Patent Application
20210060408
The present invention generally relates to a RaP7Ball or bat and ball game, and more particularly, relates to a hybrid cricket and baseball game played on a unique field.
The games of baseball and cricket have been well known for many years. Baseball has been called America's pastime. The game of baseball generally is played on a diamond shaped field and includes each team having nine players in the field and a specific batting order for the nine players. A game of baseball is generally nine innings and the team scoring the most runs win the baseball game. In baseball, a spherical ball is thrown by a pitcher from a pitcher's mound towards home plate with a batter attempting to hit the ball with a round bat into the field in order to get on to the next base and eventually score runs.
The game of cricket is a game that has a very large and fanatical following in countries such as Great Britain, India, Pakistan, Caribbean nations, etc. The game of cricket is generally played on an oval field and has eleven players on each team with a bowler who bowls a ball towards a catcher who is positioned behind three wickets. A batter from the opposite team protects the wickets by hitting the ball and choosing to run if it appears the ability to take runs is available to the offensive player. Much like baseball, the cricket match is won by the team that scores the most runs. Prior art cricket matches may vary from one to two innings and may include twenty overs or more for each inning.
Many of these baseball and cricket games have become extremely long and difficult to watch by fans on television and in the stands. Some cricket games are scheduled and occur over a number of days as a batter may be at bat for many hours at a time depending on the rules and the type of cricket game being played. As mentioned above, some baseball games may extend between four and six hours with the numerous pitching changes and batters stepping out of the batter's box during major league baseball and college baseball games.
Therefore, there is a need in the art for a RaP7Ball or bat and ball game played with a cricket bat, which is flat, and a ball that combines both the rules of baseball and cricket to create a game that is fast paced, easy to watch in person or on television which may ensure higher viewership from fans of sporting events. There also is a need in the art for a new RaP7Ball game that is played between two teams that take turns batting and fielding on a pie shaped field with an inverted equilateral triangle shaped inner field. There also is a need in the art for a RaP7Ball game that uses a plurality of pylons and creases around it as bases that may be used by an offensive team to score runs while the defensive team is trying to dismiss the offensive batsman and keep them from scoring runs. There also is a need in the art for a RaP7Ball game that combines and mixes the rules of baseball and cricket for use therein.
One object of the present invention may be to provide an improved RaP7Ball of bat and ball game.
Another object of the present invention may be to provide a RaP7Ball game that combines the rules of baseball and cricket.
Yet a further object of the present invention may be to provide a RaP7Ball game that is played on a unique field having a ninety degree pie shape with an inverted equilateral triangular shaped inner field strategically arranged therein.
Still another object of the present invention may be to provide a RaP7Ball game that includes a plurality of pylons arranged on the inner field with three pylons being arranged at the corners of the equilateral triangle inner field while another pylon is arranged between the second and third pylons of the inner field.
Still another object of the present invention may be to provide a RaP7Ball game that has the object of the game to score runs by the offensive team and dismiss the offensive batsman by the defensive team.
Still another object of the present invention may be to provide a RaP7Ball game wherein the team that scores the most runs by the end of the game is the winner.
Another object of the present invention may be to provide a RaP7Ball game that is played between two teams, wherein each team takes turns batting and fielding.
According to the present invention, the foregoing and other objects and advantages are obtained by a novel methodology and field for playing a RaP7Ball game. The methodology comprises the steps of using a field having an inverted equilateral triangle shaped inner field. The RaP7Ball game also comprises the steps of choosing a first and second team, each of the teams having fourteen players and using a ball and bat to play the game. The method also comprises the steps of playing seven overs in each half inning of the game and playing three innings for the entire game. The method also comprises the steps of bowling seven balls in each over and counting runs scored by each team in order to determine who scored the most runs at the end of three innings. RaP7Ball game of the present invention is a hybrid combination of both cricket and baseball rules.
One advantage of the present invention may be that it provides for an improved RaP7Ball or bat and ball game.
