a variety of configurations of the post anchors and/or fasteners are contemplated atop longitudinal walls  2330  and/or latitudinal walls  2320 . 
     FIG. 27  is a front view of a setup pin plug of a home plate system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 27 , setup pin plug  140  includes a pair of mirror image flaps  142  atop a plug body  144 . The mirror image flaps  142  are designed to fit within flap recesses  2010  so that the tops of the mirror image flaps  142  are level with beveled edge  124  when setup pin plug  140  is in place in setup pin opening  145 . 
     FIG. 28  is a cross-sectional view of the setup pin plug of the home plate system of  FIG. 27  along line A-A, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 29  is a cross-sectional view of the setup pin plug of the home plate system of  FIG. 27  along line B-B, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 29 , a longitudinal cross-section of setup pin plug  140  partially showing the substantially trapezoidal and/or triangular shape of the body of setup pin  150  and the bottom of the mirror image flaps  142 . 
     FIG. 30  is a top view of the setup pin plug of the home plate system of  FIG. 27 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 30 , the tops of the mirror image flaps  142  are abutted to each other at an angle sufficient to span the angle between the two diagonal sidewalls. 
     FIG. 31  is a side view of the setup pin plug of the home plate system of  FIG. 31 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 31 , setup pin plug  140  is shown to be approximately 1.63″ tall. 
     FIG. 32  is a front perspective view of a setup pin of a home plate system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 32 , setup pin  150  includes a head portion  152  that defines a hole  154  there through and a body portion  153 . The body portion  153  is adapted to cooperatively engage setup pin opening  145  in removable collar  120  to hold setup pin  150  from moving during installation and/or field setup. Body portion  153  may taper from larger to smaller and hole  154  may be used to pass string and/or cord through it to align home plate during installation and/or to line the base lines for play. Setup pin  150  may be made from a variety of methods and materials including, but not limited to, die cast metal (e.g., zinc), extruded reinforced plastic, injection molded plastic, and the like. 
     FIG. 33  is a side view of the setup pin of the home plate system of  FIG. 32 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 33 , the setup pin  150  has body  153  that tapers from just below the head  152  to an end of the body  155 . The taper of body  153  helps to further hold setup pin  150  steady due to the frictional engagement of body  153  within setup pin opening  145 . Head  152  is substantially rectangular shaped with opening  154  and is affixed atop body  153  and when setup pin  150  is inserted into setup pin opening  145 , opening  154  faces toward the center of the home plate system  100 . 
     FIG. 34  is a cross-sectional view of the setup pin of the home plate system of  FIG. 32  along line A-A, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 34 , a cross-section of body  153  near the top of body  153  is shown to have a back length of 0.543″, a front length of 0.115″ and a width of 0.245″. 
     FIG. 35  is a cross-sectional view of the setup pin of the home plate system of  FIG. 32  along line B-B, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 35 . a cross-section of body  153  near the bottom of body  153  is shown to have a back length of 0.416″, a front length of 0.093″ and a width of 0.193″, which are significantly smaller than the measurements in  FIG. 34  of a back length of 0.543″, a front length of 0.115″ and a width of 0.245″. 
     FIG. 36  is top view of the setup pin of the home plate system of  FIG. 32 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 36 , opening  154  is shown in shadow line to extend from one side of head  152  through to the other side of head  152 . 
   In accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention, a home plate system including a removable top plate including a top, a bottom and a sidewall portion defining a perimeter of the removable top plate with a beveled sidewall protrusion extending around substantially all of the sidewall portion and a plurality of recesses distributed around the bottom of the removable top plate. The home plate system further including a removable collar including a plurality of post anchors configured to releasably engage at least one of the plurality of recesses distributed around the bottom of the removable top plate and an inner groove around an inner surface of the removable collar configured to releasably engage the beveled sidewall protrusion of the removable top plate. The home plate system still further including an anchor section configured to releasably engage a bottom of the removable collar around a perimeter of the bottom of the removable collar and further to releasably engage at least one of the plurality of recesses distributed around the bottom portion of the removable top plate. 
   A home plate system including a removable, five-sided top plate including a top, a bottom and a sidewall portion defining a perimeter of the removable top plate with a beveled sidewall protrusion extending around substantially all of the sidewall portion and a plurality of recesses distributed around a perimeter of the bottom of the removable top plate with at least one of the recesses adjacent each corner of the top plate, at least one additional recess located between the recesses in adjacent corners, and a second at least one additional recess located adjacent a middle of the removable, five-sided top plate. The home plate system further including a removable collar including an inner flange portion with an inner perimeter of the flange portion defining an opening, and a top of the flange portion defining a bottom of a top opening into which the removable, five-sided top plate is attachable and where the plurality of upwardly protruding fasteners are spaced around the top of the flange portion to releasably engage at least one of the plurality of recesses distributed around the perimeter of the bottom of the removable top plate and an inner groove around an inner surface of the removable, five-sided collar configured to releasably engage the beveled sidewall protrusion of the removable top plate. The home plate system still further including a closed-bottom anchor section configured to releasably engage a bottom of the removable collar around a perimeter of the bottom of the removable collar and further to releasably engage the second at least one additional recess located adjacent the middle of the removable, five-sided top plate. The home plate system still further including a flexible plug configured to removably and cooperatively engage and fit into a set-up opening in the removable collar that extends downwardly through the removable collar and into the closed-bottom anchor section. 
   A home plate system including a removable, five-sided top plate including a top, a bottom and a sidewall portion defining a perimeter of the removable top plate with a beveled sidewall protrusion extending around substantially all of the sidewall portion and a plurality of recesses distributed around a perimeter of the bottom of the removable top plate with at least one of the recesses adjacent each corner of the top plate, at least one additional recess located between the recesses in adjacent corners, and a second at least one additional recess located adjacent a middle of the removable, five-sided top plate. The home plate system further including a removable collar including an inner flange portion with an inner perimeter of the flange portion defining an opening, and a top of the flange portion defining a bottom of a top opening into which the removable, five-sided top plate is attachable and where the plurality of upwardly protruding fasteners are spaced around the top of the flange portion to releasably engage at least one of the plurality of recesses distributed around the perimeter of the bottom of the removable top plate and an inner groove around an inner surface of the removable, five-sided collar configured to releasably engage the beveled sidewall protrusion of the removable top plate. The home plate system still further including a closed-bottom anchor section configured to releasably engage a bottom of the removable collar around a perimeter of the bottom of the removable collar and further to releasably engage the second at least one additional recess located adjacent the middle of the removable, five-sided top plate. The home plate system still further including a flexible plug configured to removably and cooperatively engage and fit into a set-up opening in the removable collar that extends downwardly through the removable collar and into the closed-bottom anchor section. The home plate system still further including a rigid setup plug configured to removably and cooperatively engage and fit into the set-up opening that extends downwardly through the removable collar and into the closed-bottom anchor section. 
   While the present invention has been described in conjunction with a number of embodiments, the invention is not to be limited to the description of the embodiments contained herein, but rather is defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents. It is further evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations would be or are apparent to those of ordinary skill in the applicable arts. Accordingly, all such alternatives, modifications, equivalents, and variations that are within the spirit and scope of this invention. 
   In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, a home plate system as substantially shown and described herein.