Posted by: Mike Myers (mike.myers@bell.ca) on Fri May 21 16:03:52 2004

I have seen/heard references that say the speed of the pitch greatly effects how far the ball is hit (if it is hit at all). Is this possible? At some point and time the contact between the ball and bat would cause the ball to stop and then change direction. I personally think that the spped of the pitch only makes it more difficult for the batter to hit. Does anyone know anything different?

You must consider the mass and speed of both bat and ball. Each has a momentum (mass x velocity), the total of which (mvbat + mvball) is equal before and after impact. With higher pitch speed, higher total momentum, which will largely be redirected to the ball at impact.

Mike.