Patent Abstract:
A device and a method for accurately laying out the bases of an infield, said device comprising marking pieces that attach to one another to form a single integrated unit. Base marking pieces forming the integrated unit may mark the positions of the bases of an infield. The marking pieces may be connected, which connecting means may assist in measuring distances between marking pieces, which measured distances may determine proper positions of the base marking pieces. After bases are laid out and an infield set up, the marking pieces may re-attach to again form the integrated unit. 
     In one embodiment, accuracy may be increased by utilizing a center reference point marked by a center marking piece. The center marking piece may be connected to some base marking pieces, and in one embodiment the base marking pieces may attach to the center marking piece and together form the integrated unit.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Baseball is played on a field comprised of an outfield and an infield, with most of the action taking place on the infield. The infield is in the shape of a diamond, with first base, second base, third base, and home plate located in sequence at each point of the diamond. A player must progress counterclockwise from base to base to score a run. The team with the most runs at the end of the game wins. There is an equal distance between each adjacent base, but this distance varies depending on baseball league. For major league and most male adult baseball leagues, distance between adjacent bases is 90 feet. For “little league,” the distance between adjacent bases may be about 60 feet, with some other leagues also having varying sizes between 60-90 feet between adjacent bases. 
         [0002]    Although baseball is a favorite pastime of many people, baseball&#39;s popularity combined with a finite number of permanent baseball fields can result in an unmet demand for full-sized baseball fields, where, for example, two or more baseball teams may have to share one baseball field for practice purposes. An insufficient number of fields may, among other negative results, limit practice time and thereby inhibit team progress and player development. To try and ameliorate this problem, when a playing surface exists with sufficient open space, coaches and/or players may set up makeshift infields using items on hand such as branches, coats, etc., as bases, or may use a portable set of bases. The accuracy of the layout of such infields, however, often depends to a large degree on fallible human judgment. The resulting inaccurate and imprecise measurements of such makeshift diamonds can lead to team practices that fail to sufficiently replicate real-game conditions, thus negatively impacting the judgments and expectations of players, and also lead to poor playing habits. 
         [0003]    To attempt to achieve greater accuracy of base positions, some coaches, parents, and/or players may use string or tape to measure out the distance to each base one at a time—an often time-consuming process. Moreover, such string may become entangled with itself, other objects, and even players, as the string in some cases remains on the playing surface during play. In addition, such string must be removed from the playing surface by manual means, such as winding up the string on a reel by hand, which can be burdensome. Furthermore, some prior art devices attempting to set up an infield using strings or measuring tapes, whether requiring hand-reeling or not, may require substantial concentration and time. In addition some such devices may require the purchase of a “measuring ball base,” if not a whole new set of bases. 
         [0004]    Thus there exists a need for an infield measuring and aligning device that may function quickly, conveniently, and accurately, thereby maximizing quality practice time for players and for coaches. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    A conveniently portable device for measuring and aligning the bases of an infield quickly and accurately. Although the device may allow measuring of distances to all bases simultaneously, it may nevertheless be in the form of a single, integrated unit that is portable and operable by a single person. In one embodiment, the device may be comprised of at least four marking pieces, four of which may be base marking pieces for marking the respective positions of the home plate, first base, second base, and third base of an infield, which marking pieces may attach to at least one other marking piece so that together they form the integrated unit. For example, irrespective of the shape of the base marking pieces (whether square-shaped or other), the positions of the base marking pieces may be radially arranged while in the form of the integrated unit (and in one embodiment, with at least a part of each base marking piece forming an outer part of the integrated unit), with each base marking piece oppositely-positioned from another base marking piece and adjacent to two other base marking pieces. More specifically, for example in one embodiment the second base marking piece may be positioned opposite from the home base marking piece, and adjacent to the first base marking piece and the third base marking piece, and with similar positional relationships between the other base marking pieces (e.g., the first base marking piece may be positioned opposite from the third base marking piece and adjacent to the home base marking piece and the second base marking piece). 
