The Physics of a 500 foot Mark McGwire Home Run are Unlikely

1642 Words4 Pages

On September 8, 1998 Mark McGwire conquered the previous home run record set in a single season by Roger Maris in 1961. The event was memorable to most fans when he defeated Roger Maris, and finalized baseball's new season record of 70 home runs. Mark McGwire was a powerful man and he was known for his ability to smash baseballs great distances. However, many disagree that he was able to launch a baseball 500 feet and beyond. No doubt, this is a great distance to project a baseball. Many years ago during the era of Babe Ruth, another powerful hitting legend, there were articles written claiming that he blasted a hit that carried further than 600 feet, let alone 500 feet. However, many journalists falsified the truth exaggerating the distance. Many critics today simply do not believe that a distance of 600 feet could be achieved, and without historical proof, it remains a myth. In 1991, Cecil Fielder was credited with slamming the only confirmed home run traveling 502 feet according to a new distance system that was developed. We will examine many equations and calculations that govern the projection of objects such as a baseball. Through these calculations we will scrutinize the variables involved that causes this type of projection (Jenkinson 1996).

First we will examine the primary factors involved with projectile motion in an ideal situation, where no air resistance is involved.

These factors are:

*

Initial Velocity

*

Initial Height

*

Initial Angle

*

Gravitational Force

These are the four primary factors. The initial velocity is the speed and direction of the object right as it begins its trajectory. The initial height may vary also. In the case of a baseb...

... middle of paper ...

...d, and the many other variables under certain circumstances proves the challenge difficult. Yet he was still an American hero.

Works Cited

Carmichael, Ralph. "Numerical Procedure for Computing the Trajectory of a Baseball." 2003. 16 Nov. 2004 .

Elert, Glenn. "Force of a Bat on a Baseball." 2000. 18 Nov. 2004 .

Giordano, Nicholas. "Computational Physics." New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 1997.

Jenkinson, William. "Long Distance Home Runs." 1996. 11 Nov. 2004 .

Lowry, E.D. "Interior Ballistics." New York: Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1968.

Mathews, John. "Projectile Motion and Air Resistance." 1998. 16 Nov. 2004 .

Show More
Related

  • Aluminum Bats vs. Wooden Bats

    1765 Words  | 4 Pages

    Hruby, Patrick. “Hitters like high-tech bats, but critics smell foul play.” Insight on the News 15.27(1999). 29 Mar. 2002 http://newfirstsearch.oclc.org

    Read More

  • Summary Of 1776 By David Mccullough

    947 Words  | 2 Pages

    “… no ordinary man. He had a quick, inquiring mind and uncommon resolve. He was extremely hardworking, forthright, good-natured, and a born leader. His commitment to the Glorious Cause of America, as it was called, was total. And if his youth was obvious, the Gl...

    Read More

  • Ted Williams vs. Ty Cobb

    2100 Words  | 5 Pages

    When asked to name great hitters, fans would probably mention the likes of Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Mickey Mantle, and Ted Williams. It would not come as a surprise if they forgot to include the Georgia Peach, Ty Cobb, on their list. The reason for their forgetfulness stems from the era in which Cobb played. Beginning his career in 1905, Cobb played baseball through the period dubbed “the dead ball era.” During this era (1900-1919), players hit marginally fewer homeruns than players from other eras. The reason for this homerun shortage resulted from the baseball used at the time. Indeed, the ball had no life. Loosely wound, one baseball often served throughout an entire game. Moreover, larger ball fields also kept the homerun totals down (“1900-1919”). Legal pitches also included the spitball, a terrib...

    Read More

  • George A. Custer and the Operations Process

    2203 Words  | 5 Pages

    ... combat power against a numerically superior, well armed, and highly motivated enemy. His unwillingness to adapt to changing conditions was unrealistic and proved fatal.

    Read More

  • Sabermetrics: Advanced Statistics in Baseball

    1868 Words  | 4 Pages

    The game of baseball can be divided into three broad categories: hitting, pitching, and defense. No other facet of the game gets as much attention as hitting. For example, every year the MLB puts on a home run derby. No other part of the game draws as much attention. The traditional statistic that measure hitting ability is batting average (BA or AVG). To find a players batting averag...

