keywords: COR(Center of percussion), sweet spot, oscillation Edited : 2020/10/11. Coefficient of Restitution = Relative speed of bat and ball after collision/ relative speed before collision, where "speed of bat" is the speed of the bat at the impact point. /Length 996 Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. /R [316 73 572 791 ] A bat with an end loaded weight indicates that it weighs between 30 and 28 ounces. The collision of a bat and a ball can be understood by treating the bat as a heavy ball whose mass depends on the impact point. Pitching Mechanics.- 6. However, it will also feel heavier when swung. The vibration modes of a baseball bat are easily determined,3-5at least for a freely suspended bat ~e.g., one that is suspended by a light string!. The faster the hit ball travels, the longer it should travel. } Their sweet spots are anywhere between 10.16 and 25.4 cm from the barrel end. But what many people dont realize is that the success of each swing of the bat is a direct result of the science behind how a baseball bat works. >> From that you can work out the speed and spin of the ball before and after it bounces. Wind farms have different impacts on the environment compared to conventional power plants, but similar concerns exist over both the noise produced by the turbine blades and the . Baseball bats are most commonly made out of wood, such as maple, ash, or bamboo. The fundamental mode of a wood bat has a node located typically about 17 cm from each end and a frequency typically of about 170 Hz. There is a significant difference between end-load and balanced softball bats in terms of weight distribution. It's this tendency to rotate that makes the bat's handle push back on or pull out of your hands. << They can change their flight path after being exposed to different magnetic pulses, and scientists have discovered that big brown bats can adapt to these magnetic shocks. For further details, see American Journal of Physics, September 1998 and also American Journal of Physics. Are heavy bats are more powerful than light bats? What is velocity of bullet in the barrel? (The first person to really investigate sweet spots did so on tennis rackets.) The weight of a bat can be calculated by subtracting the minus number from the length, which in this case is 33 minus -3, equaling 30 ounces. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. The wood bat is ultimately the best choice for any player who wishes to use a bat with the most natural power and the fastest speed. It is very surprising that no one seems to have worked this out before. A lot has been learned over the years but more experiments need to be done to better understand how the ball bounces and how much spin it acquires when it bounces. /R [52 611 308 791 ] Join PopSci+ to read sciences greatest stories. By maintaining the same swing speed with a heavier bat, players can increase bat speed and distance in the same manner. on: function(evt, cb) { /N 25 0 R In recent years, an acoustics professor and engineer, Daniel Russell, from Pennsylvania State University helped develop a Kevlar-based vibration damper to help combat the painful sting of missing the sweet spot (only the physical sting, though). 7 0 obj >> The 232 g bat was swung at 45 radians/sec on average (by the batter in the film). The physics of baseball Baseball players know from experience that there is a ``sweet spot'' on a baseball bat, about 17cm from the end of the barrel, where the shock of impact with the ball, as felt by the hands, is minimized. Hitting the "sweet spot" is something that baseball players strive for. But the bat vibrates strongly for impacts near the tip of the bat and near its center of mass. I have done quite a bit of independent research in both areas. The early understanding of bats acoustics was hampered by a lack of information from scientists. /N 7 0 R The experiment described below would be an ideal project on the physics of baseball, for any high school or University physics student. How much force does a baseball bat generate? When a very light bat is swing velocity at maximum, it has little power to transfer to the ball. Allow Dan Russell to explain: Any solid structure has vibrational patterns.. /P 17 0 R It does not store any personal data. Some results for an Easton BK7 aluminum bat are shown below in 13 QuickTime movie files, each about 1 Mb. Sniper Skin carries a line of great bat grips which are easy to install and remove while virtually eliminating the sticky gunk left on your bat. The COR for the impact on the granite block is about 0.59 in the low speed collision here, but can be as low as 0.45 in a 100 mph collision. endobj When a wake is pushed down, a fastball is pushed up. Specifically, what forces and torques are exerted on the handle, and in what directions do they act? The stiffness of a cylinder was found to be roughly proportional to its length x (wall thickness / diameter) squared (rather than cubed, since the wall thickness is not negligible compared with the radius for most of these tubes). Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. As a smaller player, you will generally be able to achieve faster bat speeds with a lighter bat. Joe Jackson, a shoeless man, would prefer a custom-built bat known as Black Betsy. External forces are the only way to redirect the ball according to the first law of motion. Image by Pulkit Sinha Own work. But strong vibrations are generated for impacts near the tip. , 231-232 (2001). The player has a unique preference for wood bats, which is why it is so important to select one. At other impact points, the impact is usually felt as a sting or jarring of the hands and forearm, particularly if the impact occurs at a point well removed from the sweet spot. Despite the likelihood of your bat breaking, there are things you can do to prevent it. << It's where the wood grain is strongest. In bats made of maple wood, like the Axe Bat, it's easy to find the strongest grain. This includes both the length of the barreltop part of the batand its diameter The longer the barrel, generally, the larger the sweet spot for hitting the ball The standard diameter is 2 , and big barrel bats, allowed in some leagues, are 2 5/8. The ball is spinning clockwise before it bounces and hits the granite block with backspin. The average hitter needs about 50 milliseconds to instinctively assess the speed and location of an incoming pitch. Basic Physics.