Abstract Baseball game apparatus comprising a novel game instrument or bat, and novel modular target or fielding apparatus. The game instrument or bat has handle and striking end portions, the latter comprising a plurality of different batting surfaces of successively increasing ball controllability but respectively of successively decreasing ball reactivity. This greatly increases batting versatility, and injects a new element of surprise in some baseball-type games. Game instrument examples disclosed have two and three batting surfaces, and variations in ball controllability are provided by dissimilarities in shape, including differences in both width and curvature, while variations in reactivity with a ball are provided by differences in rigidity or resiliency. The modular target or fielding apparatus comprises a series of aligned target modules of similar construction providing access to a ball batted from a special holder aligned with the modules, with such access being made progressively more difficult as to both loft and directional accuracy from front to rear.
A game instrument which comprises an elongated, generally rigid body having handle means proximate one end thereof and elongated ball striking means proximate the other end thereof, said striking means comprising a plurality of different elongated batting surfaces of successively increasing ball controllability but respectively of successively decreasing ball reactivity, said striking means comprising a channel-shaped portion of said body defining at least one of said striking surfaces, and bridging means extending between the edges of said channel-shaped body portion defining another of said striking surfaces, said channel shaped portion of the body and said bridging means being composed of different materials, and the material of said channel-shaped portion being substantially more rigid than the material of said bridging means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
A game instrument which comprises an elongated, generally rigid body having handle means proximate one end thereof and elongated ball striking means proximate the other end thereof, said striking means comprising a plurality of different elongated batting surfaces of successively increasing ball controllability but respectively of successively decreasing ball reactivity, said striking means comprising a channel-shaped portion of said body defining at least one of said striking surfaces, and bridging means extending between the edges of said channel-shaped body portion defining another of said striking surfaces, said channel shaped portion of the body and said bridging means being composed of different materials, and the material of said channel-shaped portion being substantially more rigid than the material of said bridging means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A game instrument as defined in claim 1, wherein said bridging means is comprised of resilient material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A game instrument as defined in claim 2, wherein said bridging means is composed of foam elastomeric material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A game instrument as defined in claim 1, wherein said channel-shaped portion is generally arcuate in cross secTion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A game instrument as defined in claim 1, wherein said channel-shaped portion is composed of metal.