United States Patent: 3563548

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United States Patent	3,563,548
Tolotti	February 16, 1971

PUCK FOR BATTING GAME

Abstract

A game played by two competitive teams employs a flat circular puck which is pitched to a batter who attempts to strike the puck with a flat bat. The batters run between bases on opposite sides of a playing field until the puck is returned to a base on either side of the field. The puck is formed with recesses on one side and arcuate grooves on the other side to facilitate grasping the puck for pitching it.

Inventors:	Tolotti; Carl (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
Appl. No.:	04/823,713
Filed:	May 12, 1969

Current U.S. Class: 473/588 ; 473/499; 473/613

Current International Class: A63B 67/14 (20060101); A63B 67/00 (20060101); A63b 065/00 ()

Field of Search: 273/28,60,63A,63B,87H,106,126,128CS,142,95

References Cited [Referenced By]

U.S. Patent Documents


912763	February 1909	Winquest
1682279	August 1928	Hilpert
3110494	November 1963	Morgan

Primary Examiner: Oechsle; Anton O.
Assistant Examiner: Siskind; M.S.

Claims

I claim:

1. Game apparatus comprising a puck adapted to be thrown by a pitcher and struck by a batter, said puck comprising a flat circular disc shaped to receive a thumb and forefinger of the pitcher so that the puck can be effectively grasped and thrown with a spinning motion in a curved path toward the batter, said puck has a recess formed in one side shaped to receive either thumb of the pitcher and having a groove formed in the opposite side shaped to receive either forefinger of the pitcher.

2. Game apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the puck has another recess formed in said one side to receive either thumb of the pitcher and having another groove formed in said other side to receive either a forefinger of the pitcher, whereby the curvature of said path and direction of spin will depend on which thumb and which forefinger are applied to a selected recess and selected groove respectively.

3. Game apparatus as defined by claim 2, wherein the recesses have medial lines disposed about 90.degree. to each other, and wherein the recesses and grooves are disposed on opposite sides of a line of a diametral line of symmetry with each recess overlapping one of the grooves.

4. Game apparatus as defined by claim 3, wherein the grooves are curved longitudinally and in transverse section to receive snugly each forefinger of a pitcher.

Description

The invention concerns a game apparatus which can be used in play by two competitive opposing teams with at least two players on a team. The game can be played on any ground surface, preferably in an open area, but it can be played among obstructions such as trees, buildings, bushes, etc.

The game includes two bases spaced a suitable distance apart on opposite sides of a playing field. The bases are arranged to receive a flat circular puck. The puck is pitched by a player of one team and is batted by a player of the other team. Runs are scored by batsmen exchanging places at opposite sides of the field.

The invention is explained in further detail in connection with the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an oblique top view showing one side of a puck employed in playing the game.

FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are enlarged sectional views taken on lines 2-2 and 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the puck of FIG. 1 showing the other side thereof.

FIGS. 5, 6 and 6A are top plan views of the puck with associated diagrams employed in explaining how the puck is pitched to travel in curves.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a base employed in playing the game.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view on a reduced scale of a bat employed in playing the game.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another form of puck.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 11-11 of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a diagram used in explaining how the game is played.

Referring first to FIGS. 1--6, there is shown a playing puck 10 in the form of a flat circular plate or disc 11 of a size suitable to be held in a player's hand for pitching. The puck is light in weight and may be made of plastic, rubber or other suitable tough durable material. On the upper side 12 of the puck are two recesses 14 and 16. The medial lines of the recesses are disposed at an angle A to each other which may be about 90.degree.. The recesses are disposed on opposite sides of diametral line of symmetry. The recesses are located in a semicircular portion of side 12 bounded by approximate diameter D which is perpendicular to diametral line of symmetry S. Corners 18 and 20 of the recesses lie on diameter D. The recesses are deeper at their inner portions and feather out to straight ends 22. Symbols L and R are impressed in the respective recesses for purposes described below.

At the underside 25 of the puck are two recesses or grooves 26, 28 which are arcuate both transversely and longitudinally as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. These recesses or grooves are disposed symmetrically with respect to diametral line of symmetry S. The recesses 14, 16 overlay grooves 26, 28 respectively. Each groove is substantially symmetric with respect to transverse diameter D. Groove 26 extends across the semicircle to the right of line S, while groove 28 extends across the semicircle to the left of line S. The purpose of this arrangement is explained in connection with FIGS. 5 and 6 to which reference is now made.