A further advantage of the present invention may be that it provides for an improved RaP7Ball game that is played between two teams that take turns batting and fielding and uses rules of both baseball and cricket to define RaP7Ball game.
Still a further advantage of the present invention may be that it provides for a RaP7Ball game that is played on a ninety degree pie shaped field having an inverted equilateral triangle shaped inner field.
Still another advantage of the present invention may be that it provides for a RaP7Ball game wherein the inner field has a plurality of pylons, wherein a first, second and third pylon are arranged at the corners of the equilateral triangular inner field while a fourth pylon is arranged between the second and third pylons of the equilateral triangle.
Yet another advantage of the present invention may be that it provides a RaP7Ball game that has the object of the game to score runs as an offensive team and dismiss the offensive batsman while playing on the defensive team.
Still another advantage of the present invention may be to provide a RaP7Ball game wherein each team keep scores and the team that scores the most runs by the end of the game is the winner of the game.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention may become apparent from the subsequent description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Referring to the drawings, there is shown a RaP7Ball game 10 that is a combination of cricket and baseball played on a unique RaP7Ball game field 12 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The RaP7Ball game 10 may be played between two teams, wherein each team takes turns batting and fielding. The RaP7Ball game 10 may be played on a predetermined unique shaped field 12. In one embodiment, the RaP7Ball game field 12 has an approximate ninety degree pie shape with a radius of approximately seventy seven meters. However, it should be noted that any other size, other than seventy seven meters and ninety degrees, may also be used. The field 12 also includes an inverted equilateral triangle shaped inner field 14, wherein the inner field 14 has sides having an approximate length of twenty one meters. However, it should be noted that any other length may be used for any of the dimensions of the game 10. The inner field 14 is strategically arranged in the field 12 as shown in the figures. The inner field 14 also includes a plurality of pylons 16 arranged at predetermined positions throughout the infield 14 and other portions of the field 12 of play for the RaP7Ball game 10. The object of the RaP7Ball game 10 is to score runs as an offensive team and dismiss the offensive batsman as a defensive team. The game 10 is played with a first team and a second team, wherein in each team may have a total of fourteen players thereon. The team that scores the most runs 42 by the end of the game 10 is declared the winner. It should be noted that the RaP7Ball game 10 of the present invention generally uses baseball and cricket game rules in a mixed and combination manner unless specific rules are mentioned herein. Therefore, the RaP7Ball game 10 of the present invention uses two teams, each having fourteen players and must be played on a unique predetermined field 12 having the dimensions defined above. It should be noted that any other number of players may be used.
The RaP7Ball game 10 as shown in the figures is played on a unique field 12. The field 12 generally has a ninety degree pie shaped area with a predetermined radius of approximately seventy seven meters. However, it should be noted that any other shaped field 12 along with any other known radius may be used depending on the restrictions of the area in which the predetermined RaP7Ball game field 12 may be arranged. The field 12 also may include an inverted equilateral triangle shaped inner field 14 that is strategically located within the field 12 as shown in the figures. Generally, the equilateral triangle inner field 14 has one corner thereof arranged at or near the center point of the ninety degree pie shaped field 12. The other two corners of the equilateral triangle inner field 14 extend towards the outer arc of the pie shaped field 12. As with any equilateral triangle the sides or edges of the infield 14 have a sixty degree angle therebetween, wherein a first and second side extend out in a straight line from the first corner or vertice thereof. The third side or edge of the inner field 14 connects the second and third corners to one another. Extending directly from the first corner of the inner field 14 through a mid point of the third side of the inner field 14 is a generally rectangular bowling path or area 18. The bowling path 18 extends a predetermined distance from the first corner of the inner field 14. The bowling path 18 may be arranged at a mid point of the ninety degree pie shaped field 12 thus approximately splitting the field 12 in half. It should be noted that generally the field 12 may be played on a grass or article grass type surface. Therefore, any type of field turf, Astroturf, or natural grass or other natural material may be used for the field 12. The inner field 14 and bowling path 18 may also be made of grass, artificial grass or as shown in the drawings may be made of a dirt, clay or other natural material, such as gravel, pee gravel, etc. The inner portions 20 of the infield 14 in one contemplated embodiment may also have grass wherein only the equilateral triangle shaped outer portion of the inner field 14 and the bowling path 18 may be made with dirt, other natural material or composite material. Therefore, any natural material or any man made material may be used for either the infield 14 or the outfield for the field 12 used for the RaP7Ball game 10 according to the present invention.
