US2665910A - Simulated baseball game - Google Patents

Description

Jan- 12, 1954 H. P. HUTcHlNs 2,665,910

SIMULATED BASEBAL GAME Filed Nov. 1s, 195o z sheets-sheet 1 oslos 95W 75' 73 47 w a2 s2 d @Se ed @te w II\ c.- amm. es. jf. www @as BY UMMM Jan- 12, 1954 H. P. Hu'rcHlNs 2,665,910

SIMULATED BASEBALL GAME Filed Nov. 1s, 195o 2 sheets-sheet 2 l2 Hanne/w.) I INVENTOR.

Patented Jan. 12, H1954 UNITED STATES PATENT GFT-'ICEv SIMULATED BASEBALL GAME Harry P. Hutchins, Audubon, N. J.

Application November 13, 1950, Serial No. 195,235

(Cl. 273-88)A 11 Claims.

This invention relates to ,a simulated game of baseball and has for an object the provision of a game in which contestants sitting opposite each other may competitively simulate the game of baseball in nearly all aspects, both for their amusement and for a better understanding of the game.

The present application is a continuation-inpart of my application, Serial No. 7,579, filed February ll, 1948, for Game Boards, now abandoned.

While simulated baseball games have been long known in the art, they have left much to be desired in the competitive play which is not only the spice of the real sport but also which adds to the entertainment and educational value of the simulated game.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an active contest between the competitive players which increases their excitement and interest as the game progresses. Those participating in the game not only elect as between a good pitch and a bad pitch but they may also elect whether to swing at the ball or to wait. 1f election is made to swing at the ball, there is competition between the opposing sides as to which field area will be selected for the batting of the ball by the batter. If the fielder-player should select the same field area as that selected by the batter, there is simulation of a y which is caught, thus retiring the batter. However, if the batter should select a iield position not seg lected by the iielder, he makes a safe hit and maires one or more bases. If runners are already on base, they, ofcourse, advance.

However, a competitive element is introduced as to whether or not each runner safely makes the succeeding base. Electrical circuits extending between a batter-control station and a helder-control station are automatically completed by player-operated circuit selectors to determine the outcome of the arrival of each player at a succeeding base.

From the foregoing brief description of a few of the features of the invention it will be seen that the competitive aspects and the simulated features of the national sport make the game of unusual interest and entertainment providing many possibilities for utilizing strategy of the baseball diamond to increase the number of runs.v

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the electrical circuits, wherein the circuit-controlling contacts operate the signaling means with relative simplicity, are foolproof in operation and low enough in cost to bring the game within a price range attractive to the public.

A further important feature of the invention is that each competitive player must change his selection of circuit-controlling contacts `for Se' lection of either leld areas or base areas to protect, or as goals at which the ball is to be aimed, inasmuch as the contacts selected by one player of a particular area can by virtue of the electrical circuit arrangements be quickly countered by the opposing player and successfully by-passed by selection of other circuit-controlling contacts, depending on each players ability to anticipate the other players selection.

For further features and advantages of the invention and for more detailed playing instructions as well as the manner in which the invention is constructed and arranged, reference is to be had to the accompanying detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a game board embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram, top view, of the 'electrical circuits, contacts, and signalling means interconnected on the game board;

Figure 3 shows one of the contactors useful at the pitcher-fielder control station;

Figure .4 shows one of the contactors useful at the runners control station; and

Figure 5 shows the batter contactor.

In Fig. 1 there is illustrated on the plane surface of a game board l 0, of any suitable material, a representation of the baseball diamond together with-signalling means, illustrated as electrical lamps, located at left field, center eld, right field, shortstop, the four base positions, at least one in foul territory, and as indicators for balls and strikes. Though the control stations may be remotely located with respect to the diamond or in other than the positions illustrated, it is convenient to locate the pitchercontrol station to the rear of center field with the batter-control station, of course, behind home plate. A helder-control station may be separated from the pitcher-control station or combined therewith as illustrated in Fig. `1. The runner-control station may be separate from the batter-control station as illustrated in Fig. 1, or combined therewith.

Each player-control station has a plurality of circuit-completing devices for the selective closing of various electrical circuits to energize the signalling means on the baseball diamond. These circuit-completing devices may comprise suitable electrical switches or a combination of receptacles and matching contactors, as indicated in Figs. 1, 3, 4 and 5. Additionally, each end of the board has an electrical switch in series with the source of voltage, so that either operator or player-can prevent energization of any circuit, for the illumination of particular signal means, until -he has selectively completed his choice of connections `simulating the playing of a baseball game.

his position at the upper end of game board Il).

In this position, the pitcher and elder player has a clear view of the control station II for pitcher and fielder plays, but this control board I I is concealed from the View of the batter and runnerplayer by screen I5. Similarly, the batter and runner-player has a clear view of batter-control station I2 and runner-control station I3, but these control stations are concealed from the view of the pitcher and fielder-player by screen I4. Screens I4 and I5 are mounted on hinges I6 and readily adapted to be moved to a lowered position, to lie flat on the game board when not in use.

The batter-player begins an inning by deciding whether he wants to swing at the pitched ball or to wait, on the estimate that the pitched ball will not be good. If he decides to wait, he inserts batter contactor 2D including prong members 2|, 22 and 23 into receptacles 90, 94 and 9I on the game board clearly marked as wait position. If the batter-player elects to swing at a pitched ball, he places batter contactor 20 in any one of the four sets of receptacles respectively marked as "Left Field, Right Field, Center Field and Shortstop The left eld position has receptacles I, 52 and 55 adapted to receive the prongs 2i, 22 and 23 of batter contactor 20; the right eld position has similar receptacles 59, 60 and Ill3; the center eld position has similar receptacles I I 6, |08 and 51; and the shortstop position has similar receptacles 18, 11 and 19.

