Umpire Assistant

Abstract

A base safety assistant and home plate template are disclosed. The base safety assistant and home plate template are to be used in connection with slow pitch softball. The base safety assistant is used in conjunction with first base and home plate. It will sound an audible alarm and lights will flash when a runner steps on it. This will allow the umpire to make better calls of safe or out on a close play. The home plate template assists the umpire with balls and strike calls. When a thrown pitch hits the template, it will sound an audible alarm and light up.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 ) A device to assist an umpire in making calls in a softball game comprising:
 a) a bottom enclosure;   b) a top enclosure;   c) balance springs mounted between the top enclosure and bottom enclosure that reversibly deflect from a first position to a second position in response to a mechanical input;   d) a plurality of sensors each comprising sensor arms that respond to movement of the balance springs from the first position to the second position;   e) a control device electrically connected to the plurality of sensors; and   f) visual or verbal alarms electrically connected to the control device that become operable when the balance springs move from the first position to the second position;   g) wherein when the balance springs move from the first position to the second position the sensor arms move and cause the sensors to send an electrical signal to the control device which causes the visual or verbal alarms to thereby become operable.   
     
     
         2 ) The device of  claim 1  wherein the mechanical input is a base runner stepping on the device. 
     
     
         3 ) The device of  claim 1  wherein the mechanical input is a pitched ball landing on the top of the device.