US2017036099A1PendingUtilityA1
Baseball card game
Est. expiryAug 4, 2035(~9 yrs left)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Aaron Matthew Drew
A63F 2003/00996A63F 1/00A63F 3/00031
13
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Claims
Abstract
Provided is a method 10 for playing a baseball card game. The game is typically played by two players over a predetermined number of innings, as is known in the art of baseball games. The game generally comprises various sets of playing cards that are used in conjunction with a player's collection of baseball cards. As such, a preferred embodiment of the game (represented by method steps 10 ) includes a set of play cards that provide gameplay options, a set of pitch cards that provide pitching options, and a set of bat cards that provide batting options.
Claims
exact text as granted — not AI-modified1 . A method for playing a baseball card game by two players over a predetermined number of innings, the game comprising a set of play cards providing gameplay options, a set of pitch cards providing pitching options, and a set of bat cards providing batting options, the method comprising the steps of:
from a set of collectible baseball cards each showing unique team member statistics, each player selects a predetermined amount of baseball cards to represent members of a baseball team; from the set of pitch cards, each player selects a predetermined number of pitch cards; from the set of bat cards, each player selects a predetermined number of bat cards; and for each inning of play, the players simulate respective pitcher/batter confrontations by:
(i) from the set of play cards, each player selects a predetermined number of play cards;
(ii) from each selected baseball team, each player designates team members representing pitchers, batters and fielders;
(iii) a first player plays a first and second pitch cards and a second player plays a first and second bat cards;
(iv) using at least one gameplay table, matching the designated pitcher and batter statistics with the pitch and bat options on the played pitch and bat cards to determine a gameplay outcome;
(v) depending on the gameplay outcome, from the selected play cards, each player plays at least one play card to influence the gameplay outcome; and
(vi) the players reverse roles to finalise the inning, until the predetermined number of innings have been played;
wherein the gameplay outcome of each inning is recorded according to the regular rules of baseball in order to determine which player wins the game.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the collectible baseball cards displays statistics selected from a group consisting of an earned-run-average (ERA), number of innings pitched, a batting average, numbers of at-bats for a season, registered doubles, triples or home runs, and number of steals.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of selecting a predetermined number of collectible baseball cards comprises selecting thirteen baseball cards.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of selecting baseball cards to represent a baseball team includes selecting cards according to team-building rules.
5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the team-building rules require a team to be comprised of the following members: (i) three pitchers, (ii) one catcher, (iii) one designated hitter, (iv) one pinch runner, and (v) seven regular players or fielders for a total of thirteen team members.
6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the team-building rules require a team to be selected up to a predetermined aggregate point level.
7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the aggregate point level is determined by the sum of respective team member point levels as determined by each team member's statistics.
8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein a point level for a pitcher is determined by subtracting said pitcher's ERA from eight and rounding the result up to the nearest whole number.
9 . The method of claim 7 , wherein a point level for a batter is determined by multiplying said batter's batting average by ten and rounding the result down to the nearest half number.
10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein a batter's point level is increased by one if said batter has any registered doubles as part of that batter's statistics.
11 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the predetermined aggregate point level is represented by the following ranges:
(i) —up to 75 points indicates a franchise team; (ii) 75 to 85 indicates an all-star team; and (iii) more than 85 indicates a legends team.
12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the pitch cards are selected from a group indicated by the following table:
Off Speed-First Card
1
Curve Ball
2
Slider
3
Knuckle Ball
4
ChangeUp
Fast Balls-First Card
5
Fast Ball 100+
6
Fast Ball 95-99
7
Fast Ball <95
8
Fast Ball 2 Seam
Pitcher-Second Card
1
Inside Strike
2
Inside Ball
3
Outside Strike
4
Outside Ball
5
High Strike
6
High Ball
7
Low Strike
8
Low Ball
9
Bunt Defence
10
Sacrifice Fly Defence
13 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the bat cards are selected from a group indicated by the following table:
At Bat-First Card
1
Fast Ball 100+
2
Fast Ball 95-99
3
Fast Ball <95
4
Fast Ball 2 Seam
5
Off Speed-Curve Ball
6
Off Speed-Slider
7
Off Speed-Knuckle Ball
8
Off Speed-ChangeUp
9
Take The Pitch
10
Bunt-Fast Ball
11
Bunt-Off Speed
12
Sacrifice Flyball-Fast Ball
13
Sacrifice Flyball-Off Speed
14
Hit Batter
At Bat-Second Card
1
Inside Strike
2
Inside Ball
3
Outside Strike
4
Outside Ball
5
High Strike
6
High Ball
7
Low Strike
8
Low Ball
14 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the play cards are selected from a group indicated by the following table:
PLAY CARD
RESULTS OF PLAY CARD\DESCRIPTION
Offensive
Steal 2 nd
When you have a runner on 1 st base play “Take the
Base
Pitch” as an At-Bat card and then play this card
to advance your base runner to 2 nd !