         [0006]    One embodiment of the device may improve accuracy further by measuring distances to at least some of the base marking pieces from a central reference point, located in about the center of the infield diamond. Thus, in addition to utilizing base marking pieces, the device marking pieces may comprise a center marking piece for marking the position of the central reference point. In one embodiment, each base marking piece may attach to the center marking piece. For example, in one embodiment, the second base marking piece may be located on the side of the center marking piece opposite from the home base marking piece, and adjacent to the first base marking piece and the third base marking piece. The marking pieces may all be secured to the playing surface by, in one embodiment, apertures in each marking piece through which a stake may be inserted to secure a marking piece to a surface. 
         [0007]    In one embodiment, the marking pieces, even when detached from any marking piece, may nevertheless be connected to at least one other marking piece by some connecting means such as, for example, a cord (e.g., nylon bands in one embodiment). Moreover said connecting means may be extensible and retractable by, for example, coils around which the cords may be reeled. One embodiment of the device, the connecting means may extend from one base marking piece to an oppositely-situated base marking piece, or from a base marking piece to an adjacent base marking piece, or from at least a base marking piece to a center marking piece (depending on the particular embodiment), in order to more accurately gauge the positions and alignments of all the bases together. In one embodiment incorporating cords, the total unwindable, extensible lengths of the cords may be the substantially correct distances for properly laying out the bases of the diamond. In another embodiment, the cords may include markings indicating proper measurements for different sizes of an infield (e.g., major league baseball, softball, and/or little league, etc.). Once unwound, the cords may be re-wound, and this capability to retract fully may assist in the marking pieces quickly and conveniently re-attaching compactly together to form the easily portable single unit. Such a single unit may have various shapes according to embodiment but in one embodiment may be in the shape of a square, with each base marking pieces comprising a corner of the square. 
         [0008]    One objective of the device and method is to facilitate laying out the bases of an infield accurately, quickly, and conveniently in several simple steps. Specifically, in one embodiment, a first step may be to separate one base marking piece until it lies a certain distance (i.e., a first distance) away from its oppositely-positioned base marking pieces for setting up the infield, which first distance corresponds to the correct distance between oppositely-situated or positioned bases of an infield so that bases may be accurately laid at the opposite end points of said first distance. 
         [0009]    Next, the proper positions of the base marking pieces adjacent to the oppositely-positioned base marking pieces laid out, can be determined by measuring the correct distance between each base marking piece and its adjacent base marking pieces for setting up an infield (i.e., the second distance or base-to-adjacent base total length), the second distance being the correct distance between adjacent bases of an infield. For example, two second distances may be measured from the first-laid base marking piece to its two adjacent base marking pieces, and from the base marking piece oppositely-positioned from said first-laid out base marking piece to said piece&#39;s two adjacent base marking pieces—which adjacent base marking pieces for both of the oppositely-positioned bases are the same adjacent base marking pieces, one adjacent base marking piece on either side of the axis formed by the first-laid base marking piece and the oppositely situated base marking piece—by connecting said second distances so that the end points of each second distance separately extending from the first laid base marking piece to both adjacent pieces, and the end points of each second distance separately extending from the base marking piece oppositely-positioned from the first laid base marking piece to either adjacent base marking piece, touch. Once the proper positions for base marking positions have been determined and marked by, for example, accurately measuring the first distance(s) and second distances between base marking pieces, the bases of an infield may be placed in the positions indicated and the marking pieces may be reattached together to form the single unit device, and removed from the playing surface. 
         [0010]    Other embodiments of the device may involve variations of the aforementioned process. For example, in one embodiment incorporating a center marking piece, and where each base marking piece may be attached and connected to the center marking piece, the additional steps of detaching each base marking piece from the center marking piece may be taken. For example, a step may still be to separate one (first laid) base marking piece from the rest of the central unit so that it lies a first distances from its oppositely-positioned piece, but in this particular embodiment this might be accomplished by separating (i.e., detaching) both the first laid and the oppositely-positioned base from the center marking piece so that they remain a first distance apart from one another, and each being separated from the center marking piece substantially half the first distance (i.e., the center-to-base total length). In one embodiment, this may include the additional steps of inserting stakes through apertures in the oppositely-positioned base marking pieces and securing them to the ground in the correct positions a first distance apart from one another. More specifically as an example, the piece for marking the position of home plate (i.e., the home plate or home base marking piece) might be separated from the center piece and secured to the ground. Then the base marking piece opposite from the home plate (or home base) marking piece or from the area where the home base marking piece was detached—i.e., in one embodiment, the second base marking piece—may also be detached from the center marking piece and moved a first distance from the home base marking piece and secured to the ground. 
