Catching Game

Abstract

The present application is directed to methods and apparatus for playing a throwing game, employing a ball in which the surface of the ball is divided into zones, with indicia contained in each zone. In preferred examples, the ball is shaped like a football, and the indicia indicate number of points to be awarded, if any. Preferably a player catching the ball will receive the number of points indicated by the indicia within a zone on which the catching player's thumb lands. Reach player's points are added in a running tally. The invention also concerning a ball to be used in such a game.

I claim: 
     
         1 ) A method of playing a ball game involving two or more players comprising:
 a) a throwing player throwing a ball to a catching player, said ball having a plurality of zones on the surface of the ball, with each zone identified with a value marking visible on the surface of the ball;   b) said catching player catching the ball with at least one hand, such that a finger or thumb rests within a zone on the surface of the ball, wherein the value marking identifies a value associated with that zone, said value being processed and scored as agreed between the parties in advance of the game;   c) changing roles, so that each throwing player becomes a catching player and each catching player becomes a throwing player, such that a score is recorded for each player; and   d) ending the game after each player has had a chance to catch the ball the same number of times,   wherein the player with the highest score wins the game.   
     
     
         2 ) The method of  claim 1  wherein said ball is shaped like an American football. 
     
     
         3 ) The method of  claim 3  wherein said value is a numeral. 
     
     
         4 ) The method of  claim 3  wherein said value is a word. 
     
     
         5 ) The method of  claim 3  wherein each said value is independently selected from the group consisting of 1) a numeral, and b) a word. 
     
     
         6 ) The method of  claim 3  wherein at least one said value is both a numeral and a word. 
     
     
         7 ) The method of  claim 2  wherein said value is processed by adding numbers together. 
     
     
         8 ) The method of  claim 7  wherein at least one said numbers is zero. 
     
     
         9 ) A method of playing a ball game comprising:
 a) throwing a ball to a catching player, said ball having a plurality of zones on the surface of the ball, with each zone identified with a value marking visible on the surface of the ball;   b) said catching player catching the ball with at least one hand, such that a finger or thumb rests within a zone on the surface of the ball, wherein the value marking identifies a value associated with that zone, said value being processed and scored as agreed between the parties in advance of the game;   c) throwing said ball to at least one additional catching player and recorded a score for said additional catching player as in step b); and   d) ending the game after each player has had a chance to catch the ball the same number of times, wherein the player with the highest score wins the game.   
     
     
         10 ) The method of  claim 9  wherein the ball contains a sensor associated with each zone structured to register a score when an appendage touches a zone as the ball is caught. 
     
     
         11 ) The method of  claim 10  wherein said sensor wirelessly transmits said score information to a microprocessor for calculating a score of each said player. 
     
     
         12 ) The method of  claim 11  wherein said microprocessor is comprised in a device selected form the group consisting of a smartphone, a personal computer, and a tablet computer. 
     
     
         13 ) A method of playing a ball game comprising:
 a) throwing a football-shaped ball to a catching player, said football-shaped ball having a plurality of zones on the surface of the ball, with each zone identified with at least one value marking visible on the surface of the ball, said value marking selected from the group consisting of a numeral and a word;   b) said catching player catching the ball with at least one hand, such that a finger or thumb rests within a zone on the surface of the ball, wherein the value marking identifies a value associated with that zone, said value being processed, scored, and associated with said catching player as agreed between the parties in advance of the game;   c) throwing said ball to at least one additional catching player and a value obtained, processed, scored, and associated with said additional catching player as in step b); and   d) ending the game after each player has had a chance to catch the ball the same number of times, wherein the player with the most valuable score wins the game.   
     
     
         14 ) The method of  claim 13  wherein at least one of said plurality of zones on the surface of the football-shaped ball is marked with the number  6 . 
     
     
         15 ) The method of  claim 13  wherein at least one of said plurality of zones on the surface of the football-shaped ball is marked with the word “Touchdown”. 
     
     
         16 ) The method of  claim 13  wherein at least one of said plurality of zones on the surface of the football-shaped ball is marked with a numeral selected from the group consisting of the number  3 , the number  7 , the number  3 , the number  2 , and the number  8 . 
     
     
         17 ) The method of  claim 13  wherein at least one of said plurality of zones on the surface of the football-shaped ball is marked with a word selected from the group consisting of the word “interception”, the word “fumble”, the word “field goal”, the word “safety”, the word “conversion”, and the word “point”. 
     
     
         18 ) The method of  claim 13  wherein the football-shaped ball contains a sensor associated with each zone structured to register a score when said finger or thumb touches a zone as the ball is caught. 
     
     
         19 ) The method of  claim 18  wherein said sensor wirelessly transmits said score information to a microprocessor for calculating and recording a score of each said players. 
     
     
         20 ) The method of  claim 13  wherein the football-shaped ball comprises seven zones, wherein each respective zone is marked with a value selected from the group consisting of: the word “interception”, the numeral  7 , the numeral  3 , the numeral  2 , the numeral  6 , the word “fumble”, and the numeral  8 , and wherein no zone consists of the identical marking as any other zone.