US2672343A - Table baseball game - Google Patents

Description

March 16, 1954 v. F. R. AUGIER TABLE BASEBALL GAME 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed NOV. 4. 1950 JNVENTOR.

. ROCA AUGIER ISAT VICENTE FIG. IA

March 16, 1954 v. F. R. AUGIER 2,672,343

TABLE BASEBALL GAME Filed Nov. 4, 1950 2 Sheets-Shee1: 2

FIG.3

FIG. 6

' INVENTOR. VICENTE F. ROCA AUGIER WQQLM I FIG. 8 ms n'roauzv Patented Mar. 16, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TABLE BASEBALL GAME Vicente Francisco Rota. Angler, Holguin, Cuba Application November 4, 1950, Serial No. 194,073

I 4 Claims. 1

This invention relates to an apparatus for a table baseball game simulating the conventional plays executed in the normal course of such a sport.

An object of the invention is to provide a table baseball game capable of affording recreation and amusement for a group of participants of a relatively large assemblage.

It is a further object of the invention to produce a miniature playing field upon which the game may move with relatively fast sequence of the plays executed thereon.

Another object is to provide apparatus of the character and for the purpose described which will be simple in practice and economical in construction.

Other advantages of the invention will be discernible from the detailed description thereof hereinafter set forth.

According to the invention, the apparatus here in contemplated comprises a rectangular board defining a playing field and a peripheral flange or guard rail formed therearound, a backstop member formed over one corner of the board and a plurality of arcuate strips or" scoring zones radiating outwardly along a diagonal axis from the backstop corner and defining infield and outfield regions. These regions are supplemented with a plurality of circular receptacles designed to entrap a ball batted onto the field, the several receptacles and scoringzones imparting a score value to the plays as determined by the rules adopted for the game.

The ball used in the invention unique characteristics in the shape thereof and markings thereon whereby to reduce its tendency to roll excessively and to impart a scoring value thereto.

The apparatus includes aplurality of ministure bats and a stop means arranged on the board to prevent the batter froinapplying excessive batting force to the ball, togetherwith chance operative means constituting an "umpire" to do termine the outcome of the various plays executed in the course of a game;

The invention is embodied in the" apparatus exemplified in the accompanying drawings in which the views are as follows, like reference numerals designating identical parts throughout the several views:

Fig. 1, a plan of the board defining the field;

Fig. 1A, a plan of .a baseball bat associated-with the game;

Fig. 2, an isometric sectional view from line II-II of Fig. I;

Figs. 3 to 5, elevational views of the ball;

Fig. 6, a longitudinal sectional elevation taken through the pitcher's box;

Fig. 7, a section on line VII-VII of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8, a section on line VIIIVIII, Fig. 1.

The playing apparatus includes a rectangular board I, and a raised peripheral flang or guard rail 2 formed therearound to confine the ball within the playing field defined thereby. The guard rail has an upwardly and inwardly inclined inner face 3 (Fig. 2) to minimize the balls tendency to jump the guard rail when impinging thereagainst.

Over one of the rear corners of the board is constructed a backstop platform 4 (Fig. 8), terminating along its inner edge in a downwardly beveled nosing 5 which overhangs a concave striking face or backstop member '6. Immediately fronting this backstop member, the board is slotted in the face thereof to define catchers receptacles formed by three contiguous semi-circular slots 1 (Fig. 2), the rearmost sides of which abut the backstop member. The slots are sloped at the bottom thereof to form a frontal bevel 8 inclining into the receptacles. A ball pitched into one of these receptacles would be declared a Strike or Ball, according as it landed in one of the slots thus labelled. I

The catchers receptacle area includes the bat-' ters station comprising a pair of relatively small recesses 9, cut into the board and arranged on either side of a home plate shown therebetween. The recesses are shallow in depth to partially receive a players chip and leave a portion thereof outside the recess.

The field includes the usual diamond, the angles of which are defined by base recesses Ill which have an edge beveled upwardly toward the next successive base to permit the ready shifting of chips (not shown) which represent base runners. Radiating out from the diamond on a diagonal axis struck from the backstop corner of the board is a concentric series of arcuate barriers l I which define scoring zones therebe'tween. The barriers may be of raisedcord of suitableheig'ht secured to the face of the board; or of any suitable sub stance" serving to obstruct the passage of th ball across the barriers by rolling. The usualfoul lines are formed of raised cordor suitable ma terial as herein described for the barriers ll.