As shown in the figures, a plurality of pylons or bases 16 are arranged throughout the field 12. As shown in the drawings, a first pylon 16 is arranged at the first corner of the inner field 14, a second pylon 16 is arranged at the second corner of the inner field 14 and a third pylon 16 is arranged at a third corner of the inner field 14. Generally, arranged around the first, second and third pylons 16 may be a partial circular shaped base area 22 which forms a partial circle that intersects with the base paths of the inner field 14. Generally, these circular base areas 22 are arranged around the pylons or base 16 and define a pad around each pylon 16. This pad generally may have any known shape or diameter, but in one contemplated embodiment, may have an approximate diameter of six meters. It should be noted that any other known diameter may be used for the circular or circumferential base areas 22 surrounding each pylon or base 16. Generally, each base path has a width of approximately three meters, however any other width may be used for the base paths. It should also be noted that generally the bowling path 18 also is approximately three meters in width, however any other width may also be used for the bowling path 18. It should be noted that as shown in the drawings, the circular base area 22 of the first corner of the inner field 14 generally mates with and mimics the pie shaped field 12 at the center point thereof. Hence, the first corner of the inner field 14 is approximately three meters from the center point of the field 12. It should be noted that other dimensions may be used for the predetermined field for the RaP7Ball game 10 of the present invention. Generally, a distance of approximately twenty one meters is arranged between the first and second pylon 16, the second and third pylon 16, and the first and third pylon 16. Also, twenty one meters is approximately arranged between the first and fourth pylon 16, wherein the fourth pylon 16 is arranged at a mid point of the bowling path 18. The bowling path 18 also extends linearly an additional fourteen meters in a direction opposite that of the first pylon 16 into the outer field of the playing field 12 of the RaP7Ball game 10. It should further be noted that a no bounce zone 24 extends fourteen meters from the fourth pylon 16 along the bowling path 18 towards the first pylon 16. The no bounce zone 24 has a generally rectangular shape with a length of approximately fourteen meters and a width of approximately three meters. It should be noted that any other length or width dimensions may be used. This no bounce zone 24 prevents the bowler or pitcher of the ball without having the ball touch within the no bounce zone 24 as the bowler is attempting to hit the first pylon 16, which the batter from the offensive team is attempting to protect with the bat. Therefore, any ball that bounces within the no bounce zone 24 may be determined to have been bowled illegally and the umpire may rule it a no ball, such that when the no ball is called that bowling may not be counted and the bowler has to bowl again.
