Electronic baseball game and method for playing electronic baseball game

Abstract

A electronic baseball game played using an electronic game unit and an input value generator provided separately from the electronic game unit. The game is played by generating an input value from among a plurality of possible input values and inputting the input value into the electronic game unit. The electronic game unit uses the input value and game status information to determine a game consequence, and updates the game status information based on the determined game consequence. The electronic game unit also provides a display on which the game status information is graphically shown.

1 . A method for playing an electronic baseball game between a first team and a second team using an electronic game unit, the baseball game played in a plurality of innings, each of the plurality of innings having two half-innings with the first team and the second team taking alternating turns as an offense role team and a defense role team in each half-inning, each of the half-innings played according to a method sequentially comprising:
 an input value generating step of generating an input value for the offense role team from among a plurality of possible input values;   a game consequence determining step of inputting the generated input value into the electronic game unit which stores a unique game consequence associated with each of the plurality of possible input values, and matching the generated input value with an associated game consequence;   an updating step of updating a game status using the matched game consequence, the game status including a status of base runners, a number of outs in a current half-inning, and a game score;   if the number of outs in the current half-inning is less than three, returning to the generating step; and   if the number of outs in the current half-inning equals three, advancing to the next half-inning and updating the game status to advance the game by one half-inning, and alternating the offense role team and the defense role team between the first team and the second team.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein
 a playing field for the baseball game includes a first base, a second base, a third base, and a home plate,   a batter begins on home plate and runners may individually occupy first base, second base, and third base,   the status of base runners is an indication of which one or more of the first base, the second base, and the third base is occupied by a runner, and is updated by sequentially advancing or removing as out any one or more of the batter and runners on first base, second base, and third base according to the determined game consequence,   when the batter or runner advances to home plate, one run is scored, the game score is increased by one for the offense role team, and the batter or runner which advanced to home plate is removed from home plate, and   when the batter or runner is out, the batter or runner is removed and the number of outs in the current half-inning is increased by one.   
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , further comprising a displaying step of displaying the playing field and the game status on a display of the electronic game unit. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at a beginning of each baseball game, a strategy card assigning step of assigning a predetermined number of strategy cards to each of the first team and the second team, each of the strategy cards having a unique strategy game consequence associated therewith:   a strategy card decision step incorporated into the input value generating step of one of the offense role team and defense role team electing to play a strategy card rather than the offense role team generating the input value, and   when one of the offense role team and defense role team elects to play a strategy card, a strategy step of:
 the one of the offense role team and defense role team which elected to play a strategy card playing one of the predetermined number of strategy cards and inputting the played strategy card into the electronic game unit, the electronic game unit storing the strategy game consequences associated with each of the strategy cards; 
 determining the strategy game consequence associated with the played strategy card based on the played strategy card and the one of the offense role team and defense role team that played the strategy card; 
 updating the game status using the determined strategy game consequence; and 
 if the number of outs in the current half-inning is less than three, returning to the generating step; and if the number of outs in the current half-inning equals three, advancing to the next half-inning and updating the game status to advance the game by one half-inning, and alternating the offense role team and the defense role team between the first team and the second team. 
   
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an offense steal decision step incorporated into the input value generating step of the offense role team electing to have a runner steal a base rather than generating the input value, and inputting a steal command into the electronic game unit; and   when the offense role team inputs the steal command to the electronic game unit, a steal step of:
 the offense role team selecting one runner from the runners on base to steal a base to be stolen; 
 the defense role team generating a steal input value from among a plurality of possible steal input values, each of the plurality of possible steal input values having an associated steal game consequence for each base to be stolen; 
 determining the steal game consequence based on the generated steal input value and the base to be stolen; 
 updating the game status using the determined steal game consequence; and 
 if the number of outs in the current half-inning is less than three, returning to the generating step; and 
 if the number of outs in the current half-inning equals three, advancing to the next half-inning and updating the game status to advance the game by one half-inning, and alternating the offense role team and the defense role team between the first team and the second team. 
   
