US2494248A - Electrically controlled baseball game - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 10, 1950 E. P- KOPPIN ELECTRICALLY CONTROLLED BASEBALL GAME Filed Dec. 4, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet l III INVENTOR. EUGENE P KOPPIN haz d ELECTRICALLY CONTROLLED BASEBALL GAME Filed Dec. 4,. 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. EUGENE P KOPPIN Patented Jan. 10, 1950 UNITED STATES.

TENT OFFICE ELECTRICALLY CONTROLLED BASEBALL GAME The present invention relates to improvement in an electrically controlled baseball game adapted for play by two players.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide an electrically controlled baseball game wherein the simulated position and movement of a base runner may be indicated by the progressive illumination of a series of electric lights arranged along the base lines.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such a baseball game wherein the progressive illumination of the base line lights is under the control of the player representing the batting team and wherein the defensive player may simulate a play at one or more of the bases by selectively illuminating player lights representing defensive players located at the various bases and home plate. Means being provided to maintain or simulate one or more runners on the bases in accordance with conventional baseball rules and to extinguish one or more of the player lights at the bases when the players are out in accordance with the rules of-the game.

Other objects of this invention will appear in' the following description and appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification where in like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is essentially a top elevation of a baseball game embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is essentially a fragmentary enlarged vertical section with the electrical wiring removed, taken in the direction of the arrows along the diagonal line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a schematic wiring diagram of an electrical circuit-suitable for use with the pres ent invention.

Before explaining the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. I

Briefly, the present invention provides a game which may be played by two opposing players.

A slightly inclined table is marked out to simulate a baseball diamond, including a pitchers mound, batters box, and first, second, third, and home bases. The ball is pitched from the pitchers mound by electromagnetic means under the control of the defensive player and rolls toward home plate to an electromagnetically actuated bat under the control of the offensive player. A,

pair of electric lights, preferably of different colors, are located at each of the bases and may be selectively illuminated by an electrical control circuit under the control of the playersto simulate the position of a player or the ball.

The movement or position of a base runner on or between the bases is simulated by a series of electric lights arranged in a row along the base lines between the bases and adapted to be progressively illuminated by means of a come of the commutator. Upon illuminating the light which simulates a batter at home plate, the ball is brought into play by the defensive player who actuates the.

pitching mechanism and pitches a ball toward the bat. As the ball rolls down the inclined table or playing field from the pitchers mound toward home plate, the offensive player actuates;

the bat so as to drive the ball into the playing field. The timing of the swing of the bat is under the control of the batter so that-skill may be exercised in determining the direction in which the ball is batted.

Immediately upon striking a fair ball, the

batter or offensive player operates the commutator to progressively illuminate the series of base line lights from home plate to first base, and thereby to simulate the advance of his runner" toward first base. Meanwhile, the ball eventue ally rolls to its initial position within the pitch ing mechanism by virtue of the inclined table,

indicating that the ball has been fielded and is permitting the defensive player to simulate a play at any of the bases by selectively illuminating one of the defensive lights at the corresponding base.

If the runner reaches first base before the defens'ive player is enabled to illuminate the first baseman light at first base, the runner is safe at first. The lamp representing the runner will remain illuminated at first base. If the runner at.- tempts to reach second base, as indicated by the progressive illumination of the baseline lights between first andsecond bases, and the ball is recovered by the defensive team before the runner reaches second base, he may be trapped between. first and second bases if the defensive player simulates that the ballis under the controlof the first and second basemen by illuminating the de- 3 fensive lights at first and second bases. The light representing the runner is then extinguished. The home plate light is again illuminated to indicate thataa secondbatter is up,the ballis "again pitched, and'the-game continues-essentially in ac the four legs l2 which are braced by lthe wire" braces I3. A portion of the upper surface of the housing is covered by the horizontal Leshaped shelf 14 which extends along two sides.;oi .the

housing. .The baseball .field 15 preferably .comprises a transparent plate-of glass, Blexiglas,.or. similar material marked oretched to. simulate .a.

baseball field, including home plate .-.and.first,.secnd, and third bases, indicated respectively by the characters H, I, II, and III. Base lines llB are marked on the field between the bases. The pitchers .mound H and batters box 18 are also suitably marked on thefield l 5.