         [0011]    In one embodiment of the device incorporating unwindable nylon cord as the connecting means, which able to wrap or be reeled around coils housed within the marking pieces, the cord connecting one base marking piece to its oppositely-positioned base marking piece (for example, connecting the second base marking piece to the home base marking piece) may be unwound and extended to a first distance for correctly laying out an infield. In one particular embodiment also incorporating unwindable nylon cord as the connecting means but also comprising the center marking piece, separate unwindable reeled cords connecting one base marking piece to the center marking piece and said one base marking piece&#39;s oppositely-positioned base marking piece to the center marking piece may both be unwound and extended substantially half of the first distance, and then stakes may then be inserted through the apertures in the oppositely-positioned base marking pieces securing them to the ground, and then the center marking piece may also be secured to the ground using a stake (although the order of these steps may vary). In another embodiment where all four base marking pieces are connected to the center marking piece in a similar manner, the two other base marking pieces adjacent to the first detached oppositely-positioned bases may also be separated from the center marking piece, and the respective unwindable cords may unwound and extended the correct distance and the base marking pieces secured to the ground in a similar manner. In one embodiment, the cords may be comprised of nylon and may extend to the desired distance and retract due to spring coil mechanisms. In one embodiment, the position of the coil may lock (which may be accompanied in one embodiment by an audible click), preventing a coil from automatically retracting the nylon cord once the cord has extended to the desired distance. 
         [0012]    In the embodiment incorporating a center marking piece, once the marking pieces have all been separated the proper distances and have been placed in the proper positions using both a central reference point and adjacent reference points, and the marking pieces secured to the ground (which in one embodiment may occur when each coil is in a locked position and the cords taut), each base (including home plate) may be placed in a proper position to set up an infield. More specifically, based on the position of the home base marking piece, the home plate may be placed (in one embodiment) underneath the home base marking piece. Similarly, a second base may be placed in its proper position based on the second plate making piece. Based on the positions of the first and third base marking pieces, the first and third bases respectively may then be placed in their proper positions. Each base may also be further accurately aligned with the dimensions of the infield, using in one embodiment adjacent outer marking piece cords. 
         [0013]    The base marking pieces may then be removed from the infield playing surface. In one embodiment, this may be accomplished by removing each stake from the aperture of each base marking piece and then reattaching each piece to the center marking piece to form a single unit. The center marking piece (for embodiments incorporating such a feature) may also be removed from the playing surface by removing the stake from its aperture. In one embodiment, the reattaching process may be facilitated by spring coil mechanisms that cause the cords connecting the marking pieces to automatically retract without requiring manual winding. 
         [0014]    The order of steps for setting up a temporary infield using the device may vary depending on embodiment and/or preference. For example, the order of marking pieces that are detached, or reattached, or secured to the ground first may of course vary. In addition, in one embodiment each base may be placed in its proper location after each base marking piece is or less than all base marking pieces are properly positioned (e.g., after each base marking piece is secured to the ground), rather than after all the base marking pieces have been properly positioned. Moreover, configurations and materials used for the various components of the device may vary. For example, specific positions of the reeled coils within the device may vary in different embodiments. 
         [0015]    It is also anticipated that the device and different embodiments thereof may be used in different manners that will be apparent to those skilled in the art(s) to which the device pertains. For example, although the device may permit a single person to accurately set up a baseball diamond quickly and easily in several steps, several persons may also cooperate to use the device to set up a baseball diamond in a more expeditious manner. Thus, the capability of the base marking pieces to simultaneously mark the positions of the bases may be beneficial to some device users. 
