US1096362A - Game apparatus. - Google Patents

Description

H. G. FORBES.

GAME APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 15, 1912.

1,096,362. Patented May 12,1914.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

H. 0. FORBES. GAME APPARATUS. APPLICATION run NOV. 15, 1012.

Patented May 12, 1914.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Wl/EA/TUH him/ 4 19.0 6. 5mm

d7? OLE-(TQM H. G. FORBES. GAME APPARATUS.

APPLICATION IILIID NOV. 15, 1912.

1,096,362. Patented May 12, 1914.

4 SHEETS-$51331 3. I

VISA/7'01? 4 Ham/A00 5 27355? 0%. Q (9 er ,4 TTVS,

H. G. FORBES. GAME APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILE-D NOV. 15, 1912.

Patented May 12, 1914.

4 SHEBTS-SHBET 4.

l wm/gssss //Vl//\/ T05 d, 7% Haw/W0 L". Fafiars Okra (568% 5r WM MW coLUIIIA PLANoolA'M CO. wnnmu'rou. I. a

STATES HOWARD C. FORBES, OF CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS.

GAME APPARATUS.

Application filed November Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 12, 191st.

15, 1912. Serial No. 731,514.

T 0 all iii/1.0m. it may concern Be it known that I, Hownnn C. Fonnns, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cambridge, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented new and useful Improvements in Game Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to apparatus for a game.

The object is to provide apparatus by which a game resen'ibling base ball may be played indoors, or in a restricted area, as, for example, on a battleship or in the basement of a. house.

Unlike indoor base ball games heretofore proposed, the playing of which has depended upon pure chance without the actual use of a ball, the apparatus of the invention is intended for use with a full sized base ball pitched in the regular way, with the players on one side pitted against those on the other in a real contest involving individual jrn'lgment and skill, and some measure of physical exercise, the character and result of each play being determined and announced by an umpire whose decisions are mechanically correct. The apparatus may also be used for testing and for developing the skill of a pitcher or a batsman or manager in the regular outdoor game of base ball", and perhaps for other purposes.

The apparatus will be here described as it may be constructed and used for playing a game which will he called battleship baseball to distingush it from the regular game of base ball.

The ope 'ation of the apparatus will be further explained by showing how the various situations and denouements of regular base ball may be repri'iduced, it being one object of the invention to provide appari tus in which practically all of the various situations and critical occasions which occur in a regular game may arise, and may be met by the contending players with varying results, and with elements of skill and of chance intermingled much as they are in the regular game.

Various features of the invention by which these objects are accomplished will appear from the description of the apparatus and its operation which follows.

In the accom ianying drawings Figure 1 a perspective view showing the apparatus as a whole; Fig. 2 is a diagram of the apparatus as a whole; Fig. 3 is av side elevation, in section, enlarged, of apparatus represented in plan in the lower left hand part of Fig. 2; Fig. ll; is a blank showing the layout of batters dice used in the game; Fig. 5 is a similar representation of the sacrifice hit die: and Fig. (5 is a similar representation of the base runncrs die.

Referring to the drawings, the general arrangement of the apparatus for playing a game of battleship baseball is seen in Fig. 1.. it will be understood that in the use of the apparatus base balls of regulation size and weight may be employed. One player, acting as pitcher, stands at P and throws the ball over the home plate A like a professional pitcher in the regulation game, or with such speed and skill he can command. An opposing player, standing at B as batsman, strikes at such balls as he thinks favorable by swinging a lever B on the batsmans stand. This striking is not an actual hitting of the ball with a bat. Strikes are called upon the batter, and hits are made, with regard to his success in judging the ball; that is, judging whether the ball will pass over the plate and between the height of his knee and shoulder. The batsman goes through the mental process of observing the approaching ball, and of deciding the wisdom of striking accoriiling to the character of the delivery or other cirmunstanccs of the game, just as the batsman does in the regulation game. The apparatus includes devices that compel him, if he decides to strike, to swing the striking lever at the same time that his bat would have to be swung in a regulation game, to hit the ball. A. portion of the apparatus immediately behind the batsmans stand performs the function of a catcher in receiving the ball, and, in cooperation with other parts of the apparatus, acts as an umpire to detern'iinc whether the pitched ball was fair or unfair and to announce the result of the play, as a ball, a strike or a hit tripping a drop at D to throw dice if a hit or an attempt to steal a base were made on the play. A circuit breaking signal X auton'iatically holds the apparatus from further action until the results have been noted and the batsman has signified by resetting it that he is ready for the next ball to be pitched. A diagram of the playing-field F is provided. and dummy men, to be moved thereon by the players according to the progress of the game. A score board S of the usual type may also be provided.

It is, therefore, among the objects of the invention and apparatus to provide means by which a strike shall be called if the pitcher delivers a fair ball at which the batsman does not strike, or if he delivers an unfair ball at which the batsman does strike; and a ball if there be an unfair ball at which the batsman does not strike; and a' wild pitch, if such there be. Also to provide that a hit shall be announced if the batsman strikes at a fair ball, and dice thrown to determine the result of the hit and of the base running thereon, said results being different according as the batsman is a heavy hitter, or a weak hitter, or a man of average ability; and according as the hit is a sacrifice hit or not. Also, to provide so that the side at bat may attempt to steal a base, and to determine the result of such attempted steal, either in connection with a hit or when there is no hit. Also, to determine the result variously as to how far base runners advance, when a hit is made and there is no attempt to steal. Also, to place restrictions upon the batsman similar to those in a regulation game of base ball, preventing him from getting credit for a hit if he strikes too late to hit the ball as it passes the plate, or from escaping having a strike called on him if he has started to swing at the ball. Also, to corroborate the umpire by an independent audible signal in case the batsman should deny that he struck at the ball. Also, to make definite, reliable, and uniform umpires decisions when the ball is close to the line between being fair and unfair.

