Baseball card game   

This application is a Divisional Application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/889,504, filed on Aug. 14, 2007.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a baseball card game for play by two players or two player groups and which re-creates, almost exactly, by the use of specifically designed playing cards, the pitch sequence and offensive and defensive play situations which occur in a regular baseball game.

BACKGROUND ART

Several patents have issued for baseball games including the use of cards, dating back to the early 1900\'s. Examples of such card games are exemplified by U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,762,337, 5,522,590 and 4,822,043. However, these games do not require conscience play selection strategy by players for the pitching sequences as well as defensive and offensive action plays. They do not simulate a real game situation between two teams and wherein the results of the game plays are unknown until it actually happens. Most known baseball card games use predetermined sequences, involving a game board, spinners and one dice and therefore the game is not based on individual players strategy but often based on chance. These games are also not adequate to be used as a teaching instrument to teach young and novice baseball players the intricacies of offensive and defensive strategies occurring in a regular baseball game as well as pitching strategy based on different types of pitches.

SUMMARY

It is a feature of the present invention to provide a unique baseball card game which re-creates, as closely as possible, all pitching, offensive and defensive situations occurring in a regular baseball game, and which can be played in a regular domestic setting, but which is also portable and compact, in such a way that it can be played without a game board.

It is another feature of the present invention to provide a game which mirrors all of which happens in a regular baseball game, not only utilizing all baseball related pitching, offensive and defensive situations, but also a calculated ratio of those situations, thus adding a greater degree of verasimulitude.

It is a further feature of the present invention to provide a baseball card game for entertainment and also as an instructional tool to teach younger and more novice players the intricate offensive and defensive strategies occurring in a regular baseball game.

It is a still further feature of the present invention to provide a baseball game void of dice, spinners or any other random indicator of any kind, but rather a baseball game which utilizes a maximum of strategy and baseball knowledge and a minimum of luck or random card play to decide the final outcome.

Another feature of the present invention is to provide a method of playing a baseball card game by two players or player groups and which simulates a real game of baseball.

According to the above features, from a broad aspect, the present invention provides a baseball card game for play by two players or two player groups. The card game comprises two card sets of a predetermined identical number of pitch cards and one card set of offensive action cards and one card set of defensive action cards. Means is provided to indicate the occurrence of a player “out”. Means is also provided to indicate “on-base” runner position and movement. Each set of pitch cards has a minimum of two different pitch categories identical on a play action surface of the pitch cards. One of the categories is based on ball speed and the other category is based on ball trajectory. Each card set of pitch cards further has identical pitch selections. The cards in the card set of offensive action cards include an identification, on a play action surface thereof, of offensive plays of the game of baseball. The card set of defensive cards includes an identification of defensive plays, on a play action surface thereof, that overrule offensive plays. The pitch cards require a conscience play selection strategy of individual pitches by the two players or two player groups, during a pitching sequence. The offensive and defensive action cards require a strategic play selection depending on cards held by the two players or two player groups in relation to game situation.

According to a still further broad aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of playing a baseball card game by two players or two player groups to simulate a real game of baseball and using card sets as defined in the preceding paragraph. The method comprises determining which of the two players or two player groups is an offensive or defensive player for the start of the card game. The players then proceed with the pitching sequence by each player or player group selecting a card from their respective card set of pitch cards, simultaneously, and thereby simulating a pitcher/hitter confrontation. The offensive player or player group attempts to get hits, walks and runners on base to score runs. The defensive player or player group attempts to get strikes and base running “outs” and three outs to end an inning. The method further comprises the playing of offensive and defensive action cards from a deck of a predetermined number of action cards held by each player, sequentially, after a first pitch card is played in an attempt to overrule a last played pitch card of the pitching sequence until the last offensive player or player group is “out” or gets on base. The method further comprises recording the occurrence of the offensive player being “out”. The method further comprises recording base runner position and movement. After an inning, the positions of the two players are switched from defensive to offensive and vice-versa. At a predetermined event, the defensive and offensive action cards are regathered and shuffled in their respective decks and a predetermined number of defensive and offensive action cards are selected by the defensive and offensive designated player or player group and they then proceed to a second inning of play.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an optional game board that can be used with the baseball card game of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a top surface of a pitch card which identifies a first player or first player group;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a play action surface of a pitch card illustrating information carried by a pitch card, herein a particular pitch in a first category of pitches;

