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 method of playing a baseball card game by two players or two player groups to simulate a real game of baseball and using two card sets of pitching sequence each having a predetermined identical number of pitch cards and one card set of offensive action cards and one card set of defensive action cards, indication means to indicate the occurrence of a player “out” (when the board is not in use), 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 pitch categories based on power pitches having three specific pitches and the other of said categories based on ball trajectory pitches having two specific pitches, each set of pitch cards further having two identical pitch categories, 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 which are conditional on the result of both players choice of previously played pitch cards, said card set of defensive cards including an identification of defensive plays on a play action surface thereof that overrule offensive plays, each said two players or two player groups having a set of a predetermined number of said offensive action cards and a set of an identical number of said defensive action cards, each deck randomly shuffled separately and distributed, said pitch cards requiring a conscience card play selection strategy of individual pitches by said two players or two player groups chosen and discarded simultaneously during a pitching sequence, said pitch card play selection resulting in one of a “ball”, “strike” or a “hit” which activates a strategic choice of a specific card from said offensive and defensive action cards by each said two players or two player groups depending on offensive and defensive action cards held by said two players or two player groups and strategy by said two players or two player groups 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 said 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 said offensive and defensive action cards from a deck of a predetermined number of said 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). 
 
     
     
         2 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said step (vii) comprises regathering all but two cards per player or player groups of said defensive and offensive action cards. 
     
     
         3 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  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. 
     
     
         4 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  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. 
     
     
         5 . A method as claimed in  claim 3  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. 
     
     
         6 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  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.