Is it really possible to have a fastball rise?According to several studies it is impossible for the fast ball to rise. It would defy the laws of physics
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quote:
Originally posted by algae:
Is it really possible to have a fastball rise?According to several studies it is impossible for the fast ball to rise. It would defy the laws of physics
There was a time in the late 30's that scientists thought they had proven that a curve ball was an optical illusion also.
Think about a hard slider, with late movement. The actual break on the ball occurs late because of a high rate of spin and the fact that it's thrown hard.
If you have a high rate of spin on a fastball, launched at a downward angle of 7-8 degrees, the "lift" generated by the tight spin would not not take effect until the ball had significantly decreased in velocity (degrades at 1 MPH/7 feet of travel). That may cause a sudden shift in the downward degree of travel to 2-3 degrees for a moment, giving an appearance of a "hop" or "lift" on the ball. It's still moving down, but the tight spin does have an effect because of the Mangus effect.
Could the "late Break" be similar to throwing a hook in bowling?
You can see the ball initially going straight although the ball is spinning. Further down the lane as the ball slows down, it takes a drastic hook.
You can see the ball initially going straight although the ball is spinning. Further down the lane as the ball slows down, it takes a drastic hook.
SBK,
Partially, but the late hook in bowling is also due to the way oil is applied to the lanes. The oil is typically not applied evenly all the way to the pins and when it gets past the oil you get a sharp break.
Partially, but the late hook in bowling is also due to the way oil is applied to the lanes. The oil is typically not applied evenly all the way to the pins and when it gets past the oil you get a sharp break.
Go to the "Two Seam" thread. You'll find more discussion than you want on this topic.
It is impossible for a fastball to rise unless thrown at an upward angle(submarine pitcher). This is because there is no force on the ball to cause it to go upwards. Air resistance applies force back towards the pitcher, gravity applies a force straight downward, and the pitcher applies a force straight toward home plate. Those are the only forces acting on a baseball in motion. The ball spin will not affect this as an amount of backspin would have to be put on the ball, more than a human arm is capable of. So, it is IMPOSSIBLE for an overhead pitcher to throw a rising fastball.
Finally, yes and no. The ball doesn't actually rise. What does happen, (if thrown hard enough with enough back spin), is that the ball will "appear" to hop or rise at the end of the flight. The normal arc that your brain has compensated for is fooled because the downward arc is not as pronouced at the end of the 60' flight. I know that from the camera angle on T.V. and from the batters box it looks like it is rising. However, it is just falling less in reality. Bottom line: a cross-seam riser is a very effective pitch if mastered; i.e. John Smoltz and Sandy Koufax.
put a little petard on it, it'll hoist itself right up.................