U.S. patent application number 11/481985 was filed with the patent office on 2008-01-31 for baseball data gathering device.
Invention is credited to Steven L. Neel.
Application Number | 20080026877 11/481985 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38987012 |
Filed Date | 2008-01-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080026877 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Neel; Steven L. |
January 31, 2008 |
Baseball data gathering device
Abstract
A hand-held baseball data gathering and manipulating device is
used by coaches and scouts to analyze and coach pitchers and
players. The device includes functions for tracking and analyzing
pitching performance and for tracking and analyzing playing
performance of players other than pitchers. Stop watch functions
are also included.
Inventors: |
Neel; Steven L.; (Weed,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SUNG I. OH, PROFESSIONAL LAW CORPORATION
710 QUAIL VALLEY LANE
WEST COVINA
CA
91791
US
|
Family ID: |
38987012 |
Appl. No.: |
11/481985 |
Filed: |
July 6, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/451 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2069/0006 20130101;
G04F 10/00 20130101; A63B 2220/17 20130101; A63B 69/0002
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/451 |
International
Class: |
A63B 69/00 20060101
A63B069/00 |
Claims
1. A hand-held baseball data gathering and manipulating device
comprising: A) a housing having a first surface that is a display
surface when the housing is in use, a first wall which is a top
wall when the housing is in use and a second wall which is a bottom
wall when the housing is in use; B) a strap attached to the second
wall of the housing; C) a display screen on the first surface; D) a
plurality of function buttons including (1) a plurality of strike
buttons, each strike button being associated with a particular type
of pitch, (2) a plurality of ball buttons, each ball button being
associated with a particular type of pitch, (3) a reset button, and
(4) a cancel button; and E) a pitch count display screen.
2. A hand-held baseball data gathering and manipulating device
comprising: A) a housing having a first surface that is a display
surface when the housing is in use, a first wall which is a top
wall when the housing is in use and a second wall which is a bottom
wall when the housing is in use; B) a strap attached to the second
wall of the housing; C) a display screen on the first surface; D) a
stop watch function in the housing; E) a plurality of function
buttons including (1) a first button to select whether a pitcher or
a catcher is being tracked, (2) a second button to select whether a
catcher is being tracked, (3) a third button to select whether a
runner is being tracked, (4) a reset button, and (5) a cancel
button; and F) a display for average times.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to the general art of data
gathering devices, and to the particular field of data gathering
device used in baseball.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Sporting contests require accurate recordation of the events
that transpire during the contest. A significant statistical record
is often generated in a single athletic contest. Accurate record
keeping often requires an experienced skilled individual and a
significant effort during the contest. The final outcome of the
contest is determined by record keeping or scoring and an
evaluation of the contestants performance is accomplished through
analysis of the statistical record. Historically a scorekeeper who
has considerable knowledge of the contest is utilized to perform
the necessary recordation and statistical compilations.
[0003] Traditionally, scorekeepers for various sports have kept
track of the score of a game as well as numerous additional
statistics related to various aspects of the game on specialized
score sheets. These score sheets contain sections for recording the
appropriate events of the game such that elaborate statistics may
be compiled following the game, or even as the game progresses.
These statistics may relate, not only to the specific game being
played, but may also extend to an entire playing season or part
thereof and may highlight trends relating to a particular player,
team, or other category of game related-statistic.
[0004] Conventionally, it was normal to fill all the baseball game
data in a data sheet made of paper, so-called baseball game
scorebook, and to record the baseball game data while the game was
in progress. Unfortunately, it was not possible to extract desired
information instantly in a usable form when it is needed.
[0005] Therefore, there is a continuing search for new and
innovative methods to enhance the performance of athletes to their
highest level. The use of "radar guns" to measure the velocity of a
pitched baseball is an example of a recent application of
technology. However, its use has had only a minimal impact upon the
training and perfection of pitching ability.
[0006] The goal of the pitcher is to deliver a baseball at a high
velocity across the plate within the strike zone, but in the strike
areas where hits occur less frequently. In pitching strategy, the
pitcher attempts to avoid a hit by creating variations of velocity,
movement of the baseball, and location of the baseball as it
penetrates the strike zone. The most difficult effect to accomplish
with reliability is variation of location of the baseball as it
penetrates the strike zone. It is believed that the majority of
baseball pitchers learn the art of throwing to a specific location
only after they lose their ability to control velocity or movement
or both. There is a need, therefore, for training apparatus which
can be used by a baseball pitcher to improve his performance in
pitch delivery and placement.
[0007] There is much data that goes well beyond merely ball and
strike count. For example, most known counters, such as used by
umpires and the like, have no provision for denoting the particular
"inning," which often times involves dispute from failure of the
umpire to recall the number of innings remaining.
[0008] Yet a further of the shortcomings of presently available
devices arise because such devices have no provision for tracking a
pitcher's pitches. If it is possible for a team scorer or pitcher
to know the kind of pitch a particular batter can use to hit a home
run, then he can gain a considerable advantage over that batter if
and when the pitcher confronts the batter in a future game.
[0009] On the other hand, if it is possible for a batter to know
the strongest pitches of a particular pitcher and study the
pitcher's pitching motion in the form of still pictures or videos,
that batter can then gain an advantage over that pitcher.