()wing to the heavy impact of a swiftly pitched ball upon the mechanical catcher, there is sometimes vibration which, unless guarded against, would lead to duplicate or triplicate registration of a single delivery of the ball. Consequently it is another requirement that the apparatus shall register accurately the first impact, and shall ignore those immediately following, if any.

Various other objects are also accomplished by the apparatus, but the foregoing gives an idea of the simulation of a regulation game of base ball which the apparatus is designed to effect.

The apparatus of the game will now be described. The pitchers plate P is simply marked on the floor, like the pitchers plate in the regulation game and may be ar- "anged at the regulation distance from the home plate A, the later being regulatirm in size and shape. The batsmans stand B is provided with mechanism which includes a lever B for registering intention of striking at the ball, a lever B for having a base runner attempt to steal a base, and a lever B to make the hit a sacrifice hit. For the protection of the batsman from injury by the pitched ball a stout screen of wire mesh B may be provided, the screen and stand together being mounted on two tracks B, B, whereon they may be moved. either to the right or to the left of the plate A, to the regulation distance occupied by the batsmans lines on an outdoor base ball field, to accommodate either a right handed or a left handed player. The connections from the batsmans levers will be described later herein.

The device for stopping or catching the pitched ball is so combined as to be a part of the umpire system and to determine automatically the character of the ball delivered by the pitcher. A frame C arranged in a plane perpendicular to the line running from the pitchers plate across home plate, carries at its outer edges a sheathing of galvanized iron C. Any ball that strikes this galvanized iron or goes outside it, is a wild pitch, and can be instantly recognized as such by the characteristic sound of its impact on the galvanized iron. Preferably in the same plane with it a stout sheet C preferably of netting, canvas or the like flexible material, is suspended by a dozen or so springs C in such manner that the impact of a pitched ball upon any part of the sheet 5 forcing the sheet backward out of its normal plane, draws upon one or more of these spring holders and permits the making of an electrical contact at one or more of the points C in a circuit which will be defined 109 later herein, to indicate that the ball has struck this sheet. 7

A hole is cut through the sheet C directly back of the plate A with such dimensions of width and height, and so located, that any ball which is a fair ball within the rulesof the game, as by passing over any port-ion of the home base not lower than the bats mans knee nor higher than his shoulder, will pass through this hole without touching 119 he sheet 0 and will strike another piece of cloth C at a little distance in the rear of the plane of the sheet C This hole, and the sheet back of it make a sort of pocket, especially if a loose netting be arranged to hold all, balls that pass through the hole. The height of the batsmans knee and shoulder will ordinarily be assumed in advance at an average value, and the location of the hole in the sheet C fixed permanently, but 12g if desired this can be made adjustable byany suitable device. The back of the pocket 0 like the sheet, is spring mounted in such manner as to absorb the momentum of the ball, and to yield as it does, whereby an 5 electrical contact is made near C in another circuit, herein later defined, which indicates that the ball was a fair ball. If the batsman has remained inactive, the circuit made when the ball strikes the sheet C operates the umpireannunciator to announce a ball The impact of the ball in the pocket C is likewise announced as a strike. In either case, however, if the batsman has struck at the ball a different result follows, either a strike or a hit. If the back C of the pocket were in substantially the same plane with the sheet C the ball might impinge upon both at once, by hitting the line between them, in which case a multiplicity or a confusion of announcements would follow. The device of putting one in a different plane from the other, makes it impossible for the ball to engage both at the same time. Whichever the ball engages first executes its indication and, by its electrical connections cuts out the circuit of the other. The distance between these two planes should be sutlicient for this action to occur with certainty, say tour to six inches, or

more.

The electrical connections are indicated in the diagram Fig. 2, where the dimensions and arrangement of the parts, seen in Fig. 1, and their proportionate size are necessarily much distorted. The various mechanisms of the batsmans stand and. the ballreceiving apparatus are indicated in the lower right hand corner, with wires and twelve numbered terminals, which individually connect through cable R with the terminals and wires of the same numbers in the relay box above. The ball and strike indicator is indicated to the left of therelay box, with the battery above and the circuit breaker X below it. The cable R connects other terminals in the relay box individually with terminals of the same letter on the dummy playing field, and base running drops in the lower left hand corner of the diagram. F or clearness the wires 3 leading from the battery and the ground wire 1 leading back to the battery are distin guished from the others in appearance in the diagram.

\Vhen a pitchedball strikes the sheet G the impact draws upon the spring fasteir ings C, thus making one or more connections between the wires 1 and 13 that extend around the sheet C normally disconnected from each other. The devices C" which make the connection, may be of any type suitable for making a contact whenv the impact of a ball on the sheet C overcomes the tension of the spring that normally holds the wires 1 and 13 disconnected. If the wire 13 happens at that time to be connected to the battery wire 3, through contact 14, as illustrated, the circuit will be closed so that a current can pass through wire 1 and cable R to the relay box. There it is susceptible of interruption at contacts 15 by magnet L but it not interrupted it goes into wire 10, and through points 10 and 10, and the magnet M, to the ground wire 41 of the hattery. This draws the armature M of this magnet, which is somewhat in the nature of a relay, so that the contacts at 16 are con nected to the adjacent battery wire 3, letting current directly to the magnet M (through one of the contacts 16 and the point 10"), and thus insuring that the armature of the magnet M shall be held down, with the contacts at 18 broken, even though the original current coming through the wires '1. and 10 be immediately interrupted. Current from the same new source also [lows through the other contact at 16 and through wire 20 to the circuit breaker X, which it actuates by releasing the catch X, thus letting the roller X rotate slowly, as the heavy rod X" draws its curtain down. This curtain, which acts only subsequent to M (or the parts L, 7)" or (1", later explained), unwinds from the position seen in Fig. 2 to that seen in Fig. 1, thus setting the wait signal there seen, and breaking the circuit in the battery wire 3 as the plate l. on the roller X slips away from the adjacent two contacts of the battery wire 3.

