Discussion Overview
The discussion explores the possibility of pitching a ball, particularly a baseball, in such a way that it rises to a near vertical position before falling back down. The inquiry includes considerations of ball design and the physics involved in achieving such a trajectory, drawing parallels to personal observations of thrown objects at the beach.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory
- Conceptual clarification
- Debate/contested
Main Points Raised
- One participant questions whether it is feasible to pitch a ball that rises significantly, suggesting that alterations to the ball's design could enable this behavior.
- Another participant explains that fastballs typically utilize backspin to create an upward force through the Magnus effect, which can create the illusion of rising, though it is not physically possible for a baseball to actually rise in the way described.
- A suggestion is made that a whiffle ball might achieve a rising effect more effectively than a standard baseball, referencing a video for further illustration.
- A personal anecdote is shared about a high school baseball coach teaching techniques to throw with backspin, which can create an optical illusion of rising, although it is acknowledged that this is not true vertical rise.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants generally agree on the concept of the optical illusion created by backspin but remain divided on the feasibility of achieving a true rise with a baseball. The discussion includes multiple viewpoints on the effectiveness of different types of balls and techniques.
Contextual Notes
Some assumptions about ball design and the physics of pitching are not fully explored, and there is a lack of consensus on the practical application of the discussed techniques.