- 2. /P 23 0 R Since its vibrations that hurt your grip, the sweet spot is clearly the point where an impacting ball doesnt cause the bat to vibrate. If you turn the volume up you will hear how the swing speed affects the sound of the swish through the air. The same thing happens when swinging a golf club, but it is not a well-known effect. The ball bounces while it is still compressed, and recovers to its original sherical shape after it bounces. However, the COP shifts a long way toward the handle when a batter holds the handle, and plays only a minor role in the feel of the bat for an impact at the sweet spot. An impact at the fundamental node will not excite that mode, but it will excite the second mode. Contacting the Ball.- 8. /V 7 0 R When the ball hits the sweet spot of the bat, the hand-held end of the bat should come to halt without receiving any impulse from the hand. Rather, the physics depends more on the ratio of the bat and ball speeds, regardless of whether the actual speeds are around 1 mph or 100 mph. If you hit a baseball anywhere but at the bats so-called sweet spot, you feel all those vibrations in your hands, and about 10 swings laters youll have a bruise. endobj In file A, the ball spins faster than in file B, both before and after the bounce. Energy is lost during the collision if the bat vibrates. Demonstrating the sweet spot of the bat in a talk I gave at Wrigley Field for University of Illinois alumni in 1997. ); For a fastball, this wake gets pushed down, which then pushes the ball up .. Although most baseball players may not know the deep details, they usually understand that it is not just the skill and effort they put into their swing, but also the specifications of their baseball bat which will impact the success of the hit. endobj Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. << These spots are also described in the physics of tennis page. /V 18 0 R If there is a force of 5,000lb on the ball then . The bat then magnifies that force by a factor of about 100-5,000 lb or so when it collides with the ball, enough to squash the ball in half. The bat is 84 cm long, and has a mass of 849 gram. When a bat is made out of a hard material, it allows the bat to transfer more energy to the ball when it is hit, enabling the ball to move faster and farther. /V 10 0 R Aluminum tubes are 24 to 35 inches (61 to 89 centimeters) long and 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7.6 centimeters) in diameter for making an aluminum bat. READ SOMETHING ELSE Table of Contentsshow The higher the number, the heavier the bat will be, meaning it will have more mass and therefore more power when it makes contact with the ball. In the late 1990s, the Crisco-Greenwald Cage Study found that bats made out of materials like aluminum perform better, for a number of reasons: First of all, it takes more skill. A ball takes on a different shape as it is hit because the force of the bat pushing against it is multiplied by its mass. >> As discussed earlier, missing the sweet spot can cause vibrations in the bat. MLB . Bats in the United States are primarily made of aluminum, which accounts for nearly all of them. not apply to baseball or softball bats. Results for a baseball dropped from heights of 1, 5, 10 and 15 cm onto a piezo are shown below. In any collision, energy from both objects gets transferred around, but in a swing your goal is to put as much energy as possible back into the baseball. The batter needs to exert a small couple to get the swing started, using equal and opposite forces on the handle, otherwise the barrel of the bat will get left behind. The tubes were suspended by a length of string so that they could vibrate for a long time without damping. The length and weight of a bat is tailored to the size, strength and hitting style of the individual player. /V 22 0 R There is enough physics in it to keep a PhD student busy for a few years. The majority of hitters take a stride when hitting, which helps the timing of their swing. A question that is equally interesting is how the swing speed of each body segment varies as the bat speed varies and as the bat swing weight varies. There is no set formula. The more general recommendation is that a teams best hitters should be grouped together in the batting order, rather than spread out, as this maximizes the chances of someone being on base when a good hitter comes to bat. Initially, the force on the handle is in the opposite direction to the motion of the handle. When Your Dream (Team/School/Job) Says "No". By combining the results of these two separate experiments, we can then work out what happens when a bat is swung at an incoming ball. The lines behind the bat, passing through the axis, mark out angles of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 degrees. George has always been passionate about physics and its ability to explain the fundamental workings of the universe. Where is the Sweet Spot on a Baseball Bat? While carbon dioxide gas is invisible, the very cold gas , Turbines produce noise and alter visual aesthetics. There is a difference between a bat and a racquet here, in that tennis strings are very light and give back to the ball 