1. Field of the Invention
The invention generally relates to equipment in baseball and softball. More specifically, the invention relates to bases that are used in the games of baseball and softball.
2. Discussion of Related Art
In the United States and Canada and in many East Asian, Latin American and Caribbean countries, the games of softball and baseball are very popular.
Familiarity with the basic concepts of the rules of baseball and softball are assumed, as one of ordinary skill in the art would know the rules intimately. However, the rules of baseball and softball provide for markers known as bases that are positioned at the four corners of a diamond, up to 90 feet in distance depending upon the age level of the players or whether baseball of softball is being played. Three of the bases are commonly referred to as bags, because they are short boxes that are placed on the surface of the ground and rise up one to three inches in height. The fourth base, known as home plate, is much thinner and rises above the ground less than ½ inch.
These bases are commonly held in position in a number of ways. For example, major league teams and other organized baseball leagues generally use hollow, square metal posts or anchors located in the ground at the proper base locations. Stanchions that are attached to the bottom of the bases are placed in the hollow posts/anchors. In this manner, the bases are firmly and fixedly, yet removably positioned for play. Runners naming to the bases do not have to fear that the bases will slide as the runner slides into or steps on the base. This method requires digging a hole into the ground, placing a concrete bed in the hole, setting the anchor/post in the concrete bed and repacking the dirt around the post/anchor. This can be accomplished on a dedicated baseball field.
A second common type of base uses spikes that are driven into the ground that are attached to straps. The straps are cinched tight to the base and the spikes that hold the base in position.
A third common category of common bases is called “throwdown bases.” These bases typically are formed from a single piece or molded rubber or vinyl. These bases are generally thinner than, official bases.
Another type of base uses a magnet to secure a base having a bottom metal material. Dislodgement of the base exposes the magnet which can be poorly seen due to dirt and dust accumulating on it.
Other types of bases use either an oversized hole to receive an anchor for the base or can use protruding rubber tips which are inserted in openings formed in a substrate and trapped therein until a sufficient force is applied to the base. Such rubber tips are not able to be freely removed from the substrate.
Moreover, youth baseball leagues have recently mandated that a base is displaced from its position when a runner slides into it. Put another way, leagues are requiring a base that will move when a lateral load is applied. The difficulty is designing such a base that will not substantially move when the runner merely runs across the base, i.e. when the load applied is a combination of a lateral load and a vertical load.
Therefore, there is a need in the art for detachable/removable baseball and softball bases that will not substantially move when a runner runs across it and yet will detach when a runner slides in with sufficient force.