In order to record the play as a strike or a ball a branch leaves wire 10 at point 10 in the relay box and goes to the batsmans stand, as is seen by Following wire 10 thither on the diagram, and the current comes back through wire 11, it, as illustrated, the batsman has not moved the lever B to strike at the ball, or returns through wire 9 it the batsman has struck at the ball by moving the lever It to the left. If the return be through wire 11 it goes to the indicator E where it operates one of the ball drops. If the return be through wire 9 it goes through junction points i) and 9, and thence to the indicator l!) to operate one of the strike drops. From the point t) a branch of the same current goes through point 9 and magnet L to the ground wire t oi the battery, drawing the armature L, whose magnet should be slower acting than magnet M. This breaks the contacts at 15 in wire 10. It also makes those at 17, thus throwing the current. from battery wire 3 directly upon both points at 17; from one of which it goes through 9 to the magnet L, thus continuing to hold the armature drawn even though the current through wire 9 be immediately a'ltcrward interrupted. From the other contact at 17 the current flows through wire 20 to release the circuitbreakcr at X.

It a pitched ball impinges upon the back of the pocket its momentum drives that part of the apparatus backward and incidentally lifts the small weight that normally holds it taut and also holds the spring contact l-t on the end of battery wire down upon the terminal of wire P. The spring it thus breaks its connection with wire 13 and makes a connection with wire 2. lurrent from the battery wire 3 therefore flows instantly through wire 2 and the cable R to the relay box, where, if the circuit be not broken by magnet M at the pair of contacts 18, it goes on through wire 22 to the armature switch K and through that to wire 9 and point 9, whence one branch goes on through wire 9 to operate the strike drop, and another branch goes back through wire 9 and points 9 and 9 and through magnet L to the ground wire of the battery, thus breaking the connections of wire 10 at 15 on the armature L and making the connections at 17 on the same armature, which let cur rent from the adjacent battery wire 3 through one of the contacts 17 and the point 9 to the magnet L, and hold the magnet energized by this direct current, notwithstanding the initial circuit through wires 2 and 22 may be broken immediately afterward. The foregoing has been upon the assumption that the batter has not struck at the ball, the lever 13 remaining unmoved. If, however, the batsman has swung the lever B far enough for the switch 13 to make contact with the adjacent battery wire that contact will have let current out through wire 12 and the cable to the relay box and from there through the inner pair of contacts on the armature L, if its magnet L be not energized, and through magnet K to the ground wire of the battery, actuating magnet K. If this occurs before the impulse arrives from the pocket C through wires 2 and 22, the armature-switch X will have broken the connection so that the current cannot proceed through wire 9 to register a strike; but the two contacts at 19 will have been made. Under these circumstances the current passing through wire 2 and contacts 18 and the a-rmature-switch K is thrown upon the two contact points 19. From one of these it goes through wire 7 and the cable back to the batsmans stand, to the central point of the sacrifice hit lever B and, if that lever occupy the regular position, as illustrated, the current proceeds through wire 6 to the base running drops. It is most convenient to carry it back through the cable R to the relay box, thence to terminal Z), and thence through the other cable R It there passes through magnet Z) and gong 7) to the ground wire a of the battery. The magnet Z) thus actuated releases the central drop 7) which in Fig. 2 is seen holding two dice.

The construction is illustrated on. a larger scale in Fig. 3. 'When the magnet b at tracts its armature the drop 5 can turn about its pivot, being loaded with the weight of the dice upon it. In falling it pushes the spring 5 to the left making a contact that enables a current to flow from the battery wire f through the contactpoint 5* and wire a and thence through the cable R to wire 20 which actuates the circuit breaker X. The two dice 5 fall simultaneously, roll down the incline b to the floor, and indicate by their markings, as hereinafter explained, the number of bases to be credited to the batsman on the hit. If, however, the sacrifice hit lever 79 had been moved to the left, the current from wire 7 would flow out through wire 8 and thence through the cable to the relay box, to terminal and through the other cable to the drops where it would operate a magnet cl to drop the single die d and make the corresponding contact d sending current from battery wire f through wire 0 to operate the circuit breaker X. Consequently, upon each delivery of the ball by the pitcher, the apparatus automatically announces either a ball, a strike, or a hit the apparatus being put into action by the impact of the ball upon either the sheet C or the pocket C Only the first impact is effective, in case there be an impact upon both, or successive impacts upon the same; and the apparatus is promptly deenergized by the circuit breaker letting the electrical parts return to their normal positions as illustrated, ready for another action after the announcement has been made. In doing this, the apparatus makes an unquestionably correct judgment as to whether the pitchers delivery was over the home base or not, or was too high or too lowto be a. fair ball. The current set in motion by an unfair pitched ball normally announces a ball; but it is deflected so that it an nounces a strike if the batsmans lever B has been moved, even though not swung its full distance. The current set in motion y the impact of a fair pitched ball normally announces a strike but is deflected and announces a hit by sounding a gong and dropping dice to determine the number of bases made on the hit, if the batsman has swung at the ball; at the proper time. At the option, of the batsman this may be a sacrifice hit, with. a diflerentresult in value of the hit in bases if he signify such intention when hittin In either event the apparatus then becomes and remains inactive until the batsman has set it by drawing the cord X to re-connect the battery wire 3 and signify that he is ready for the next ball to be pitched. V

The apparatus provides for the stealing of bases by control from either of two places: the batsm ans stand, by the lever B or from the playing ground by the lever or key 6.