The playing field has arranged therein a plurality of circular receptacles l2 designated after the several fielding positions of a baseball nine; These cavities are adapted to receive and detain 83 ball batted out thereto, suitable playing rules 3 providing that the ball was fielded or caught by the player designated by the receptacle.

The guard rails 2 on each side of the backstop corner of the board have mounted thereon a pair of upwardly extending posts or stop members 13 having for their function to limit the batters swing and his encroachment upon the field of play beyond his normal station. That is to say, when the batters hand occupies backstop platform 4, these stop members serve to obstruct the bat should the batter attempt too wide a swing, thus preventing him from striking the ball too hard or venturing too far into the field of play.

The invention utilizes a ball of unique shape and design; the end or polar sections are flattened as illustrated in Figs. 3 to 5, to reduce the tendency of the ball to roll and facilitate its confinement within the field of play. The peripheral surface of the ball is subdivided by division lines M of distinctive colors, into the two polar sections and the mid-portion. One division line may be of red color marking off a polar section labelled Fly and the opposite division line may be of blue color and mark ofi a polar section labelled Line, the mid-portion being labelled Grounder. Thus, when the ball lands on the field from a drive batted out thereto, its final position as indicated by its topmost section, determines the character of the drive, that is, the drive is denominated a Fly, Line Drive, or Grounder under rules to be hereinafter explained. The ball may be made of a hard substance such as cement or the like and is, preferably, of a diameter on the order of one inch.

Included in the apparatus is a plurality of miniature bats which may be of varying lengths and proportionately dimensioned to simulate a conventional bat. A preferred form of bat may be of light wood, seven and one-half inches long and one-half inch in diameter at its thickest portion. I may employ a single bat or nine bats of dimensions varying from six and one-quarter to eight and one-half inches in length, for the purpose of assigning one bat to each of the several players.

The infield includes a pitchers box defined by a circular barrier l5 having a gap opening toward Home Plate. Within this box is a small circular depression l6 having sloping walls to facilitate the shifting of a pitchers chip (not shown) relative to this recess. The barrier is may be constructed as described for the zonal barriers l l hereinbefore set forth. A pitchers plate I! is positioned rearwardly of the recess 16, for a purpose hereinafter explained.

The apparatus thus far described will be seen to provide a table-supportable playing field having an arrangement of infield and outfield ballreceiving receptacles adapted to detain therein a ball batted onto the field, a batters enclosure having a back-stop therebehind against which the pitched ball may be directed, catchers receptacles in which the pitched ball is receivable, the ball itself and batting implements for driving the same onto the playing field.

Supplementing the apparatus is an umpire means which may take the form of a chanceoperative device such as dice which are distinguished by various colors and face markings, specific dice being thrown to determine the outcome of the plays simulated with my invention. I may employ dice of six classifications, each die being classified as to color and face markings ad infinitum, but the following classifications of dice and their application to the various plays developing in the course of a game will suffice to exemplify my employment thereof:

Red; one face marked Safe; one face Safe Error; four faces Out.

Blue; four faces Safe; one face Safe Error; one face Out.

Green; two faces Safe; one face Safe Error; three faces Out.

The foregoing dice are cast to determine if a play not otherwise classified or provided for under the rules of play shall be called Safe, Out, or Safe on an Error.

Yellow; three faces marked Strike and three Ball; to be used when a pitched ball misses the catchers receptacle and a decision is not practicable from the nature of the drive or the lay of the ball itself.

Black; three faces marked Fair and three Foul; to be thrown when a play not otherwise determinable is Fair or Foul.

White; three faces Fly or Line and three faces Grounder; to be cast when the ball lands in a position that its topmost face can not indicate clearly the nature of the drive, as when it is partly Fly and partly Grounder or partly Line and partly Grounder.

It will be understood that other types of chanceoperative means may be used within the scope of my invention.

The invention may be practiced according to any code of rules which the participants may wish to adopt, it being understood that my claims thereto are not limited by the particular set of rules hereinafter explained. These rules may be applied to the apparatus to best provide a practical simulation of the plays performed in the conventional game of baseball and are here expounded as suggestive thereof.

The game may be played between two or more participants or between opposing nines, one side going to bat and their opponents taking the field. according to the toss of a coin, for example. The plays are executed in general by announcements or calling out of the intended maneuver by the manager or captain of the side making the play. For the fielding team, a chip is placed in each receptacle corresponding to the individual positions of the players, there being a pitchers chip to be set in recess It, for example, to signify that he has touched the pitcher's plate H. For the batter, a chip is set in one of the recesses 9, according as he is batting right or left handed. It is a requirement of the batter that he normally hold the bat with the outer end thereof in contact with the triangular platform 4, except when actually swinging at the ball or bunting.