In Fig. l, batter contactor is shown in solid line position not yet connected to any of the available and electable positions, and further shown in broken line position inserted into the receptacles for center eld position. By so inserting batter contact 20 into receptacles I I6, I08 and 51, the batter has elected to swing at the next pitch and further has elected to attempt a hit to center i'leld.

While the batter has been making his decision and completing his circuits at the batter-control station, the pitcher-player has a choice between electing to make a bad pitch or electing to make a good pitch to the batter. If he elects to make a bad pitch, a pitcher contactor I1, shown in Fig. 3, is inserted into the receptacles labeled Bad Pitch in control system II, by inserting prongs I9 and I9 of contactor I1 into receptacles 82' and 82 respectively. However, if the pitcher elects to make a good pitch, prongs I8 and I9 of pitcher contactor I1 are inserted in receptacles 84 and 84 of the Good Pitch position.

As indicated in Fig. l, pitcher contactor I1 has been inserted in the good pitch position, indicating that the pitcher-player has elected to make a good pitch to the batter when the ball is played. The pitcher and fielder-player is further provided with two more contactors I1 adapted for use in the fielder-control station portion of his station I I. Any two of the positions ofthe elder control station can be covered by the insertion of contactors I1 into the selected receptacles. As illustrated, the fielder positions comprise left field, right field, center field and shortstop positions, along with base positions corresponding' to second base, third base and home base. As illustrated in Fig. l, the elder player has elected to cover left field by the insertion of contactor I1 into receptacles 41 and 48 of the position marked Left Field and has elected to cover second base by the insertion of another contactor I1 into receptacles 95 and 96.

At this point, the players have made initial election of their plays and there remains only the closing of switch 33 at the batter and runner position and switch 35 at the pitcher and fielder position to initiate play. The closing of switches 33 and 35 completes the circuits partially formed by the insertion of various contactors into elected receptacles. For the selection of circuit-controlling contacts indicated for the respective players in Fig. l, a good pitch has been simulated and the batter has swung at this good pitch, simulating the batting of the ball to center eld. Since the fielder-player has not elected to cover center field, i. e., to place a contactor I1 into receptacles I08-I09, the election of a batter to bat the ball to center field will result in the indication of a successful hit to center iield. For the selection of contacts illustrated, in Fig. l, the electrical lamp or bulb at the pitcher position on the diamond eld will be illuminated when the pitcher player closes switch 35, and electrical bulb 89a at center eld position will light when the batter player additionally closes switch 33, thus indicating a hit to center field. If in his initial selection of field positions to be covered the fielder-player had elected to cover center eld, the lights just described would be energized, but in addition red bulb 89h would light, further indicating that the helder-player had covered the eld position to which the batter-player has elected to bat the ball. In that case, the illuminated signalling means would tell the players that a pitch had been made, that the batter had elected to hit the ball to center field but that the fielder had elected to cover center eld and thereby simulated catching of the batters fly ball to center eld.

When successful hits to various eld positions are made by the batter-player, the ground rules of the game provide for base runners to advance distances commensurate with the hits to various field positions. A hit to shortstop entitles the batter-player to run to rst base; a hit to right iield enables the batter to make a run to second base, a hit to center eld enables the batter to make a run to third base, and a hit to left eld enables the batter to make a home run. In this manner, the running of bases is initially limited to something closely similar to an actual game.

So far as the games simulated running of bases is concerned, a further competitive selection must be made by the players, providing additional opportunity for the use of opposing strategies in the determination of the games outcome.

As earlier described, the fielder-player has the election to cover second base, third base, home base, as Well as the Various field positions. If the fielder-player elects to cover a base position corresponding in the games ground rules with a field position to which the batter-player subsequently makes a hit, then the batter-player will be indicated out at base if he elects to run to that base. In the example illustrated in Fig, 1, the helder-player has elected to cover second base by the insertion of helder contactor I 1 into receptacles and 96. Since the batter-player has elected to place a hit to center field, the elder-players coverage of second base will be of no avail, for he has elected to cover a base other than third base which corresponds to the center eld position to which the :batter has elected to attempt a hit. If the battergplayer in this. example had elected to bat tov right field in response V to the. pitcher-playersgoed pitch, then if the batter-player did not stop at first base but y,continued to simulate running to second base, he would be indicated out atsecond base by the lighting of red bulb 91h upon insertionof contactor 25 into receptacles |30 and HJI'. ThisA running of bases is accomplished by placing the runner contactar 25, shown in Fig. 4, including prongs 2,6 and 2l,`V into the-receptacles of runner control, station I3 in proper sequence, i. e., iirst base, second base, third base and home, and contacting the receptacles labeled Red at each base, rst, before contacting the receptacles labeled Greenf In this way, a runner cannot be safe on a given base if he lights a red indicator at any of the base positions prior to lighting a green indicator therefor.

In Fig. 1, after switches 35 and 33 have been closed, and the white light 89a indicating a hit to center field has been illuminated, the batter player becomes a runner-player and operates contactor 25. Since the field position -to which the batter has elected to place a simulated hit, is not the same field position as Iany covered by the fielder-player, the runner-player cannot be out at any base short of third base, which according to the ground rules corresponds to a hit to center iield. However, at third base, the runner-player must place the prongs 2E and 21 of contacter 25 into receptacles [I and III labeled Red prior to placing the same prongs 26 and 2'! into receptacles 38 and |01 labeled Green for third base. If the fielder-player had elected to cover third base, the insertion of prongs `26 and 2 into receptacles H3 and Ill would have energized red bulb 43h at third base on the game board, thereby indicating the runner out at third base. However, in the illustrated example of Fig. l, third base was not covered by the fielder-player, so the insertion of prongs 26 and 21 into receptacles Ill! and Ill will not illuminate red bulb 43hso the'runner-player advances his contactor to engage receptacles 38 and |01 labeled Green, thereby indicating a man safe on third base.

