Method and apparatus for playing a ball game

Abstract

A method and an apparatus for playing a ball game are disclosed. The game involves a customized bat and a ball. The ball is uniquely designed to overcome typical obstacles of bat and ball games, allowing players to hit and pitch the ball in a variety of new ways. The object of the game is to score more points than the opposition by using the bat to hit the ball past a set of designated landmarks on a field in order to score.

1 . A method for playing a ball game, said method comprising: 
 defining rules of the ball game;    identifying participants for the ball game;    playing the ball game with a uniquely designed ball, wherein the uniquely designed ball has an opening at an upper portion and a closed bottom at a lower portion; and    assessing results of the ball game.    
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein said step of defining rules further comprises the steps of defining requirements for a strike zone.  
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein said step of defining rules further comprises the steps of defining requirements for a foul.  
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein said step of defining rules further comprises the steps of defining as to when a strike would be assessed against a pitcher.  
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein said step of defining rules further comprises the steps of defining when one ball would be assessed.  
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein said step of defining rules further comprises the steps of defining relationship among strikes, out, homerun, single, double, triple, or walk.  
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein said step of defining rules further comprises the steps of defining a number of points batter receives upon hitting a ball under a certain pre-determined conditions.  
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein said step of identifying participants further comprises the steps of identifying at least one of a pitcher and a batter.  
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein said step of defining rules further comprises the steps of defining rules relating to count assessment.  
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 10  wherein said step of defining rules further includes agreeing between participants that, 
 a) if four balls have been accumulated, then a batter gets credit for a walk,    b) if less than four balls have been accumulated, the strike count is assessed, and    c) if the batter has three strikes, one out is added to the count.    
   
   
       11 . A ball for a ball game, comprising: 
 a neck portion seamlessly connected to a stepped up circular portion to form a neck providing a circular opening;    a plurality of shoulder surfaces to form a shoulder of the ball, each shoulder surface extending in a downward direction from the neck portion;    a plurality of flat surfaces, a plurality of curved corner surfaces, and the plurality of shoulder surfaces, all joined together to form an upper body of the ball; and    the plurality of flat surfaces, the plurality of curved corner surfaces, and the plurality of rounded bottom edge surfaces, all joined together to form a closed bottom of the ball.    
   
   
       12 . The ball according to  claim 11  wherein the neck is extending in a vertical direction from an upper surface of the circular base.  
   
   
       13 . The ball according to  claim 11  wherein said neck has a circular opening that is centrally located.  
   
   
       14 . The ball according to  claim 11  wherein said circular base of the stepped up circular portion is grooved inward to create a smaller circular but elongated neck.  
   
   
       15 . The ball according to  claim 11  wherein said stepped up circular base of circular portion is grooved inward to create a smaller circular neck.  
   
   
       16 . The ball according to  claim 11  wherein said ball has shoulder surfaces extending in a downward direction from the circular base of the circular portion, said ball has four flat surfaces and four curved corner surfaces, wherein each flat surface is seamlessly connected to a corresponding curved corner surface to form an upper body of the ball.  
   
   
       17 . The ball according to  claim 11  wherein said ball is made of a light but durable plastic material.  
   
   
       18 . The ball according to  claim 12  wherein said flat surfaces are seamlessly connected to corresponding curved corner surfaces to maintain the smooth shape and contour of the ball.  
   
   
       19 . A game apparatus, comprising: 
 a ball having a bottle shape; and    a rectangular shaped bat.    
   
   
       20 . The game apparatus according to  claim 19  wherein the ball has an interior cavity and an opening thereto at the top of a reduced neck portion of the ball.  
   
   
       21 . The game apparatus according to  claim 19  wherein the bat has an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion coated to aid in smooth gripping of the bat.  
   
   
       22 . The game apparatus according to  claim 19  wherein the bat is coated with rubber like material.  
   
   
       23 . The game apparatus according to  claim 19  wherein the bat is coated with a foam-like material.  
   
   
       24 . The game apparatus according to  claim 19  wherein the bat is coated by dipping into a rubber coating to provide a smooth rubber like finish.  
   
   
       25 . The game apparatus according to  claim 19  wherein the bat is long and slender in shape and has rounded edges.  
   
   
       26 . A method of play, comprising of: 
 a) selecting players;    b) designating field landmarks which define a batter's plate, a single line, a double line, and a triple line;    c) selecting a position for each of the players as a batter, a pitcher, or a catcher;    d) designating a strike-zone;    e) the pitcher throwing a ball in an attempt to get the batter out;    f) the batter attempting to hit the ball in an attempt to score;    g) assessing the condition of the ball after each ball is thrown;    h) utilizing imaginary runners and bases to designate the batter's scoring position; and    i) advancing imaginary runners to the bases depending on which landmarks the ball passes.    
   
   
       27 . The method according to  claim 26  wherein the strike-zone is defined as the area above the batter's plate, 3 feet wide which extends from the batter's head to ankles.