Softball Science (Backyard Variety) -- Exit Velocity

[Towny9]

Disagree about what?

I never said bat speed doesnt matter or is irrelevant.
Simply added there are factors variables that can affect exit speed.

I disagree that there are other factors that affect exit speed. There are only 2. Bat speed and angle of impact.

I fully agree that there are many factors that effect bat speed however.

 

[radness]

I disagree that there are other factors that affect exit speed. There are only 2. Bat speed and angle of impact.

I fully agree that there are many factors that effect bat speed however.

however you want to organize your filing cabinet
Nice to see itemizing how you do agree!
Often chuckle at the verbage wars in technical hitting.
No disagreement there are other factors
Simple as that!

 

[Rolling Hard]

So after reading this, my question is why don't all players use drop 13 bats? I still don't buy the science specially on balls that are hit not on the sweet spot.

 

[efastball]

In 1993, my skinny 8 yr old used a 19 oz 'lightweight' bat.

Today's bat makers have you guys bamboozled.

Bat drag is causing higher EV with these super light bats. Eliminate the bat drag and your EV will pop with heavier bats.

 

[Towny9]

So after reading this, my question is why don't all players use drop 13 bats? I still don't buy the science specially on balls that are hit not on the sweet spot.

Well mass is part of the equation. Heavier bats will hit the ball farther if swung at the same speed. My guess is there is a point for each kid where they get to a certain size bat and the swings speed falls dramatically.

 

[Bonesaw]

Its not necessarily "weight" its the MOI of the bat. You could easily make a 20 oz bat with a higher MOI than a 25 oz bat.(edit same length)

 

[Towny9]

Its not necessarily "weight" its the MOI of the bat. You could easily make a 20 oz bat with a higher MOI than a 25 oz bat.(edit same length)

Correct - this is where the whole end loaded vs balanced thing comes in and swing weight vs actual weight.

 

[Josh Greer]

I disagree that there are other factors that affect exit speed. There are only 2. Bat speed and angle of impact.

I fully agree that there are many factors that effect bat speed however.

Wouldn't it be 3 factors (ish): Velocity (bat speed), mass (bat weight), and impact geometry (this is the "ish". impact angle on multiple axis; not just the horizontal up)?

If 2 bats swung at the same velocity and contacted with the same impact geometry, the heavier bat wins. I'm assuming your point that that bat weight will dictate the bat velocity. But I still think there is a butter zone of mass and velocity of bat.

Love the conversation, btw. Physics is good stuff!

 

[Towny9]

Wouldn't it be 3 factors (ish): Velocity (bat speed), mass (bat weight), and impact geometry (this is the "ish". impact angle on multiple axis; not just the horizontal up)?

If 2 bats swung at the same velocity and contacted with the same impact geometry, the heavier bat wins. I'm assuming your point that that bat weight will dictate the bat velocity. But I still think there is a butter zone of mass and velocity of bat.

Love the conversation, btw. Physics is good stuff!

Yes. I over simplified since we were talking about bat speed and exit speed and making the assumption that the bats were the same mass. I was a HS math teacher before I became an A.D. so I nerd out on all this stuff. Physics is fun!

 

[ArmWhip]

You have to factor in effective sweet spot when you talk about bats. Heavier bats will have a larger sweet spot.