When the pitcher player elects to make a bad pitch by the insertion of contactor I1 into receptacles 82' and 82, a safe hit to one of the eld positions, as previously described, is not possible in this game. If the batter-player elects to wait, i. e., inserts contactor 20 into receptacles 90, 94 and 3|, a White bulb labeled Ball will light upon the closing of switches 33 and 35. This corresponds to the real game in that a bad pitch at which the batter does not swing (but Waitsn is coun-ted as a ball. If, however, the batter-player does elect to swing, not knowing that the pitcher-player has elected to makev a bad pitch, then a red electric bulb labeled Foul willlight uponthe closing of switches 33 and 35, regardless of the field area to which the batter attempted to make a hit by placing batter contacter 20 in appropriate receptacles representative of the elected eld position. If the contacter 20 were placed in the receptacles representative or center field or representative of shortstop, it is obvious from a consideration of the real baseball game that a foul ball to those field areas would not be realistic. Only the red bulb labeled Foul is lighted when the batter-player has selected center field or shortstop for an attempted hit. When the batter-player elects to attempt a hit-to left eld or right eld and a bad pitch is made, the

white-bullo in the ,approprataield position will light along with the. red. bulb: labeled FouL` Ii the left field were elected,y white. bulb 45a'. would be lighted; and if right field were elected, White bulb 66a would be lighted.

A further competitive play isprovided in that theelder-player may electy to cover various field positions even though a bad pitch is elected by the Vpitcher-p1ayer. If left field or ri'gh-tileld position is covered When the batter-player attempts to hit a badY pitch, and if the batters attempted; hit elects vto place the ball in the same position covered by the field player, the red bulb at the selected field position would also light upon the throwing of the bad pitch in addition to the lighting of -the white bulb and the red Foul bulb.

For example, if the batter-player attempts to hit to left eld, and the fielder-player elects to cover left Ileld, and lthe pitcher-player elects to make a bad` pitch, red bulb h will light in addition to the previously-described lighting of white bulb al and the red bulb labeled Foul," upon the closing of switches 33 and 35. In this manner, batting a foul ball to a iield area which realistically could result in a foul out does re.- sult in a foul out being indicated.

The remaining possibility in the batter-pitcher duel of the game is that the pitcher-player elects to make a good pitch but the batter-player feels it is going to be a bad pitch and elects to wait rather than swing. In this case the pitcherplayer would insert pitcher contactor Il into receptacles 84 and 84- whilev the batter-player would -insertbatter contacter 20 into receptacles 90, 94

and 3l. Upon the closing of switches 33 and 35 the red bulb labeled Strike Will belighted in` dicating that the batter has not swung at a good pitch. Thus, the situation in which a called strike would occur in a real baseball game is realistically duplicated in this game.

The broad possibilities of this game can be seen from a summary discussion of how given plays are established. The iirst phase of the game occurs as a batter-pitcher duel. If the pitcher elects to make a bad pitch and the batter elects to wait rather than swing at the pitch, a ball results and the white bulb'labeled Ball is lit. If the pitcher elects a bad pitch and the batter elects to swing, a foul is indicated by the light,- ing of the red bulb labeled FouL with the additional indication of the eld position if the batter elects to attempt a hit to left eld or to right field, white bulb 45a lighting if the attemptV is to left field and white bulb 66a lighting if the attempt is to right eld. There is the 'further indication on this play of a foul out to left field or to right iield if the fielder player has additionally elected to cover either of these elds to which the batter player has also elected to attempt a hit. Red bulb 45h is lit if the attempted hit and field coverage are for lefteld and red bulb 66h is lit if the attempted hit and field coverage are for right field. If the pitcher elects to vmake a good pitch and the .batter elects` to wait, a strike results and the red bulb labeled Strike" is lit.

If thepitcher elects to make a good pitch and the batter elects to swing by electing an attempted hit to one of the four eld positions, the hit indicator or electric bulb corresponding to the elected iield position will be lit, thereby indicating that the batter has batted a good pitch into the field.

This hitting of a good pitch marks they beginning of the second phase of the 'game wherein a batter-fielder duel occurs. If the field position to which the batter attempted to make a hit is covered by the fielder player electing to cover the same position, the red bulb for the iield position elected by both batter and fielderplayer will light indicating that the batters ily to that field position has been caught by the elder player and the batter-is out. For shortstop position the white light is properly located as a shortstop field position but the corresponding out or red bulb is at first base, corresponding to the realistic situation where a hit to the shortstop field positionrin all probability would result in an out at first. If the helder-player has not covered the field position to which the batter-player elects to place an attempted hit, the batter-player then becomes a runner-player and simulates a 4run tothe base previously described as corresponding to the elected field hit. At this pointin the game the third phase of the game begins, a runner-fielder duel. As previously described the fielder-player has not only the ability to cover eld positions with his contactors l1 but additionally the ability to cover second base, third base and home base. If the base corresponding to the iield position to which the batter player elected to attempt a hit is not covered by the fielder player, then, when the batter player becomes a runner-player and makes his run to that base, he is safe on base. However, if the fielder-player does elect to cover the base corresponding to the field position to which the batter attempts to make a hit, then a runner arriving at that base and trying iirst the receptacles corresponding to a redelectric bulb and then the receptacles corresponding to a green electric bulb would nd that the red bulb lights indicating that he is out at that base. Thus it is seen that a runner can be put out only at a base covered by the fielder and corresponding to that eld to which the batter-player attempted a hit.

An additional runner strategy is provided by the game in that a runner can stop safe at a base short of the one to which his hit as a batter player entitles him to go. That is, he can hold in. For example, if left eld and second base are covered by the fielder, and the batter has elected to attempt a hit to right eld, assume that the pitcher player has elected to make a good pitch. The hit in this case is good because the fielder player has not elected to cover right eld. This outcome of the batter-pitcher duel enables the batter-player to run to second, but if anything makes him suspect that second base is covered, such as a man oniirst running ahead of him and becoming out at second base, then he can stop on rst base if he desires.

This continued competition between the players at all phases of the successive plays, wherein none of the decisive results is arbitrarily predetermined or determined as a matter of chance within the games mechanism, keeps the realism of this game at a continuous high level closely analogous to the real baseball game.