FIG. 4 is a plan view, similar to FIG. 2, illustrating a second set of pitch cards for a second player or a second player group;

FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating a particular pitch in a second category of pitches;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the top surface of an offensive action card set;

FIGS. 7 to 10 are plan views of offensive action card sets illustrating different play actions surfaces;

FIGS. 11 to 22 are plan views of offensive action card sets illustrating play action surfaces thereof with all offensive plays taking place in a regular baseball game;

FIG. 23 is a plan view of the top surface of the defensive action card set;

FIGS. 24 to 27 are plan views of play action surfaces of defensive action cards showing overruling plays on the defensive side of a baseball game;

FIGS. 28 to 39 are plan views of the play action surfaces of the defensive action cards;

FIG. 40 is a plan view of the top surface of the out cards;

FIG. 41 is the play action surface of the card of FIG. 40;

FIGS. 42 and 43 are plan views of the play action surface of the other two out cards;

FIGS. 44 to 49 are plan views of the play action surface of the on-base cards;

FIG. 50 is a plan view illustrating a typical graphics view of a top surface of a defensive card; and

FIGS. 51 and 52 are plan views of the play action surface with pictorial graphic illustrations and printed information of play action situations.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown at 10 a game board which may be used with the baseball card game of the present invention. However, it is pointed out that the card game can be played without the game board 10. The game board 10 has a playing surface 11 which has printed thereon a baseball diamond 12 having a home plate 13, a first base 14, a second base 15 and a third base 16. Also printed on the board are designations for the placement of card sets and these are identified by reference numerals 17. Base runner markers 18 are also provided and they are displaceable about the diamond on the bases to indicate the position of a player on base. A further marker 19 may designate a batter player.

With reference now to FIGS. 2 to 5, there is shown examples of pitch cards 20 in two identical sets of pitch cards. Each set is color-coded to differentiate one set from the other. Of course, instead of a color identifying one set from the other, the identification of the sets could be done by other types of designations such as logos, etc. Each set of pitch cards 20 has five different pitches which are divided into a minimum of two categories, herein one of the categories based on ball speed, such as card 21 (FIG. 3) and the other category based on ball trajectory, such as card 22 (FIG. 5). Each of the two players or two player groups is provided with five identical pitch cards, three of which are based on ball speed including three different types of pitches, a first type being a “fast ball outside”, a second type being a “fast ball inside” and a third type being a “slider”. The pitch cards based on ball trajectory include two different types of pitches, a first type being a “slow curve” and a second type being a “change-up”. FIGS. 2 and 4 display the top surface of these cards, different only by color, and FIGS. 3 and 5 display the play action surfaces 21′ and 22′ of the cards which contain printed information as well as other subject matter which is better illustrated by FIGS. 51 and 52 and which will be described later.

With reference to FIGS. 6 to 39, the baseball card game of the present invention further comprises one card set 23 (FIG. 6) of forty offensive action cards and one card set 26 (FIG. 23) of forty defensive action cards. Examples of the set of offensive action cards are illustrated by FIGS. 7 to 22 and the set of defensive action cards is illustrated by FIGS. 24 to 39. The top surfaces of the offensive action cards 23 also have graphics and a color designation, one for the offensive player and one for the defensive player, (see FIG. 50.

As shown in FIG. 40, “out” cards 24 are also provided and these comprise three cards, as illustrated by FIGS. 41 to 43. These cards indicate a first, second and third out making the completion of an inning. FIG. 40 indicates the top surface of the out card and FIGS. 41 to 43 the back surface thereof.