[0010] Therefore, there is a need for a device that can accurately
and efficiently record a great deal of data, beyond a mere record
of balls and strikes, relating to a baseball game.
[0011] While computers and the like are available for recording
statistics, such devices are often cumbersome, delicate and
difficult to use.
[0012] Therefore, there is a need for a device that can accurately
and efficiently record a great deal of data, beyond a mere record
of balls and strikes, relating to a baseball game and which are
easy to use.
[0013] Another goal of scouts and coaches is to have accurate data
related to pitcher delivery times, catcher pop times, and base
runner times.
[0014] Therefore, there is a need for a device that can accurately
and effectively record throwing and running times, related to a
baseball game.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The above-discussed disadvantages of the prior art are
overcome by a hand-held device that will record data associated
with a baseball game, including, but not limited to: pitches, pitch
count, types of pitches, number of strikes and balls thrown,
percentages, times, throwing times, running time, and the like. One
form of the device can be used by coaches for pitchers and other
forms can be used by scouts and coaches for everyone else. The
device also functions in a stop watch mode so players can be timed
as needed for analysis an coaching and scouting.
[0016] Using the embodying the present invention will permit
coaches and scouts to keep track of all pertinent statistics for
players so performances can be quickly and easily evaluated for
teaching or scouting purposes.
[0017] Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the
invention will be, or will become, apparent to one with skill in
the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed
description. It is intended that all such additional systems,
methods, features, and advantages be included within this
description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected
by the following claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0018] The invention can be better understood with reference to the
following drawings and description. The components in the figures
are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon
illustrating the principles of the invention. Moreover, in the
figures, like referenced numerals designate corresponding parts
throughout the different views.
[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one form of a baseball data
device embodying the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of another form of a
baseball data device embodying the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] Referring to the figures, it can be understood that the
present invention is embodied in a hand-held baseball data
gathering and manipulating device 10. Device 10 comprises a housing
12 which has a first surface 14 that is a display surface when the
housing is in use, a first wall 16 which is a top wall when the
housing is in use and a second wall 18 which is a bottom wall when
the housing is in use. A strap 20 is attached to second wall 18 of
the housing.
[0022] A display screen 26 is located on first surface 14 and can
be a LED screen or the like. A plurality of function buttons are
located on the housing. Each function button is associated with a
circuit and a memory chip. The circuits and chips are well known to
those skilled in the art. The details of the circuits and chips are
not important to this invention and as such will not be described
or claimed.
[0023] The function buttons include a plurality of strike buttons
30 each strike button being associated with a particular type of
pitch, such as a fast ball 32, a curve ball 34, a change up 36 or
other type of pitch 38. A plurality of ball buttons 40 with each
ball button being associated with a particular type of pitch. A
reset button 42 is located on wall 16, and a cancel button 44 is
also located on wall 16. A pitch count display screen 46 is located
on surface 14.
[0024] Each time a particular pitch button is pressed, the pitch
count increases and the display on the display screen 26 is updated
accordingly. The cancel button will allow a user to change the
input as needed and the reset button will clear all data from the
device. A second version of the device 10' is shown in FIG. 2 and
comprises a housing 60 having a first surface 62 that is a display
surface when the housing is in use, a first wall 64 which is a top
wall when the housing is in use and a second wall 66 which is a
bottom wall when the housing is in use.
[0025] A strap 70 is attached to second wall 66 of the housing. A
display screen 80 is located on first surface 62. A stop watch
function 90 is located in the housing and operates in the known
manner. A plurality of function buttons 100 includes a first button
102 to select whether a pitcher or a catcher is being tracked, a
second button 104 to select whether a catcher is being tracked, and
a third button 106 to select whether a runner is being tracked.
[0026] A reset button 110 allows the device to be cleared and a
cancel button 112 clears the last entry in the event of an error or
the like. A display 114 displays average times and is connected to
suitable circuitry in the housing. Additional reset buttons 116 are
also connected to the circuits in the housing.
[0027] In the pitcher's split mode, the first touch of the control
button starts the pitcher's time, the second touch ends the
pitcher's time and starts the catcher's time and a third touch will
end the catcher's time. If there is no third touch within five
seconds after the second touch, the watch function will not record
catcher's time. Pitcher time, catcher time and total time will be
displayed.
[0028] Button 104 is of the catcher's mode. This mode will
calculate just the pop times of the catcher, if the pitcher's times
are not needed. The device will also average pitcher and catcher
times. The average times are displayed on screen 114. Button 106
will allow the device to function as a normal stop watch to record
runner's times. The reset buttons 116 will reset the last display
on one touch and reset all on two touches.
[0029] Two versions of the device are contemplated. In a pitching
coach version, the device can display four types of pitches
including curve, fastball, change other, the number of strikes and
balls thrown, the percentage of strikes for each pitch type thrown,
the total number of pitches thrown during a game, during warmup,
balls thrown to hold runners, and the like. In a scout form of the
device, data tracking a pitcher's throws to home, catcher's pop
times to second base, and runners' times, and the like can be
stored and manipulated.
[0030] While various embodiments of the invention have been
described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the
art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible
within the scope of this invention. Accordingly, the invention is
not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and
their equivalents.
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