The pitcher begins his toss by a preparatory gesture which consists of motioning with the ball in hand toward the rear, that is, in the direction of center field, carrying the ball in a rearward motion. The pitch is made from either side of the board or from the center field corner thereof, The ball is pitched so as to strike the board initially either at or ahead of home plate, and roll thereacross. If the ball lands in one of the catchers receptacles it is declared a. strike or ball, according to which of the receptacles is involved, and a strike is also called on a foul ball or miss.

If entrapped in any of the infield receptacles or hit into the infield zone outside a receptacle, the batted ball is an Out. If a Grounder lands in an infield receptacle it is out on first and the Out is applied to one of the bases, that is, the runner will be forced out in the following order:

With no men on bases, runner is out on First Base;

With a man on First, runner out on Second;

With men on First and Second, runner forced out at Third;

With bases full the runner is forced out at Home Plate; and

With men on First and Third the runner is out at Second.

An infield Fly resulting from a bunt will not be considered an infield fly ball; this play will be decided as hereinafter explained.

If the ball is entrapped in any of the outfield receptacles a Fly or Line Drive will result in an Out but if a Grounder the drive is good for a One Base Hit.

The ball is hunted by laying the thick portion of the bat across Home Plate at the pitch and waiting for the ball to touch the bat.

The dice of various colors hereinbefore described are used to decide the outcome of the throws to basemen and the different drives of the batted ball. These decisions may be classified, in general, as follows:

On a Fly ball to infield or outfield: by the red die; On a Fly Foul ball: by the blue die;

On Line Drives: by the blue die;

On Grounders to the infield: by the green die.

The throw to First on a bunt hit is decided by the die of appropriate color for the type of drive resulting from the bunt.

It is a sacrifice hit when, with a man on First and one or no outs, the batter bunts the ball, the runner on First Base reaching Second. The ensuing throw to First is decided by the die of appropriate color; should the hunt be caught in a receptacle of the infield, the batter is Out.

It is a balk when the pitcher, having set his chip in the recess [6 and made his preparatory gesture to pitch, nevertheless fails to pitch the ball. Runners will then advance one base.

- A passed ball results from a pitched ball failing to land in one of the catchers receptacles;

runners on bases are Safe without any resort to dice. A wild pitch results from a pitched ball bouncing over the plate; runners advance one base. It is a dead ball if a pitched ball knocks the batters chip from its recess and the rectangle inscribed therearound. If the batted ball jumps the guard rail, 2, to the outside it is a home run. Many conventional plays may be executed by either captain calling out the intended maneuver as, for example:

To advance runners on base, the batting team captain announces Runner on base advances or Runners on bases advance or like order, at the same time shifting the runner chips involved in the play. If compelled to recover a base, the call may be, Runner back to base returning the chip as required.

The pitcher catches a runner off base, where the man on First intends to steal Second Base, his chip having been shifted, when the fielding team captain announces Throw to First Base, taking the pitchers chip from its slot. The outcome of this play is decided by the blue die which may declare the runner Safe, Out or Error Safe. On Error Safe a bad throw to the First Baseman is assumed and an error charged to the team with runners advancing one base. Should the team at bat become aware that the opposing captain is about to shift the pitchers chip, the captain may call Runner back to base whereupon the play in which to catch the runner.

"To catch a runner oif base by the catcher, the foregoing procedureis followed out. If the batting captain neither orders the stealing of a base nor orders a runner back to base, the fielding captain may announce catchers throw to First Base, deciding the play with the blue die with procedure as hereinbefore outlined. Should the batting team captain call a runner back to base before his opponent can call the catchers throw to First Base, the play is Safe.

The stealing of bases may be announced as, for example, when a runner on First Base intends to steal Second, the batting team captain shifts the runners chip and calls, Stealing Second Base, advancing the man, of course, following the pitch. If no hit is scored on this play, the fielding team may call catchers throw to Second Base, the outcome thereof being decided by the green die. If the steal is from Second Base to Third, the play is decided by the red die. If other bases are occupied, by runners, the base to be stolen must be clearly called out and, also, if a double steal is intended, the throw will be made-to the base most convenient for the fielding side; a passed ball pitched during the stealing of a base results in the runner being Safe on Second Base without recourse to the dice.