The second and third pylon 16 of the inner field 14 of the RaP7Ball game 10 each may have a safety crease 26 arranged therearound. In one contemplated embodiment, a circle may be arranged around the second and third pylon 16 and identified by chalk or other marking on the ground about which the pylon 16 sits. The safety crease 26 may be used during taking of runs, wherein the base runner may be declared out if the defensive team playing the field hits the ball on the pylon before the runner reaches inside the safety crease 26 arranged around the second or third pylon 16. It should be noted that the first and fourth pylon 16 also have a safety crease 28, however this crease 28 generally has a rectangular shape, wherein the width of the safety crease 28 generally mimics or is approximately the same as that of the width of the bowling path 18 approximately three meters and the length is approximately 1.26 meters. It should be noted that other dimensions or shapes may be used for the safety creases 26, 28. Generally, the first and fourth pylons 16 may be arranged at a midpoint along the back line or edge of the safety crease 28. If the runner touches the line or enters the crease 28 before the ball hits the pylon 16, that runner may be declared safe. If the runner does not touch the crease 28 or enter the crease 28 before the defensive player throws the ball and/or hits the pylon 16 at which the runner is attempting to run, that runner/batsman may be declared out. It should be noted that the field 12 generally may be arranged on a flat surface, however small rolls and indentations may be used on the field 12. It should further be noted that the first, second, third and fourth pylons 16 used in the RaP7Ball game 10 according to the present invention generally are made of a plastic or other semi pliable material. It should be noted that any other type of metal, composite, natural material, soft or hard plastic, rubber, etc., may also be used for the pylons 16. Generally, each pylon 16 has a diameter of approximately 0.21 meters and has a height of approximately 0.77 meters and stands that distance from the field 12 or inner field 14 of the RaP7Ball game 10. The first pylon or home base 16 generally is the most important pylon in the RaP7Ball game 10 of the present invention and is located at the first corner of the inner field 14. The second and third pylons or bases 16 are located at the other corners of the inner field 14. The fourth pylon 16 or base is arranged in between the second and third pylon 16 approximately twenty one meters from the first base 16 as shown in the figures. It should be noted that the fourth pylon or base 16 is used as a reference point for the bowler. Furthermore, the main umpire may be standing behind this pylon 16 during playing of the game 10. Furthermore, during bowling by the defensive team, if the bowler bowls the ball and hits the first pylon 16 that batsman may be declared out and once the batsman is declared out, they are done for the game. Also, during taking of runs, the batsman/base runner may be declared out if the defensive team throws or touches and hits the ball on the pylon 16 before the runner reaches inside the safety crease 26,28, which is arranged around the three pylons of the equilateral shaped inner field 14. It should be noted that chalk lines or other markings may be used to identify the safety creases 26, 28, the no bounce zone 24 or even the inner field 14 and bowling path 18 if the game is played on an all grass field or if the game is played on a grass and dirt field as described above.
As shown in the figures, one contemplated methodology for playing the RaP7Ball game 10 of the present invention starts by having teams chosen wherein each team consists of fourteen players, wherein seven are offensive players/batting players and seven are defensive or fielding/players 30. It should be noted that the players may play any position at any time as a batsman, fielder, bowler or a catcher. It should be noted that any other number of players other than fourteen on each team 30 may also be used. After the teams 30 are chosen, the team's captains, decided upon by each team, may meet with the referee or referees, if two or more are used, who may then conduct a coin toss to decide which team 30 may open the game batting and on offense and which team may open the game fielding and on defense. It should be noted that a cricket bat and ball 32 may be used for the RaP7Ball game 10 according to the present invention and that the cricket bat may be changed at any time of the game 10. Furthermore, during the beginning of the game, each team may get a new ball. Unless the umpire declares that the ball is damaged, the teams 30 have to use their own ball throughout the three innings of the game 10. When not playing the team 30 has to give the ball to the umpire for safe custody while that team 30 is batting and the other team is in the field. It should be noted that damaging the ball in any way to affect a spin and/or curvature of the ball is illegal. It should also be noted that players may opt to use cricket games protective gear for the RaP7Ball game 10 according to the present invention. However, it should be noted that a baseball bat and a baseball along with baseball safety equipment may also be used for the RaP7Ball game 10 according to the present invention. The equipment chosen depends on the choices of the players playing the RaP7Ball game 10 according to the present invention. The game 10 may start when the defensive team occupies the proper field positions and the first batsman of the offensive team is ready at the first base or pylon 16 with his or her bat. It should be noted that the seven defensive players may be arranged in any manner throughout the inner field 14 or the outer portions of the field 12 of the RaP7Ball game 10 according to the present invention. After the defensive team 30 take their proper positions in the field 12, the first bowler of the defensive team 30 may bowl the ball to beat the first batsman of the offensive team 30 and hit the first pylon 16 arranged at the home base of the inner field 14. After the bowler bowls the ball, the offensive player may try to hit the ball with the bat into the field 12 and run the bases 16 in a counter clockwise direction through second and third base 16 and back to the first pylon or home base 16. The offensive team 30 may score one run if and when the batsman reaches, after running all bases, the first or home base safely without being called out by the umpire. As noted above that the baseball and cricket rules are mixed and all apply in the RaP7Ball game 10 according to the present invention unless specifically changed with detail herein. After the first batter gets out, the second batter listed in the batting line up prior to the game 10, may be the next batter to bat at home base 16. It should be noted the first batsman may bat for the entire game 10. It should also be noted that when a batsman reaches safely from first base 16 to the next base 16 he/she may be replaced with a new batsman from the listed seven batsmen.