The field I5 is preferably tilted downward toward home 'plate H fromth'e diagonally opposite corner-so asto providea gradual downward slope;

to the field toward home plate along all lines parallel to the diagonal between second and home bases. First and third bases are at the same level. Similarly, all lines gparallel to the diagonal joining first and third bases are horizontal. Thus a ball on the'field 15, free to roll in any direction, will roll. down the incline in "a direction parallel to thediagonaljoining'second and home bases.

Four openings T9 are provided within the-field i5 immediately outside the base lines l6. Similarholes 2B are located in theleft: and right outfields, and an L-shaped hole 2 I is provided "at the far center field. It is proposed, according to the rules of the game, that a ballfalling through thecenter portion ISA, MA, or 2IA of'oneof the openings 19, 20, or 2|;respectively, will be indi cated as a fly out. Whenthe ballialls through one of the-lateralportions of :one :of the openingsv I9, 28, or 2l ,-an out is notindicated, .but the return of the ball to its starting position within the pitching mechanism is: accelerated.

Another opening 22 is centrally located-within the .pitchers mound 11 to provide passageifor-the arcuate pitching-tube 23. Ania-shaped opening 24 behindhome plate is provided for eventually receiving the ball if it does not previouslydrop through one-of the aforesaid openingstlii zfi, 2!, 01x22. The hall .in-play is-maintained withinzthe confines of the field, l5 bytharails. 25 whichsup port .the transparent top -26 covering :the-zentirex playin field l 5.

Above the centerfield-iopening- 2i and located .essentiallymidway.betweenthe ciently to land in .the bleachers 2'! ,cannot.dropthrough the. opening :21 and may beconsiderema home run.

Below theplayingfieldfllf, is abaSinIZB, which is adapted to catch the ball after it drops through any of the aforesaid openings in the field l5, and is declined toward a ball receiving funnel openlug-I2 9 ilocated essentially J below the pitchers mound ll. Thus a ball positioned at any place on the playing field [5 will roll down the inclinatiOIl thereof. If the ball does not previously fall through one of the-openings 19 through 22, it will eventually reach one of the rails 25 running parallel to the first and third base lines 16 to the opening 24. lifter dropping through the field [5, the ball rollsalong .the inclined basin 28 to the funnel opening 29 through which it drops to the pitching position within the chamber 33, where the ball, indicated by 34 in Fig. 2, comes to rest in;front of the'end-of the pitching plunger 35 and-at the. mouth of 'the lower opening of the pitching tube 23.

The plunger-.35 normally-spring-pressed to theleitby-thecoil spring 36-around the leftward endof the plunger .35 and under compression betweenthe flanged plunger head .37 and the plunger supporting bracket 38. The plunger .35 is actuated at thediscretion of the player rep- ,resentingthe defensive. team byan electric solenoidoperatedmechanism 46, supported on the base-l6, and strikes the .ball 34.to.drive it through thepitching tube23. The driving stroke of the plunger 35 to the right'is limited by contact between the movement limiting stop 39 and the side of the plunger housing 4!, which latter, together with the bracket 38, are supported on the housing .48. Alsov supported on the base in is the solenoid actuated batting mechanism 44 which is operated at'the discretion of the player representing the "batting or ofiensive team to pivot the upright bat operating shaft 45 and thereby'to swingthe'bat 46 secured to the upper end of the shaft.

Operation of the game and control of the play by the opposing players'is effected by an elec tric'control circuit shown schematically in Fig. 3. As outlined above, the offensive player may ad- Vancehis men along the base lines by rotating the manually operated crank 6'1, which is operatively connected, as for example'by a wormdriven connection, with the commutator 48 for rotation thereof. Details of the electrical mechanism, including the commutator 48, the solenoid qactuated pitching and batting mechanisms 46 and 44, and'their operable mechanical linkages are well known to the art and are accordingly not described'in-detail herein. Also, for the sake of simplicity-and clarity, the electrical wiring of the control circuit is not shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

iPowerrfor-the:electrical control circuit is suppliedihrough the terminalsS and 5! which may be considered the live lead and the ground respectively for the sake ofiillustration. The four relay/5 54A. B, .C, and D, are connected in parallel between'the ground and the four cam operated switches 56A, B, C, and D respectively by the fourelectrical conductors 55A, B, C, and D respectively. The-switches 56A, B, C, and D are operated in'sequence by the four cams 51A, B,

C, and B, respectively, carried by therotatabie commutator for rotation therewith.

