Patent Publication Number: US-2017368434-A1

Title: Modified baseball game

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention disclosed herein generally relates to a modified field layout for playing baseball and a method for playing baseball on the modified field layout involving lesser number of players than conventional baseball. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Baseball is a sport played between two teams of nine players each who take turns batting and fielding. Typically, the area of a baseball field ranges from about 11,000 square feet to about 27,000 square feet. A field having an area of this magnitude is hard to maintain. Additionally, amateur players who love to play baseball may not find a field of such area readily accessible and affordable. Enthusiasts of the game who wish to play regularly and looking out for a modified version of the game, similar to indoor soccer do not have such an option for baseball. Additionally, players of different ages and skill levels may not require an actual baseball field with huge dimensions and facilities to enjoy a game of baseball. A modified version of baseball, which makes use of a field with smaller dimensions, which can be maintained easily, is required. Furthermore, a version of baseball, which can be played, by fewer number of players of varying skills and age groups is required. With growing number of children enjoying video games or PC games, the attraction of outdoor games have followed a downward trend. Sometimes, children in a neighborhood wishing to play a game of baseball may not be sufficient in number to play the traditional nine-a-side version. Therefore, a modified version of baseball, which can be played, by fewer number of players is required. 
     Hence, there is a long felt but unresolved need for a modified baseball game, which can be played in a small area. Additionally there is a need for a modified baseball game, which requires fewer players. Moreover, there is a need for a modified baseball game, which can be played by a group of players of varying ages and skill levels. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further disclosed in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended for determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     The modified baseball game disclosed herein addresses the above-mentioned need for a modified baseball game, which can be played in a small area. Additionally, the modified baseball game disclosed herein addresses the need for a modified baseball game, which can be enjoyed by fewer players. Moreover, the modified baseball game disclosed herein addresses the need for a modified baseball game, which can be played by a group of players of varying ages and skill levels. The modified baseball game comprises a field bounded by side walls, a top wall, a strike wall, and a back wall. The side walls, the top wall, the strike wall, and the back wall are substantially perpendicular to the field and the field is substantially smaller than a traditional baseball field. A pitch of a predefined length is positioned proximal to the strike wall. A first and a second team includes at most five players. The first team fields and the second team bats and vice versa at the end of an inning of the second team. A ball is used for pitching by one of the five players the first team or the second team. A baseball bat is used for hitting the ball by one of the players of the first team or the second team based on which team is batting. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the invention, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, exemplary constructions of the invention are shown in the drawings. However, the invention is not limited to the specific methods and structures disclosed herein. The description of a method step or a structure referenced by a numeral in a drawing is applicable to the description of that method step or structure shown by that same numeral in any subsequent drawing herein. 
         FIG. 1  exemplarily illustrates a perspective view of a field of a modified baseball game. 
         FIG. 2  exemplarily illustrates a top plan view of a field of a modified baseball game. 
         FIG. 3  exemplarily illustrates a front perspective view of a back wall of a modified baseball game. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  exemplarily illustrates a perspective view of a field  101  of a modified baseball game  100 .  FIG. 2  exemplarily illustrates a top plan view of a field  101  of a modified baseball game  100 . The modified baseball game  100  allows for players, for example, from one up to five players to play the modified baseball game  100  in a confined baseball field  101 . The modified baseball game  100  is configured to accommodate a game of five on five players, including a full infield of players and a pitcher. The modified baseball game  100  is played on a field  101  bounded by multiple side walls  102 , a top wall  103 , a strike wall  104 , and a back wall  105 . In an embodiment, the top wall  103  and the side walls  102  are made of, for example, nets to prevent the ball from being hit out from the field  101 . As used herein, the “ball” used for playing a preferred embodiment of the modified baseball game refers to a rubber ball. As used herein, “strike wall” refers to the wall that is pitched to where the batter is standing. As used herein, “back wall” refers to the wall that balls are hit to in order to be awarded outs or hits. In an embodiment, the strike wall  104  and the back wall  105  are, for example, masonry walls. In an embodiment, the side walls  102 , the top wall  103 , the strike wall  104 , and the back wall  105  are substantially perpendicular to the field  101 . The field  101  is substantially smaller than a traditional baseball field. In an embodiment, the area of the field  101  is about 5000 square feet. A pitch  106  of a predefined length is positioned proximal to the strike wall  104 . The predefined length of the pitch  106  is based on the skill levels and age group of the players involved in the modified baseball game  100 . The pitch  106  comprises a first end  106   a  and a second end  106   b . The first end  106   a  is also referred to as a pitcher&#39;s mound. The second end  106   b  of the pitch  106  is referred to as the home plate. 
