Physics In Softball

Whether it is the angle needed to swing the bat, the force needed to kick the ball, or the speed needed to run, physics is present in every aspect of every sport. Players become aware at a young age that physics will be a part of their lives for as long as they play a sport, even if they are not aware of it. From the moment a child starts a sport, the many different methods used to improve revolve around physics. Softball is a prime example of this. Physics plays a role in softball because every aspect of this sport requires a certain momentum and force. Players must aim to achieve the skill to be able to use the physics behind the sport to their advantage. Through the use of hitting, catching, and throwing a softball, there is the need to

One of the first skills a future softball player learns is how to properly hold a bat. Though they are young and cannot follow much direction, this is the time when their skills first begin. The type of hit that results is dependent on the angle and amount of force the player uses. The softball will pop up high, and sometimes far, when the bat swings in an upward motion. Swinging the bat very straight, along with using a great deal of force, creates what is known as a “line drive” hit. Learning how to swing the bat is only a portion of the skills a player learns at a young age. Having the proper stance is a necessary tool in having an appropriate amount of power for the softball player to hit the ball. Even though it is the player’s arms that hold the bat, it is the player’s legs that allow her to push the ball far. Another important factor is the batter’s grip. The batter must understand how hard to hold onto her bat as she swings, especially when considering the different possibilities of the pitches that can come. If her grip is too strong and her wrist too locked, it will be very difficult for the batter to swing the bat at a hard, swift angle. The bat will be uncomfortable in her hands, and will cause the batter to almost chop at the ball, as if she were holding an ax. Because of this, the player will not have any strength in her swing and, in turn, she will not have any strength in her hit. The

The player must have the ability to move with the ball, as the softball moves through the air. She must also be aware of her surroundings, while knowing where to place her hands. Newton’s third law states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. This law applies greatly to a softball player’s catching methods. As the ball sails towards her, the softball player must be prepared to move her glove to meet with the ball. It is her job to try to meet the ball at an increased speed, which allows the amount of force meeting her glove to decrease. She must know how to hold her glove, as well. If the player holds her glove too stiff, the ball can, in turn, hurt her hand. On the opposite side of the spectrum, a player having her hand too relaxed when she catches the ball can also be harmful. The player could injure herself because the impact from the ball could actually hit her glove hard enough to hit herself, as a result. Having knowledge of how to hold the glove and how to properly catch, prevents the player from sustaining major