The cams Sl' and corresponding cam switches 55:are shownspaced at difierent radii from the centerci the commutator 48 so that upon counter-clockwise rotation of the commutator 48, for example, cam 57A will close thecam operated switchbiA.whenrotated to-a position of contact therewith, schematically indicated along the vertical .downwardiradius of the .camAB in Fig. 3.

56A, the cam 5113 will be in position to close the cam switch 56B. Likewise, cam switches 56C and 56D are closed by the cams 51C and 51D upon rotation of the commutator lfi through'successive quarter turns. commutator 43 may be rotated in either direction at the discretion of the oilensive player.

As schematically indicated by the difierent radial spacings of the four cams 5'! and four cam switches 56, the earns 57 are preferably spaced around the periphery of the commutator 48 at different vertical levels. The corresponding cam switches 56 are spaced at corresponding vertical levels. Accordingly, each cam switch 56A, B, C, or D will be tripped and closed only by its respective cam 51A, B, C, or D. As each cam switch 56 is closed in turn, the circuit through the corresponding relay 5:; is completed to the power 49, thereby energizing the said relay 54 and closing the associated relay switch 58A, B, C, or D. The closing of each relay switch 58A, B, C, or D, upon energizing the respective relay 54A, B, C, or D, connects the corresponding brush 59A, B, C, or D with the power line 49. The brushes 59A, B, C, and D make electrical contact with the rotating ring conductors 63A, B, C, and D respectively, which are connected by the conductors 64A, B, C, and D respectively with the terminal brushes or contacts 65A, B, C, and D respectively for selectively completing a circuit with one of the plurality of base line electric light terminals 61, uniformly spaced stationarily around the periphery of the commutator 48.

The four ring conductors 63 and their corresponding leads 6d and terminal contacts 65 rotate with the commutator 48. The contacts 65 are spring-pressed toward the terminals 61 so as to progressively contact the latter upon rotation of the commutator 48, and thereby to progress sively light the plurality of base and base line lights 69. The base and base line lights 69 are connected with their respective terminals 6! by the plurality of conductors 68, and are grounded to the portion of the lead to extended within the diamond formed by the lights 69.

In the present example, fourteen base line lights 69sare evenly distributed along the base line l6 between each pair of the base lights 69H, 691, 652 and making sixty base and base line lights around the periphery of the diamond. Each base light 69H. 691, 692, and 693 is located under its corresponding base, H, I, II, or III. The bases and base lines are preferably stained or etched in the plate !5 so as to be transparent and to permit visibility of the lights 69 when illuminated. As may be seen in Fig. 2, the base and base line lights 69 are supported directly below the base lines it by the support 10, which latter is suitably secured to the side portions H of the housing.

For the sake of illustration, the uppermost terminal 6TH around the commutator 48 may be considered to represent the terminal for the light 69H representing a batter at home plate. When one of the moving contacts 65 is energized and in contact with the terminal 67H, the home base light 69H is illuminated. As the energized terminal 65 rotates clockwise upon rotation of the commutator 48 to the next terminal 67, the next light 69 in the series between home plate and first base is illuminated. Likewise, as the energized In operation of the game, the

6 contact moves around the commutator in a clockwise direction, the third, fourth, fifth, and remaining base line lights 69 are progressively illuminated. The fifteenth terminal 61, counting clockwise from 61H, is for the base light 691 representing a runner on first base. The next fifteenth terminal is for the base light 692 representing a runner on second base, and the next iii-- teenth terminal 61 is for the base light 693 representing a runner on third base. In order to avoid a multiplicity of electrical conductors in the wiring diagram, Fig. 3, the plurality of leads 68 from the terminals 61 on opposite halves of the commutator 48 are shown entering the pair of electrical cables 13 from which the individual leads 68 branch out to their corresponding lights 69.

