Baseball card game

Abstract

A baseball card game for play by two players or two player groups is described. It is comprised of 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. The pitch cards have two categories, one based on ball speed and the other on ball trajectory. Both sets of pitch cards have 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 include 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.

1 . A baseball card game for play by two players or two player groups comprising 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 to indicate the occurrence of a player “out”, and means to indicate “on-base” runner position and movement, each set of pitch cards having a minimum of two different pitch categories identified on a play action surface of said pitch cards, one of said categories based on ball speed and the other of said categories based on ball trajectory, each card set of pitch cards further having identical pitch selections, said cards in said card set of offensive action cards including an identification on a play action surface thereof of offensive plays of the game of baseball, said card set of defensive cards including an identification of defensive plays on a play action surface thereof that overrule offensive plays, said pitch cards requiring a conscience play selection strategy of individual pitches by said two players or two player groups during a pitching sequence, said offensive and defensive action cards requiring a strategic play selection depending on cards held by said two players or two player groups in relation to game situation. 
   
   
       2 . A baseball card game as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said pitch cards based on ball speed include three different types of speed pitches, a first type being a “fastball outside”, a second type being a “fastball inside” and a third type being a “slider”. 
   
   
       3 . A baseball card game as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said 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”. 
   
   
       4 . A baseball card game as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said card set of offensive action cards and said card set of defensive action cards are provided with identification means on a top surface thereto to visually identify one card set from the other card set. 
   
   
       5 . A baseball card game as claimed in  claim 4  wherein said identification means is one of a distinguishing color, logo or other type designation. 
   
   
       6 . A baseball card game as claimed in  claim 3  wherein said card set of offensive action cards comprise a plurality of “hit” cards and other offensive plays which occur in a regular baseball game, said card set of defensive action cards comprising all defensive plays that occur in said regular baseball game. 
   
   
       7 . A baseball card game as claimed in  claim 6  wherein said card set of offensive and defensive action cards also comprise a plurality of “auxiliary pitch” cards which are intended for use in said pitching sequence after certain pitches and can directly affect the outcome of any player at bat. 
   
   
       8 . A baseball card game as claimed in  claim 7  wherein each said card set of offensive and defensive action cards are comprised of forty cards, the maximum of seven of which are held by each of said two players or two player groups, respectively. 
   
   
       9 . A baseball card game as claimed in  claim 7  wherein there are eight of said “auxiliary pitch” cards in said set of offensive action cards comprise four cards and namely a “foul ball” card, a “checked swing” card, a “hit by pitch” card and a “wild pitch” card. 
   
   
       10 . A baseball card game as claimed in  claim 9  wherein there are eight of said “auxiliary pitch” cards in said set of defensive action cards are “over-ruling” cards and comprise four cards, namely a “foul tip” card, a “called strike” card, a “great scoop” card and a “great scoop and pick-off” card. 
   
   
       11 . A baseball card game as claimed in  claim 1  wherein there is further provided three “out” cards for each of said two players or two player groups to provide a record of “out” as said game progresses, said “out” cards constituting said means to indicate the occurrence of a player out at bat or running the bases. 
   
   
       12 . A baseball card game as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said means to indicate on-base runner position and movement is constituted by a game board having printed on a playing surface thereof a baseball diamond, and markers associated with said game board and displaceable on said playing surface to predetermined print designations. 
   
   
       13 . A baseball card game as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said means to indicate on-base runner position and movement is constituted by “on base” cards, said “on base” cards indicating the position of an offensive one of said two players or two player groups on bases of a baseball diamond. 
   
   
       14 . A baseball card game as claimed in  claim 1  wherein there are five of said pitch cards held by each of said two players or two player groups during the duration of said baseball card game. 
   
   
       15 . A baseball card game as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said play action surface of said pitch cards and said offensive and defensive action cards are provided with a baseball diamond logo having an indication of a “runners” situation and of the result of the matching of discarded cards by said two players or player groups. 
   
   
       16 . A baseball card game as claimed in  claim 15  wherein said play action surface of said offensive and defensive action cards are further provided with color codes to identify play action of like categories for ease of card identification and play. 
   
   
       17 . 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 claimed in  claim 1 , and in accordance with a set of rules, said method comprising:
 i) determining which of said two players or two player groups is an offensive or defensive player for the start of the card game;   ii) proceeding said pitching sequence by each player or player group selecting a card from their respective card set of pitch cards, simultaneously, thereby simulating a pitcher/hitter confrontation, said offensive player or player group attempting to get hits, walks and runner on base to score runs, and said defensive player or player group attempting to get strikes and three outs to end an inning;   iii) selecting 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 discarded in an attempt to overrule a last discarded pitch card of said pitching sequence until said offensive player or player group is “out” or gets on base;   iv) recording the occurrence of said offensive player being “out”;   v) recording base runner position and movement;   vi) switching positions as defensive and offensive player or player group after a “three out” end of inning situation;   vii) regathering defensive and offensive action cards at a predetermined event and shuffling all of said defensive and offensive action cards in their respective decks;   viii) selecting said predetermined number of defensive and offensive action cards, respectively, by said defensive and offensive designated player or player group, and proceeding with step (ii).   
   
   
       18 . A method as claimed in  claim 17  wherein said step (vii) comprises regathering all but two cards per player or player groups of said defensive and offensive action cards. 
   
   
       19 . A method as claimed in  claim 17  wherein said step (vii) comprises regathering all of said defensive and offensive action cards after a fifth inning of play constituting said predetermined event and re-shuffling said action cards and distributing seven of said defensive action cards to said defensive player or player group and seven of said offensive action cards to said offensive player or player group. 
   
   
       20 . A method as claimed in  claim 17  wherein there is further provided the step of said defensive player or player group upon holding a “pitching change” card, having the option of discarding same whereby to discard all but two of said defensive action cards in his hand and select up to five additional defensive action cards. 
   
   
       21 . A method as claimed in  claim 19  wherein said shuffling of said defensive action cards is effected by said offensive player or player group and said shuffling of said offensive action cards is effected by said defensive player or player group. 
   
   
       22 . A method as claimed in  claim 17  wherein there is further provided the step of removing a pitch card from his pitch card deck by said defensive player or player group in the top of a ninth inning situation where said defensive player or player group is in a predetermined lead position and at the beginning of said pitching sequence and with said play action surface of said card concealed; said defensive player or player group continuing said pitching sequence with only four pitch cards to register three “outs”, and in the bottom of the ninth inning said defensive player or player group, if in a predetermined lead position, must discard a pitch card and proceed as with said previous defensive player or player group until said baseball card game is won or tied to go into extra innings wherein both said players use all of said pitch cards until one of said two players or player groups wins the game.