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the input value is generated by the offense role team rolling two dice and the plurality of possible input values consist of: two; three; four; five; six; seven; eight; nine; ten; eleven; and twelve. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the unique game consequence associated with each of the plurality of possible input values is:
 input value=2, game consequence=triple, batter advances to third base, all runners on base advance to home plate and each score one run;   input value=3, game consequence=hit by pitch, batter advances to first base and: if runner on first base, runner on first base advances to second base; if runner on first base and runner on second base, runner on first base advances to second base and runner on second base advances to third base; or if runner on first base, runner on second base, and runner on third base, runner on first base advances to second base, runner on second base advances to third base, runner on third base advances to home plate and scores one run;   input value=4, game consequence=walk, batter advances to first base and: if runner on first base, runner on first base advances to second base; if runner on first base and runner on second base, runner on first base advances to second base and runner on second base advances to third base; or if runner on first base, runner on second base, and runner on third base, runner on first base advances to second base, runner on second base advances to third base, runner on third base advances to home plate and scores one run;   input value=5, game consequence=infield line-out, batter is out, number of outs in the current half-inning increases by one;   input value=6, game consequence=single, batter advances to first base and: if runner on first base, runner on first base advances to second base; if runner on second base, runner on second base advances to home plate and scores one run; and if runner on third base, runner on third base advances to home plate and scores one run;   input value=7, game consequence=strike-out, batter is out, number of outs in the current half-inning increases by one;   input value=8, game consequence=ground-out, if no runners on base or number of outs in the current half-inning equals two, batter is out, number of outs in the current half-inning increases by one; if runner on third base, no runner on first base, no runner on second base, and number of outs in the current half-inning is less than two, batter is out, number of outs in the current half-inning increases by one, runner on third base advances to home plate and scores one run; or if number of outs in the current half-inning is less than two and runner on first base or runner on second base, a double play value is generated and used to determine the game consequence;   input value=9, game consequence=double, batter advances to second base and: if runner on first base; runner advances to third base; if runner on second base, runner on second base advances to home plate and scores one run; and if runner on third base, runner on third base advances to home plate and scores one run;   input value=10, game consequence=fly-out, batter is out, number of outs in the current half-inning increases by one, and if number of outs in the current half-inning after increase is less than three and runner on first base, runner on second base, or runner on third base, a fly-out value is generated and used to determine an additional fly-out game consequence;   input value=11, game consequence=pop-out, batter is out, number of outs in the current half-inning increases by one; and   input value=12, game consequence=home run, batter and any runners on base advance to home plate and each score one run.   
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein determining the game consequence when the input value=8, the number of outs in the current half-inning is less than two, and runner on first base or runner on second base comprises:
 a double play value generating step of the defense role team generating the double play value from among a plurality of double play values by rolling two dice, wherein the plurality of possible double play values consist of: two; three; four; five; six; seven; eight; nine; ten; eleven; and twelve;   a double play consequence determining step of inputting the generated double play value into the electronic game unit which stores a first double play consequence associated with a first predetermined subset of the plurality of possible double play values and a second double play consequence associated with a second predetermined subset of the plurality of possible double play values, and matching the generated double play value with an associated double play consequence; and   setting the matched double play consequence as the game consequence,   wherein the first double play consequence is: if runner on first base, no runner on second base, and no runner on third base, batter advances to first base, runner on first base is out, number of outs in the current half-inning increases by one; if runner on second base, no runner on first base, and no runner on third base, runner on second base advances to third base, batter is out, number of outs in the current half-inning increases by one; if runner on first base, runner on second base, and no runner on third base, batter advances to first base, runner on first base advances to second base, runner on second base is out, number of outs in the current half-inning increases by one; if runner on first base, runner on third base, and no runner on second base, batter advances to first base, runner on third base advances to home plate and scores one run, runner on first base is out, number of outs in the current half-inning increases by one; and if runner on first base, runner on second base, and runner on third base, batter advances to first base, runner on first base advances to second base, runner on second base advances to third base, runner on third base is out, number of outs in the current half-inning increases by one, and   the second double play consequence is: if runner on first base, no runner on second base, no runner on third base, batter is out, runner on first base is out, number of outs in the current half-inning increases by two; if runner on second base, no runner on first base, no runner on third base, batter is out, runner on second base is out, number of outs in the current half-inning increases by two; if runner on first base, runner on second base, and no runner on third base, bailer advances to first base, runner on first base is out, runner on second base is out, number of outs in the current half-inning increases by two; and if runner on first base and runner on third base, batter is out, runner on first base is out, runner on third base is out, number of outs in the current half-inning increases to three.   
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein determining the additional fly-out game consequence for the input value=10 comprises:
 a fly-out value generating step of the defense role team generating the fly-out value from among a plurality of fly-out values by rolling two dice, wherein the plurality of possible fly-out values consist of; two; three; four; five; six; seven; eight; nine; ten; eleven; and twelve;   a fly-out consequence determining step of inputting the generated fly-out value into the electronic game unit which stores a first fly-out consequence associated with a first predetermined subset of the plurality of possible fly-out values and a second fly-out consequence associated with a second predetermined subset of the plurality of possible fly-out values, and matching the generated fly-out value with an associated fly-out consequence; and   setting the matched fly-out consequence as the additional fly-out game consequence,   wherein the first consequence is: if runner on first base, no runner on second base, no runner on third base, runner on first base advances to second base; if runner on second base, no runner on first base, no runner on third base, runner on second base advances to third base; if runner on third base, no runner on first base, no runner on second base, runner on third base advances to home plate and scores one run; if runner on first base, runner on second base, and no runner on third base, runner on first base stays on first base, runner on second base advances to third base; if runner on first base, runner on third base, and no runner on second base, runner on first base stays on first base, runner on third base advances to home plate and scores one run; and if runner on first base, runner on second base, and runner on third base, runner on first base stays on first base, runner on second base stays on second base, runner on third base advances to home plate and scores one run, and   the second fly-out consequence is: if runner on first base, no runner on second base, no runner on third base, runner on first base is out, number of outs in the current half-inning increases by one; if runner on second base, no runner on first base, no runner on third base, runner on second base is out, number of outs in the current half-inning increases by one; if runner on third base, no runner on first base, no runner on second base, runner on third base is out, number of outs in the current half-inning increases by one; if runner on first base, runner on second base, and no runner on third base, runner on first base stays on first base, runner on second base is out, number of outs in the current half-inning increases by one; if runner on first base, runner on third base, and no runner on second base, runner on first base stays on first base, runner on third base is out, number of outs in the current half-inning increases by one; and if runner on first base, runner on second base, and runner on third base, runner on first base stays on first base, runner on second base stays on second base, runner on third base is out, number of outs in the current half-inning increases by one.   
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the strategy cards comprise:
 a wild pitch/foul ball out strategy card, having an offensive strategy game consequence of advancing all runners on base to the next sequential base and a defensive strategy game consequence of the batter is out, the number of outs in the current half-inning increases by one;   a sacrifice bunt/double play strategy card, having an offensive strategy game consequence of the batter is out, all runners on base advance to next sequential base, number of outs in the current half-inning increases by one, and a defensive strategy game consequence of the two runners on highest numbered bases are out, number of outs in the current half-inning increases by two; and   a steal/picked-off strategy card, having an offensive strategy game consequence of the offense team player selecting a base runner to advance to the next sequential, unoccupied base, and a defensive strategy game consequence of the runner on the highest number base is out, number of outs in the current half-inning increases by one.   
     
