How much does temperature affect baseball fly?

Add some scientific explanations:

http://ggweather.com/archive/weacornerapr06.htm

Looks like air density affect baseball more than ball compression. 

"For example a home run would go about 20 feet farther on a 95-degree day with a barometric pressure of 29.50 inches of mercury than it would on a 45-degree day with a pressure of 30.50 inches."

"a 400-foot home run at sea level would go about 408 feet in Atlanta and 440 feet in Denver. And if the game were played in a vacuum, that 400-foot ``tater'' would go about 750 feet!"

(Hmm, but what about "Bernoulli effect"? I thought baseball need backspin and air to create Bernoulli effect to carry further. Will it really go further in a vacuum?)

For pitchers:

"When the air is less dense, a pitcher's fastball would be slightly faster but his curveball wouldn't bite into the air as much and would be less effective."

(So I guess some hanging curves must have been in play in yesterday's games as well.) 

Bogeyorpar posted:

This topic may seem strange to people in the sunbelt. Here in the Northwest we are used to play in 45 degrees and rainy weather.  However, yesterday (and today) temperature shot up to 90 degree and sunny. Both our Varsity and JV teams haven't been batting well, but yesterday was a hitting exhibition by both teams. Every hit ball travels further than it used to be, so we see tens of doubles, triples, and a couple of home runs in a day (while they hadn't have any HR till yesterday). The opposing teams had similar boost in doubles and triples; no homeruns though, so we won.

I know in golf, the rough rule is 10 degrees in temperature adds about 10 yards of ball flight. Is there a similar rule in baseball? The theory behind golf ball is that when it's warmer, the ball compresses better and then the force restoring it back to normal shape creates extra power for distance. That should be similar to the compression of baseball, right?

Anyway, I'm not sure if the coaches noticed this, They should have instructed outfielders to move back 5-10 steps in a hot day.

You're right about the temperature affect on a baseball.  Not only does the temperature affect the compression of the baseball, but it also affects the compression of the bats, whether metal or wood.  You may be aware that's it's illegal to have bat warmers at the games and this temperature issue is precisely why.  I think extreme temperatures affects a metal bats more than a wooden one, so . . . leave the bat out in the sun for better performance.   

Like BOGEYORPAR mentioned, air density can play a significant role in how far a ball will travel through the air.   And contrary to what some people think, high humidity actually makes the air less dense resulting in balls that will fly a little further.   Then if one wants to consider barometric pressure, that will give some indication of density that will have some affect on how far a ball will fly.

Man, I wish we would have seen a boost like that when it hit 90 on Monday. Our bats were flat, but the other team's were on fire. We had our worst loss of the season. Maybe we'll have better luck in tonight's game, although I think its supposed to be cooler by game time.

Yesterday we continued to have 90 degree weather. Again, balls were flying all over the places. Apparently outfielders have not adjusted to the new distances yet. Both teams hit many doubles. My son got his first triple of the season. No homeruns though. For HR, we need 100+ degrees.

No doubt that there are points of diminishing returns.  Just where they are, I have no idea.   

Bogeyorpar posted:

Yesterday we continued to have 90 degree weather. Again, balls were flying all over the places. Apparently outfielders have not adjusted to the new distances yet. Both teams hit many doubles. My son got his first triple of the season. No homeruns though. For HR, we need 100+ degrees.

Seeing as it's only April and we've already hit 90, I hate to think how many 100 degree days are in our future this summer. That is not my happy place

Another factor is the hitter.  When it is cold and the average HS hitter anticipates sting on mis-hits, he tends to be less aggressive and actually less efficient at barreling the ball.  You should see it when spoiled California kids have to play in a rare game where it is below 50 degrees 

Speaking of heat and humidity.....and btw I love PG Lakepoint....but if you want some heat and humidity play on that turf, around 2 p.m. in July!    I guess they have records of every hit ball and the distance it travels (and all pitchers fb speed).  Would be cool to see it all in a big graph based on temperature/humidity etc.... 

cabbagedad posted:

Another factor is the hitter.  When it is cold and the average HS hitter anticipates sting on mis-hits, he tends to be less aggressive and actually less efficient at barreling the ball.  You should see it when spoiled California kids have to play in a rare game where it is below 50 degrees 

The cries, moans, and whimpers from the stands are worth the price of admission.

cabbagedad posted:

Another factor is the hitter.  When it is cold and the average HS hitter anticipates sting on mis-hits, he tends to be less aggressive and actually less efficient at barreling the ball.  You should see it when spoiled California kids have to play in a rare game where it is below 50 degrees 

I know what you mean.  I've been there when my son played in some extreme temperatures.  Like a sunny spring morning game up at Redding, CA with temps at game start time below freezing or being in Pullman, WA in the early spring while snowing, then another time when at Surprise, AZ with an afternoon game with a temperature at 116 (and much hotter than that on the infield artificial turf).  LOL, then there's those mid-west games in places where it's in the 90's with 100% humidity.   Such extremes certainly do affect a batter's performance.