In addition to the board game 10, if one is provided, the invention also includes “on-base” cards 25 illustrated by FIGS. 44 to 49. These cards can be used instead of the game board thereby making the game much more portable and compact. These cards 25 are turned over as the runners move from first to second and third base.

Following is a list of offensive action plays and defensive action plays that are found in the decks of offensive action cards 23 and defensive action cards 26. As mentioned hereinabove there are forty cards in each of these action card sets.

OFFENSIVE ACTION CARDS DEFENSIVE ACTION CARDS Home-run (FIG. 11) Super catch (FIG. 28) Triple (FIG. 12) Ground out (FIG. 29) Double (FIG. 13) Fielder\'s choice (FIG. 30) Single (FIG. 14) Double play (FIG. 31) Squeeze play (FIG. 15) Pick-off at 1st (FIG. 32) Error (FIG. 16) Pick-off at 2nd (FIG. 33) Error + xtra base (FIG. 17) Pick-off at 3rd (FIG. 34) Double steal (FIG. 18) Great throw (FIG. 35) Stolen base (FIG. 19) Out at home (FIG. 36) Stretch (FIG. 20) Intentional walk (FIG. 37) Sac fly (FIG. 21) Pitching change (FIG. 38) Sac bunt (FIG. 22) Caught Stealing (FIG. 39) Hit by pitch (FIG. 9) Foul tip (FIG. 24) Wild pitch (FIG. 10) Called strike (FIG. 25) Checked swing (FIG. 8) Great scoop (FIG. 26) Foul ball (FIG. 7) Great scoop + pickoff (FIG. 27)

The following is a description, by way of examples, of the various aspects of the baseball card game of the present invention. It describes the pitching sequence, the identification and function of auxiliary pitch cards, and the play action of the offensive and defensive action cards 23 and 26, respectively. As well there is described the nine basic rules of the present invention as well as game play situations specific to the baseball card game of the present invention. It is also noted that in the following description reference is made to Player 1 and Player 2 but it is to be understood that this game can also be played by two groups of two or three people forming Player 1 and a similar group forming Player whereby the card selection decisions are made by a consensus of players in each group.

The “Pitching Sequence”

The baseball card game of the present invention is the only baseball card game featuring two distinct sequences, pitching/hitting, followed by base-running/defense. Each player chooses each pitch, trying to pick up pitching patterns and out-think the opponent in order to get strikes, balls, hits and walks. The present invention is not a series of randomly chosen cards. The “PITCHING SEQUENCE” is a carefully calculated series of choices by both players as they try to outwit each other. It exactly duplicates the classic baseball pitcher/hitter confrontation. For example, a player must try to anticipate if the other player chooses a card identified as a “NASTY SLIDER” or a “SLOW CURVE”?

The following lists the two categories of pitches. The play action surfaces of these cards also have a color identification of the categories.

POWER PITCHES (RED) OFFSPEED PITCHES (BLUE) FASTBALL INSIDE (FIG. 3) SLOW CURVE (FIG. 5) FASTBALL OUTSIDE CHANGE-UP NASTY SLIDER

Both players take their five “PITCH CARDS” 20, holding them in “poker” fashion. Both players choose one card and throw them down at the same time, play action surface up on the board. If both cards are in the same category, but not the exact same pith, (e.g.—FASTBALL INSIDE+NASTY SLIDER), it is a BALL. However, if Player 1\'s pitch is in the “power pitch” category (FASTBALL INSIDE) and Player 2\'s pitch is in the “offspeed pitch” category (SLOW CURVE), it is a STRIKE. If both players choose and throw down exactly the same card (e.g.—SLOW CURVE+SLOW CURVE), it is a HIT and players then proceed to the hitting/base-running/defense sequence. Players pick up their cards after each pitch, and try to out-guess their opponent. They choose another card and throw it down, with the defense trying to get strikes and three outs to end the inning and the offense trying to get hits, walks and runners on base to score runs.

The following is an example of a pitching sequence.

Player 1 (Pitcher) Player 2 (Batter)

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