A Study on Factors Affecting Baseball Pitch Trajectories

Abstract

Baseball has always been a fascinating sport. Players not only need to possess excellent skills in batting, base running, pitching, and catching, but also must be able to make quick judgments based on the situation on the field. My research focuses on the factors that affect the flight trajectory of the baseball. By understanding these factors, players can predict the flight trajectory of the baseball and make appropriate decisions. I first collect some data from the official website of MLB (Major League Baseball) including ball speed, spin rate, and date. Then, I obtained the humidity and wind speed information for the corresponding date from the US Weather Information Bureau. By organize and compare these datas, I initially analyzed the impact of meteorological factors on the pitching effect. Subsequently, I designed and conducted an experiment with controlled variables. I adjusted the humidity conditions and recorded the changes in pitching speed to verify the effect of climate on the deceleration of the ball speed. The research results show that in the case of increased humidity, the air resistance coefficient significantly increases, the proportion of ball speed deceleration rises, and the pitching becomes slower. This finding provides data support for a deeper understanding of the impact of humidity on the movement of baseball.