Alyssa Varney

FLVS Physics Honors

11/16/14

Physics in Softball
There are many aspects of softball that contain the use of physics without the players
knowing. I picked to research the sport of softball and the interactions it has with the concepts
of physics because I have played softball since I was eight years old and have always found the
aspects of the sport to be interesting. In softball you can see the aspects of windmill power,
vibrations of the bat, and the mechanics of throwing different pitches.

Windmill Power
In physics, an objects kinetic energy is equal to work multiplied by displacement. In
softball terms, a pitchs velocity equals the force applied by the pitcher times the distance the
ball travels before release. This explains why softball pitchers use a long, windmill wind up. By
moving the ball in a circle, it travels a greater distance than if the pitcher moved the ball
straight back and then straight ahead. During a windmill wind up, the ball accelerates until it
leaves the pitchers hand, after which, gravity and wind resistance begin to reduce its velocity.
A softball pitcher does several things to add force to her delivery and, thereby, increase the
speed of her pitches. First, she rocks back a bit before moving forward. The forward weight shift
adds momentum to the start of her delivery. She also steps forward toward the plate, pushes
off the mound with her back foot and snaps her wrist while releasing the ball. All these forward
motions add force and help the ball accelerate throughout the wind up, reaching a peak
velocity at the delivery point.

Alyssa Varney

FLVS Physics Honors

11/16/14

Vibrations of the Bat

A freely supported baseball bat exhibits several flexural bending modes of vibration
which are similar to those of a free-free beam. One might be inclined to believe that a handheld bat should be treated more like a clamped-free (cantilever) beam. However, research has
shown that while the hands quickly damp the bat vibrations, a hand held grip (even tightly
gripped) does not significantly change the vibrational frequencies or the mode shapes. The
frequencies and shapes for a bat which is free at both ends, sufficiently describe the vibrational
behavior of a held bat.

The first bending mode usually occurs at a frequency around 170Hz and is extremely
important to the performance of a bat. One of the definitions of the "sweet spot" is the
location of the node at the barrel end of the bat. This point, usually 5-7 inches from the barrel
end, does not move when the bat is vibrating in its first (or fundamental) bending mode.
Another node exists about 6 inches from the handle end (both nodes are identified by the black
dots in the animation). An impact at the node will not cause the bat to vibrate, and thus none
of the initial energy of the ball will be lost to the bat. In addition, the player will not feel any
vibration at this frequency.

The second bending mode, usually occurring near 600Hz, is also very important as it also
has a node about 2-3 inches from that of the first bending mode. A "sweet zone" is often
defined as the region between the nodes of the first two bending modes. An impact in region
will minimally excite the first two bending modes, so the player will feel little vibration and the
ball will not lose energy to bat vibration.

Alyssa Varney

FLVS Physics Honors

11/16/14

The higher bending modes probably have little influence on the feel of the bat, but computer
calculations have shown that they can significantly influence the post-impact ball speed. A
hollow aluminum or composite bat, however, is able to vibrate with another class of mode
shapes in which the hollow cylindrical barrel of the bat oscillates.

Throwing Different Pitches

The rising fastball, or riseball, is a key pitch for many softball pitchers. The pitch is
thrown with backspin -- the top of the ball rotates toward the pitcher -- and with a low-to-high
trajectory. The balls backspin lowers the air pressure above the ball, leaving the air pressure
higher below the ball, which has a lifting effect. Although a typical pitchers riseball doesnt
actually rise higher than its initial trajectory, the lifting effect prevents it from dropping as much
as it would if it werent spinning. Depending on the balls weight, however, a riseball thrown
with sufficient velocity could actually rise above its initial trajectory.
A softballs laces create turbulence in the air. As a result, some air remains near the ball
longer than it would if the ball was smooth, and the turbulence reduces drag. When pitchers
throw curve balls, drag is reduced on one side of the ball more than the other, causing it to
bend toward the side of less drag. For example, when a right-handed pitcher throws a standard
curve ball, she spins the ball so its left side rotates toward her as the pitch travels to the plate.
This results in less air pressure on the balls left side, so it curves to the pitchers left and away
from a right-handed hitter.

Alyssa Varney

FLVS Physics Honors

11/16/14

Reaction & Conclusion

In my years playing softball, I have noticed these forces at work and seen how they have
affected how pitching is done and how bats are made to perform in the best way possible, but I
have not realized that I have seen physics at work. Having been able to research the mechanics
and dynamics of a sport that I have devoted much of my life to is very awesome and now I will
be able to use this information to excel during my last high school softball season.
To conclude, physics is one of the greater forces acting upon the skills I have learned
while playing softball. Since I was a catcher for so many years, I had to learn the hand
movements and spins that the pitcher had to learn also, so I was able to experience firsthand
the effect that spin and momentum have on the execution of the pitch. This has allowed me to
really understand the research that I have just done and to now share this information with my
teammates for a more productive season.

Alyssa Varney

FLVS Physics Honors

11/16/14

Bibliography

Livestrong. "The Physics of Pitching in Softball." LIVESTRONG.COM. LIVESTRONG.COM, 07 Mar.

2014. Web. 14 Nov. 2014. <http://www.livestrong.com/article/292545-physics-pitching-softball/>.

Russel, Daniel A., Dr. "Physics and Acoustics of Baseball and Softball Bats." Physics and Acoustics of
Baseball and Softball Bats. Dr. Daniel A. Russell, 2001-2012. Web. 14 Nov. 2014.
<http://www.acs.psu.edu/drussell/bats.html>.

Nathan, Alan M. "The Physics of Baseball Alan M. Nathan University of Illinois." Fastpitch Softball.
Alan M. Nathan, 2011. Web. 16 Nov. 2014. <http://baseball.physics.illinois.edu/softball.html>.

Russell, Daniel A., Dr. "Are Composite Bats Better than Aluminum Bats?" Are Composite Bats Better
than Aluminum Bats? Pennsylvania State University, 1 Mar. 2005. Web. 16 Nov. 2014.
<http://www.acs.psu.edu/drussell/bats/compalum.html>.