Tllhe lever B is a terminal of the battery wire 3, and, when shifted to connect with the wire 5, allows current to flow to operate a signal E, indicating an attempt to steal, and also, to drop the base runners die 9 The connection is made most conveniently through wire 5 and the cable It to the relay box and to the point e, to which point also comes the current from the key 6 if that be operated, through wires f, e and cable R so that upon throwing either the lever B or the key 0, the point e is connected with the battery and current flows from it through the wire 6 to the roller X and thence, when proper connection has been made at X through the base-stealing signal E, and wire 9, and the cable to the various bases 9 A parallel but separate wire 9 leads from the same bases to the base runners magnet g. A player at either the batsmans stand or at the key a may decide that the base runner shall on the next play attempt to steal a base, and may at any time before the pitched ball strikes the sheet or pocket set the apparatus to carry that into effect by moving one of these levers, both of which are concealed from view of the pitcher. \Vhen the ball is pitched and the circuit breaker X operates, the rotation of the roller X presently brings its plate X" under the terminals of wires 6 and g. If there be then one of the dummy players on a base, a circuit is thus completed through him from wire 9 to wire 9' and thence to the magnet 9. To this end the dummy players have metal bottoms, so that one of such men automatically connects the wires 9 and y when put on one of the bases, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 3 where the men are marked; F, F l The operation of the base runners drop is like the others, except it needs no connection 6 to the circuit breaker. The base stealing mechanism therefore will not operate unless there is a runner on a base.

Means is also illustrated to throw the base runners die automatically whenever a hit is made and a man is on base, regardless of whether there be an attempt to steal a base, in order to determine whether the man on base goes on the hit the same number of bases as the hitter, or more, or less. It may be found desirable, in actual play of the game, to make this a separate and subsequent operation. In that case the drop is to be tripped by hand when wanted for this purpose. When automatically tripped for this pur pose it is desirable to distinguish between cases in which the base runners die falls because a steal is attempted and other -ases in which it falls merely to determine how much the base runner gets on a hit by the batter. Consequently the signal E is provided, consisting of a buzzer and a visual signal, or both, which does not operate except when one of the base stealing levers has been moved. Zllhis tells whether or not the side at bat is entitled to take the account of the marks on the die with regard to stealing of bases.

The amaaratus has other features to produce a similitude between the action of the batsman with his lever and the action of a batsman in a regulation game in striking at a pitched ball. 'lhcse are illustrated in Fi 2 where pivoted links or switches R, B and ll are seen. all connected togcthcr by a rack bar B and operated by lever B, there being also a pawl 13* controlled by the magnet 13 and adapted to engage in the rack to prcvent its movement backward. The relations between these links and the adjacent contact boints are such that when the lever B is in its normal unmoved position, the switch B connects with wire 11, as illustrated. A -"hit" is declared only when the lever has been pushed a substantial distance, far enough so that the switch l3" connects the terminal of the battery wire 3 with wire 12.

The apparatus provides means to prevent the batsman from edging the lever 15 until the link 13 is nearly in contact with the terminal of the wire with the intention of waiting to see how the ball looks when it reaches the home plate. As soon as the battcr begins to move lever B the switch B connects the battery wire 3 through the bell to the magnet B" which, drawing its armature, swings the pawl 13 against the rack PE and prevents the lever B from being thereafter withdrawn until the circuit has been broken at X and all parts reset. At the same time the distinctive sound of the bell tells everyone that the batter is striking at the ball. A, strike will then be counted, because of the switch 13", as previously ex- )laincd, but no hit unless he move the lever far enough to make the connection at B". By providing that the lever l3 must be moved a substantial distance in order to elicit a hit connection, the apparatus takes advantage not only of the time re quired to effect that IIIOVGll'lGlll', but also of the batsmans mental lag between the conception and execution of the will to strike. The strike can not be begun before the ball is pitched, for the pitcher will know by the bell that the batter is committed to a strike; and itmust be executed while the ball is approaching, and at about the same time as a regular batsman must swing his bat else the ball will have passed the batsman and impinged on sheet C or the pocket C which are fairly close behind the home plate. The current resulting upon impact of the ball on the sheet C going tlkl.'0ll, {l1 wire 1 and magnet M, breaks the circuit (wire 9) used in nnzking a hit. The impact of a pitched ball in the pocket C lets a current flow through wire 2 and magnet L, that breaks the circuit through wire 12, which is also a circuit used in making a hit. Therefore, if the contact B be not made before the impulse has passed, through wire 1 or 2, no hit can be recorded. However, a strike will be record ed if the lever B has been moved at all because the link 13 will have switched the current to the strike instead of to the ball indicator. The time required in affecting the movement of the lever B may be adjusted by changing the distance through which the lever must be moved or by placing upon the lever a damper or brake to retard its movement or by other suitable means. The purpose of such adjustment would be to make the time required in moving the lever equal substantially to the time of passage of the ball from the position directly over the home plate to the back of the pocket C thereby forcing the batter to complete his action of moving the lever before the ball has passed the plate, or otherwise be deprived of a hit.

The mechanism of the indicator of strikes and balls is provided with an escapement so that when one drop is operated the next one is automatically connected ready to be operated; and with means to reset at will a drop that has been operated; or to operate one at will, independently of the automatic action; and also so that all can be reset. As illustrated, the wire 9 leads to a hinged flap E which constitutes the drop, and from which a signal E depends designating one strike. Fig. 2 shows the apparatus with one drop thus operated and the next one ready. The drop FF acts as a switch. hen set, pointing upward, it turns the current to contact 91 and magnet 13*; when dropped, it connects with contact 92, ready for the next current to pass on to the next drop E The armature of the magnet E is in the nature of a latch with two ledges on opposite sides at a little distance apart adapted to engage in the opposite sides of a notch in the drop. The first holds the drop in its set position as illustrated. hen current flows through wire 9 it passes through the first drop E which may be assumed to be down, as rep resented, and therefore through the point 92 of the switch to the second drop E where it goes through the upper point 91 of the switch and actuates the magnet to attract the armature The swinging of the armature releases the drop. The latter begins to swing downward, but is arrested by the ledge on the other side of the armature, before swinging far enough to break its connection with the switch-point 91. When the magnet is deenergized by the circuit breaker X the armature flies back to the right and thus releases the drop from its second ledge and allows it to fall to the position where its pendant becomes visible and signifies one strike, and where connection is made for the next impulse coming along the.

wire 9 to pass through to operate the next or a later drop. The drops for announcing the balls operate likewise. Buttons 93, 941-, are provided, by which the indicator may be operated at will to add one ball or one strike to its indication, in case of a situation arising where this is required;

(as a wild pitch or a ball striking the batsmans screen or a foul ball) and any suitable means, such as an ordinary resetting lever of an annunciator may be provided if desired to raise a single drop to reduce the number indicated, or to raise all the drops, but such means is not illustrated in Fig. 2 in order to avoid complication.