The puck 10 can be held by a player in either the right or left hand. FIG. 5 shows right hand H1 in dotted lines properly grasping the puck for pitching a right or clockwise curve. Right thumb 30 engages in recess 14. Right forefinger 32 engages in groove 26. It will be apparent when a player using right hand H1 tosses the puck in the direction indicated by arrow 34, a counterclockwise spin indicated by arrow 35 will be imparted to the puck. This will cause the puck to curve to the right in the direction of travel.

FIG. 6 shows how a left curve with a clockwise spin with the right hand can be imparted to the puck. Right thumb 30 is engaged in recess 14 and only the first or at most the first and second phalanges of the right forefinger 32 are around the periphery P of the puck. This permits the puck to be tossed in the direction indicated by arrow 36 while a clockwise or right spin is imparted to the puck as indicated by arrow 40. The puck will then move out and in a leftward curving direction as it is thrown by the right hand H1.

FIGS. 5 and 6A show respectively how left hand H2 will serve to toss the puck so that it curves to the left or right respectively. Left thumb 42 engages in recess 16 while left forefinger 44 engages in groove 28, as shown in FIG. 5. The puck then spins clockwise as indicated by arrow 46 and moves in a path curved to the left as indicated by arrow 48.

FIG. 6A shows that left thumb 42 engages in recess 16 and the first or second phalanges of left forefinger 44 engages the periphery P to throw a right curve with the left hand indicated by arrow 50, while the puck spins to the left or counterclockwise as indicated by arrow 52.

It will now be apparent why the recesses 14 and 16 are marked R and L respectively. When a right or left curve is to be tossed with the right hand, the right thumb is placed in recess 14 marked R and the right forefinger is placed in the groove 26 or around the periphery P, respectively. When a left or right curve is to be tossed with the left hand, the left thumb is placed in recess 16 marked L and the left forefinger is placed in the groove 28 or around the periphery P, respectively.

It should be noted that the puck is rotated from its position in FIG. 5 to the position in FIG. 6 and in FIG. 6A in order to throw left and right curves with the right and left hands respectively.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a base 60 which can be used in playing the game. This base is preferably made of tough resilient natural or artificial rubber since it must withstand considerable rough handling. The base is generally cylindrical and is formed with a shallow dished recess 62 in its upper end. For stability, the base has a wide circumferential flange 64 at its bottom end. The diameter of recess 62 is larger than the diameter of puck 10 indicated by dotted lines in FIG. 8 to permit the puck to be placed or thrown into the recess on the base.

FIG. 9 shows a bat 70 which can be used in striking the puck. This bat has a flat elongated body 72 and a tapered flat handle 74. It can be made of wood, plastic, rubber, or composition material.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show another puck 10A which can be used in the game. The puck is a flat disc or plate with shallow dished recesses 75,76 formed at opposite sides of central circular wall 78. Two circumferential rims 80,82 are defined at opposite sides. These can be grasped in tossing the puck.

A method of playing the game will now be described with particular reference to FIG. 12. Two playing sides S1 and S2 are set up on the playing field 100. Two bases 60a and 60b are disposed directly opposite each other on the field. Each base is constructed identical to base 60 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Batting positions B1, B2 are disposed adjacent to the bases. Each batting position is disposed to the right of its adjacent base looking across the field. Two pitching positions P1, P1', are located at opposite ends of placing side S1 and another two pitching positions P2, P2' are located at opposite ends of playing side S2. Thus, one pitching position is located adjacent the batter and the other one is located adjacent the base on each side. Defense positions D1, D2 for defense players are located outwardly of the batting positions and preferably on lines midway between the base and batter on each side.

The bases are set at a suitable distance apart depending on the age group and skill of the players and on the size, arrangement and condition of the playing field.

Following are rules suggested for playing the game:

1. All areas are in bounds. There are no foul areas.

2. The game is played by two teams preferably with two players on a team.

3. The choice of which team bats or fields first is determined by chance or arbitrarily; each team must have an equal number of times at bat.