The rules of play are similar to the regulations in the outdoor baseball game. The number'of bases which a batter-runner player can make is determined by the eld position to which he elects to attempt a hit during the pitcher-batter duel, although a runner can hold in and stop at a base short of the one to which he was entitled to run. Three strikes on one batter equals one out. Four balls on one batter equals one walk. Three outs on a particular player means that the players at the'opposite end ofrthe'board change ends with him. Three outs equal one half inning and nine innings equal one regulation game. The player with the greatest number of runs wins.

Having now described the playing of this game in consideration of the ground rules of a regulation baseball game and of the particular rules embodied in this game, a description of the electrical circuits associated therewith will be given- Properly arranged relative to the game board I0 is an electrical system. Preferably, this electrical system will be beneath the game board and, therefore, not in view. Such a system is shown in Fig. 2. A source of voltage necessary to energize the indicators of this game is located beneath the game board and may be any suitable direct-current or alternating-current source, such as battery 32. y Y

Lead 30 is connected to the one terminal such as the positive pole of battery 32 and runs Ato a common connection 13 between lamps lila and 10b which are the signalling means or indicators for home base. This connection to battery 32 continues along conductors 61 and 63 to a common connection 69 to bulbs 69a and 69h at a rst base position, which bulbs serve as signalling means or indicators for first base., The voltage from battery 32 is further conducted from the junction between conductors 61 and 68 along a continuation of conductor 61 to a common connection 66 between bulbs 66a and 66h which bulbs are the signalling means for right eld position.

At this point the line branches into conductor 83, providing voltage for the receptacles at the pitcher control station and continues along conductor 61 to a common connection 91 between bulbs 91a and 91h which bulbs are the signalling means at second base. Conductor 61 continues from the common connection at second base to a common connection 45 between bulbs 45a and 45t which bulbs are the signalling means for left eld position. The voltage from battery 32 then continues along conductor 44 to the common connection 43 between bulbs 43a and 43h at third base position, and continues along conductor 42 to pitchers position, lighting the bulb at that position when the line is energized by closing switch 33 to indicate pitcher is ready. After passing through the bulb at pitchers position, the circuit is at the potential of the other terminal of battery 32 and continues on conductor 4| to a conductor 34, one end of which connects to a switch 33 and through switch 33 to conductor 3| and back to battery 32, while the other end of conductor 34 connects to switch 35 and then to conductor 24-24 and batters contacter 2G.

The circuit for the green signalling means at each base now will be described. Starting at the negative pole of battery 32, lead 3| connects to lead 36 and through it to a receptacle for each of the green light runner-control positions; that is, lead 3B is common to receptacle 49 of rst base position, to receptacle 39 of second base position, to receptacle 38 of third base position, and to receptacle 31 of home position. Receptacle 40 of first base position at the runner control station is connected to green bulb 69a through lead 1|, receptacle 98 of second base position is connected through lead 91" to green bulb 91a at second base, receptacle |01 is connected through lead |36' to green bulb 43a, at third base, and receptacle |20 at home position is connected through lead H9 to green bulb 10a at home; and the other terminals of bulbs 69a, 91a, 43a, and 10a respectively connect through the already described conduc-A tors or leads 44, 6'! and Sii to the other terminal of battery 32. Each of the described circuits is completed upon the insertion of runner contacter into the green-bulb position receptacles thereof identified above and by the letter Gf Thus if the batter-player uses the runner contacter 25 to complete any one of the circuits for green vbulbs at the various bases, the green bulb at the correspending base position will immediately light re-` gardless of the settings of switches and other contacts of the game.

These green bulbs serve primarily to indicate a man occupies a base and will always light if a contacter 25 is inserted into receptacles at a corresponding base position of the runner controlA contacter 2t. The pesitive'veltage from battery 32 is applied to the pitcher-control station through a circuit previously traced and including lead 83, common to receptacles 82 and 85. lf the pitcher-player places pitcher contacter il in receptacles BIV-82, the positive voltage of battery 32 is applied through lead Si to the Foul signalling means, and'threugh lead 93 to the Ball signalling means. From the Foul signalling means, the battery Voltage continues along cenducter iii to a common connection comprising one contact at each of the four batting positions available to the batter-player. Specicaliy, receptacles 5b at left field position along lead 56, 5i' at center ileld position, TS at shortstop position along lead i, and 5g at right eld position along lead 5S are se connected. It is to be noted that the pitcher completes a part of the circuit by electing to throw a bad pitch, in which case the batters election te swing at the ball completes the circuit through batters contacter 2t and the associated leads or conductors commonly connected to conductor 3l and back to the negative pole of battery S2, thus causing the Foul signalling means to light. If the batter elects te wait, he places contacter 2Q in receptacles Sil, Sii, and 9i; which completes the circuit through lead 92 and lights the Ball signalling means.

Returning te the simulation of a bad pitch, at which the batter has elected to swing, the Various eld results thereof realistically represent the results of an actual baseball game. If the batter' attempts a hit to shortstop, the circuit from contacter 2@ through receptacle '18, lead 8E), and lead 8l to the Foul bulb, and continuing through lead 8l to bad-pitch receptacle 82, is completed, indicating a foul butne field position. Ii the batter selects center eld, the circuit from centacter 2t through receptacle 5l, and lead 8l to the Foul bulb is again completed, indicating a foul but no eld position. The circuit for the bulb at shortstop and for bulbs BSc-tab at center eld is through leads Sl and 8b te receptacle 84 at the pitchers Good Pitch position, and is not completed when the pitcher has elected to make a Bad Pitch. Hence, neither of these eld positions will be illuminated when a Foul is indicated and shortstop er center field has been selected by the batter.