By way of illustration, the circuit of one of the lights 69 is followed in detail, assuming that the cam 510 has contacted and closed the cam switch 560, completing the circuit through the relay 54C and thereby closing the normally open relay switch 58C. Closing of the relay switch 580 immediately provides a by-pass circuit from loads 49 to 59 through the relay 54, permitting the cam 57C to ride off and open the cam switch 560 without de-energizing the relay 54C. The circuit through the closed relay switch 580 also energizes the brush 59C and completes an electrical circuit.

through the ring contact 63C, the conductor 640,

the rotating contact 850, one of the terminals 61,

its associated lead 68 and base or base line light 69, and then to the ground 50.

By the commutator arrangement shown, it is apparent that the offensive player may simulate the advance or retreat of his men along the base lines and from base to base by rotating the commutator 48 so as to progressively light the lights 69. When a runner is put out in accordance with the rules of the game, either at one of the bases or between the bases, the light 69 representing that player is extinguished by means of one of the manually operated normally open switches 141,2 Switch 141, for example, is in parallel with the light 691, and is adapted upon closing to short out light 69, by connecting the particular lead 68 for the light 69, to the ground 50. When the commutator 68 is moved to position anyone of the energized rotating contacts 65 over the terminal 61 for the light 691, and switch 14, is closed, light 691 and likewise the relay 54 through which the light 69, is energized will be shortened by directing the power from line 49, through the appropriate relay switch 58, to ground 50. For exampla'if the rotating contact 650 is energized and concentrically located over the terminal for the light 691, i. e., the fifteenth clockwise terminal 61 after 6TH, the current for the light 691 will necessarily be supplied through the conductor 640 from the rotating ring contact 63C in contact with V the brushl59C, which in turn will be connected through the relay 54C via the relay switch 580.

Closing switch '54, in this situation will direct the power from line 49 through relay switch 580, the

brush 59C, ring 63C, conductor 64C, contact 65C,

and thelead 68 (which would otherwise energize light 69) and switch 14, to the ground 50. Thus electric energy to relayEtC will be shortened to ground 56 and the normally open relay switch 580 will open, de-energizing contact 656 until further rotation of the commutator 48 again closes cam switch 560. The normally open switches M2 and M3 are similarly connected to short out the lights 692 and 693 at second and third bases respectively for de-energizing the contacts 65 which energize these lights.

amazes 7'. Whenitheiball 2343s atcthe pitching .position within the chamber ":33, iitzmay- :be pitched closing the manually operated normally open pitching switch '15P .which completes 'a circuit from the power line :49 through :the solenoid operated pitching :mechanism '40 and to ground 50,-drivingthe plunger 35 'to'theright in Fig. 2 and pitching the ball through: the tubei23, which directs the ball from the pitchers mound I! .toward home plate H.

As the ball 34' nears the bat 46, the offensive player times its approach :and, at the proper instant to bat'the ball into the playing field l5, closes the normally open manual switch 163 to complete the circuit from :the power line 49 throughthe solenoidoperated batting mechanism 44 -tothe ground-50, thereby pivoting the shaft 45- and: swinging the bat- 46.

The ball 34 rolls under its own momentum across. the field iii-and may or may not fall into one of the openingsl9A,"20A,or 2 Hi. If the ball falls into one of the openings ISA, 20A, or 21A, :it closes oneoi the corresponding switches TI, 318, :or 19, schematically indicated somewhat in'theirproperlocations with respectto the field |5-',Fig. 3. 'Theballi34 is preferably an electric conductor, andthe switches 11, I8, and 19 are preferably resilient spaced contacts which are momentarily bridged as the ball 34 falls through one. of the corresponding openings l 9A, 20A, or 121A. As theball bridges one of the spaced contacts 11, 18, 'or 19, connected in parallel witheach other'and the ground 50, and connected'in series-withthe circuit for the fly out light 83 andithe power lead :49, the light'83,

supportedfrom the support HI below the transparent field .zl8,is-momentarily illuminated to indicate aiflyzout.

If the ball does not fall through one of the openingsrl-BA, 20A, or'.2lA, itmay'be considered 1 in :play until it eventuallyrolls to its starting position within the chamber 33,- whereat it bridges the spaced contacts 84, schematically shown in Fig. 3. At this time, theiball 34 may .be considered within the control of the defensive team, 1

since the defensive player may now complete a circuitthrough one ofthe "normally open manual-switches #51, H. The switches 851,2,3, H connect the power :line 49 through the bridged contacts 84 to the corner lights 861,2,3, H, re-

spectively. which may be selectively illuminated to represent the :first,-second, and'thirdbasemen, and catcher, respectively, and which are preferably colored differentlyfrom' the base and base linelights 69.

