U.S. patent application number 12/607196 was filed with the patent office on 2010-02-25 for method of recording and playing baseball game showing each batter's pitch.
Invention is credited to George Michael MOCKRY, Gregory Michael MOCKRY.
Application Number | 20100050198 12/607196 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26905936 |
Filed Date | 2010-02-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100050198 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MOCKRY; George Michael ; et
al. |
February 25, 2010 |
METHOD OF RECORDING AND PLAYING BASEBALL GAME SHOWING EACH BATTER'S
PITCH
Abstract
A recorded complete baseball game is condensed into about
fifteen minutes of action. All of the at-bat appearances of the
players, in turn, are recorded, and then the recorded game is
edited to leave only the last pitch thrown to each player, plus any
action ensuing after that pitch and any attempts of runners to
advance to another base and any other outs, such a runner as being
picked off base. Then the recorded edited game is presented to
viewers as a condensed game. The condensed game can be presented to
subscribers over the Internet, or may be presented on film or as a
video recording.
Inventors: |
MOCKRY; George Michael;
(Montrose, CO) ; MOCKRY; Gregory Michael;
(Massena, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BANNER & WITCOFF, LTD.
1100 13th STREET, N.W., SUITE 1200
WASHINGTON
DC
20005-4051
US
|
Family ID: |
26905936 |
Appl. No.: |
12/607196 |
Filed: |
October 28, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09878860 |
Jun 9, 2001 |
7628716 |
|
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12607196 |
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60211208 |
Jun 13, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
725/1 ; 386/278;
725/109 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11B 2220/90 20130101;
A63B 2220/806 20130101; G11B 27/024 20130101; A63B 24/0003
20130101; G11B 27/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
725/1 ; 386/52;
725/109 |
International
Class: |
H04N 7/16 20060101
H04N007/16; H04N 5/93 20060101 H04N005/93; H04N 7/173 20060101
H04N007/173 |
Claims
1. A method of producing an abbreviated video recording of a
baseball game for replaying or rebroadcasting, for which a video
recording of the baseball game was produced containing (1)
substantially every pitch thrown to every batter from a first pitch
to a final pitch, (2) game action resulting from every pitch, and
(3) other game action occurring during each appearance by every
batter, the method comprising editing the video recording to
produce an edited recording by deleting substantially all game
action other than (i) the final pitch thrown to every batter and
any game action resulting from the final pitch, (ii) successful
attempts of runners on base to advance to another base not
associated with the game action resulting from the final pitch to a
batter and (iii) unsuccessful attempts of the runners on base to
advance to another base resulting in an out not associated with the
game action resulting from the final pitch to a batter, wherein the
edited recording constitutes the abbreviated video recording for
replaying or rebroadcasting.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the abbreviated video recording
for a nine-inning baseball game is about 15 minutes.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein said step of replaying or
rebroadcasting the abbreviated video recording for viewing is
conducted over the Internet.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of replaying or
rebroadcasting the abbreviated video recording for viewing is
conducted by playing a videotape recording.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the abbreviated video recording
contains audio explaining any substitution of players.
6. A method of obtaining revenue by replaying or rebroadcasting an
abbreviated video recording of a baseball game made by the method
of claim 1 in exchange for a fee.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein said step of replaying or
rebroadcasting the abbreviated video recording for viewing is
conducted over the Internet.
8. The method of claim 6 wherein the abbreviated video recording
contains audio explaining any substitution of players.
9. A method of obtaining revenue by offering an abbreviated video
recording of a baseball game made by the method of claim 1 to
potential subscribers for viewing and playing or broadcasting the
abbreviated video recording for viewing by the subscribers for
monetary consideration.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein said step of playing or
broadcasting the abbreviated video for viewing is conducted over
the Internet.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein the abbreviated video contains
audio explaining any substitution of players.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of application Ser. No.
09/878,860 filed Jun. 9, 2001, which in turn claims priority to
Provisional application Ser. No. 60/211,208 filed Jun. 13, 2000,
the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference
thereto.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention broadly relates to a method for reducing the
time needed to enjoy a complete baseball game, and especially
relates to a method for replaying or rebroadcasting a baseball game
in a manner so that the viewer sees only the outcome-determinative
actions that occurred during the original game. In particular, this
invention relates to a method of condensing the action portions of
a baseball game by recording the game on film or video tape, and
editing it to retain the action portions, i.e., the last pitch
thrown to the batters for each turn at the plate.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] In a baseball game, there are nine players in the field,
i.e., on defense, at positions of catcher, pitcher, first base,
second base, shortstop, third base, left field, center field and
right field. The batting, or offensive, team bats one player at a
time, in turn. Each team's half-inning ends when the three outs
have been recorded. An out can occur for a given batter only when
the batter has struck out or batted the ball into play, although a
batter can remain at the plate if a base runner is tagged out,
i.e., in a pick-off or if caught stealing. The player (i.e., the
batter) can only advance legally to first base and be a base runner
as a result of the last pitch thrown to him in a given turn at the
plate, i.e., he can hit safely, be awarded a base on balls, be
struck by a pitch, or strike out and reach first safely after a
dropped or passed third strike. Any runners on base advance under
these circumstances or are tagged or forced out. There are other
ways a base runner can advance before a batter's turn comes to an
end, for example, by stealing base, or on account of a wild pitch
or a balk.