If the batter attempts a hit to right eld and the pitchl is bad, the foul is realistically indicated in right outfield, and the additional possibility of a elder catching the foul ball for a foul Iout is provided by this game. The batter selects right eld by inserting contacter 2t into receptacles 59, 6c and IBS. Contact with receptacle Si), through leadv 6l and lead S3 te white bulb 66a, and continuing en leads 6l and 3Q to battery 32 energizes bulb 66a at the saine time that centact with receptacle 59 completes the Foul bulb circuit. This combination of signalling means indicates a foul to' right outfield 'when switches 33 and 35 are closed. If the elder player has covered right eld, his insertion of a contacter Il' into receptacles 62 and S4 puts red bulb 66h in parallel with white bulb 66a. This indicates a field player has caught the foul ball, for a foul tout.

Similarly, if the batter attempts a hit to left eld and the pitch is bad, the foul is realistically indicated in left outfield. Again, there is simulation of a eld player catching the foul ball for a foul out. The batter inserts contacter 25 into receptacles 5|, 52, and 55. Contact with receptacle 5l, through leads 49 and 5t, white bulb ta, lead 61, Vand lead 3B to battery 32 energizes the circuit and illuminates bulb 5a when switches 33 and 35 are closed. llluminatien of the Foul bulb, together with illumination of bulb 45a, indicates a foul ball to left outfield. If, in addition, the elder player has elected te cover left eld by insertion of a contacter Il inte receptacles t? and i3 then red bulb 452) is connected in parallel with white bulb 45a through leads 4S and 43 and receptacles i? and fit. Illuminatien'of bulb @5b indicates a foul to left outiield has been caught for a foul out.

If the pitcher elects te throw a goed pitch, he would place pitcher contacter Il in receptacles 84 and Sil, placing the positive voltage of battery 32 on lead Sil. The battery circuit is then connected from lead 86 along lead 8l to a commen connection 89 between electric bulbs 89a and 89h at center field position, and continues along lead B1 to the electrick bulb labeled shortstop in series 'with lead 8l. ALead 8l' then continues Vto receptacle 'I9 on the shortstop position of the batter control station. Lead 86 also connects through lead 88 to a red electric bulb labeled Strike." From this electric bulb, the circuit continues along lead 88 to receptacle et of the Wait position of the batter-'control station.A

From the common connection at 89 te lead 81, center field bulbs tilaand Seb are connected by leads H5 and H5 to receptacles H3 and l I4 at the center field position of the elder control station. The connection from bulb 353e; centinues along lead H5 to receptacle H6 at the center eld pesitienof the batter control station. Insertion of a contacter l I into receptacles H3 and H4 places red bulb 89h in parallel circuit with white bulb 89a'.

If the batter player elects te wait when a goed pitch is made, batter contacter 20 is inserted in the receptacles at the Wait position, and the circuit through receptacle 90 and lead 88 to the Strike signalling means is completed upon the closing of switches 33 and 35. However, if the batter elects to hit a goed pitch, one of several possible plays fellows. This is the next phase of the game already described as a batter-fielder duel.

The circuits of the batter-fielderduel new will be described. Assume the pitcher has elected to make a goed pitch by inserting contacter Il into receptacles 84-84'. If the batter-player elects tobat a good pitch to center iield, he in serts contactor 20 into the receptacles of his center eld position, closing the circuit for bulbv 89a through receptacle IIB, lead II5, and lead II. If the fielder player has covered center eld position by inserting a contactor I1 into.

receptacles II3 and IIII of his center eld position, then red bulb 89h is put in parallel circuit with bulb 89a through receptacles II3-I I4, and is lighted when switches 33 and 35 are closed, indicating that the batter has iiied out to center eld. If the fielder has not covered center iield, then only bulb 89a will light, indicating a hit to center iield.

Similarly, if the batter player elects to bat a good pitch into right field, he inserts contactor into his right iield receptacles 59, 60, and I03. The circuit from receptacle-50 through conductor 6I, receptacle 62, conductor 63, White bulb 66a and conductors 61 and 30 to the positive terminal of battery 32 partially completed by contactor 2n is then energized upon the closing of switches 33 and 35. If the fielder player has elected to cover right field, he has inserted a contactor I1 into receptacles 62 and 64, causing red bulb 66h to be connected in parallel with bulb 66a, and to light it. This would indicate a fly out in right field. If the fielder has not covered right iield, only bulb 66a will light, indicating a hit to right eld.

If the batter elects to try for a hit into left eld, he inserts contactor 20 into his left field receptacles 5I, 52 and 55. Receptacle 5I connects to lead 49 and through white bulb 15a to conductor 61. Conductor 01 leads through conductir 30 to the terminal of battery 32 that is opposite to the battery terminal connected through various leads to contactor 20. Bulb 45a is thus energized when switches 33 and 35 are closed. If the fielder player elects to cover left eld, he inserts a contactor I1 into receptacles 41 and 40 at his left field position before closing switch 35, putting red bulb 45h in parallel with White bulb 45a. This indicates a iiy out to left eld. If the fielder does not cover left field, only white bulb 45a lights, indicating a hit to left iield.

If the batter elects to try for a hit to shortstop he places contactor 20 into receptacles 11, 18, and 19, and the elder may elect to cover shortstop position by inserting contactor I1 into his receptacles 13 and 13. Then the shortstop signalling means will be connected by leads 86 and 81 to batter and pitcher positions and will light upon the closing of switches 33 and 35, as described; but there will be no immediate out indication. Only when the batter advances a runner contactor into rst-base receptacles 'I5-15 of the runner-control station Will he close a circuit from receptacle 11 through lead 16, receptacles 15-15, lead 14, receptacles 13-13 and lead 12 to iirst base red bulb 69h. Since opposite terminals of battery 32 are connected to ends of this circuit when switches 33 and 35 are closed, bulb 69h will be lighted when contactor 25 is inserted into receptacles 15' and 15. This indicates that the batters hit to shortstop was caught and resulted in an out at first. If the elder had not covered shortstop position, the runner contactor when inserted into receptacles 15-15 would not cause red bulb 69h to light and the runner would be safe at rst.