Steal 3 rd
When you have a runner on 2 nd base play “Take the
Base
Pitch” as an At-Bat card and then play this card
to advance your base runner to 3 rd !
Steal Home
Play after you play a “Wild Pitch” play card and
advance your 3 rd base runner to home!
Delayed
Play if you have runners at 1 st & 3 rd . If the
Steal 1 st 3 rd
Defence doesn't have a card to play both players
are safe.
Error
If played on an outfield hit the fielder drops
Outfield
the ball and the batter makes 1 st . Other base
runners advance a base.
Error
If played on an infield hit the fielder drops the
Infield
ball and the batter makes 1 st . Other base runners
do not advance.
Error
The catcher allows a passed ball, base runners
Catcher
advance a base.
Error
The baseman does not make the catch for the out,
Baseman
1 st makes the base and could make 2 nd if combined
with a Steal 2 nd card. Other base runners advance
a base, two if required by the above.
Safe!
Play when the Offense is trying to make an out.
Safe Hit
Play this card to turn an Uncontrolled Foul into
a controlled foul (not out) OR a Controlled Foul
into a safe 1 st base hit.
Tag Up 1 st
Play in direct response to defensive card “Pick
Base
Off Base Runner”.
Tag Up 2 nd
Play in direct response to defensive card “Pick
Base
Off Base Runner”.
Tag Up 3 rd
Play in direct response to defensive card “Pick
Base
Off Base Runner”.
Check Swing
Play to check your swing after the result of the
“At-Bat” pitch has been determined.
Hit 2 nd Base
Play when the result of the “At-Bat” pitch which
can result in a 2 base hit.
Hit 3 rd Base
Play when the result of the “At-Bat” pitch which
can result in a 3 base hit.
Hit HOME
Play when the result of the “At-Bat” pitch which
RUN!
can result in ANY.
Errant Pitch
Play when the result of the “At-Bat” pitch
doesn't go your way, it was an obvious ball you
wouldn't swing at that . . .
Wild Pitch
That one just got away from the Pitcher AND
Catcher . . . lots of things can happen . . .
Wild Throw -
That infield out was not made due to a wild
Infield
throw.
Wild Throw -
Take another base as the outfielder just threw it
Outfield
away due to a wild throw.
Defensive
Foul Ball
That base hit just became a foul ball.
Fly Ball
That base hit just became a flyball.
Ground Out
That base hit just became a groundout.
Robbed
A ball that was to be a Home Run is caught over
the fence by an outfielder.
Outfielder
The outfielder fields and throws the runner out
Throw (Hm)
at home plate.
Outfielder
The outfielder fields and throws the runner out
Throw (2 nd )
at 2 nd base.
Outfielder
The outfielder fields and throws the runner out
Throw (3 rd )
at 3 rd base.
Amazing
A ball that should have been safe is caught by a
Catch
fully laid out catch.
Catcher
The catcher throws the runner out at 1 st base.
Throws Out
(1 st )
Catcher
The catcher throws the runner out at 2 nd base.
Throws Out
(2 nd )
Catcher
The catcher throws the runner out at 3 rd base.
Throws Out
(3 rd )
Rundown
Base runner, whatever base, is caught in a run-
down situation and is out.
Catch
A ball that should have been safe is caught.
Tagged
The base runner is tagged when trying to reach a
base, he is out.
Defensive
The shift is on, any first base hits to right
Shift
field are fielded and out instead.
Double Play
Has to be a runner on base. The play results in a
double play, two outs go in the book.
Triple Play
Has to be two runners on base. The batter is
caught, 2 nd or 3 rd is tagged and the remaining
runner is thrown out trying to recover his baser.
Note: this can be played to end an innings if an
out is already in the book.
Did He Go?
Home plate umpire calls to 1 st base (or 3 rd ) to
see if the batter played a shot. The field umpire
calls the strike-“Yes he Did!”
Infielder
The infielder fields and throws the runner out at
Throw (Hm)
home plate.
Infielder
The infielder fields and throws the runner out at
Throw (1 st )
1 st base.
Infielder
The infielder fields and throws the runner out at
Throw (2 nd )
2 nd base.
Infielder
The infielder fields and throws the runner out at
Throw (3 rd )
3 rd base.
Pick-Off
The pitcher picks off a base runner who got
greedy.
Skills -
Manager
Go to
The Manager decides it's time for a pitching
Bullpen
change. Put in your reliever or closer.
