This invention relates to scorekeeping devices and more particularly to a band with scoring elements to be worn on a player's appendage, such as wrist or arm, for keeping score in pickleball.
One of the more difficult concepts for a pickleball player to learn and master, particularly when playing doubles, is keeping score. While games are generally played to eleven points with a win by two points and scorekeeping is pretty straightforward when playing singles, it can be confusing when playing doubles. A summary of pickleball doubles scoring demonstrates how confusing if can be.
First, points can only be scored by the serving team, the receiving team cannot score. Both players on the serving team, let's call them server #1 and server #2, will get a chance to serve and score points for their team before relinquishing the serve to the other team. The only exception to the latter occurs during the very first serving rotation of the game in which case only one player from the serving team (server #2) will get to serve before the other team earns a side-out. At the start of the game, and after every side-out, the player positioned on the right side of the court, called the even side, serves first. If the serving team wins the rally, a point is scored. The server then rotates with his/her partner and serves to the receiver in the opposite court. This same server keeps serving and rotating with his/her partner until the receiving team wins a rally at which time the server's partner will serve. If both players on a serving team have served, or if it's after the first serving rotation of the game, then it's a side-out and the team receiving serve will now become the serving team. After every side-out, the server number resets with the person positioned on the right (even court) becoming server #1 and his/her partner who is positioned on the left becoming server #2. In the course of a game, a player can be server #1 or #2 as it depends on where he/she is positioned given the score at the side-out. Score is announced in 3 numbers.
The latter summary gives one an idea how confusing not only scoring can be, but also as to which team is serving and entitled to earn points. Thus, a need exist for a scorekeeping device and method that enables players to keep score in a pickleball or other racquet ball sport.
The primary object of the present invention is to provide a device and method for keeping score during pickleball.
Another object of the present invention is to provide such a device that can be worn by a player and thus readily available during a game.
Further objects of the present invention is to provide a device that it is simple, affordable and fashionable.
The present invention fulfills the above and other objects by providing a scorekeeping device in the form of a flexible sweatband that can be worn by a player having two rows of objects, preferably beads, that are movably attached, each row having a number of objects equal to the number of points necessary to win a game. A third row, preferably between the first two rows, has two objects, one for each team, for purposes of determining which team has the serve. Each row of objects are a different color for each team.
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention should become even more readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown and described illustrative embodiments of the invention.
In the following detailed description, reference will be made to the attached drawings in which:
For purposes of describing the preferred embodiment, the terminology used in reference to the numbered accessories in the drawings is as follows:
Referring now to
At the beginning of a game, the beads 8 should be pushed together upward. As a point is won an index finger or finger nail can be used to slide the beads down one bead at a time as each point is scored. Once the eleventh bead 6 is reached the game is over and the beads can be easily reset for the next game.
As pickleball has become an extremely popular game, much like tennis, which requires two teams and two sets of points to remember, each team has a row having one color. Having different colors gives a player a quick assessment of a current score of a game. The third row of two beads 5 between the first and second rows 3 and 4 of different color beads are to keep track of the first and second server. Not only is it difficult to remember each team's points, it is often difficult to keep track of who is the first and second server.
Not only does the device of the present invention act as a scorekeeper, but in the form of a sweatband it can be used to wipe sweat off a person's forehead. As a sweatband it is easily machine washable by turning it inside out to prevent damage to the beads, and then air dried. The sweatband device can come in many colors to match or coordinate with a player's clothing to be fashionable.
Pickleball is a game for all ages, young and elderly. The present invention will ease the stress associated with keeping score so that players can focus and enjoy the game.
It is to be understood that while a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and drawings.
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Entry |
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Corn Hole Score, Aug. 6, 2020 (verified by waybackmachine), thea, pp. 1-12 (Year: 2020). |