         [0016]    Various means and methods may be used to keep the marking pieces in a certain desired position of a playing surface (depending, for example, on whether the playing surface is an outdoor grassy area or different type of playing surface). However, in the embodiment incorporating pointed objects to be inserted through apertures to secure the marking pieces to an outdoor ground playing surface, such securing means may vary. For example, the size of the stakes (and the apertures) may vary, but might in some embodiments have a width ranging from ¼″ to ⅜″. 
         [0017]    Size and dimensions of the device and of marking pieces may also of course vary. In one embodiment the single unit may be relatively lightweight, portable by one person, relatively compact, and its outer surface may be comprised of durable material. In addition, in one embodiment, the cords connecting each base marking piece to adjacent base marking pieces may be beneficial for accurate alignment purposes. For example and not by way of limitation, in one embodiment the cords connecting adjacent bases may be used as a reference point for spraying base running lines on the infield playing surface. 
         [0018]    The above description and listed alternative embodiments are considered that of some embodiments only. It is understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above are merely for illustrative purposes and not intended to limit scope. Alterations and modifications of the device described herein, and such further applications of the principles said device, are contemplated as would occur to those skilled in the art(s) to which the device pertains. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is an overheard perspective view of a device for setting up an infield, the device being in the form as an integrated unit. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is an overhead perspective view of the device in  FIG. 1 , with one base marking piece separated from the rest of the unit. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a cutaway overhead view of the device in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 4A  is an overhead view of the device in  FIG. 1 , with marking pieces in the form as an integrated unit, demonstrating a first step of setting up an infield. 
           [0023]      FIG. 4B  is an overhead view of the device in  FIG. 1 , with a home base marking piece separated, demonstrating a second step of setting up an infield. 
           [0024]      FIG. 4C  is an overhead view of the device in  FIG. 4B , with a second base marking piece separated, demonstrating a third step of setting up an infield. 
           [0025]      FIG. 4D  is an overhead view of the device in  FIG. 4C , with a first base marking piece separated, demonstrating a fourth step of setting up an infield. 
           [0026]      FIG. 4E  is an overhead view of the device in  FIG. 4D , with a third base locating piece in an extended position, demonstrating final steps of setting up an infield. 
           [0027]      FIG. 4F  is an overhead view of an embodiment of a device for setting up an infield that comprises a center marking piece connected to two oppositely-positioned base marking pieces. 
           [0028]      FIG. 4G  is an overhead view of an embodiment of a device for setting up an infield that comprises two connected oppositely-positioned base marking pieces, without a center marking piece. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0029]    “Cord” is herein defined as any flexible length material that may be wrapped on a spool or reel and that may be used for measuring distance. “Coil” is defined as an object such as a reel around which a cord may wind or be gathered, possibly in concentric rings or spirals. “Stake” is defined as an object that may secure a locating piece to a surface such as the ground. “Base” is defined as a base of any type of infield (e.g., baseball, softball, etc.), and any infield size, and may include home plate. “Separate” is broadly defined as substantially separate, and includes when pieces are detached yet still connected by for example, a connecting means. For example, a marking piece might be attached to another marking piece by a connecting means so that some surfaces of the marking pieces are contiguous, yet the marking piece might also become separate from the other marking piece so that no surfaces of the marking pieces are contiguous yet still the marking pieces may be connected by the connecting means. 
         [0030]    Turning to the drawings,  FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of a device  5  for laying out an infield  54  ( FIG. 4E ), which embodiment  5  may be in the form of an integrated unit and, in the particular embodiment described herein, may be in the shape of a square. The square-shaped single-unit embodiment of the device  5  may have four base marking pieces  6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9  located in each corner of the square: a piece for marking the position of home base  6 , a piece for marking the position of second base  7 , a piece for marking the position of first base  8 , and a piece for marking the position of third base  9 . The base marking pieces  6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9  may be configured to attach together as a single, integrated unit  5 , and to separate from one another, and to reattach together to form the integrated unit  5 . Each piece for marking a base/plate may have an aperture  10 ,  11 ,  12 ,  13 —a home base marking piece aperture  10 , a second base marking piece aperture  11 , a first base marking piece aperture  12 , and a third base marking piece aperture  13 . In the embodiment shown, each aperture  10 ,  11 ,  12 ,  13  may be located near the outer perimeter of the corresponding marking piece  6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9 . 