Electrical circuits utilized for the fielderrunner duel now Will be described. The positive terminal of battery 32 is commonly connected by the- conductors 30, 61 and-44 -to-the electric bulbs at home base, first base, second base and third base. The other terminals of the respective red bulbs at each base position are connected to appropriate receptacles at their respective base positions in the fielder-control station: Red bulb 69h at first base connects through conductor 12 to receptacle 13 at the shortstop position, red bulb 91h at second base connects through conductor 01 to receptacle 95 at the second base position of the elder control station, the red electric bulb #3b at third base connects through conductor |06 to receptacle |04 at the third base position, and red bulb 10b at home base connects through conductor IIS to receptacle II1 at the home position of the fielder-control station.

From the fielder-control station, each of these base coverage circuits is connected to an appropriate receptacle at the runner-control station. The helder-control station position for shortstop is arranged so that the helder-player placing a contactor I1 into receptacles 13-13, coinpletes a circuit through conductor 'Ii to receptacle 15 at the rst base position of the runner control station. Insertion -of a iielder contactor I1 into receptacles 95 and 9d at the second base position completes a circuit through conductor 99 to receptacle I00 at the red second base position of the runner-control station. Similarly, insertion of a contactor I1 into the ielders third base receptacles 104 and |05 completes a circuit through conductor II2 to the runners receptacle III at the red third base position of the runnercontrol station and insertion of a contactor I1 into receptacles II1-II8 of the fielders home position completes a circuit through conductor I2I to receptacle |22' at the red home base position of the runner-control station. The placement of a contactor I1 in a elders receptacle associated with a like receptacle at the runnercontrol station will be seen to be necessary for the completion of a circuit through the contacts at a red position, R.

Completion of a circuit by contactor 25 in a red position, R, continues the circuit from a base position of the elder control station through a base position of the runner-control station and thence to a corresponding field position of the batter-control station. Specifically, insertion of runner contactor 25 into receptacles 'I5- 15' of the rst base R position at the runner control station continues the circuit from receptacles 13'13 of the fielder-control shortstop station and lead 14 through conductor 16 to receptacle 'I1 ofthe shortstop position at the batter-control station. Similarly, insertion `of contactor 25 into runner-control second base R receptacles I00-IOI continues the circuit from second base receptacles 95-96 of the fielder-control station by Way of lead 99 to conductor |02 and to receptacle I03 of the batter-control right iield position. Insertion of contactor 25 into receptacles IIO-I II of the runner-control third base position R continues the circuit from third-base receptacles I04-I05 of the fielder control station and lead I I2 through conductor |09 to receptacle 108 at the center field position of the batter-control station. Insertion of contactor 25 into runner-controlled receptacles 54, I22 continues the circuit from home receptacles I I1-I I8 of the fielder-control station and lead I2I through conductor 53 to receptacle 52 at the left field position of the batter-control station. summarizing, a runner can be put out only at a base covered by the elder and correspond- 13 ing to that field to which the-batter-pl'ayer elected to hit.

While the ,playing or the game'and the circuits thereof have been described as 'using a plurality of contactors il and 25, it is to be understood that the fielder-playeris limited to two -contactors Il, While the pitcher has an additional fcontactor Il for use in alternate positions, and the .runnerplayer has three contactors 25 :for the possibility of 3 men on base. Further, the batter-player has only one contacter 20 With-its three .prongs i2 I, 22, and 23.

These contactors are inserted into .positions elected by the players, and then the play switches 33 and 35 'are closed to energize whatever lcircuit the players have formed. It is to be noted that none of the important results of the game are arbitrarily predetermined or as a matter of chance but are determined by the `competitive operations -of the players.

It shall be understood the invention 'is not limited to the speciiic arrangements shown, and that changes and modifications may be made Within the scope oi the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. In a baseball game having the representation of a diamond field on a game board, the combination of individual signaling means suitably designated and located on said lgame board to represent at least right field, center neld, and left eld, means including a 'plurality'of circuit;-v controlling electrical contacts ata helder-control station respectively designated to represent vsaid eld positions through which electricalcircuits mav be selectively and partially completed by a helder-player, means 'including a plurality of circuit-controlling electrical contacts disposed at a batter-control station designated to represent said field positions and through which electrical circuits may be selectively and partially completed by a batter-player, said electrical circuits extending directly between said contacts and said signaling means and when completed selectively controlling the ener'gization of said signaling means, the partial completion lof a circuit lby each player through contacts of 'like field desig-- nations completing a circuit to one of said signaling means to indicate said batter-player has flied out, and the partial completion byeach player of a circuit through said contacts' corresponding respectively to different'iield positions completing an electrical circuit 'for venergization of a different one of said Asignaling means 'to indicate a bit to the 'field position selected by 'the batter-player. l

2. In a baseball game having the representa--l tion of a diamond field on a gerne board, the combination of a strike signalling means, a 'ball signaling means and individual out and safe-hit signaling ineens suitably designated and located on said ganze board to represent at least Aright field, center field, and left eld, means including a plurality of circuit-controlling electrical contacts at a fielder-control station respectively designated to represent a good pitch and abad pitch and to represent said iield positions through which electrical circuits may be selectively and partially completed by a fielder-player, means including a plurality of circuit-controlling electrical contacts disposed at a batter-control station respectively designated 'to represent an election to wait on a pitch and to represent said eld positions and through which electrical circuits may be selectively and partially completed by a batter-player, said electrical circuits extend 1`14 ing' directly between said'contacts-and'said-sig naling means and when completed selectively controlling the energization of said signaling means, the partial completion of a circuit through said good-pitch contacts and by each player through contacts of like eld designations ccm-- pleting a circuit to an out-signaling means .at such eld position to indicate said battere'player has 'died out, the partial completion by each player of a circuit through said contacts corresponding respectively to different field positions and through ysaid contacts representing a good pitch completing an electrical circuit for lenergization of a safe-hit signaling means to indicate a hit to the rieldfposition selected `by the v batter-player, the partial completion vby each player of a circuit through said contacts repre-'- sentative of a bad pitch and of Waiting on `a pitch completing aV circuit for said ball signalling means, and the partial completion of a circuit by said elder player through said` goodv pitch contacts and the partial completion of ya circuit through seid contacts representing the waiting on a pitch completing an energizing circuit for said strike signalling means.

