Every ball player, whether they realize it or not, is a mathematician or physicist. Baseball, the infamous favorite pass time of the United States, is full of physics laws and principals. It is easy to think that all these players do is throw around a ball, occasionally hit it, run around some bases, and make a great catch. However, baseball has many underlying complex principals that can be explained through the laws physics. It encompasses all three planes of motion with players exhibiting the action of throwing, hitting, and fielding. It is through physics that most ball players enhance their skills and learn to be known as one of the best.
Strike one, two, and three. Throwing a baseball is a fairly easy task, but throwing speed and accuracy
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is relatively complex. How do these pitchers achieve such a high level of success? The answer is simple, time and practice. A general position for throwing starts with a rotation of 90 degrees in respect to the target with their arm used for throwing 180 degrees from the target, parallel to the ground. As the baseball is released, it disrupts the surrounding air in its area forming a boundary layer. The red stitching is not just there for looks on the baseball. It is through them that the air flow is broken up in order to reduce drag. (Hardball Times) The air and the friction then act together to aid in peeling off the layer resulting in a low pressure wake. Newton’s law of action-reaction is important during this stage. It tells us that the air puts force on the ball in the opposing direction from the batters stance the ball breaks from left to right. This is known as the Magnus force, and it grows as rotation increases. This force is caused through the interaction of the spin and air around the ball. Its explains why something with a topspin falls more rapidly than an object exhibiting a backspin. Fast balls are classified as one of the easiest pitches due to only the slight variation in the Magnus force. Breaking balls rely on the Magnus force to be effective, and if thrown correctly, can leave the batter baffled at the box. The Knuckle ball, however, is the enemy of the Magnus force and exhibits a lack of spin creating the Karman Vortex street. Lastly, the curve ball is created when the ball is spinning. The faster flowing air under the ball enables less pressure, forcing the ball to dive or break. The curve ball has been proven to curve up to 18 inches with the most skilled pitchers. Each of these pitches are dependent on the grip and rotation of the ball. This creates the different patterns. Most major league pitchers arms rotate around 90 to 100 mph during this phase. (Jon Dobnris) The torque comes from the different elements of the body working together to generate a large force. Once the ball is released it is then brought into a collision with the baseball bat and exhibits the conservation of momentum (the total momentum of a system of objects is the same before the collision as after). This is displayed after the collision, the momentum of the ball changes from being toward the catcher to the pitcher. It is during this impact that the bat flattens on impact due to the force. This impact varies on the type of bat being used. For example: The wooden bat slightly changes after impact with the ball whereas the metal bats flatten significantly. The ball typically returns to its original condition, but if t does not, it decreases the distance the ball will go due to the absorption on energy from the force. The factors that effect how far the ball will travel are the speed of the bat being swung, the speed of the traveling ball, the mass of the ball, where the ball comes into contact with the bat, the angle and direction of the swing, and the type of pitch. Something called the Coefficient of Restitution plays a vital role during this process. What this coefficient is a relationship between the relationship of velocities before and after they have come in contact with an object. The well-known batting champion Ted Williams once said, “The hardest thing to do in baseball is to hit a round baseball with a round bat, squarely.” This statement could to be more true.
Hitting a baseball perfectly is considered to be hitting the “sweet spot” resulting in few vibrations. This is known in terms of physics as the center of percussion. This is the point where you receive the most energy exchange when hitting the ball. Coming into contact with other ends of the bat actually wastes energy because the bat is absorbing more than it should; resulting in a hit that is not as powerful and stinging of the hands. There are times that due to the ball being poorly hit that a players bat can break. The wood material cannot take the strain of the collision. Therefore, finding the center of percussion can be very difficult. Each time you pick up a bat, the center of percussion changes due to the change in location and …show more content…
grip. The ball is now sailing through the air, and it is time for the fielders to make a play-the big catch.
