Does Bat Weight or Swing Speed More Significantly Affect Ball Exit Speed?

  • Context: Undergrad 
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    Baseball Physics
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around determining the factors that influence ball exit speed in baseball, specifically comparing bat weight and swing speed. Participants explore the relationship between these variables and how they affect performance during batting.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents a scenario comparing two bats with different weights and swing speeds, questioning which bat would maximize ball exit speed.
  • Another participant suggests that momentum transfer to the ball is a key factor to consider when evaluating bat performance.
  • A further contribution highlights the importance of moment of inertia in relation to swing speed and mentions that some bat manufacturers provide MOI ratings.
  • There is a request for clarification on how to calculate momentum transfer and its implications for bat choice.
  • One participant seeks to confirm the method of measuring swing speed, indicating they used a sensor for accurate data collection.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the relative importance of bat weight versus swing speed, and the discussion remains unresolved regarding which factor more significantly affects ball exit speed.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not reached a consensus on the definitions of momentum and moment of inertia in this context, nor have they resolved how these concepts quantitatively relate to swing speed and bat choice.

coltman
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Okay so I'm not sure if this post should go here but I would like some help figuring out a baseball related question. I have a 33" bat that is 30oz that I average 84mph swing speed at contact with the baseball. I tried swinging a 34" bat that is 31oz that I average 81mph swing speed at contact. Is there any way to determine which bat I should use to maximize ball exit speed off the bat?

Is the 1oz bat difference make up for the loss of 3mph swing speed at contact?
 
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You can look at which bat gives you more momentum to transfer to the ball.
 
Bystander said:
You can look at which bat gives you more momentum to transfer to the ball.

I've read that moment of inertia is an important factor in the swing speed I'm able to generate with a certain bat. Easton even has an MOI rating for their new line of bats. How would I figure out what gives me more momentum?
 
coltman said:
I've read that moment of inertia is an important factor in the swing speed
This may not be a question, so I'll comment: you do see which of the two bats is which, and which you're swinging faster?
 
Bystander said:
This may not be a question, so I'll comment: you do see which of the two bats is which, and which you're swinging faster?

Not sure I understand your question. I took 100 swings with each with a sensor attached to the bottom of the bats and got an average swing speed for both bats, if that's what you are asking.
 

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