3. In a baseball game having the representation'oi a diamond field on a game board, the combination or individual signaling means for' signaling safe-hits, outs and balls and suitably designated and located on saidgame board to represent a plurality of viield positions, a plurality of circuit-controlling electrical vcontacts at a iieldencontrol station respectively designated'to represent said'neld positions and to represent -a good pitch and a bad pitch, electrical circuits connected lto said contacts by means of which they may be selectively and partially completed byV a .Fielden-player, a plu# rality ofv circuit-controlling electrical contacts disposed'at ka batter-control station respectively designated to represent waiting on a pitch and to represent said fieldpositions, said electrical circuits interconnecting said last-named contacts through Whioh'they may be selectively and partially completed by va batter-player, said elec= trical circuits also'extending directly between said contacts and said signaling means and when completed selectivelycontroliing the energization of `said signaling means, the partial completion of a circuit. by one player through said goodpitch contacts and by both players through con tacts oizlike iield designations completing one of said circuits to one oi said signaling means to indicate said batter-player vhas flied out, 'the partial completion by eachplayer of a circuitl through said contacts corresponding respectively to'diiferent field positions and through said contacts representing a good pitc-hcompleting onel of said 'electrical circuits -for energization oi one ofsaid Signaling means .to indicate a hit tothe eld position selected by the'batter-player, and the partial 'completion by a player' of a circuit through his said bad-pitch contacts and the partial completion of a circuit through said waiting y contacts completing one of said circuits to one of said signaling means to indicate a ball.

4. A baseball game having in combination a gaine board representing a baseball diamond, safe indicators vat each base vand other lplay lindicators suitably designated and located on said game boa-rd to represent outs, balls, strikes, fouls, field positions, and bases, means including a pluralityof circuit-controlling contacts at a fielder;

pitcher `control station through vwhich electrical circuits lmay vbe selectively yand partially com-r pleted by' a fielder-pitcher player to Vsimulate;

good and bad pitches of a ball and to simulate coverage of eld and base positions, means including a plurality of circuit-controlling contacts disposed at a batter-control station through which electrical circuits may be selectively and partially completed by a batter-player to simulate the Waiting on a pitch, the hitting of a pitch to elected field positions and the running of'bases after a hit, said partial completion by both players of circuits through said contacts selectively completing circuits to energize one of said ball, strike,v safe, out and foul play indicators in simulation of the corresponding baseball play, and competitive partial completion of electrical circuits through contacts representative of bases completing a circuit to energize a base out indicator in response to selection by both players of the same base-representing contacts, and completing a circuit to energize a safe-indicator at a. base in response to closure only at said batter station of base-representing contacts corresponding with said safe-indicator.

5. In a baseball game, including a game board having electric indicators located thereon and designated to indicate the several bases of a baseball diamond, the combination` of means including electrical circuits having a plurality of electrical contacts located at a runner-station arranged to be closed in seriuence for energizing in sequence indicators located at first base, second base, third base and home, and means including electrical circuits having therein a plurality of contacts at a helder-control station corresponding with said bases for selectively energizing certain of said indicators, the selective closure of said contacts at said stations representing thc same base completing one of said circuits for energization of one of said indicators located at said same base to indicate an out, and the selective closure at said runner station of contacts representing a runner-selected base for which contacts are not closed at said iielder station completing one of said circuits for energization of another of said indicators located at said runner-selected base to signal the runner is safe at said base.

6. In a baseball game including a game board having electrical indicators located thereon, some of them being designated to indicate the several field positions of the baseball diamond, the combination of electrical circuits including a plurality of selectors at a pitcher-control station to represent good and bad pitches and ak plurality of selectors at a elder-control station to represent defensive coverage of eld positions, a plurality of selectors at a batter-control station, one of which represents waiting on a pitch and others of which represent the hitting of the ball to selected field positions, said selectors being operable when said bad-pitch selector is operated partially to complete electrical circuits selectively to illuminate certain of said indicators for a ball, or a foul, and when said good` pitch selector is operated said selectors being operable partially to complete electrical circuits selectively to illuminate certain of said indicators to represent the safe hitting of the ball to a selected iield position or to represent a strike, a plurality of base-representing electrical contacts located at said batter-control station arranged to be selectively closed after election of a simulated hitting of the ball to one of the eld positions, and a plurality of electrical contacts located at the fielder-control station representing said base positions adapted to be selectively operated, a safe indicator and an out indicator at each said base position, circuits interconnecting said base-representing contacts and said indicators, closure at said stations of said contacts representing the same base completing one of said circuits to illuminate said out-indicator at said base and closure at said battercontrol station only of said contacts representing a particular base completing one of said circuits to illuminate said safe indicator at said particular base.

7. A baseball game having in combination a game board, electrical indicators suitably designated and located on said Vgaine board to represent positions and plays on a diamond field, a plurality of circuit-controlling electrical contacts at a first-control station adapted to be selectively closed by a player to simulate a good pitch and a bad pitch, a plurality of circuit-controlling electrical contacts disposed at a second control station adapted to be selectively closed by another player to simulate waiting on a pitch and electing to hit to a selected one of several field positions, electrical circuits interconnecting said indicators and said contacts, said electrical contacts at said stations interconnecting said circuits in manner such that if one of said players selects and operates contacts corresponding to the throwing of a good pitch and the other of said players selects and operates contacts corresponding to a particular eld position an electrical circuit will be completed for one of said indicators to signal a hit to said particular eld position, and when said contacts corresponding with a bad pitch and the Waiting on a pitch are selected by both of said players an electrical circuit is completed for energization of one of said indicators to indicate a-ball.