Squeeze plays may be executed by similar announcement of the intended play, aswhen the club needs a run through a bunt. The batting team captain advances the man on Third Base, for example, when the batter prepares to hit the ball. As soon as the pitcher motions to pitch, the captain of the batting team calls Squeeze Play and if the hunt .is made the play is Safe at Home Plate and the run scored. If the bunt is unsuccessful, the play may still be repeated. A throw to First Base follows the bunt hit, if made, and the outcome decided as hereinbefore explained.

A double play on-a grounder may be executed, for example, with a runner on Second Base when a hit is made into an infield receptacle such as Short-stop. The runner from First to Second will be forced out and the throw from Second to First decided by the die of appropriate color, and this is so when the batters hit goes out of a receptacle. On a grounder to infield receptacles the following situations may develop:

With a runner on First Base who is forced at Second, the throw to First is decided by the green die;

With runners on First and Second Bases, a force-out is at Third and the throw to First is decided by the green die;

With the bases full and a force-out at Home Plate, the throw to First is decided by the green die;

With runners on First and Third Bases, the situation is treated as in the case of a runner on First Base.

Upon a grounder to the diamond not entering any receptacle and with runners on base the solution will be as hereinbefore explained. The first throw to the corresponding base according to what runners may be on bases, and the second throw to First Base, the decisions in both cases being by the green die.

Touching base and running: Assuming a runner to be on Third Base with less than one out, the batter hits a Fly to the outfield which is caught; the batting team captain calls, Touching base and running from Third to Home, movis assumed safe-since insumcient time was given ing the corresponding chip. The opposing captain may then announce a throw to Home Plate to be decided by the corresponding dice. This play would be executed only if the Out is made in the zone outside a receptacle since if the Out had been made within a receptacle it would have been considered an easily fielded play, In the case of touch and run plays on an Out made outside a receptacle if from Third Base to Home by Out on fly ball or line drive in the scoring area from Z-base zone to home run zone, the decision is by the blue die; if from Second Base to Third by Out on fly ball or line drive in the scoring area from B-base zone to home run zone (except on left fielders side), the decision is by the green die; if from First Base to Second, by Out on fly ball or line drive in the home run zone, decision would be by the red die.

A Hit and Run play can be made by the batting team captain advancing the runner on First Base and when the pitch is begun, announcing Hit and run. If the batter gets a hit, the runner reaches Third with decision by the blue die. If the batter fails to hit, the runner remains on Second Base with the play decided by dice as if it were a stolen base from First to Second Base.

Having thus described the invention and the mode of its practice what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. An apparatus of the character and for the purpose described comprising a rectangular board defining a playing field, a peripheral guard rail therearound, a triangular platform supported by said uard rail over one corner of said board and terminating along the inner edge thereof in a concave backstop member, said board having multiple recesses in contiguous alinement fronting said backstop member along the bottom edge thereof to define catchers receptacles and having inner and outer arcuate series of circular receptacles defining respectively infield and outfield player positions, a plurality of concentric arcuate barriers formed on said board defining scoring zones, said board having a diamond inscribed thereon and rectangular recesses marking the bases thereof, a pitchers enclosure formed on said board, a ball of deformed peripheral surface outline for said board, a bat to impel said ball onto said field and said board having a recess in said pitchers enclosure formed in the surface of said board.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 and: a pair of stop members projecting upwardly from said guard rail and alined diagonally across said corner on a line passing forwardly of said catchers receptacles whereby to obstruct the excessive swinging of a bat in play relative to the field of play on said board.

3. The invention as defined in claim 1 and: chance means bearing indicia signifying a plurality of umpiring decisions and operable to signify the character of plays executed on said board.

4. The invention as defined in claim 1 and: a pair of stop members projecting upwardly from said guard rail and alined diagonally across said corner on a line passing forwardly of said catchers receptacles whereby to obstruct excessive swinging of a bat in play relative to the field of play on said board, said guard rail having an upwardly and inwardly inclined inner face, and chance means bearing indicia signifying a plurality of umpiring decisions and operable to signify the character of plays executed on said board.

VICENTE FRANCISCO ROCA AUGIER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 989,424 Tilmes et al Sept. 6, 1910 1,507,256 Severe Sept. 2, 1924 1,612,708 Dillman Dec. 28, 1926 1,627,087 Grant May 3, 1927 1,765,625 Snover June 24, 1930 1,942,429 Jacobs Jan. 9, 1934 2,086,094 Reach July 6, 1937 2,248,295 Bestoso July 8, 1941 2,362,064 Giesinger Nov. 7, 1944

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