         [0031]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , in the center of the embodiment of the device  5  may be a piece for marking the center of the infield  14 , and in the center of the center marking piece  14  may also be a center marking piece aperture  15 . Each of the base marking pieces  6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9  may separate from the rest of the device  5 , and in the particular embodiment shown, may separate from the center marking piece  14 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the second base marking piece  7  may separate from the center marking piece  14 . However, even when separated from the center piece  14 , the second base marking piece  7  may still be connected to the center piece  14  by means of a center piece cord  16  (a second base marking piece center cord  16 ). In addition, the second base marking piece  7  may also be connected to the adjacent corner marking pieces  8 ,  9  (in this case, i.e., the first base marking piece  8  and the third base marking piece  9 ) by means of adjacent marking piece cords  17 ,  18 —one cord  17  running from the second base marking piece  7  to the first base marking piece  8  (a first-second adjacent cord  17 ), and another cord  18  running from the second base marking piece  7  to the third base marking piece  9  (a second-third adjacent cord  18 ). 
         [0032]    Each cord connecting one marking piece to another marking piece may be retractable and extensible by means of coils. More specifically, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , in the embodiment of the device shown, there may be spring coil mechanisms  23 ,  24 ,  25 ,  26  strategically placed to connect the center marking piece  14  to each base marking piece  6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9  through respective center cords  29 ,  16 ,  30 ,  31 . Similar spring coil mechanisms  19 ,  20 ,  21 ,  22  may allow each base marking piece  6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9  to connect to an adjacent base marking piece  6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9  via adjacent piece cords  17 ,  18 ,  27 ,  28 , and allow said cords  17 ,  18 ,  27 ,  28  to retract or extend (by for example, the winding of the cords  17 ,  18 ,  27 ,  28  about the coils  19 ,  20 ,  21 ,  22  to be in a reeled position, and the unwinding of the cords  17 ,  18 ,  27 ,  28 ). In one embodiment of the device  5 , there may be a setting where the cords  29 ,  16 ,  30 ,  31 ,  17 ,  18 ,  27 ,  28  retract automatically into the coils  23 ,  24 ,  25 ,  26 ,  19 ,  20 ,  21 ,  22  until/unless signaled to stop winding. The aforementioned features and components may assist the embodiment of the device  5  shown to set up an infield quickly and accurately, and in several relatively simple steps, as follows. 
         [0033]    First, as shown in  FIG. 4A , the embodiment of the device  5  may be easily portable in a compact single-unit configuration, with all of the base marking pieces  6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9  attached together to form an integrated unit, and transported to an open playing surface  32  having sufficient size for a temporary infield. Second, as shown in  FIG. 4B , the home base marking piece  6  may be separated from the center marking piece  14  (and the other marking pieces  7 ,  8 ,  9 ), and a stake  33  may be placed through the home base marking piece aperture  10 , securing the home base marking piece  6  to the playing surface  32 . The home base marking piece  6  may still be connected, however, to the center marking piece  14  through a center cord  29  (a home base marking piece center cord  29 ), and connected to the first base marking piece  8  via an adjacent piece cord  28  (a home-first adjacent cord  28 ), and connected to the third base marking piece  9  via another adjacent piece cord  27  (a home-third adjacent cord  27 ). 
