Game system and method for hitting a ball through a playing field

• US 20090033034A1
• Filed: 01/08/2008
• Published: 02/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jeffrey L. Jakubowski
• Original Assignee: Jeffrey L. Jakubowski
• Inventors: Jakubowski, Jeffrey L.
• Granted Patent: US 9,227,122 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 273/348
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/02 Tennis
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/18 Baseball, rounders or similar games
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/182 Softball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/20 Cricket
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/00 Targets or goals for ball games golf cups A63B57/40
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/004 Goals of the type used for football, handball, hockey or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/08 with substantially horizontal opening for ball, e.g. for basketball A63B57/40, A63B63/06 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 67/002 Games using balls, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 67/02 Special golf games, e.g. miniature golf or golf putting games played on putting tracks; putting practice apparatus having an elongated platform as a putting track
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3691 Golf courses; Golf practising terrains having a plurality of driving areas, fairways, greens special golf games, e.g. miniature golf, A63B67/02; mats for simulating golf greens A63B69/3661

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a game, and more specifically to an outdoor game designed for two or more players that requires navigating a large playing field containing a variety of objects and obstacles. The players navigate the course by hitting a ball with a bat over, through or around the objects while avoiding the obstacles. The starting line, the end line, the game course, the rules for the game and the point system to decide the winner are determined and communicated to the players prior to the game. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the player reaching the end line with the fewest strokes is awarded the win. The preferred playing field is a golf course.

Claims

1. A method for playing a game comprising the steps of

a. providing a playing field having a preset beginning line, having a preset end line, and having preset boundaries, said playing field also comprising a plurality of objects and obstacles, said field also comprising a plurality of markers for guiding the players through the field;

b. providing at least two players;

c. establishing a playing field layout and a predetermined game path;

d. establishing a set of rules for playing the game and a point system for determining the winner;

e. providing said players with a map of the playing field layout and game path;

f. providing said players with the set of rules for playing the game and the point system for determining the winner;

g. providing each player at least one ball and an implement for hitting said ball; and

h. hitting said ball multiple times along said game path;

i. ending said game when said players reach the end line.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said objects include trees, poles, walls, rings, fences, and barrels.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the obstacles include streams, ponds, lakes, brush and hedges.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein hitting the ball is accomplished by tossing the ball in the air and hitting said ball with said implement as it descends back to the ground.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the hitting implement is a baseball bat.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the hitting implement is a cricket bat.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the hitting implement is a tennis racket.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the ball is a soft baseball.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the ball is a tennis ball.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the point system is based on the players'"'"' stroke count and the player with the fewer strokes is declared the winner.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the set of rules provides options to the players to reduce stroke count, said options include hitting the ball into a small space, hitting the ball between two objects that are close to each other, hitting the ball through a small opening, and hitting a small object with the ball.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the set of rules provides circumstances that add to a player'"'"'s stroke count, said circumstances include loss of the playing ball into an obstacle that the player is not able to retrieve and hitting the ball outside the playing field.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the playing field is set up within a golf course.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the game utilizes peripheral areas of said golf course not typically used for the game of golf.

15. A game system comprising a playing field, said field containing a plurality of targets and obstacles, said field further comprises markers for guiding the players along the game course.

16. The game system of claim 15, wherein said targets include at least one hanging ring for hitting a ball through.

17. The targets of claim 15, wherein said targets include at least one wall having an opening for hitting a ball through.

18. The playing field of claim 15, wherein said targets include at least one open top barrel for hitting a ball into.