     
         11 . An electronic game unit for playing a baseball game, comprising:
 an input section configured to receive an input value generated from among a plurality of possible input values;   an input value game consequence determining section configured to store a unique game consequence associated with each of the plurality of possible game consequences and to match the input value received by the input section with the associated game consequence;   a game status section configured to receive the matched game consequence from the input value game consequence determining section and to update a game status based on the received game consequence, the game status including: a status of base runners, a number of outs in a current half-inning, and a game score.   
     
     
         12 . The electronic game unit according to  claim 11 , further comprising a display configured to graphically show a playing field for the baseball game and the game status. 
     
     
         13 . The electronic game unit according to  claim 12 , includes a touch screen monitor on which the input section is graphically displayed. 
     
     
         14 . The electronic game unit according to  claim 11 , wherein the input section is further configured to receive a strategy game card input from among a plurality of possible strategy game card inputs, and the electronic game unit further comprises:
 a strategy game consequence determining section configured to store a unique strategy game consequence associated with each of the plurality of possible strategy game card inputs and to match the strategy game card input received by the input section with the associated strategy game consequence,   the game status section further configured to receive the matched strategy game consequence from the strategy game consequence determining section and to update the game status based on the received strategy game consequence.   
     
     
         15 . The electronic game unit according to  claim 11 , wherein the input section is further configured to receive a steal input, and the electronic game unit further comprises:
 a steal game consequence determining section configured to receive the steal input from the input section, to cause the input section to prompt a user to enter a steal input value from among a plurality of possible steal input values, to store a unique steal game consequence associated with each of the plurality of possible steal input values, and to match the input steal value with the associated steal game consequence,   the game status section further configured to receive the matched steal game consequence from the steal game consequence determining section and to update the game status based on the received steal game consequence.   
     
     
         16 . The electronic game unit according to  claim 14 , wherein the input section is further configured to receive a steal input, and the electronic game unit further comprises:
 a steal game consequence determining section configured to receive the steal input from the input section, to cause the input section to prompt a user to enter a steal input value from among a plurality of possible steal input values, to store a unique steal game consequence associated with each of the plurality of possible steal input values, and to match the input steal value with the associated steal game consequence,   the game status section further configured to receive the matched steal game consequence from the steal game consequence determining section and to update the game status based on the received steal game consequence.   
     
     
         17 . A baseball game, comprising:
 an electronic game unit; and   an input value generator provided separately from the electronic game unit and configured to generate an input value from among a plurality of possible input values,   wherein the electronic game unit comprises:
 an input section configured  10  receive the input value generated by the input value generator; 
 an input value game consequence determining section configured to store a unique game consequence associated with each of the plurality of possible input values and to match the input value received by the input section with the associated game consequence; 
 a game status section configured to receive the matched game consequence from the input value game consequence determining section and to update a game status based on the received game consequence, the game status including: a status of base runners, a number of outs in a current half-inning, and a game score. 
   
     
     
         18 . The baseball game according to  claim 17 , wherein the input value generator includes two dice, and the plurality of possible input values consist of: two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve. 
     
     
         19 . The baseball game according to  claim 17 , further comprising a case for carrying the electronic control unit, the carrying case including:
 a first portion formed in a shape of home plate and defining a depth and having the electronic game unit secured thereto;   a second portion formed in the shape of home plate and defining a depth, the second portion sized to correspond to the first portion and hingedly attached to the first portion such that the first portion and second portion define a substantially enclosed area in a closed position.   
     
     
         20 . The baseball game unit according to  claim 19 , wherein the electronic game unit is secured to the first portion via a rotatable joint and a kick-stand such that the electronic game unit is movable by the rotatable joint from a first position where the electronic game unit is received within the depth defined by the first portion and a second position where the electronic game unit is substantially upright with a portion thereof protruding from the depth defined by the first portion.