         [0034]    Third, as shown in  FIG. 4C , the second base marking piece  7 , oppositely-positioned from the home base marking piece  6 , may also be separated and pulled away from the center marking piece  14 . The second base marking piece  7  may also still be connected to the center marking piece  14  through the second base marking piece center cord  16 , and connected to the first base marking piece  8  via first-second adjacent piece cord  17 , and connected to the third base marking piece  9  via second-third adjacent piece cord  18 . Once the second base marking piece  7  has been extended a desired distance from the home plate piece  6  for accurately laying out an infield  54 , which distance in one embodiment might be signaled by the second base marking piece center cord  16  being extended substantially to its full length, the spring coil mechanism  24  shown in  FIG. 3  may (in one particular embodiment) enter a locked position, causing the cord  16  to no longer automatically retract. Similarly, the home base marking piece  6  may be located the desired distance from the center marking piece  14 , which distance might be reached in one embodiment when the cord  29  connecting the home base marking piece  6  with the center marking piece  14  (which may also be referred to as the home base marking piece center cord  29 ) substantially reaches its full length, which in one particular embodiment may cause the spring coil mechanism  23  associated with the home base marking piece center cord  29  to lock, and causing that cord  29  to cease automatically retracting. In this configuration, the second base marking piece  7  and the oppositely-positioned home base marking piece  6  may be located a proper distance from each other for setting up an infield (referred to herein as a first distance). Another stake  34  may be placed through the second base marking piece aperture  11 , thus securing the second base marking piece  7  to the playing surface  32 . With the second base marking piece  7  extended the desired distance from the home base marking piece  6 , and the home base marking piece center cord  29  and the second base marking piece center cord  16  both extended the desired distances (with might be for each half or substantially half of the first distance), the center marking piece  14  may also be secured to the playing surface  32 , by placing another stake  35  through the center marking piece aperture  15 . 
         [0035]    Fourth, as shown in  FIG. 4D , the first base marking piece  8  may be separated from the center marking piece  14  in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the home base marking piece  6  and the second base marking piece  7  were extended. However, the first base marking piece  8  may still be connected to the center marking piece  14  via a first base marking piece center cord  30 , to the home base marking piece  6  via an adjacent cord  28  (which may also be referred to as the home-first adjacent cord  28 ), and to the second base marking piece  7  via the first-second adjacent cord  17 . Once the first base marking piece  8  is extended the desired distance away from the center marking piece  14 , which might occur in one embodiment where the cord  30  connecting the first base marking piece  8  with the center marking piece  14  reaches its full length, the spring coil mechanism  25  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) associated with the cord  30  connecting the first base marking piece  8  with the center marking piece  14  may in one embodiment cause that cord  30  to cease automatically retracting. 
         [0036]    Similarly, once the first base marking piece  8  is extended away from the home base marking piece  6  and the second base marking piece  7  the desired distances, which might occur in one embodiment when the home-first adjacent cord  28  and the first-second adjacent cord  17  both reach their full lengths, the spring coil mechanisms  22 ,  19  (as shown in  FIG. 3 ) associated with the home-first adjacent cord  28  and the first-second adjacent cord  17 , respectively, may cause those cords  28 ,  17  to cease automatically retracting. With the first base marking piece  8  extended the desired distance from the center marking piece  14 , and the desired distances from the home base marking piece  6  and the second base marking piece  7  (at which point, in one particular embodiment all the cords  30 ,  28 ,  17  connecting the first base marking piece  8  may be taut), the first base marking piece  8  may also be secured to the playing surface  32  by placing another stake  36  through the first base marking piece aperture  12 . 
         [0037]    Fifth, as shown in  FIG. 4E , the aforementioned basic process for extending and placing the first base marking piece  8  in the proper position may be repeated for the third base marking piece  9 . Specifically, the third base marking piece  9  may be separated from the center marking piece  14  in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the home base marking piece  6  and the second base marking piece  7  were extended, and in the opposite direction from the first base marking piece  8 . As with the other base marking pieces  6 ,  7 ,  8 , the third base marking piece  9  may still be connected to the center marking piece  14  via a third base marking piece center cord  31 , and connected to the home base marking piece via an home-third adjacent cord  27 , and to the second base marking piece via the second-third adjacent cord  18 . The third base marking piece  9  may be extended away from the center marking piece  14  the desired distance, in one particular embodiment, where the third base marking piece center cord  31  reaches its full length, at which point the spring coil mechanism  26  ( FIG. 3 ) associated with the third base marking piece center cord  31  may also cause that cord  31  to cease automatically retracting. In addition, once the third base marking piece  9  is extended away from both the home base marking piece  6  and the second base marking piece  7  the desired distances, which might occur in one particular embodiment when the home-third adjacent cord  27  and the second-third adjacent cord  18  reach their full lengths, the spring coil mechanisms  21 ,  20  (as shown in  FIG. 3 ) associated with those cords  27 ,  18  may cause those cords  27 ,  18  to cease automatically retracting. (In one embodiment, this setting might be signaled to the user by an audible click.) With the third base marking piece  9  extended the desired distances from the center marking piece  14 , the home base marking piece  6 , and the second base marking piece  7  (at which point in one embodiment all the cords  31 ,  27 ,  18  connecting the third base marking piece  9  may be taut), the third base marking piece  9  may also be secured to the playing surface  32  by placing another stake  37  through the third base marking piece aperture  13 . 