It should be noted that before starting the game 10, each team 30 has to announce their batsman's and their batting order. After announcing the batsman and the batting order, the batsman may only be replaced if there is an injury or a reason mutually agreed to by the two teams 30 for that game 10 only. During the game 10, the batting team may replace an injured batsman with one from the rest of the seven defensive players. The replaced players batting order would remain the same as that player that he replaced. The injured player could not play again in the same game in any other capacity once he is removed from the game for an injury. During the offensive game, when a batsman is out under the rules of the game 10, they may not bat again but could play in other capacities, such as a bowler, fielder, catcher, in the remaining same game during the innings that remain for that game 10. It should be noted that a batsman may be ruled out by the umpire if the bowler hits the first pylon 16 with a bowled ball, the batsman hits a ball into the air and the ball is caught before it hits the ground by a fielder of the defensive team, or the batsman when attempting to take a run has a defensive player throw the ball and hit a pylon before the batsman enters the crease around the first, second or third pylon 16. It should further be noted that the batsman after they hit the ball have the option to either run or not run after the ball hits the bat. The batsman may decide that the ball has not been hit very far and stay at the first base 16 and not attempt to advance to the second or third pylon 16 in order to get a run by running around the inner field 14. Furthermore, any runners that may be on the second or third base 16 also have the option to run or not run when the ball is hit depending on the circumstances and where the ball is hit and if the batsman decides to run depending on the area where the ball is hit. Therefore, if a batsman keeps hitting the ball without it being caught in the air and taking runs either by running or hitting the outer boundary of the field 12 or hitting over the outer boundary of the field 12 the batter may keep batting indefinitely until they are called out via the bowler hitting the pylon 16 or the ball being caught in the air via defensive member of the defensive team.
Generally, the RaP7Ball game 10 consists of three innings 34 for a complete game 10. Seven overs 36 may occur in each inning and seven balls 38 may define an over. It should be noted that any other number of innings 34, overs 36, and balls 38 in an over may be used other than those described herein. After the seven overs 36 the teams may exchange their roles with the fielding team becoming the batting team and the batting team becoming the fielding team. It should be noted that both the rules of baseball and cricket are used to dismiss a batsman other than the calling of strikes and balls by an umpire. During the RaP7Ball game 10, any one among the listed fourteen members of the team 30 may be a bowler who can bowl, but the total number of defensive players including the bowler, catcher and other fielders in the field 12 may never be more than seven. Generally, no bowler may bowl more than three overs 36 per each inning 34. It is also contemplated that a single bowler may bowl the entire three innings 34 depending on rules decided before the game by the teams 30. Generally, the act of bowling or pitching the ball from and/or within the fourth pylon crease is called a ball or bowling. The bowler may take as many steps that are needed to bowl the ball. The goal of the bowler is to hit the first pylon 16 with the ball with or without bouncing the ball on the ground. It should be noted that during the bowling the ball cannot pitch or hit within the no bounce zone 24 that extends approximately fourteen meters from the fourth pylon 16 towards the first pylon 16 as shown in the figures. Generally, after a bowler bowls a set of seven balls 38 or what is called an over 36 that bowler may not bowl the next over 36 and a teammate must bowl the next over 36 of that inning. Generally, cricket games and bowling rules are used for how to deliver the ball during the RaP7Ball game 10 of the present invention. Therefore, a bowler may not bowl two overs 36 in a row but may bowl up to three overs 36 per each half inning or inning as long as another bowler bowls an over 36 therebetween. It should be noted that if a ball is bowled illegally, the umpire may rule it a no ball. When this no ball rule has been called by the umpire that bowling may not be counted and the bowler has to re-bowl that bowling again. For each bowler during an over 36 that bowler may bowl the ball seven times to try and dismiss the batsman at the first pylon 16 by hitting the ball on the first base pylon 16. The batsman attempts to protect the first pylon 16 by blocking the ball or hitting it with his bat. The bowlers may bowl or deliver the ball from the fourth pylon 16. Once the bowler has bowled an over 36, the defensive team has to change the bowler. The laws of cricket however will govern how a ball must be bowled. If a ball is bowled illegally an umpire may rule it a no ball as described above. Therefore, the ball may be thrown directly at the pylon 16 or may be bounced as long as it does not bounce in the no bounce zone 24 before reaching the batsman and/or the pylon 16.