[0006] During a baseball game, there is considerable time taken
during each half inning in which there is only limited action on
the field. For example, for a given player's turn at bat, there can
be six or more pitches thrown before the player hits the ball into
play, strikes out, or walks. In addition, there is often a great
deal of time used in pick off attempts and conferences in the
infield, and in changing places between half-innings. A nine-inning
game can typically last between two and three hours, and sometimes
longer.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In accordance with an aspect of this invention, a film or
video record is made of each player's turn at bat. The video
record, which can be film, digital, or tape, is edited down to
retain the last pitch thrown to each player, plus any resulting
action for that pitch. This would record each safe base hit, each
walk, strike out, sacrifice fly, ground out, etc. Of course,
fielding would be recorded, i.e., each put-out, error, double-play,
and throw-out. The resulting video record would be about 10 to 15
minutes, showing all the action of the game. Base running activity
(i.e., activity that can also result in either an out or
advancement of the runner) can also be retained, such as stolen
bases and attempted steals, pickoffs, rundowns, balks, and wild
pitches. Some additional material (e.g., narrative) can be included
to explain pitching changes, pinch runners, and other substitutions
that may affect play.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In accordance with the invention, a film or video record is
made of each player's turn at bat. Such a record is conventionally
made as part of the original broadcast of most, if not all,
professional, i.e., Major League Baseball games. The video record,
which can be an analog record, such as film or videotape, or could
be a digital record, is edited to retain the last pitch thrown to
each player, plus any resulting action for that pitch as part of a
consolidated record. Editing of either a complete analog or digital
record of a pre-recorded baseball game is well within the skill in
the art and requires no elaboration of the editing equipment or
techniques. Editing of a digital record would be particularly easy
and could be done using commercially available computers and
off-the-shelf software. Such a reduced record would include each
safe base hit, each walk, strike out, sacrifice fly, ground out,
etc of every batter. Of course, the related fielding play
associated with the action ensuing from the final pitch to a batter
also would be retained as part of the recording e.g., each put-out,
error, double-play, and throw-out. The resulting edited record of
the baseball game would then be about 10 to 15 minutes, a
considerable reduction from the standard 2-5 hours of a typical
nine-inning professional baseball game. The edited record, however
would show all of the action of the game that contributed directly
to the outcome of the game. Base running activity (i.e., activity
that can also result in either an out or advancement of the runner)
should also generally be retained, such as stolen bases and failed
attempted-steals, pickoffs, rundowns, balks, and wild pitches. If
desired, some additional material (e.g., portions of an original
soundtrack recorded by the announcers at the game or other added
narrative) can be included in the edited record to explain pitching
changes, pinch runners, and other substitutions that may affect
play, as well as other aspects of the recorded action.
[0009] The completed (edited) version can be sold on a per-game
basis, i.e., through a cable subscription arrangement, or delivered
digitally over the Internet to subscribers, perhaps using a
password and PIN assigned to the subscriber. The 10 to 15 minute
video can also be used by professional scouts and others for
purposes of player evaluation. The editing could take place
immediately after each play, so that the recorded video could be
released to its viewership immediately after the game. Each inning
or half-inning can be packaged as a unit, if desired. In this case,
each pre-recorded inning, or half-inning could be supplied as the
game is in progress. Thus, one could follow the game closely in
time to when it is actually being played, while requiring only
one-two minutes of attention to see all the action. This could
increase interest in baseball, by making the game available, on a
near-real-time basis, to fans some distance from the ball park,
i.e., 75 miles or more. This could also permit satellite viewing of
the game at remote locations, without requiring the full bandwidth
that is needed for an unedited version or live telecast of the
complete game.
[0010] The invention does not constitute merely a compilation of
the highlights of a particular baseball game. Rather, the invention
is directed to making a record of each and every
outcome-determinative action that takes place during the complete
game, while eliminating all of the action that ultimately does not
impact on the outcome.
[0011] This procedure and the resulting action video can be used
for other sports as well. In track and field, the last attempt or
heat of each event could be recorded, e.g., the last pole-vault
attempt for each athlete competing, and the last twenty meters of
each race or heat. The invention would likewise apply in swimming
and diving, or in figure skating. In horse racing, the final
stretch and finish of each race would be recorded. This invention
could also be adapted to baseball-related sports such as fast-pitch
softball and cricket. The invention can be applied to net sports,
e.g., capturing all game points in a tennis match, and capturing
each score in volleyball. This system can also be adapted to show
the important action in goal sports such as hockey, lacrosse,
basketball, soccer, rugby, and football. The invention can also be
used to feature target sports, i.e., to follow all the shots of a
given player in golf or in billiards, or every roll in bowling.
[0012] The present invention has been described with reference to
specific embodiments. However, this application is intended to
cover those changes and substitutions that may be made by those
skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and the scope
of the invention.
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