     A first team and a second team play the modified baseball game  100 . The modified baseball game  100  is played between the first team and the second team that take turns playing offense, for example, batting and playing defense, for example, pitching, fielding, etc. The modified baseball game  100  comprises at most five players each in the first team and the second team. Consider a scenario in which the first team fields and the second team bats. The second team is generally a visiting team, whereas the first team is a home team. Once three outs of the second team are recorded, the first team are sent in to bat while the second team position themselves on the field  101  to try to make the first team out. A pair of turns, one at bat and one in the field, by each team constitutes an inning. In an embodiment, number of the innings played by the first team and the second team are predetermined prior to the beginning of the modified baseball game  100 . The goal of the game is to score more points or runs than the opposing team. A ball is used for pitching by one of the five players of the first team or the second team. The player who pitches the ball is referred to as a pitcher. In an embodiment, the field  101  is a synthetic turf-playing surface. Additionally, in an embodiment, walls and fencing, a covered top net, and graphics to replicate different playing venues enclose the field  101 . 
     After determining the teams/players that will compete, a first team will take the field on defense, with a maximum of five players. Additional players can remain on the bench and participate as substitute players. The second team, for example, the batting team will take to their respective bench with one player entering the field and position him/her proximal to the second end  106   b  of the pitch  106 , for example, the home plate exemplarily illustrated in  FIGS. 1-2 . The teams will predetermine a common pitching distance for the game to be played, as there will be three different distances to accommodate different age groups and skills levels. A player of the second team bats at the second end  106   b  of the pitch  106 . At the beginning of each half-inning, the five players on the fielding team arrange themselves around the field. One of them, the pitcher, stands on the first end  106   a  of the pitch  106 , for example, the pitcher&#39;s mound. The pitcher begins the pitching delivery with one foot on the rubber, pushing off it to gain velocity when throwing to the second end  106   b  of the pitch  106 . The pitcher throws a ball, for example, a rubber ball to the strike wall  104 , which forms a portion of the boundary for the balls and strikes to be called. Any pitch thrown into the box or on the line of the box is determined to be a strike. Any pitch thrown outside of the box is called a ball. A ball pitched that hits a batter is also a ball. 
     A ball that is swung at and foul tipped is a strike. As used herein, a “foul tip”, refers to a ball tipped off the bat which goes straight back almost as if the bat missed it and strikes the strike wall  104 . Pitched balls, which are not hit, strike the strike wall  104  and bounce back to the pitcher, therefore no catcher is required. It is sometimes hard to tell if a batter has foul-tipped a ball unless someone is close enough to hear the contact. A foul tip is always a strike, and is a strike out if there are two strikes on the batter. Balls that are hit must remain inside of the foul lines  107 , exemplarily illustrated in  FIG. 2 , until it is played by a defensive player or strikes the back wall  105  of play in fair territory. Any batted balls that strikes the side walls  102 , the back wall  105 , top wall  103  followed by any wall, top wall  103  followed by the ground, or hits off of the batter is considered to be a foul ball. Balls hit directly into the upper net and fielded cleanly by a defensive player is an out. Batted balls that remain fair, whether hit directly at a player or hit into the ground toward a player and fielded cleanly is declared an out. Moreover, the back wall  105  comprises a plurality of markings to determine a value of a hit made by an offensive player, for example, a batter of one of the first team and the second team as exemplarily illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
     The batter does not run to first base or any base as in traditional baseball. Balls that are hit directly into the back wall  105  positioned behind the defensive players are hits or outs. Lines and markings are positioned to determine the value of the hit or out. Any ball hit on the ground that then hits the fair ball wall without being fielded is a single. Any ball that is hit directly or off the ground at a player and is not fielded cleanly or falls to the ground after being touched is deemed a single. Outs and base runners are declared between batters. As in traditional baseball rules, four balls equals a walk, three strikes equals an out, etc. A batter can foul off as many balls as he or she can before getting a hit or making an out. In the modified baseball game  100 , no base running is involved. When hitters get hits, runners are assumed in position. In force out situations with less than two outs, grounded balls fielded cleanly are declared as outs to the leading runner. The ball can then be immediately thrown from the fielded position into the strike zone box for a double play and a second out is awarded to the defensive team. After three outs are made, the teams switch positions and continue play. The number of innings is predetermined prior to play. 