         [0038]    Next, a set of bases  39 ,  40 ,  41 , including a home plate  38 , may be laid on the playing surface  32  to set up an infield  54 . First, a home plate  38  may be positioned under the home base marking piece  6 . In one embodiment, proper alignment of the home plate  38  may be achieved by positioning the base  38  so that the bottom corner  42  of the home plate  38  touches the stake  33  inserted within the home base marking piece aperture  10 . Additional proper alignment of the home plate  38  may be achieved in one embodiment by positioning the bottom right edge  46  so that it is aligned with the home-first adjacent cord  28 , and positioning the bottom left edge  47  so that it is aligned with the home-third adjacent cord  27 . 
         [0039]    Second, a second base  39  may be positioned under the second base marking piece  7 , and accurate alignment may be achieved in one embodiment by positioning the second base  39  so that its top corner  43  touches the stake  34  in the second base marking piece aperture  11 . Additional proper alignment of the second base  39  may be achieved in one embodiment by positioning the second base top right edge  48  so that it is aligned with the first-second adjacent cord  17 , and positioning the second base top left edge  49  so that it is aligned with the second-third adjacent cord  18 . 
         [0040]    Third, a first base  40  may be positioned under the first base marking piece  8 , and accurate alignment may be achieved in one embodiment by positioning the first base  40  so that its right corner  44  touches the stake  36  in the home base marking piece aperture  12 . Additional proper alignment of the first base  40  may be achieved in one embodiment by positioning the first base top right edge  50  so that it is aligned with the first-second adjacent cord  17  (i.e., the cord running from the first base marking piece  8  to the second base marking piece  7 ), and positioning the first base bottom right edge  51  so that it is aligned with the home-first adjacent cord  28  (i.e., the cord running from the first base marking piece  8  to the home base marking piece  6 ). 
         [0041]    Finally, a third base  41  may be positioned under the third base marking piece  9 , with accurate alignment being achieved in one embodiment by positioning the third base  41  so that its left corner  45  touches the stake  37  in the home base marking piece aperture  13 . Additional proper alignment of the third base  41  may be achieved in one embodiment by positioning the third base top left edge  52  so that it is aligned with the second-third adjacent cord  18  (i.e., the cord running from the third base marking piece  9  to the second base marking piece  7 ) and positioning the third base bottom left edge  53  so that it is aligned with the cord  27  running from the third base marking piece  9  to the home base marking piece  6 . 
         [0042]    With each of the bases  39 ,  40 ,  41  (including home plate  38 ) laid out on the playing surface  32 , and properly aligned and in the proper positions to set up an infield  54 , the device  5  may be removed from the playing surface  32  by removing each of the stakes  33 ,  34 ,  36 ,  37  from the playing surface  32  and respective apertures  10 ,  11 ,  12 ,  13 , retracting each cord  17 ,  18 ,  27 ,  28 ,  29 ,  16 ,  30 ,  31  into each respective coil  19 ,  20 ,  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24 ,  25 ,  26 , and reattaching each of the base marking pieces  6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9  to the center marking piece  14  into the device  5  again, in the form of an easily portable single unit. In the embodiment described herein, this process may be accomplished without manual winding and without less likelihood that the cords  17 ,  18 ,  27 ,  28 ,  29 ,  16 ,  30 ,  31  will become entangled. In one particular embodiment, the coils  19 ,  20 ,  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24 ,  25 ,  26  may be reengaged to a setting of automatically retracting the cords  17 ,  18 ,  27 ,  28 ,  29 ,  16 ,  30 ,  31  by first attempting to extend the cords  17 ,  18 ,  27 ,  28 ,  29 ,  16 ,  30 ,  31  further outward. In such a manner, the bases  39 ,  40 ,  41  (including home plate  38 ) may be properly and precisely laid out and aligned to set up a temporary infield  54  on a playing surface  32 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 4F  illustrates another embodiment a device, or alternative embodiment  105  for laying out an infield  54 , which may also be in the form of an integrated unit. This square-shaped integrated-unit embodiment of a device  105  may also be comprised of a center marking piece  114  and four base