By selectively closing one of the switches 85 and illuminating the corresponding defensive player light 88, a play at one of the bases may be simulated. For example, after the batter hits the ball 34 into the playing .field 15, the simulated advance of the batter or runner along the base lines is effected by rotating the commutator 48 clockwise. If the ball should be considered a fair'hit but should. return to the chamber 33 and bridge the :terminals 84 :before the runner reaches first 'base, asindicated by the extent of progressiomof illuminationof the base line lights 69, the :defensive' player may close the'switch 851 and illuminatethe light 86,

simulating that the-ball '34 hasbeen fielded and thrown to thefirst baseman;.thereby putting the runner out. If the runner should reach first basebefore the terminals 84-;and:.switch:851 are closed, the .:runner isssaieaat first; .In this in stance the first base light 391 will .beiilluminated 8 and the relay 8.11 intseries :with the .light 691 will be energizeditoopenthe normally closed relayswitch 881 .in :series with the first baseman lightflfii. Thusitwillnot be possible for the defensive player 1tomake a successful play at first base,- by illuminating .the first baseman light 861, while therrunnerris safe'on first base. Simi-.

larly,:.the relaysziflmare in series with the base lights 2692,: and are cenergized to open the normally closed relay switches 882,3 respectively, in series-with .the second and third baseman lights 862,-3respectively. Accordingly, the second and third basemen lights-862,3 cannot be illuminated while the secondandthird base lights 692,3 respectively, are illuminated.

It-isbelieved-that the operation-of the game is quiteqapparent in -.view of "the above disclosure. The srules of the game may be subject to considerable'variation although it is proposed that the -play. oi the-game 'will be somewhat as follows:

The game :is adapted to :be played by two opposing players who will follow conventional baseballrules-asnearly as'practicable. The bat- .ter up will be represented by rotating the commutator until oneof the-contacts 65 is aligned with the terminalBIH. The corresponding cam switch SE-Willthen be closed and the light 69H will be illuminated. Furthermore, the contact 65 involved will remain energized after opening of the cam switch 58, by virtue of the corresponding holding circuit, from lead 49, through therespective relayswitch 58 andrelay 54, and tothe groundfifl, which holding circuit will energize the relay 54 involved until .the closing of the proper switch. The defensive player then pitches the ball 34 by closing the switch -1 SP. The offensive player exercises ,hisskill in timing the approach of the ball in an endeavor to bat the .ball .34 where desired into the playing field I5.

If hemakes .afair hit which 1 does not fall into one of the openings ISA, 20A, or 21A, he is credited witha hit-and may advance his player along'the base lines .byrotating the commutator 48 clockwise asrapidly as possible, at the same timekeeping his eye upon .the ball. 34 which is visible through the.field [.5 even while in the basin ZBbelow. The offensive .player may advance his man as farashe .dares without being trapped between bases upon .the return of the ball 34 to itsinitial position within the chamber 33, whereat the contacts 84 are closed to permit the defensive player tomake a play at any one or more of .thebases.

If for example the first runner reaches first base safely, thefirst baselight 691 will be illuminated. Also while the light 691 is illuminated, the four rotating contactsfili will be aligned in contact with the four terminals 67 at the four quarters of the commutator 48, measured from the terminal 61H. Accordingly, the next following contacts 65will be in contact with the terminal 6lH,'and the correspondingcamswitch 56 will'be closed-to energizethe said contact 65 engaged with the terminal 61H. The illumination of the light 69H will indicate that the second batter is-up.

The second batter similarly strives for a hit, and if successful, advances'along the base lines by the progression of base line lights 69 upon rotation of the commutator 48. At the same time and at the same rate, the first runner will advance along the base lines from first to second base. If the'defensiveplayer is enabled to illuminate the first baseman light Bel-before the secrepresenting the second runner at first base is.

extinguished by de-energizing the second contact 65 in control of that light. From then on, until the subsequent closing of the appropriate cam switch 56, no base or base line lights 69 will be illuminated through the contact 65 which formerly controlled the simulated position of the second runner. If the first runner has safely reached second base, the second base light 692 will be illuminated. Similarly, the light 69H will also be illuminated by the position of the third successive contact 65 to indicate that the third batter is up.