The circuit breaker itself may conveniently consist of a roll X upon which the curtain X is wound, the roll carrying the contact plates 3 for the battery wire and X* for the base-stealing circuit, which contact plates may be set at such points that a definite time interval may be secured 'between their respective operations. The curtain unwinds, thus rotating the roll, whenever the passage of the current through magnet X attracts the latching armature X. As the curtain goes down, a cord is wound upon the roll, so that a pull upon the other end of this cord, by the batsman when ready for the next play, rewinds the roller and resets this part of the apparatus.

The number of bases made by the batter on a hit is determined by the throwing of two dice, known as batters dice, to obtain. a primary result, to which the result of throwing another die is added, by a process of summation, for a secondary result, viz., to see what the base runners get. This sometimes modifies the primary result.

Fig. 4: shows the layout of two dice, suitable for batters dice, to be automatically thrown when the batsman strikes at a fair pitched ball, making a hit. .Vhile various markings may be used on such dice, the construction herein described has been especially devised for combination with the other elements of this apparatus in order to make a practicable game. It comprises marks of self selective shapes and colors adapted to be used together by a process of summation, and in combination with the rest of the apparatus, to produce the desired result.

In a regulation game of base ball, each batter has a certain recognized ability based on his known previous accomplishment as a hitter. His performance when at bat any particular time conforms to this standard, on the wiole, having due regard to the element of chance that exists in the game. In the present apparatus dummy batsmen areprovided on the playing field F differing from each other in color or in size or in some other clearly distinguishable feature, color being preferred and being the idea here described, according to three classes which designate the hitting ability of the player which the dummy represents. Thus, the players F, F of the two opposing dummy nines are seen in F ig. 2 on the players benches, and more in detail in Fig.

lot

3, those which have the additimial designatmg sub-numeral 1 being colored alike, for example, red, as being heavy hitters; while those having the designating sub-numeral 2,

black, are hitters of medium ability; and those with the sub-numeral 3 are green, being light hitters. In addition, the dunnnies may of course have distinctive dress or color to indicate to which nine they belong and may, if desired, also bear the names or photographs of known actual players. In using the apparatus the side which is. supposed to be at bat plays its dunnnies in their estab lished batting order, as shown by their positions on the players benches where they may be arranged as the manager on each side shall order, and marked with chalk to maintain the arrangement. The dummy batsman being placed in the batters position on the playing field. F, his color, as a weak, medium or strong hitter, determines which marks shall be read on the dice it the actual player in the batsn'ians position B succeeds in making a hit so that the batters dice are thrown. It a medium hitter is thus at bat, his color being black, the black spots which fall upmost are considered, and are added together, to find the number of bases he makes on his hit. In case the triangle comes up the hit is a foul; and the batter is out on the foul unless a spot that he might be entitled to count for a base or a fair hit turns up on the other die, in which case the foul is counted as a strike according to the rules of the regulation game, and is registered on the indicator E by means of the button 94:. In case no spots turn up the batter is out, but in other cases the batsman makes the total of bases shown by spots, ac cording to his color; a medium hitter (black) being entitled to count black spots only; a heavy hitter (red) taking account of the red as well as the black; and a weak hitter (green) taking account of the green as well as the black and consequently being out it the side of a. die showing the green O comes up which signifies out, and thus cancels the effect of any spots that come up with it. For a sacrifice hit the single die, Fig. 5, with display of white marks, as illustrated, may be used instead ol the two, or for a sacrifice hit the regular dice might be the same with the addition ol marks of special color, 9., white. to be considered in case of such a hit, in place of the regular marks, the fact that the hit is a sacrifice being orally announced by the batsman as the dice tall.

The single die illustrated, Fig. 5, shows white Os on four sides, each indicating that the batter is out, a white triangle on one side indicating that he struck a foul. and a white spot on the remaining side indicating that he got one base on the hit. The base runners die, Fig. 6, may be thrown automati cally with the batters die, as illustrated. It the automatic connections be omitted it may be thrown by hand when needed.

As illustrated, the signs in. the center of each side show whether a base is to be added to or subtracted :lrom the number made by the batsman on a regular hit; the white letters bl or O at the bottom of each side are considered instead, in case a sacrifice hit is made, and show whether the runner "as safe or out on the base -for which a. sacrilice hit was made; and the signs in the blue lield show the results of attemptto steal a base, as indicated by (he steal signal. i which may be blue on its :liace to correspend to the blue lield to which it relates on the die. In this blue field, the lirst posi lion a l: the lelt on each side of the die shows whether or not a man attenuating to steal second base is successful, 2 indicating success and 0 indicating that he is out; the second position performs the same ser\ ice with respect to third base; 3 imlicating success and l) indicating that he is out; and the marks in the third position represent the increased chances which all base runners have when an attempt to steal is made, and the batter makes a hit on the same play, making a hit and run play. in this case a plus sign signifies that by reason o'l his attempt to steal the base runner gets one more base than he would have had it it were a regular or sacrifice hit without the steal; while the t) signifies that he is out.

it will be observed, lherelioro, that the base running, both for batters and men on l)2lr t.-3, is determined by a process of: summation, the spots which appear on the dice oli Fig. -l. being added logethcr to find a primary result ini licating the able ol' the hit, and. the marks on the base runner s die, Fig. 6, giving a correction by a. further proc- (H5 ol. summation. 'lhis correction may a ll'ect both runner and hitter.

hen the ruuners die shows a minus sign, the number oli bases the runner ad-- ances is determined by subtrzu-ting one From the number olf spots on the batters dice and the interpretation of the result is clear c. :cept in two cases. in these cases, or in any other case where the indication is not clear. arbitrary rulings may be provided by suitable rules. The first of these cases is when the batter gets no bases and the runucr gets one less. This is interpreted as either a double play or a [ielde1"s choice, depending on whether the runners are forced or not. it the runners are :lorced, it is a double play on the two men most advanced. the runners are not :lorccd, then only one man is out, the one who is most advanced, and the others take their bases as necessary. The second case is when, by giving the runner one less base than the batter, two men would apparently be on the same base, in which case the interpretation is that the foremost man tried to make the neXt base and failed, and is out.

