A home plate foundation form for supporting a home plate for playing baseball and softball includes, for example, an outer frame, an inner frame, and a tray. The outer frame incudes a bottom and a sidewall defining a chamber therein having an upper opening. The inner frame is supported in the chamber of the outer frame. The inner frame includes a bottom and a sidewall defining a chamber therein having an upper opening. The tray is supportable in the inner frame for adjustably supporting the home plate.

A home plate foundation form for supporting a home plate for playing baseball and softball includes, for example, an outer frame, an inner frame, and a tray. The outer frame incudes a bottom and a sidewall defining a chamber therein having an upper opening. The inner frame is supported in the chamber of the outer frame. The inner frame includes a bottom and a sidewall defining a chamber therein having an upper opening. The tray is supportable in the inner frame for adjustably supporting the home plate.

A sensing system and method determines whether a slow pitch softball has been delivered in a strike zone. The system includes: a dual, mirror image slow-pitch software home plate; the home plate having an upper surface and a lower surface; the lower surface configured for attachment to ground; the upper surface comprising a pressure or impact sensing array covering at least edges of the upper surface of the home plate; the sensing array having a battery source for powering the system; the sensing array issuing an electrical signal when sensing pressure or impact; and the electrical signal connected to an audio or visual output device that indicates receiving of the electrical signal by a visual or audio emission.

A base or similar structure utilized in playing a sport is provided including a top base structure including a number of bores formed therein and an insert including an upper surface having a number of studs thereon engageable with the bores, and a lower surface including a number of posts thereon. The posts extend outwardly from the insert to securely engage the ground against horizontal or lateral forces exerted on the base.

The present invention comprises a unique system and method for providing adaptable ball delivery and tracking, including appropriate sensor hardware, interactive gameplay user interfaces and point of sales systems. The system and method of the present invention are especially relevant to baseball and softball as, among other components, the system comprises a vertical, ground-up soft toss ball delivery mechanism, automated player and ball-tracking devices, and ball-collection and transport systems. The ball collection and return components eliminate the need for “fielders” and enable the creation of the first “batting range”. The vertical, ground-up soft-toss pitch machine further enables the first multi-story batting facility with player batting bays that open onto a sports field. Further, certain embodiments of the present invention integrate hitting screens, augmented reality display and simultaneous coordination of gameplay and communication between players, regardless of the players' physical location.

The present invention comprises a unique system and method for providing adaptable ball delivery and tracking, including appropriate sensor hardware, interactive gameplay user interfaces and point of sales systems. The system and method of the present invention are especially relevant to baseball and softball as, among other components, the system comprises a vertical, ground-up soft toss ball delivery mechanism, automated player and ball-tracking devices, and ball-collection and transport systems. The ball collection and return components eliminate the need for “fielders” and enable the creation of the first “batting range”. The vertical, ground-up soft-toss pitch machine further enables the first multi-story batting facility with player batting bays that open onto a sports field. Further, certain embodiments of the present invention integrate hitting screens, augmented reality display and simultaneous coordination of gameplay and communication between players, regardless of the players' physical location.

An anchor includes a frame assembly and a removable cover plug. The frame assembly includes an access frame having a bottom and a wall defining an upper opening and a cavity therein, a first flexible seal extends above the upper opening of the wall, and at least one vertical member is in communication with the cavity of the access frame. The plug is operable for covering opening in the access frame. The plug includes a platform for supporting synthetic turf on the platform. When the plug is removed, at least one stanchion of a base, a home plate, a double base, or a pitcher's rubber is engageable with the vertical member.

A base for use in athletic base running games includes a ground anchor assembly that includes: a post for insertion into a ground playing surface, and a base portion disposed along a top of the post. The base also includes a reinforcement plate, such as an X-plate, coupled to a top surface of the base portion. The X-plate has four arms arranged in an X orientation for providing increased stiffness in the four corners of the base. The arms extend radially outward from the base portion. A cover is disposed over and is coupled to the X-plate and can be formed as part of an overmold process.

An electronic home plate system includes a home plate enclosure and at least one image sensor system disposed within the enclosure, each image sensor system including an image sensor, a lens and a first processor. The first processor is adapted to detect a motion of a ball by continuously capturing frames from the image sensor. The detected motion includes the ball passing over the home plate enclosure or the ball passing near and not over the home plate enclosure.

An athletic speed and time measurement device, including a batter/runner, a baseball, a baseball bat, a plurality of baseball bases, wherein each of the plurality of baseball bases includes a batter/runner contact detection device, a baseball/baseball bat impact detecting device located on the baseball bat, or adjacent to (or attached to) the batter/runner, wherein the baseball/baseball bat impact detector detects an impact of the baseball with the baseball bat as the batter/runner swings the bat and contacts the baseball bat with the baseball, and a batter/runner timing device, wherein the batter/runner timing device determines an amount of time it takes for the batter/runner to run from a first of the plurality of baseball bases to a second of the plurality of baseball bases and displays the amount of time it takes for the batter/runner to run from a first of the plurality of baseball bases to a second of the plurality of baseball bases.