Ball Game and Method of Playing the Same

Abstract

A ball game having three Pitchers, two Catchers, and 10 Batter-Fielders. The ball game is played on a ball field having first, second, and third bases and home plate. The ball game includes a ball and a bat. The game is played where the First Pitcher pitches to the first batter and the First Catcher assumes the catcher's position, the remaining Batter-Fielders assume their positions in and around the field. Play begins using standard rules regarding balls and strikes. The First Pitcher is replaced by the Second Pitcher if the First Pitcher allows a batter to reach base and is only allowed to pitch again if the Second and Third Pitchers have allowed a batter to reach base. If the first batter makes an out, the first batter is no longer eligible to hit, returns to the playing field and is replaced at bat by the second batter. Each consecutive fielder has a turn at bat. Play continues until after all players have had an opportunity to bat, Second and Third Pitchers have pitched and the Second Catcher has caught while the First Catcher is at bat, and the only remaining player in the Batting Lineup gets a base hit or makes an out against the current pitcher in the Pitching Cycle.

1 . A ball game comprising:
 First, Second and Third Pitchers;   First and Second Catchers;   10 Batter-Fielders;   and a ball field having first, second, and third bases and home plate, a ball and a bat, whereby the First Pitcher pitches the ball to the first batter and the First Catcher assumes the catcher's position, the remaining nine Batter-Fielders assume their positions in and around the field, play begins using standard rules regarding balls and strikes, the First Pitcher is replaced by the Second Pitcher if the First Batter reaches a base and is only allowed to pitch again if the Second and Third Pitchers have each allowed a batters to reach at least one base, if the first batter strikes out, the first batter is no longer eligible to bat, returns to the playing field and is replaced at bat by the second batter, each consecutive batter has a turn at bat, play continues until all batter-fielders and catchers have had an opportunity to bat, Second and Third Pitchers have pitched and the Second Catcher has caught while the First Catcher is at bat, and the only remaining player eligible to bat gets a base hit or makes an out.   
     
     
         2 . The game of  claim 1  wherein the last remaining player wins having a hit facing the First Pitcher. 
     
     
         3 . The game of  claim 2  wherein the First Pitcher wins the game if the batter makes an out. 
     
     
         4 . The game of  claim 2  wherein the First Pitcher is replaced by the Second if the First Pitcher allows the Batter to reach base by Pitcher error. 
     
     
         5 . The game of  claim 5  wherein Pitcher error comprises a walk or hit-by-pitch. 
     
     
         6 . The game of  claim 1  wherein the game cannot be won on a walk, hit-by-pitch, or fielder's error. 
     
     
         7 . The game of  claim 2  wherein if the batter reaches base on a walk or hit-by-pitch, the batter gets a new at-bat and the First Pitcher is replaced by the Second Pitcher. 
     
     
         8 . The game of  claim 1  wherein if the batter reaches base on an error, both the batter and current pitcher “re-do” the at-bat. 
     
     
         9 . The game of  claim 1  wherein if the Second or Third Pitcher has not pitched when all other players have batted and been eliminated from batting, the Second Pitcher takes a turn at bat while the First Pitcher pitches. 
     
     
         10 . The game of  claim 9  wherein if the First Pitcher allows a base hit to the Second Pitcher, the Second Pitcher pitches to the Third Pitcher who takes a turn at bat. 
     
     
         11 . The game of  claim 9  wherein if the First Pitcher does not allow a base hit, walk, or hit-by-pitch, then the First Pitcher pitches to the Third Pitcher. 
     
     
         12 . The game of  claim 10  wherein if the Second Pitcher allows a base hit to the Third Pitcher, the Third Pitcher wins the game. 
     
     
         13 . The game of  claim 10  wherein if the Second Pitcher does not allow a base hit, base-on-balls, or hit-by-pitch, the Second Pitcher wins the game. 
     
     
         14 . The game of  claim 11  wherein if the First Pitcher allows a base hit, the Third Pitcher wins the game. 
     
     
         15 . The game of  claim 11  wherein if the First Pitcher does not allow a base hit, base-on-balls, or hit-by-pitch, the First Pitcher wins the game. 
     
     
         16 . The game of  claim 1  wherein the ball is a baseball. 
     
     
         17 . A method of playing a ball game comprising the steps of:
 providing a plurality of ball players comprising First, Second and Third Pitchers, the pitchers forming a pitching cycle, First and Second Catchers, and ten Batter-Fielders;   providing a ball field having first, second, and third bases and home plate, a ball and a bat;   initiating play by the First Pitcher pitching to the first Batter-Fielder, the First Catcher assuming the catcher's position and the remaining nine Batter-Fielders assuming their positions in and around the field;   enabling the second Batter-Fielder, each consecutive Batter-Fielder, and the Catchers and Pitchers a turn at bat;   eliminating a player if the player makes an out;   replacing a pitcher from the pitching cycle if the pitcher allows a base hit, base-on-balls, or hit-by-pitch;   continuing play until the only remaining player gets a base hit or makes an out against the only remaining pitcher in the Pitching Cycle.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the ball is a baseball, the bat is a baseball bat, and the bases are located according to the standard rules of baseball. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the last remaining player wins having a hit facing the First Pitcher. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the First Pitcher wins if the last remaining player makes an out.