As noted above, the batsman is attempting to hit the ball bowled or thrown by the bowler. The batsman and any runners that may be on base, have the option to run or not run when the batsman hits the ball or when the ball hits the bat of the batsman. It should be noted that the offensive team scores one run when the batsman with or without hitting the ball runs through pylon two 16, pylon three 16 and safely returns to the first pylon 16. It should further be noted that when a batsman hits a ball and if that ball, after rolling and/or bouncing, touches the boundary walls 40 of the field 12, that batsman without running through the bases 16 and his offensive team, may gain runs that are equal to the number of batsman on the bases. Also, if a batsman hits a ball and if after hitting that ball that ball flies over the boundary wall 40 without touching the infield 14 or any part of the field 12, that batsman without running may have his offensive team gain runs that are equal to two times the number of batsman on the bases 16. It should be noted that the boundary walls 40 may be as simple as a small rope, a tube like apparatus or may even be a wall as used in major league baseball parks having a predetermined height from the field 12 of the RaP7Ball game 10. It should further be noted that if the defensive team pitches an illegal ball, the offensive team also gets a run that is credited to the batsman at the first base 16. Furthermore, it should be noted that the runner at the bases may run and steal the next base even without the ball being hit by the batsman. Therefore, any time a base runner or the batsman runs from the first pylon 16 to the second pylon 16, the second pylon 16 to the third pylon 16, and the third pylon 16 back to the first pylon 16, a run may be scored even if a ball is not hit. It should be noted that base runners may run to the next base 16 when a ball is over thrown during bowling or when the base runners are running to score a run. If there are no batsman or base runners on base 16 and more balls or overs may still be bowled to complete the game, the remaining or last batsman may face the rest of the balls or overs until he is out. During this at bat the last batsman may gain single runs by hitting a ground ball to the boundary line or doubles by hitting a fly ball over the boundary line.
It should be noted that as described above the bat used is generally the cricket bat which has a flat end with a generally circular handle for the batsman to hold. However, it is also contemplated to use a baseball bat which has a cylindrical shape throughout. It should be noted that the RaP7Bal game 10 of the present invention has been designed to be played on a unique field 12 and in a manner that may allow for the games to be played quickly with fast paced action thus allowing for increased fan attendance and viewership on television versus traditional baseball and cricket games, which tend to be long and may become boring due to the amount of idle time throughout the game 10. The use of a three inning game 10 with seven overs 36 for each half inning and seven balls 38 for each over 36 may increase the speed of the game and ensure a fast paced action packed game that is completed in a short amount of time. This may allow for advertisers to advertise on television during change overs through the half innings and at the end of each inning of the RaP7Ball game 10 according to the present invention.
The present invention has been described in an illustrative manner. It is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than that of limitation.
Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, within the scope of the appended claims, the present invention may be practiced otherwise than what is specifically described.