     In another embodiment, mercy rules are implemented. According to mercy rules, games can be played in predetermined lengths of, for example, 3 innings, 5 innings, 7 innings, 9 innings, etc. No mercy rule is implemented for 3 inning games. In a 5-inning game, if a team is winning by 10 or more after 4 innings is considered a mercy. In a 7 inning game, if a team is winning by 12 runs after 5 innings or 10 runs after 6 innings will be considered a mercy. In a 9 inning, game if a team is winning by 15 runs after 6 innings, 12 runs after 7 innings, or 10 runs lead after 8 innings will be considered a mercy. Additionally, in another embodiment, specified boundaries are made for games played with less than five defensive players in each team. In other embodiments, all runs are forced in and foul balls caught before striking the ground can be declared outs. While there are no actual base runners, in a forced in run game, all bases must be occupied in order to force in runs. Pitched balls not hit, bounce back to the pitcher, therefore no catcher is used. The foul tip rule is also referred to as tick box. Only balls foul tipped into the strike box when a batter has two strikes will be considered an out. This rule is to be predetermined prior to the start of a game. 
     In the method disclosed herein, a field  101  bounded by a plurality of side walls  102 , a top wall  103 , a strike wall  104 , and a back wall  105  for playing the modified baseball game  100  is provided. In an embodiment, the side walls  102 , the top wall  103 , the strike wall  104 , and the back wall  105  are substantially perpendicular to the field  101 , and the field  101  is substantially smaller than a traditional baseball field. In the method disclosed herein, a first team and a second team are employed for actively playing the modified baseball game  100 . In an embodiment, the first team and the second team comprise five players each. By way of example, the first team fields and the second team bats initially followed by the first team batting and the second team fielding at the end of three outs of the second team. A pitch  106  of a predefined length is positioned proximal to the strike wall  104 . In an embodiment, the modified baseball game  100  is free of base running and fly balls. Additionally, a number of the innings played by the first team and the second team are predetermined. In another embodiment, the field  101  comprises specified boundaries made for games played with less than five defensive players. 
       FIG. 3  exemplarily illustrates a front perspective view of a back wall  105  of a modified baseball game  100 . The back wall  105  of the modified baseball game  100  is divided into multiple sections as exemplarily illustrated in  FIG. 3 . When a hitter hits the ball to the back wall  105 , the ball hits the back wall  105  in one of the predetermined sections. Each section has a value as shown. Moreover, if a hitter hits the ball to the sections marked ‘0’ on the back wall  105 , the hitter is ruled out. If the ball hits the sections marked ‘1’, the offensive team adds a base hit to the score. Alternatively, if the ball hits the sections marked ‘2’, the offensive team adds a double to the score. Similarly, if the ball hits the sections marked ‘3’, the offensive team adds a triple to the score. The offensive team scores a home run if a hitter hits the ball to contact the sections marked ‘4’ on the back wall  105 . In an embodiment, the area of the sections, the score attributed to each section, etc., is modified based on the decision of the teams playing the modified baseball game  100 . In an embodiment, the different sections are marked with the value of the runs that will be gained. In another embodiment, the sections offering similar runs are colored similarly. 
     The foregoing examples have been provided merely for the purpose of explanation and are in no way to be construed as limiting of the modified baseball game  100 , disclosed herein. While the modified baseball game  100  has been described with reference to various embodiments, it is understood that the words, which have been used herein, are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Further, although the modified baseball game  100  has been described herein with reference to particular means, materials, and embodiments, the modified baseball game  100  is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein; rather, the modified baseball game  100  extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims. Those skilled in the art, having the benefit of the teachings of this specification, may effect numerous modifications thereto and changes may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the modified baseball game  100  disclosed herein in their aspects.