It takes half of a second for the player to realize if the ball was hit to the left or the right, but if it is hit right at them, the trajectory will not be clear for a whole 2 seconds. The speed and altitude are visible during the first second of impact. The outfielder then only has 3 seconds to be able to determine where the ball will land. In catching the ball, the players must position themselves in a way that will allow them to complete the task successfully. The ball travels in the shape of a parabola due to the force of gravity. A player needs to position themselves at half the distance of the maximum height in order to successfully complete the catch. When the ball is traveling it displays the properties of force and trajectory. To meet the trajectory, the player runs to ensure that it remains linear and relative t the horizontal cancellation. This is called the linear acceleration cancellation. In contrast, however, sometimes players utilize optical acceleration cancellation. (Hardball Times) In this scenario, players run either toward or away from the ball to cancel perception of the vertical acceleration. To aid in making a successful catch, an out fielder watches the pitch carefully, notes the batters swing and angle, to allow the time needed in order to make a successful
catch. The reason players use a glove in order to take the force exerted by the ball and distribute it over a larger area to prevent pain upon impact. This act changes the balls momentum from mv to 0. Newtons first law can be applied due to the catcher acting as an outside force in order to stop the ball as well as Newtons third law where the ball exerts the same force on the glove as your hand. There are two different gloves utilized in baseball, one for the catcher and one for the fielders. When an infielder or outfielder catches the ball, they typically move their hand backwards to decrease the impact of the force. The catcher, on the other hand, takes a direct hit and needs glove to prevent damage to the hand. This can be displayed through the equation force x time=mass x change in velocity. The mass of the ball and the decrease in the velocity remain constant with each catch that is made. (Learners Online) The product of the force and time, therefore, must be constant in correlation. In order to decrease force, the time value must be increased though the deceleration resulting in thicker padding. As the ball then collides with the glove, the padding will then be compressed much like a spring. This padding is elastic due to the amount of energy transferred from the ball to the glove. Physics and it’s properties are apart of our every day life whether we realize it or not. It is through these properties that we complete given tasks. Something as simple as baseball exhibits many properties of physics and by studying them, players have been able to advance and enhance their abilities and career. Players like Jeff Francis have utilized the magnus force to their advantage in order to propel him to the top with his left hand pitching. He said, “Delivering a pitch is all about physics: the most efficient transfer of momentum from body to baseball; the maximum effectiveness of the arm as a lever; the rotational dynamics of the baseball leaving the fingertips.” (Capitol Hill Quarterly). He has made it is his goal to help share his knowledge of physics in the game with other team members and other players to help them further understand how to be the best they can be. It is from this lesson that we too should strive to further understand physics in our daily life. If we do, we might have a deeper connection and appreciation for the world of which we live in and also propel us to be the best we too can be.
The bat affects the bounce factor time and position of the bat at what the swing speed is at a maximum. the rotation of the ball is on an axis perpendicular to the direction of travel. You have a bigger probability of getting out hen you are to get a signal and an walk. but you have a better chance at getting a home run than a double in baseball it can compare it to the hitting of the ...
Baseball has been of the longest living sports in our world today. The game started with the idea of a stick and ball and now has become one of the most complex sports known in our society. Several rules and regulations have been added to help enhance the game for everyone. Although baseball has endured several issues during its history and development of the game the game has still been a success throughout the world.
The game of baseball can be divided into three broad categories: hitting, pitching, and defense. No other facet of the game gets as much attention as hitting. For example, every year the MLB puts on a home run derby. No other part of the game draws as much attention. The traditional statistic that measure hitting ability is batting average (BA or AVG). To find a players batting averag...
Many people might think that swinging the bat straight through the ball would be enough to hit the ball a decent distance off the bat. There's many more mechanics involved in the swinging process. Muscle has only a small part to play in the swinging a bat for power. There are two types of mechanics involved while swinging a bat, Linear and Rotational. Rotational mechanics are the dominant source of power in the swing. Out of the rotational mechanics come the two forces that help generate the speed and power of the swing, torque and the other comes from the energy of rotation. Speed from the energy of rotation comes from the path that your hands follow as you swing the bat. The speed generated by the circular rotation from your hands is like a ball at the end of a string, as long as your hands are moving in a circle then the ball continues to accelerate in a circle. So the bat will also move in at an increasing speed as long as your hands are following a circular path as you swing. Any foward movement of the hands or body in a straight line won't add to the overall bat speed.
Baseball is a unique game in which, though it is a team sport; it consists fundamentally on individuals and confrontations between those individuals. From the moment the pitcher gets his sign from the catcher, comes set, and delivers the pitch, it's all between the pitcher and hitter. Present are many fielders in set and ready position on the field, base runners creeping off their bases, and players and coaches watching from the dugout, but during those few seconds, baseball evolves into a two player game. Likewise, on nearly any play - a fly ball, a ground ball, a popup, etc. - all the attention is focused only on the fielder and perhaps the base runner that he will attempt to throw out. Every play that is, except for the squeeze.
