US708569A - Indicator for ball games. - Google Patents

Description

No. 708,569. a Patented Sept. 9, I902.

E. MANLEY.

INDICATOR FOR BALL GAMES.

(Application filed Oct. 9, 1901.)

(No Model.)

INVENTOR WIT/YE 5.

ATEN

EDWARD MANLEY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

INDICATOR FOR BALL GAMES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent-No. 708,569, dated September 9, 1902.

Application filed October 9, 1901. Serial No. 78,143. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD MANLnY, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Indicators for Ball Games; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact descrip' tion of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention is an improved device to be used in ball games to determine whether the pitcher throws the ball accurately and to enable the umpire and spectators to determine positively whether balls or strikes are pitched. At the same time the device is of assistance to the pitcher, as it constitutes an indicator or guide by which he is enabled to more accurately pitch the ball within safe limits.

The indicator, in brief, consists of a visual device which is arranged between the pitcher and batter or catcher and is constructed of very light fragile or yielding material, sothat it will not obstruct the flight of the ball nor interfere with the movements or vision of the players, and the pitcher must throw the ball correctly past or through this indicator; otherwise it will be counted as a ball against him, and, on the other hand, if the pitcher puts the ball correctly past or through the indicator it will be counted as a strike against the batsman whether he actually hits at the ball or not.

The invention is capable of embodiment in various forms and ways and is therefore not restricted to the particular constructions indicated in the drawings, which are the best now known to me, however, but are shown as illustrating, notas limiting, the invention, the scope of which is best defined in the claims.

In said drawings, Figure 1 is aperspective view illustrating one embodiment of the invention and the mode of use thereof. Fig. 2 is a detail front view of the indicator shown in Fig. 1, and Figs. 3 and i are views of modifications of the indicator.

In said drawings, A designates the homeplate of a base-ball field, and B is the indicator, which may be located at any convenient points between the pitchers and catchers positions where it will not interfere with the batsman or base-runners. I do not confine myself to any precise location of the indicator, as that may be varied to suit the players and game.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the indicator is composed of a rectangular frame B of a width and height sufficient to embrace or include a transverse section of the area within which a ball can be safely pitched, and the frame is placed transversely across the proper trajectory of the ball, so that if correctly pitched it will pass through the frame and be counted a strike or error against the batsman if he does not hit the ball; but if the ball is pitched outside the frame it will be counted a ball or error against the pitcher. This frame may be formed of any suitable material-such as cord, paper, strips, &c.which will be perceptible without presenting much surface and will not obstruct vision nor interfere with the movements of the players or of the ballthat is, in case of contact of a player or of the ball with the indicator the latter will immediately yield or give Way Without resistance, so that it constitutes no actual obstruction on the field.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the indicatorframe is composed of two slight vertical members b b and two horizontal members 5 b, attached to the vertical members at suitable distances apart, so as to allow the pitcher a proper range or variation in the trajectory of the ball. These members I) b may be suspended from an overhead wire 0, strung at such a height as not to interfere with the ball or players. Where the frame is made of light but sufficiently stiff material, the overhead support might be omitted. The lower ends of members I) are suitably anchored, so that the frame will be held in position.

As shown in Fig. 3, the indicator is arranged directly over the home-plate A, and the horizontal members I) of the indicator (shown in Figs. 1 and 2) are omitted, and instead the vertical members 19 are marked by a distinct color for a suitable portion of their length, as indicated at b Fig. 3, so that if the ball. passes between or beside these portions 1) its correct trajectory can be readily determined.

In Fig. i the indicator comprises but one vertical member I), which may be marked at a proper point by a distinctive color, as indicated at 17 These modifications indicate how the invention may be embodied in various forms when once known, and I do not limit myself to the specific forms shown in drawings.

From the foregoing the essential features of the invention will be readily understood, and the particular form or composition of the indicator B and the manner in which the same is supported or retained in position may be altered to suit the pleasure of the constructor. In case the indicator is ruptured it can be quickly repaired with little loss of time and slight expense.

The advantages of using the indicator are obvious, as it will serve as a guide for the pitcher and will enable the umpire to determine visually andcorrectly the accuracy of the pitchers work and whether the trajectory of the ball constitutes the play a ball or a strike.

Having thus described my invention, what I therefore claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent thereon, is-

1. A device for use in ball games, comprising an indicator interposed between the pitchers and catchers positions and defining or bounding the usual or determined trajectory of the ball, substantially as described.

2. An indicator for ball games, comprising 1 a light non -resisting vertical device interposed between the pitchers and catchers positions to determine the correct trajectory of a pitched ball, substantially as described.

3. An indicator for ball games, comprising a slight frame interposed between the pitchers and catchers positions, by which the ball is to be pitched, for the purpose and substantially as described.

4. In an indicator for ball games, the combination of two vertical members anchored between the pitchers and catchers positions, said members being of slight proportions and arranged to determine the correct trajectory of the pitched ball, substantially as described.

5. In an indicator for ball games, the combination of an overhead support, a pair of Vertically-arranged members suspended therefrom at a point between the pitchers and catchers positions, and transverse members attached to the vertical members to form therewith a frame through which the ball must be pitched, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EDWARD MANLEY.

Witnesses:

EDWIN L. MILLER, CHARLES P. MEGAN.

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