    Read More

  • Biomechanics of the Golf Swing

    1375 Words  | 3 Pages

    For years it was thought that the golf swing was a solid piece of movement without any differentiating variables. Vast expansion in technology over the last 20 years has produced more information on the biomechanics of the golf swing. “ Golf Biomechanics applies the principles and technique of golf mechanics to the structure and function of the golfer in an effort to improve the golf technique and performance” (Hume P., Keogh J., and Reid D. 2005) Biomechanics, “The scientific discipline that applies mechanical principles and to understanding movement.” (Hume P., Keogh J., and Reid D. 2005) allows scientists to observe a golfer’s swing to near milliseconds to the point of impact. This is much more precise to previous measurements used such as video recordings, outlines, etc. Understanding how the swing works by breaking down the movements within the swing through visual aids emphasize the opportunity for a better swing and in turn, better golf. Studies of biomechanics within the golf swing have shown the sequential separation from torso to pelvis, disproving the original theory of a solid swing with continuous motion known as the X-factor. Before understanding how the biomechanics of the golf swing works with the X-factor, the basics of the swing must be established.

    Read More

  • The Softball Swing

    2506 Words  | 6 Pages

    The purpose of this paper is to describe the softball swing anatomically, mechanically, and analytically. By analyzing each move one makes when...

    Read More

  • Physics of Baseball

    1477 Words  | 3 Pages

    Baseball is a fascinating sport that is exceptionally fun to play. This assignment is all about understanding the physics of a few key aspects of this sport. One might ask what physics could have to do with baseball? Like most sports baseball involves physical motion. Baseball encompasses all three planes of motion through throwing, hitting, and fielding. All of the classical laws of mechanics can be applied to understand the physics of this game.

    Read More

  • Baseball As A Mental Game: The Dangers Of Baseball

    1067 Words  | 3 Pages

    Baseball is known as America’s national pastime, and has been played for over 100 years. Baseball can be a lot of fun, but is also extremely challenging to play, especially trying to hit a 90 mile per hour fastball. I am a very devoted baseball player myself, and over the years I have learned numerous key things about the game. Baseball does not only require physical strength to hit and throw the ball, but it also requires a great mindset, such as, mental preparedness, concentration, and a positive attitude.

    Read More

  • Newton's Three Laws Of Driving

    282 Words  | 1 Pages

    Kinematics unlike Newton’s three laws is the study of the motion of objects. The “Kinematic Equations” all have four variables.These equations can help us understand and predict an object’s motion. The four equations use the following variables; displacement of the object, the time the object was moving, the acceleration of the object, the initial velocity of the object and the final velocity of the object. While Newton’s three laws have co-operated to help create and improve the study of

    Read More

  • Dangerous Injuries Caused by Playing Baseball

    665 Words  | 2 Pages

    "Understanding the Mechanics of Throwing a Baseball May Help Protect the Shoulder and Elbow  ." Baseball Pitching. Web. 30 Apr. 2014. .

    Read More

  • Baseball is the National Pastime

    1061 Words  | 3 Pages

    USA Baseball website. (Jun 6, 2012) About USA Baseball. Retrieve for this paper Mar 21, 2014 from, http://web.usabaseball.com/about/

    Read More

  • Reality Is Perception

    711 Words  | 2 Pages

    which allows you to see the batter hitting the ball is much faster than the

    Read More

  • Crash Test Essay

    1136 Words  | 3 Pages

    This experiment will investigate the relationship between the force exerted by a car of fixed mass on a stationary solid wall and the velocity of the car upon collision.

    Read More

  • Angle Of Angle

    1244 Words  | 3 Pages

    The prediction for this experiment is that the final velocity of an object in motion will be affected according to the angle of inclination of the ramp. The higher the inclination or greater the angle, the greater the final velocity, however, the lower the inclination, the lesser the final velocity of the object in motion.

    Read More

More about The Physics of a 500 foot Mark McGwire Home Run are Unlikely

Open Document