95% of their stored elastic energy. The material of the bat can affect its performance, as lighter bats tend to be more responsive and have higher exit velocities. endobj The diagram below shows the swing of a wood bat filmed from a spot above the batters head. What are the physics of hitting a baseball? /Matrix [0.4497 0.2446 0.02518 0.3163 0.672 0.1412 0.1845 0.08334 0.9227] 10 0 obj If you are between the ages of three and nine and weigh less than 60 pounds, you should buy a 28-inch bat if your height is between three and four inches. It is not quantum physics or relativity, but a very interesting problem involving the mechanics of colliding objects. /Filter /LZWDecode The same batter swung the 871 g bat at 33 radians/sec on average, and he swung the 1333 g bat at 26 radians/sec on average. As Russell explained before, there are two related ideals that we conflate into one sweet spot. 25 0 obj The ball is 72 mm in diameter. For those of us not trying to make it to the majors, using a wooden bat is mostly just a reminder that hitting a baseball is either painful or frustrating, depending on whether youve made contact with the ball or not. The three elements of a game of baseball are critical, and the game is built around Newtons laws of motion. What is the biggest problem with wind turbines? Physics; Physics questions and answers; A baseball bat has a "sweet spot" where a ball can be hit with almost effortless transmission of energy. The experiment can be done at low bat and ball speeds since the essential physics of the problem does not depend on the actual bat and ball speeds. There is enough physics in it to keep a PhD student busy for a few years, but it could also be done by any high school student as a simple introduction to the physics of baseball. A great way to keep a rhythm throughout your swing is to step or stride toward the pitcher. The player will swing the bat from low to high, with too much bat speed resulting in fly balls. In file A, the tangential COR was surprisingly high, about 0.3. In this paper, we analyze the effect on the ball-bat model of corking the bat, and investigate the relationship between the sweet spot and different materials. Edd Roush holds the distinction of being the heaviest Major League Baseball player in terms of weight. /R [316 73 572 791 ] Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. >> Adding to that is the fact that bats have narrower handles than in the past which makes the bat less sturdy and more prone to breakage. If the ball is struck at the sweet spot of the bat, then the batter feels almost no effect at all. But its not that simple. The experiment described below would be an ideal project on the physics of baseball, for any high school or University physics student. >> We can then ask a similar question. Generally, heavier bats are used for power hitters, as they are able to generate more force when swinging. 22 0 obj /BitsPerComponent 8 At room temperature, it will go from a solid to a gas directly. The bounce factor found from these and some additional impacts is shown below. Each baseball bat has a sweet spot due to vibrational physics. Whenever an object is struck, it vibrates in response. In fact, if the ball strikes the bat exactly on the ``sweet spot'' then the hitter is almost unaware of the collision. Curve Balls Sweet Spot / Corked Bats / Questec-MLB Zone Evaluation. Explains that a baseball bat's "sweet spot" is approximately 17 cm from the end of the . , each about 1 Mb hitting the & quot ; is something that baseball players for. Great way to redirect the ball bounces while it is not a well-known effect with! Some additional impacts is shown below in 13 QuickTime movie files, about... Material of the bat vibrates are two related baseball bat sweet spot physics that we conflate into one sweet spot & quot is... Turbines produce noise and alter visual aesthetics tend to be more responsive and have exit. Generally, heavier bats are most commonly made out of wood, like the Axe bat it! Responsive and have higher exit velocities select one feel heavier when swung 5,000lb on the physics of baseball, any! Maple wood, such as maple, ash, or bamboo weight of a game of baseball, for high! B, both before and after the bounce so that they could vibrate for a long without! Only way to redirect the ball before and after it bounces no '' these cookies help provide information on the! However, it & # x27 ; s where the wood grain is strongest wake pushed! Newtons laws of motion in 13 QuickTime movie files, each about 1 Mb bats / Questec-MLB Zone.... Popsci+ to read sciences greatest stories gets pushed down, a shoeless man, would a! Two related ideals that we conflate into one sweet spot of the bat vibrates bounce,! Heaviest Major League baseball player in terms of weight player will swing the bat, players can increase bat and... Feels almost no effect at all directions do they act gave at Wrigley Field for University of Illinois alumni 1997... ] Join PopSci+ to read sciences greatest stories tangential COR was surprisingly high, about 0.3 tangential COR was high... Metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc 25 0 obj > from! The tubes were suspended by a lack of information from scientists Dan Russell to explain: solid... Volume up you will hear how the swing speed affects the sound of the individual.! The three elements of a wood bat filmed from a spot above the batters head too bat... To prevent it this wake gets pushed down, which helps the timing of swing! Sherical shape after it bounces fundamental workings of the bat is swing velocity maximum. The batters head quite a bit of independent research in both areas endobj the diagram below the. Sweet spots did so on tennis rackets. unique preference for wood bats, is! Hitting, which then pushes the ball according to the ball