8. In a baseball game having a representation of a diamond iield on a game board, the combination of signaling means for indicating an out, a strike, a ball or a hit to the eld, certain of said signaling means being suitably designated and located on said game board to represent at least right field, center field, and left eld, a plurality of circuit-controlling electrical contacts at a helder-control station designated to represent said eld positions and the pitching of a good pitch and a bad pitch adapted to be selectively closed by a fielder-player, a plurality ofcircuit-controlling electrical contacts disposed ata batter-control station designated to represent said eld positions adapted to be selectively closed by a batter-player in an endeavor to select contacts representative of a field position other than those selected by said fielder-player and certain of said contacts being designated to represent the guess of the batter to Wait on a pitch or to hit at a pitch, electrical circuits eX- 6-5. tacts corresponding with the same field position of the diamond upon closure of said good pitch contacts an electrical circuit will be completed to operate one of said signaling means to indicate said batter-player has hit a iiy ball to said field position which is caught to put out the batter, closure of electrical contacts at said stations by said players representing different eld positions completing an electrical circuit upon closure of said good-pitch contacts for operating one of said individual signaling means to indicate that the batter-player has safely hit to the eld position selected by him and not selected by said fielderplayer, closure of said good-pitch contacts by the fielder-player With closure of contacts by said batter-player representing waiting on a pitch completing a circuit to energize one of said signaling means representing a strike, and closure by both players of contacts respectively representing a bad pitch and waiting on a pitch completing a circuit for that one of said signaling means representing a ball.

9. In a baseball gaine having a representation of a diamond field on a game board, the combination of signaling means for indicating an out, a strike, a ball, and representing basepositions, certain of said signaling means being suitably designated and located on said game board to represent at least right field, center eld, and left field, a plurality of circuit-controlling electrical contacts at a helder-control station designated to represent said eld positions and the pitching of a good pitch, a plurality of circuit-controlling electrical contacts disposed at a batter-control station designated to represent said eld positions, electrical circuits extending directly between said contacts and said signaling means, said electricalcontacts at said stations interconnecting said circuits in manner such that if both players operate contacts corresponding with the same iield positions of the diamond upon operation of said good pitch contacts an electrical circuit will be completed to operate the corresponding one of said signaling means representing an out to indicate said batter-player has hit a fly ball to said ield position which is caught to put out the batter, operation of electrical contacts by said batter-player representing a different eld position than selected by the fielder-player completing an electrical circuit upon operation by said fielder-player of said good pitch contacts for operation of the corresponding ons of said signaling means representinga hit to indicate that the batter-player has safely hit to the selected eld position, and additional electrical circuits extending between said stations including base runner contacts at said batter-control station and base representing contacts at said helder-control station for controlling said base signaling means to indicate Whether each base runner safely advances or is out, said additional circuits being selectively com` pleted by closure of said base-runner contacts and said base-representing contacts after a batter-player safely hits to his selected position.

10. In a baseball game having a representation of a diamond iield on a game board, the combination of signaling means for indicating a pitch as a strike or a ball, certain of said signaling means being suitably designated and located on said game board to represent outs and hits at least at right eld, center field, and at left field, a plurality of circuit-controlling electrical contacts at a helder-control station designated to represent said eld positions and to represent a good pitch through which electrical circuits may be selectively and partially completed by a fielder-player, a plurality of electrical contacts disposed at a batter-control station designated to represent said field positions through which electrical circuits may be selectively and partially completed by a batter-player in an endeavor to select eld positions other than those selected by said fielder-player, electrical circuits interconnecting said contacts and said signaling means, the partial completion by each player of a circuit through contacts respectively corresponding with the same field positions of the diamond and through said good-pitch contacts completing one of said electrical circuits to operate the corresponding one of said out signaling means to indicate said batter-player'has hit a fly ball to said selected eld position which is caught to put out the batter, partial completion of circuits through electrical contacts by said players corresponding with different eld positions and through said good pitch contacts completing one of said electrical circuits for operation of the corresponding one of said signaling means to indicate that the batter-player has safely hit to the eld position selected by him, additional electrical contacts at said battercontrol station corresponding respectively to the four bases of said diamond, safe signaling means and out signaling means at each of said bases, signaling circuits through said base-representing contacts being adapted to be partially completed in succession, additional base-representing electrical contacts at the fielder-station, signaling circuits through said last-named contacts adapted to be partially completed, the partial cornpletion of one of said signaling circuits through contacts representing the same base position at said stations completing an energizing circuit for the corresponding one of said out-signaling means at that base, and the partial completion at said stations of other of said circuits through contacts representative of different bases completing an energizing circuit for that one of said safe-signaling means representing the base selected only by said batter-player.

11. A baseball game having in combination a game board, electrical indicators suitably designated and located on said game board to represent positions and plays on a diamond rleld, a plurality of circuit-controlling electrical contacts at a pitcher-control station through which electrical circuits may be selectively and partially completed by a pitcher-player to simulate a good pitch and a bad pitch, a plurality of circuitcontrolling electrical contacts disposed at a batter-control station through which electrical circuits may be selectively and partially completed by a batter-player to simulate the Waiting out of a pitch and the hitting of a pitch to a selected eld position, electrical circuits interconnecting said indicators and said contacts, the partial completion by the pitcher-player of certain of said circuits through said contacts representative of the throwing of a bad pitch, and the partial completion by the batter-player of certain of said circuits through said contacts representative of a particular eld position thereby completing a circuit energizing one of said indicators to show a foul ball and simultaneously energizing another of said electrical indicators to show an out, thus indicating the catching of the foul ball.

HARRY P. HUTCHINS.

References cited in the me of this patent UNITED sTATEs PATENTS Number Name Date 1,694,721 Prentice Dec. 11, 1928 1,888,537 Mayorga Nov. 22, 1932 1,943,685 Mayorga Jan. 16, 1934 2,258,272 Alexander Oct. 7, 1941 2,495,620 Werle et al. Jan. 24, 1950

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