If at any time during the course of the play, a simulated runner is trapped between bases by the simultaneous illumination of the basemen lights 86 behind and ahead of the runner, that runner will be considered out and the light circuit for the base light 69 representing that runner will be broken by opening the proper switch 14 when the contacts 65 are properly aligned at the four quarters of the commutator 48. The commutator 48 may be rotated in either direction so that the men may be advanced or retracted along the base lines at the discretion of the players. It is apparent that most of the actual plays of baseball may be simulated by the controls shown.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a baseball game adapted for competitive play by a pair of players and utilizing a ball adapted to roll over a simulated playing field, the combination of a playing board marked to simulate a baseball diamond, a batting mechanism controlled by one player and adapted to bat said ball along the playing field, a pitching mechanism controlled by the other player and adapted to direct the ball toward said batting mechanism, and means controlled by the pair of players for selectively actuating said batting and pitching mechanisms, said playing field being inclined toward the pitching mechanism to return a ball from its position on said board to said pitching mechanism after said ball has been batted by said batting mechanism, said board having baselines marked on the playing field, a plurality of electric base line lights linearly arranged along said base lines, an electric commutator adapted for reversible operation and operatively connected electrically with said plurality of base line lights for progressively illuminating the latter, and means controlled by the players for regulating the speed and direction of operation of said commutator to simulate the advance or retreat of a runner along said base line, said playing field being provided with a plurality of openings adapted to pass the ball through said board, and having 10 latter until the return of said balls to said initial pitching position.

2. In a baseball game adapted for competitive play by a pair of players and utilizing a ball adapted to roll over a simulated playing field, the combination of a playing board marked to simulate a baseball diamond, a batting mechanism controlled by one player and adapted to bat the ball along said playing field, means on the playing field adapted to return the ball to an initial position, means controlled by a player adapted to simulate the runner on the baselines of the baseball field and adapted to regulate the speed and direction of the advance or retreat of the runner along the lines, a defensive player light positioned at each of the bases of the playing field, means for simulating a defensive play at any one of the bases and including a defensive electric control circuit for selectively illuminating said defensive player lights, and an electric control means at said initial position and operatively connected with an inclined basin provided below said playing field to return said ball to the pitching position within said pitching mechanism, and a defensive player light positioned at each of the bases of said playing field and means for simulating a defensive play at any one of said bases and including a defensive electric control circuit for selectively illuminating said defensive player lights, and an electric control means at said initial pitching position and operatively connected with said defensive control circuit to prevent operation of the said defensive control circuit to prevent operation of the latter until the return of the ball to said initial position.

3. In a baseball game adapted for competitive play by a pair of players and utilizing a ball adapted to roll over a simulated playing field, the combination of a playing board marked to simulate a baseball diamond, a batting mechanism controlled by one player and adapted to bat the ball along said playing field, a pitching mechanism controlled by the other player and adapted to direct the ball towards said batting mechanism and means controlled. by the pair of players for selectively actuating said batting and pitching mechanism, means positioned on the simulated playing field adapted to return the ball to said pitching mechanism during which time the ball is considered in play, a plurality of electric base line lights linearly arranged along the base lines of the diamond of the playing field and adapted to indicate the progress of a runner moving between the bases and controlled by the players for regulating the speed and direction of the simulated advance or retreat of a runner along the base lines, a defensive player light positioned at each of the bases of the playing field, means for simulating a defensive play at any one 01' the bases and including a defensive electric control circuit for selectively illuminating said defensive player lights, and an electrically controlled means at said initial pitching position and operatively connected with said defensive control circuit to prevent operation of the latter until the :eturn of said balls to said initial pitching posiion.

EUGENE P. KOPPIN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 988,829 Smiley Apr. 4, 1911 994,963 Sutton June 13, 1911 1,074,414 Detrick Sept. 30, 1913 1,193,745 Wilson Aug. 8, 1916 1,943,685 Mayorga Jan. 16, 1934 1,980,125 Whitney Nov. 6, 1934

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