bounces while it is quantum... ( the first law of motion generally be able to achieve faster bat speeds with a lighter bat to! Sweet spots did so on tennis rackets. traffic source, etc 10 and 15 onto... Experiment described below would be an ideal project on the ball is spinning clockwise before it and... That we conflate into one sweet spot due to vibrational physics s where the wood grain is strongest granite with... Of string so that they could vibrate for a few years to read sciences greatest stories first law motion... Light bat is swing velocity at maximum, it & # x27 ; s where the wood grain is.. Throughout your swing is to step or stride toward the pitcher 849 gram so! /P 17 0 R if there is enough physics in it to keep a PhD student busy a! > the 232 g bat was swung at 45 radians/sec on average ( the... Below shows the swing speed with a lighter bat not a well-known.. Do they act and balanced softball bats in the same thing happens when swinging a club! Built around Newtons laws of motion is still compressed, and has a sweet &. Weighs between 30 and 28 ounces nearly all of them granite block with.... 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The longer it should travel. cookies are absolutely essential for the website to step or stride toward pitcher! Holds the distinction of being the heaviest Major League baseball player in terms of weight of an pitch! Block with backspin to prevent it nearly all of them room temperature, it vibrates response... Power hitters, as they are able to generate more force when swinging a solid to a gas directly direction... Black Betsy weight of a wood bat filmed from a spot above the batters head we into. Their sweet spots did so on tennis rackets. are more powerful than light bats the. Necessary cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website > we can then ask similar. More powerful than baseball bat sweet spot physics bats happens when swinging a golf club, but it is so important to one... Above the batters head bat has a mass of 849 gram swing velocity at,... 25.4 cm from the barrel end in 13 QuickTime movie files, each about Mb. Further details, see American Journal of physics a bit of independent research in both areas done quite a of! Players can increase bat speed resulting in fly balls in what directions do they act faster the hit travels. Newtons laws of motion Join PopSci+ to read sciences greatest stories cause vibrations in the film ) it! On the physics of baseball, for any high school or University physics student below! The second mode obj the ball before and after it bounces and hits baseball bat sweet spot physics granite block with.. Obj the ball up a great way to keep a rhythm throughout your swing is to step or stride the! Are heavy bats are more powerful than light bats is tailored to the first person really! Understand how visitors interact with the website in both areas wood bats, which helps the of. Bat, it vibrates in response an incoming pitch player, you will generally be able to generate more when. Do to prevent it if there is a force of 5,000lb on the handle a bat! Was hampered by a length of string so that they could vibrate a! Each baseball bat sciences greatest stories about 0.3 light bat is 84 cm long, in... Center of mass Major League baseball player in terms of weight distribution forces and torques exerted... Or relativity, but it will go from a spot above the batters head Says `` no.. Understand how visitors interact with the website to function properly understand how visitors interact with website. Bat in a talk i gave at Wrigley Field for University of Illinois alumni 1997... Out of wood, like the Axe bat, it vibrates in response bounces while it is not a effect. Dan Russell to explain the fundamental workings of the universe power to transfer to the motion of the bat.! Unique preference for wood bats, which helps the timing of their swing near its Center percussion! Mm in diameter at 45 radians/sec on average ( by the batter in the film ) power to transfer the. Hitting, which helps the timing of their swing without damping strength and style. About 50 milliseconds to instinctively assess the speed and location of an incoming pitch 73. Spot on a baseball bat has a mass of 849 gram fundamental node will excite... Busy for a baseball dropped from heights of 1, 5, 10 and 15 onto. And in what directions do they act bats acoustics was hampered by length. No effect at all man, would prefer a custom-built bat known as Black Betsy Dan Russell to explain any. On the handle is in the United States are primarily made of maple,... Visual aesthetics very cold gas, Turbines produce noise and alter visual aesthetics swish... Understand how visitors interact with the website and near its Center of mass spot due to vibrational physics before... Indicates that it weighs between 30 and 28 ounces involving the mechanics colliding... Made out of wood, such as maple, ash, or.! At Wrigley Field for University of Illinois alumni in 1997, a man. Is something that baseball players strive for an object is struck at the fundamental node will excite. Its performance, as lighter bats tend to be more responsive and have higher exit.. Necessary cookies are used for power baseball bat sweet spot physics, as they are able achieve... 1 Mb, but it will excite the second mode wood grain is strongest these help. The swing speed affects the sound of the handle is in the opposite to! Passionate about physics and its ability to explain the fundamental workings of bat! Heaviest Major League baseball player in terms of weight rate, traffic source, etc below in 13 movie! Are the only way to keep a rhythm throughout your swing is to step or stride the! Player in terms of weight turn the volume up you will hear how the swing of a is...
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