In using the apparatus the minimum number of actual players is two, one to pitch and one to hat, but any larger number may play, in which case one player of each side may act as manager and direct the play of his side as in a regulation game. If desired, the base running of each actual player who has made a hit may be carried on by the same player, taking his stand at the playing field F, and moving his dummy player on the bases, The base stealing keys 6 on the field and B at the batsmans stand, are concealed from the view of other players, so that this part of the apparatus can be worked from either location, wherever the playing manager may be, without the opposing side discovering the intention. In the play of the game the situations that develop may be interpreted and scored according to the rules and principles of playing a regulation game. The apparatus allows room for the exercise of judgment of each side as in the regulation game in many respects, as for example in the order of arranging weak and heavy hitters, attempting steals, the use of sacrifice hits, etc., and the result of the play depends greatly on the judgment of the playing manager, and the instructions he signals to his men, coupled with the skill of the pitcher and the batsman against each other as in the regulation game.

In practice the physical representation of the home plate A may be omitted for the apparatus embodies means by which the players quickly learn to fix its position in mind, and such means therefore are the equivalent of the actual. presence of the plate. For example, the vertical lines formed by the sides of the pocket in thesheet C and the vertical edge of the battcrs screen B, signify its position in a lateral sense; as would also a picture of a catcher or of his mitt, if such were painted on the back sheet C and the position of the batters stand fixes it in the direction of the pitching; or other signs may be employed to define an area in the air beside the batsman, through which the ball must pass in order to be fair, equivalent to that which is defined by the rules in a regulation game by reference to the home plate.

I claim as my invention:

1. Game apparatus adapted to be used with a pitched ball, including in combina" tion, means to signify home plate position; a ball receiver, adapted to distinguish the position of impact of the ball; and means beside said position of home plate for a player beside said position to signify a strike at the passing ball.

2. Game apparatus adapted to be used with a pitched ball, including in combination, means to signify home plate position; a batsmans stand beside and a ball receiver behind home plate, the receiver having sections respectively corresponding in position to different predetermined positions at which pitched balls may pass home plate.

3. Game apparatus adapted .to be used with a pitched ball, including in combination, means to signify home plate position; a batsmans stand beside and a ball receiver behind home plate, the receiver having sections respectively corresponding in position to different predetermined positions at which pitched balls may pass home plate and means automatically announcing the section struck by a pitched ball.

1. Game apparatus adapted to be used with a pitched ball, including in combination, means to signify home plate position; a batsmans stand beside and a ball receiver behind home plate, the receiver having sectional areas corresponding respectively to balls passing home plate within different predetermined positions, one section being at a distance behind the other, whereby the ball cannot strike both at the same instant.

5. Game apparatus adapted to be used with a pitched ball, including in combina tion, means to signify home plate position; a batsmans stand beside home plate, a yielding ball receiver, and announcing mechanism adapted to be operated by movement of the receiver under impact of the ball.

6. Game apparatus adapted to be used with a pitched ball, including in combina tion, means to signify home plate position; a batsmans stand beside home plate; a ball receiver, comprising a flexible fabric held yieldingly at its edges; an announcing mechanism; and means whereby the draft of the fabric edge occasioned by impact of a ball. on the fabric actuates the announcer.

7. Game apparatus adapted to be used with a pitched ball, including in combination, means to signify home plate position; a batsmans stand beside home plate; and a ball receiver arranged in two planes, the first having an opening adapted by location to permit every ball passing home plate as a fair pitched ball to pass by it to the second plane, the remainder of said first plane receiving unfair balls.

8. Game apparatus adapted to be used with a pitched ball, including in combination, means to signify home plate position, a batsmans stand beside home plate; a ball receiver arranged in two planes, the first having an opening adapted by location to permit every ball passing home plate as a fair pitched ball to pass by that plane to the second plane, the remainder of said first plane receiving unfair balls; separate announcers actuated by the two planes; and means whereby the actuation of either pre- Vents actuation of the other.

9. Game apparatus adapted to be used with a pitched ball, including in combination, means to signify home plate position; a bat-smans stand beside home plate; a ball receiver arranged in two planes, the first having an opening adapted by location to permit every ball passing home plate as a fair pitched ball to pass by that plane to the second plane; the remainder of said first plane receiving unfair balls; a separate announcer for each plane, actuated by the impact on the plane; and means to hold the parts in their actuated position temporarily, thereby rendering an instantly repeated i1npact on the same plane inoperative.

10. Game apparatus adapted to be used with a pitched ball, including in combination, means to signify home plate position; a ball receiver with means for announcing fair and unfair balls; a batsmans stand beside home plate; and a movable element for signifying the batsmans striking at the ball, arranged in a position outside of the course of the ball.

11. Game apparatus adapted to be used with a pitched ball, including in combination, means to signify home plate position; a ball receiver with means for announcing fair and unfair balls; a batsmans stand beside home plate; a movable element outside the course of the ball for signifying the bats mans striking at the ball; and means con necting said movable element with the announcer, whereby the position of said element at the instant the ball is received may control the character of the announcement.

12. Game apparatus adapted to be used with a pitched ball, including in combination, means to signify home plate position; a ball receiver with means for announcing fair and unfair balls; a batsmans stand beside home plate; a movable element outside the course of the ball for signifying the batsmans striking at the ball; and means con necting said movable element with the announcer, whereby the position of said element at the instant the ball. is received may control the character of the announcement, the receiver being close to home plate, thereby requiring action by the batsman while the ball is approaching home plate.