The purpose of this paper is to describe the softball swing anatomically, mechanically, and analytically. By analyzing each move one makes when...
Baseball is a fascinating sport that is exceptionally fun to play. This assignment is all about understanding the physics of a few key aspects of this sport. One might ask what physics could have to do with baseball? Like most sports baseball involves physical motion. Baseball encompasses all three planes of motion through throwing, hitting, and fielding. All of the classical laws of mechanics can be applied to understand the physics of this game.
Baseball is known as America’s national pastime, and has been played for over 100 years. Baseball can be a lot of fun, but is also extremely challenging to play, especially trying to hit a 90 mile per hour fastball. I am a very devoted baseball player myself, and over the years I have learned numerous key things about the game. Baseball does not only require physical strength to hit and throw the ball, but it also requires a great mindset, such as, mental preparedness, concentration, and a positive attitude.
The first thing that you have to do in your wind up is to step back with your right foot behind the rubber. Second you have to swing you right foot up and balance on your left foot. Finally you have to push your left foot off of the mound while balancing and throw the ball towards the plate. After you throw the ball you have to be in a fielder’s position in case the ball is thrown hit back at you.
Throwing a baseball is a lot like throwing any other object. Children grow up throwing things around the house, and it very similar to how you throw a baseball. From a young age, I grew up throwing objects around the house. My father was smart enough to recognize this trend and sign me up for baseball later on when I was much older. To throw a baseball you first need to understand the shape of the object. The baseball has seams around the circumference which are placed around the outer edges of the baseball for added grip. Before we get into the types of pitches and grips, we need to understand the arm and body movement. The movement of your body and arms happens in many steps that follow a fluid form to increase accuracy
Physics is everywhere. Consequently, physics is a part of sports and more specifically, hockey. As the scientific discoveries progressed with time, so did the advancements in the sport of hockey, reflecting on how important and influential science truly is. Physics takes part in the ice, the skates, the protective gear, the shots, goaltending, and all other aspects of ice hockey.
A famous saying for many golfers is, “golf is the most enjoyable walk that can be had in two hours”; even though many people disagree with this and say it is, “the worst walk in two hours.” Still, over time many people have had the opportunity to play, learn, and enjoy the beauty of golf courses around the world. Many golfers know that the game of golf requires mental and physical aptitude with hours of practice in order to be proficient at the game. Furthermore, since golf is a sport played in the physical world, the entire game can be explained and actually improved by many principles in Physics. Understanding the principles of Physics in the swing of the golf club, golf ball, collision of the golf club with the golf ball, flight of the golf ball, and putting can help a player shave off points to make the “enjoyable walk” more tolerable.
Softball is full of mathematics from the pitch of the ball to the angle of fielding the ball. When you think about sports, I’m sure that math isn’t the first thing you think of, but maybe it should be because in order to succeed in most sports, you need to know the mathematics behind it. Softball for example, you need to use math all the time whether you know it or not. Obviously you aren’t setting up an equation in your head or drawing it out in the dirt, but a lot of it has to do with angles and distances. When you are fielding the ball on the ground or even attempting to catch a ball in the air you need to make sure that you have the right angle at the ball so you can field (catch) it correctly or make sure that it stays in front of you.
In baseball you throw an over hand pitch to the catcher. Everyone knows that this technique is more beneficial because of the speed and accuracy you can have while throwing the smaller, 9 inch ball. This gives you a great advantage over the batter you
Basketball is one of America’s favorite pastimes. While a great defense wins championships, watching players on offense is arguably the most exciting part of the game. Transition offense, either a quick inbound and go or getting a rebound or turnover and swiftly moving up the court, is an important part of the game for teams to try to take advantage and score. In order to be successful offensively as a guard, players must be able to be somewhat quick, agile, and have court vision; power forwards and centers need to be aggressive, have court vision when they are double teamed, and be able to judge where to go on a pick and roll. SportVU, an optical tracking system, is used to track a possession in a basketball game and draw a desired conclusion. Specifically, in a game, acceleration is tracked to show the effect of speed on the outcome of a game. Having an understanding of SportVU with the concepts of acceleration and gravity can help prove how valuable a player is.