4. One team designated the "Offensive Team" bats while the other team designated the "Defensive Team" pitches, catches and fields until the "Offensive Team" makes an out. The teams then reverse their positions. The "Offensive Team" becomes the "Defensive Team" and vice versa, and each assumes the others positions on the playing field.

5. The object of the game is to score 21 runs. Runs are scored when the batsmen successfully exchange places with each other on opposite sides S1, S2 of the field after the puck is struck, or after a wild pitch of the puck. Each time the batsmen exchange places a run is scored for their team. Batsmen touch their bats to the bases on opposite sides each time they exchange places. Batsmen do not touch the base with their feet as in other games. If the "Defensive Team" returns the puck to either one of the bases at any time while the batsmen are changing places, the "Offensive Team" is declared "Out."

6. The "Defensive Team" fields the puck. It also pitches and catches the puck. Pitching positions P1, P1', P2, P2' are as shown in FIG. 12. Positions P1, P2 are directly across from the batting positions B2, B1 indicated by transverse lines L1, L2. Positions P1', P2' are diagonally across the field indicated by lines L3, L4.

7. The game is started when one member of the "Defensive Team" steps up to a pitching position and delivers the puck, usually with a side arm motion. If the puck is hit, one of the members of the "Defensive Team" quickly retrieves the puck and attempts to place it on one of the bases before or while the batsmen of the "Offensive Team" are exchanging places.

8. He may place it on the base himself or may throw it to his teammate who attempts to place it on the base. Players may place the puck on either base, but may not attempt to tag batsmen nor step on the base.

9. If the puck is not hit, the player who caught the puck delivers it to the opposite side S1 or S2 to continue the game.

10. If the puck is delivered in such a way that the puck gets away from the catcher (wild pitch) the batsmen may exchange bases as many times as they can.

11. If the batsmen swings and misses the puck and the catcher catches it before it hits the ground, the batsman is "Out."

12. If the batter hits the puck into the air and a member of the "Defensive Team" catches it before it hits the ground, the batsmen are "Out."

13. If at any time the "Defensive Team" can place the puck on one of the bases while one of the batsmen does not have his bat on the base, the batsmen are "Out," (i.e. the pitcher may fake a pitch and whirl and place the puck on the base). However, after a team makes an "Out," the opposing team shall have sufficient time to pick up the bats and get into position.

14. The batting team is the "Offensive Team" or the "batsmen."

15. When a batter hits the puck both batsmen must exchange bases no matter how far or in what direction the puck has traveled, carrying their bats or paddles with them. Each time they successfully change bases they score one run for their team. They may change bases as many times as they can with a maximum of 7 times on any one hit.

16. "Made Seven" is a term applied to the maximum number of runs a team may score on one hit. It usually occurs when a puck is temporarily lost or goes over, into, or under some obstruction.

17. Both batsmen should always stand with their bats in contact with the base lest they be put out. A defensive player may place the puck on a base if the bat is not in contact with it.

18. A batter may only hit a pitched puck delivered from a pitching position, and only while it is in the air before it hits the ground. The batsmen are "Out" if a batter swings at the puck at any other time.

19. Players may exchange bases on a wild pitch or any other time the puck gets away from the catcher.

20. The pitched puck must pass the base before batsmen may exchange bases.

21. Batsmen are "Out" if either batter steps onto base when swinging at puck.

22. To ensure a faster game, two additional players may be used as umpires at each side or the "Defensive Team" may call balls and strikes. Two players waiting to play the game can be umpires.

23. Strike zone is from the knees to the shoulders of a batsman. Skilled players may use the zone from the knees to the top of the heads.

24. Two called strikes constitute an "Out." A swing and a miss do not constitute a strike.

25. Three called balls constitute a run.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the entire game apparatus comprises a puck, two bats, two bases and may include appropriate markers to indicate pitching positions. The game will provide enjoyment and entertainment to players and spectators. It can be played with as few as four players. Scope of play will be determined by skill of the players.

* * * * *

Current U.S. Class:	473/588 ; 473/499; 473/613
Current International Class:	A63B 67/14 (20060101); A63B 67/00 (20060101); A63b 065/00 ()
Field of Search:	273/28,60,63A,63B,87H,106,126,128CS,142,95