13. Game apparatus adapted to be used with a pitched ball, including in combination, means to signify home plate position; a ball receiver behind home plate; at bats mans stand beside it having means for a player to signify a strike at the ball passing home plate; a frame carrying said means and protecting the batsman; and means to shift said frame between predetermined positions on each side of home plate.

It. Game apparatus adapted to be used with a pitched ball, including in combina tion, means to signify home plate position; and apparatus in three separate planes close to home plate, comprising a batsmans stand, a ball receiver behind itand another ball reeiver behind the latter, the two receivers corrcspoiuling in position and extent to fair and unfair pitched balls and the stand be ing the position for a player to judge the approaching ball; an announcer; and connections thereto, from the balsmaus stand and from each receiver, coiiperating to select the particular announcement that is to be made.

Game apparatus adapted to be used with a pitched ball. including in combination, means to signify home plate position; and three planes arranged near home plate; consisting of a frame affording protection to a batsman and movable to a predetermined distance on either side of home plate, a receiver covering a relatively small area centrally behind home plate, and another receiver covering a relatively large area surrounding the first mentioned area; an announcer; and means to send impulses from each plane thereto, coiiperating to determine the announcement.

16. Game apparatus adapted to be used with a pitched ball including the combination, with means to signify home plate position; a receiver formed in sections emitting diverse sounds upon impact of a ball and arranged in different positions relative to and close behind the home plate position, whereby the position of impact of the ball with respect to home plate position is announced by the characteristic sound of section-impact: of means for a player to signify his striking at the ball; said means having an actuating part located beside home plate position and adapted to be operated by a player located there.

17. Game apparatus adapted to be used with a pitched ball and including, in combination, a batsmans stand havmg means outside of the course of the ball to signify his striking at the ball; a ball receiver hav ing two diversely positioned sections; an announcer in three sections, and connections to the amiouncer from the receiver sections and batsn'ians stand; one of said announcer sections corresponding to one of the receiver sections, another corresponding to the other receiver section or to a batsmans strike combined with impact on the first receiver section; and the third corresponding to a batsmans strike combined with impact on the second receiver section; whereby a ball, a strike, or a hit is announced.

18. Game apparatus adapted to be used with a pitched ball, including in combination. a ball receiver and means distinguishing the character of ball received; a batsmans stand, with means to signify his striking at the ball; and means, operated by conjunction ot a batsmans strike and a ball impact of predetermined character, to throw an instrument of chance to determine base running.

19. Game apparatus including in combination, a ball receiver and an announcer connected thereto, the latter having a plurality of drops arranged in succession, the earlier of which drops comprise switches, each conveying an arriving impulse either to its own releasing means or to the neXt drop, depending on whether the drop is in its ready to operate or in its operated position.

20. Game apparatus including in combination, a ball receiver and an announcer connected thereto, the latter having a plurality of drops arranged in succession, the earlier of which drops comprise switches, each conveying an arriving impulse to its own releasing means if it arrive while the drop is set or to the next drop it after the drop has been operated, and means to hold the drop between the beginning of its release and the establishment of its connection to the next drop; until the initial actuatin impulse has ceased.

21. Game apparatus including in combination, a ball receiver, an announcer and a circuit connecting them, the announcer having a plurality 01? drops arranged in succession, the earlier of them each constituting a switch throwing the circuit either upon its own releaser or upon the neXt drop; latches and releasers for the drops, the latches for the earlier drops each having primary and secondary ledges, the secondar holding the latch after the releaser has drawn it from the first until the releasers energization ceases.

22. Game apparatus including in combination, a ball receiver; a dummy playing field; means for signifying an attempt to gain a base; means for throwing chances to determine the result of such attempt; a circuit for operating the latter, passing through the playing field and energized by impact of a ball on the receiver, the circuit being normally open at the bases in the playing field; and dummy players, adapted to close the circuit through the playing field when positioned on a base.

Game apparatus including in combination, a ball receiver; abase stealing inclicator; a circuit for operating said indicator, said circuit having a break closed only upon impact of a ball on said receiver, and there being another break in the circuit that may be closed at will by a player to complete the circuit.

24. Game apparatus including in combination, a ball receiver; an announcer; a circuit to operate the announcer by impact 01 the ball upon the receiver; and circuits for subsidary indications, each with two breaks,

one that may be closed in advance by a player, and the other closed automatically upon the closing of said main circuit.

25. Game apparatus including in con1bination, a ball receiver, an announcer showing position where the ball is received, a circuit to operate the announcer by impact of the ball upon the receiver, and a circuit for registering a players advance judgment of such position, the latter circuit being energized only by the closing of the first mentioned circuit.

26. Game apparatus including in combination, a ball receiver; an announcer; an operating circuit connecting the two, normally open, and closed by impact of the ball on the receiver; an element movable to open the circuit; and means setting this in motion when the circuit is energized, whereby the circuit is soon deenergized.

27. Game apparatus including in combination, a ball receiver, an announcer, a circuit connecting the two, and means connected with the receiver and tending to open the circuit but yielding to impact of the ball on the receiver to close the circuit; a relay holding the circuit continuously thus closed; and a subsequently operating circuit breaking device, with connections whereby said closing oi the circuit actuates the announcer and the circuit breaker, thereby subsequently opening the circuit and relay.

28. Game apparatus including in combination, a ball receiver; an announcer; a batsmans stand having an element movable to signify a strike at the ball; an auxiliary circuit closed by initial movement of said element and a pawl actuated by that circuit to prevent recession of said movable element, a main circuit adapted to be closed by im pact of the ball on the receiver and means released thereby for breaking the auxiliary circuit, thereby permitting recession of said element.