marking pieces  106 ,  107 ,  108 ,  109 : a piece for marking the position of home plate  106 , a piece for marking the position of second base  107 , a piece for marking the position of first base  108 , and a piece for marking the position of third base  109 . The alternative embodiment  105  may be used to accurately mark the positions of infield bases  38 ,  39 ,  40 ,  41  in much the same manner and steps as the embodiment of the device  5  described above, but one difference being that the alternative embodiment  105  may omit from its design cords and coils connecting the center marking piece  114  to one pair of oppositely-positioned bases such as (in the embodiment shown) the first base marking piece  108  and the third base marking piece  109 . After the proper distance between the home base marking piece  106  and the oppositely-positioned second base marking piece  107  is determined by measuring the distance from the center marking piece  114  to the second base marking piece  107  using the center-second cord  116 , and the distance from the center marking piece to the home base marking piece  106  using the center-home cord  129 , the proper locations can be determined of the first base marking piece  108  and the third base marking piece  109 , which lie adjacent to the oppositely-situated second base marking piece  107  and home base marking piece  106 . The proper location of the first base marking piece  108  may be indicated by the home-first adjacent cord  128  and the first-second adjacent cord  117 , and the proper location of the third base marking piece  109  may be determined by the home-third adjacent cord  127  and the second-third adjacent cord  118 . As a variant for marking the positions of first base  40  and oppositely-positioned third base  41 , the configurations of the first base marking piece  108  and the third base marking piece  109  (and related components) may be interchangeable with the home base marking piece  106  and the second base marking piece  107  (and related components) in other embodiments. 
         [0044]      FIG. 4G  illustrates another embodiment a device, or alternative embodiment  205  for laying out an infield  54 , which may also be in the form of an integrated unit  205 , but without a center marking piece  114 ,  14  (as shown in  FIGS. 4E and 4F ). This embodiment of a device  205  may also be comprised of at least four base marking pieces  206 ,  207 ,  208 ,  209 : a piece for marking the position of home plate  206 , a piece for marking the position of second base  207 , a piece for marking the position of first base  208 , and a piece for marking the position of third base  209 . The embodiment  205  may be used to accurately mark the positions of infield bases  38 ,  39 ,  40 ,  41  in much the same manner and steps as the embodiment of the devices  5 ,  105  described above, with one difference being that the embodiment  205 , instead of having two separate nylon cords  116 ,  129  (shown in  FIG. 4F ) extending from a center piece  114  to oppositely-situated base marking pieces  106 ,  107  to each measure more or less the half of the correct distance between the oppositely-situated bases  38 ,  39 , the embodiment of a device  205  may instead have one length of flexible material  216  extending a first distance between oppositely-positioned home plate base marking pieces  206  and second base marking piece  207 . After the proper distance between the oppositely-positioned home base marking piece  206  and the second base marking piece  207  is determined in this manner, and the home base marking piece  206  and the second base marking piece  207  are secured to the ground/playing surface  32 , the proper locations can now be determined for the first base marking piece  208  and the third base marking piece  209 , which may lie adjacent to the second base marking piece  207  and its oppositely-situated home base marking piece  206 . As with the aforementioned embodiment of the devices  105  ( FIG. 4F ), the proper location of the first base marking piece  208  may be indicated by the home-first adjacent cord  228  and the first-second adjacent cord  217 , and the proper location of the third base marking piece  209  may be determined by the home-third adjacent cord  227  and the second-third adjacent cord  218  (which may be extended a second distance). In an alternative embodiment, the positions of oppositely-positioned bases first base  40  and third base  41  may be marked first, by interchanging the configurations of the first base marking piece  208  and the third base marking piece  209  (and related components) with the home base marking piece  206  and the second base marking piece  207  (and related components).

Technology Classification (CPC): 0