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An Analysis of the Aerodynamics of Pitched Baseballs

1959; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 30; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1080/10671188.1959.10613029

2576-2575

Carl Selin,

American Sports and Literature

Abstract The purpose of this study was to analyze the trajectories of pitched baseballs and to determine the causes of particular types of trajectories. More than 200 pitches, made by 14 pitchers of baseball teams in the Western (Big Ten) Conference, were photographed by means of two high-speed cameras. The films upon which were recorded the complete trajectories of pitches were analyzed in terms of velocity and rate of rotation of the ball. From each category of pitch, six selected pitches were further analyzed in terms of direction of rotation, axis of rotation, vertical deviation, horizontal deviation, vertical forces, and horizontal forces.