Go to
That Manager consults his playbook-select 3
Playbook
cards from either (but not both) your Discard or
Play piles, place these cards in your hand.
Discard cards if you hand contains more than 7
cards.
Challenge
The Manager challenges the call-flip a coin, if
Call
the Manager wins the call is overturned.
Goes to the
The Manager goes to the mound and tells the
Mound
pitcher to “change his Stuff”. If the pitcher can
he can change up to 4 “pitcher” cards out-or
pretend too!
Pinch Runner
The guys on base can't steal but this guy can!
Put in the pinch runner.
Skills -
Player Cards
Skilled
+2 pitcher cards for this pitcher.
Pitcher
Power Shot
Any hit on this card goes for an extra base.
Controlled
Any out or controlled foul becomes a safe hit. An
Hit
uncontrolled foul becomes a controlled foul.
Speed In The
This guy normally can steal a base but now his
Order
feet have wings and he can steal bases.
Slow Runner
Play on an opponent's base runner if he can steal
bases, now he can't.
Fast Pitch
For this at-bat the pitcher can throw at +5 mph.
On A Heater
This batter is in career best form and gets +0.05
to batting average. This card remains in play for
the rest of the game.
Throwing
The pitcher's ERA is reduced by 1. This card
Bombs
remains in play for 2 innings.
15 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the gameplay table is represented by:
At Bat-Fast Ball (100+ mph)
Matched
UnMatched
Other Fast
Off
Pitcher
100+
100+
Ball
Speed
ERA
Batter Avg
Result
Result
Result
Result
0-1
400+
Any
Any
1st-2nd
Foul-C
1-2
350+
Any
1st-2nd
1st
Foul-C
2-3
300+
Any
1st
Foul-C
Foul-
UC
3-4
250+
1st
Foul-C
Foul-C
Foul-
UC
5-6
200+
Foul-
Foul-UC
Foul-UC
Strike
UC
6+
Other
Strike
Strike
Strike
Strike
Strike
Strike
Strike
Strike
Strike
Strike
Strike
Strike
wherein the indicated terms mean:
(i) ‘Any’—any play card can be played to gain extra bases, such as Hit 2 nd Base, 3 rd Base and finally a home run. A ‘Caught’ play card can be played against all but a Home Run which requires a ‘Robbed’ play card;
(ii) ‘1 st -2 nd ’, —a player can automatically take 1 st Base or play a Hit 2 nd Base and take 2 nd . A ‘Caught’ play card can be played against these results to get an out;
(iii) ‘Foul C’—controlled foul, can only be caught out if a ‘Caught’ play card is played;
(iv) ‘Foul UC’—an uncontrolled foul which is automatically caught; and
(v) ‘Strike’—represents a strike.
16 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the gameplay table is represented by:
At Bat-Off Speed (ChangeUp)
Matched
UnMatched
Other Off
Pitcher
ChangeUP
ChangeUp
Speed
FastBall
ERA
Batter Avg
Result
Result
Result
Result
0-1
400+
Any
Any
1st-3rd
Foul-C
1-2
350+
Any
Any
1st-2nd
Foul-C
2-3
300+
Any
1st-3rd
1st
Foul-
UC
3-4
250+
Any
1st-2nd
1st
Foul-
UC
5-6
200+
Any
1st
Foul-C
Strike
6+
Other
1st-2nd
1st
Foul-UC
Strike
Foul-C
Foul-C
Strike
Strike
Foul-UC
Foul-UC
Strike
Strike
wherein the indicated terms mean:
(i) ‘Any’—any play card can be played to gain extra bases, such as Hit 2 nd Base, 3 rd Base and finally a home run. A ‘Caught’ play card can be played against all but a Home Run which requires a ‘Robbed’ play card;
(ii) ‘1 st -2 nd ’, —a player can automatically take 1 st Base or play a Hit 2 nd Base and take 2 nd . A ‘Caught’ play card can be played against these results to get an out;
(iii) ‘Foul C’—controlled foul, can only be caught out if a ‘Caught’ play card is played;
(iv) ‘Foul UC’—an uncontrolled foul which is automatically caught; and
(v) ‘Strike’—represents a strike.
17 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of selecting a predetermined number of pitch cards comprises selecting ten pitch cards.
18 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of selecting a predetermined number of bat cards comprises selecting twelve bat cards.
19 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of selecting a predetermined number of play cards comprises selecting five play cards.
20 . A baseball card board game comprising a playing surface with a baseball diamond indicium thereon, said playing surface further defining designated positions for each of a set of play cards, a set of pitch cards, a set of bat cards, and a selection of collectible baseball cards representative of members of a baseball team, to allow a baseball card game according to claim 1 to be played on the playing surface.Join the waitlist — get patent alerts
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