>> |
Anonymous
89 Think kinetic energy. A faster pitch brings more kinetic energy to the collision than a slower pitch [KE = 1/2 x m x v-squared]. There is also the notion of conservation of momentum [momentum, or p, = mv]. As v is central to both equations, a greater pitch velocity can only increase both the KE and the momentum that will need be conserved in our ball and bat collision.
Re the curveball versus fastball thing, think backspin versus topspin. Backspin means that the top of the ball spins away from the direction of travel of the ball. Topspin is the opposite.
And think of undercutting the ball, though not by much, since we want as solid a contact as otherwise possible. But if you visualize the undercut ball, you can see that the bat will reverse the spin of a fastball and add to or augment the spin of the curveball.
Why do we care? Because the ball has now changed direction of travel. And so the formerly topspin is now added backspin. And it is the backspin that gives lift.
I hope that this is clearer than mud, but if you visualize the ball spinning with backspin and topspin, and then visualize an undercut contact, you should see that with the fastball, the bat makes contact on the lower half of the ball traveling in the direction opposite the ball's spin, whereas with the curveball, the bat makes contact traveling in same direction as the ball's spin and so adds to or augments the spin. And, again, don't forget, backspin gives lift.
|