29. Game apparatus including in combination, a ball receiver; an announcer; a batsmans stand with an element movable to signify a strike; a circuit, normally open, closed by impact of the ball on the receiver; and a switch operated by said movable element, whereby current passing on said impact is directed to one or another part of the announcer, to announce a ball or a strike,

according to the position of said movable element.

30. Game apparatus including-in combination, a ball receiver; an announcer; a batsmans stand having a movable element, and a circuit closed by its movement; a switch operated by that circuit to change the indication of the announcer from a strike to a hit; means L to open said circuit, preventing operation of the switch; and a circuit operating the announcer, closed by impact of the ball on the receiver and when closed (operating the means L for breaking the first mentioned circuit.

31. Game apparatus including in combination, a ball receiver, in two sections, an announcer in two sections, separate circuits each connecting one portion of the receiver with its corresponding portion of the announcer and adapted to be closed by impact of a ball on its section of the receiver; and means in each circuit adapted to break the other circuit; whereby that portion of the announcer is actuated which corresponds to that portion of the receiver on which impact is first made.

32. Game apparatus adapted to be used with a pitched ball, including in combination, a ball receiver in two sections at different distances along the path of the ball, an announcer in two sections, separate circuits each connecting one portion of the receiver with its corresponding portion of the announcer and adapted to be closed by impact of a ball on its section of the receiver; and means in each circuit adapted to break the other circuit; whereby only the first impact is announced.

Game apparatus adapted to be used with a pitched ball, including in combination, a ball receiver having a section for fair and a section for unfair balls, an announcer having a section for strikes, registering fair balls, and a section for balls, registering unfair balls; circuits from the receiver to the announcer actuated by impact of the ball; and a batsmans switch throwing the circuit from the unfair ball section of the receiver into the strike section of the announcer.

34. Game apparatus adapted to be used with a pitched ball, including in combination, a ball receiver in sections; an announcer, in sections for balls and strikes; circuits, actuated by impact of the pitched ball, connecting the receiver sections respectively with the ball section and with the strike section of the announcer, each circuit having means to break the connection of the other, the means in the strike circuit, for breaking the ball circuit, being slower acting than the other, whereby an impulse originating in the ball section of the receiver and, switched into the strike circuit by the batsman produces its full effect before being broken by action of the breaking means in the strike circuit.

Game apparatus adapted to be used with a pitched ball, including in combination, a ball. receiver having sections differently positioned for impact of fair and unfair balls, an announcer having ball and strike sections actuated thereby, a batsmans stand with a movable element cooperating to actuate the announcer, and independent means manually controlled to actuate each portion of the announcer.

36. Game apparatus adapted to be used with av pitched ball, including in combination, a ball receiver, an announcer and a circuit thereto actuated by impact of the ball on the receiver, an auxiliary circuit with a manually movable element at a batsmans stand adapted to close it to indicate a hit, and a switch actuated by said auxiliary circuit to connect the main circuit to another portion of the announcer to signify each hit.

37. Game apparatus adapted to be used with a pitched ball, including in combination, a ball receiver, an announcer and a circuit thereto actuated by impact of the ball on the receiver, an auxiliary circuit with a manually movable element at a batsmans stand adapted to close it to indicate a hit, and a switch actuated by said auxiliary circuit to connect the main circuit to another portion of the announcer to signify a hit, said last mentioned portion of the announcer having two alternative )aths, one for a regular and one for a sacrifice hit, and a switch for choosing between them.

38. Game apparatus adapted to be used with a pitched ball, including in combination, a ball receiver and an announcer, each in sections, the latter having a ball section operated by impact on the unfair ball section of the receiver, a strike section operated by impact on the fair ball section and a hit section also operated by impact on the fair ball section; a manually movable element for the batsman to signify striking at the pitched ball, switching an impulse from the unfair ball section of the receiver to the strike section of the announcer; and a switch from the fair ball section of the receiver whose alternative terminals are the hit section and the strike section of the announcer, whereby impulses originating in the unfair ball section and switched into the strike section do not pass on into the hit section.

39. Game apparatus adapted to be used with a pitched ball, including in combination, a ball receiver in sections, for fair and unfair balls; an announcer, in sections, for balls and strikes; a circuit from each section of the receiver to the announcer, actuated by impact of a ball on its section of the receiver and containing a cut-out and a magnetcontrolling the cut-out of the other circuit.

40. Game apparatus adapted to be used with a pitched ball, including in combination, a ball receiver in sections, for fair and unfair balls; an announcer, in sections, for balls and strikes; a circuit from each section of the receiver to the announcer, actuated by impact of a ball on its section of the receiver and containing a cutout and also a magnet controlling the cut-out of the other circuit; and a magnetically moved it Q member adapted, When actuated, to connect its oWn actuating circuit directly to the source of energy, thereby holding the parts in actuated position independently of the continuance of the original impact.

41. Game apparatus adapted to be used with a pitched ball, including in combination, a ball receiver in sections for fair and unfair balls; an announcer in sections for balls and strikes; a circuit from each section of the receiver to the announcer, actuated by impact of a ball and containing a magnet; deenergizing means; and anarmature for said magnet Whose movement opens the other circuit and initiates movement of said deenergizing means.

42. Game apparatus adapted to be used With a pitched ball, including in combination, a ball receiver having different sections for fair and unfair balls, a circuit leading from each, an electro-magnet in each circuit, the armature thereof carrying a part of the circuit from the other section; said armature, When magnetically pulled, breaking said otherrcircuit and connecting the battery directly to its own magnet; and means for breaking the main battery circuit soon thereafter.

43. Game apparatus adapted to be used with a pitched ball, including in combination, a ball receiver, an announcer having a plurality of signals arranged in succession, an escapement for releasing them successively and a circuit connecting the receiver with the escapement, whereby successive impulses from the same source are recorded severally.

Signed by me at Boston, Mass, this second day of November, 1912.

HO'VVARD G. FORBES.

Vvitnesses EVERETT E. KENT, ANNA B. LINDSAY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, 1). C.

Images