Softball Bat Speed vs Bat Weight

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on the relationship between bat weight and swing speed in slowpitch softball, specifically analyzing how different bat weights (22oz, 24oz, 26oz, 28oz) affect the velocity of a ball after collision. The mass of the ball is constant at 0.198 kg, and the pitch speed is fixed at 8.94 m/s. The equation mballvball = Favgtcontact is identified as crucial for understanding the dynamics of the collision, emphasizing that bat speed and contact time significantly influence the resulting ball speed.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic physics concepts, including momentum and force.
  • Familiarity with the principles of collision dynamics.
  • Knowledge of slowpitch softball equipment specifications.
  • Ability to interpret and create graphs representing physical data.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the physics of elastic and inelastic collisions in sports.
  • Learn about the impact of bat materials on performance in slowpitch softball.
  • Explore how swing mechanics affect bat speed and ball velocity.
  • Investigate the role of bat speed and contact time in optimizing hitting performance.
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Softball players, coaches, sports physicists, and equipment manufacturers looking to optimize bat performance and improve hitting techniques in slowpitch softball.

arsenal1021
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Ok So I have been wondering this for awhile.

Could someone help me find an equation to figure this out.

I play slowpitch softball and was curious about swing speed and the weight of the bat.
If we keep the mass of the ball constant (.198 kg), and the pitch speed constant (8.94 m/s), and have 4 different bats (a22oz-b24oz-c26oz-d28oz):(a=.624kg b=.680kg c= .737kg d=.794kg) that correspond with swing speeds (fastest swing speed for the lightest bat) let's call them 40-50-60-70mph so(17.88m/s-22.35m/s-26.82m/s-31.29m/s). so...
.624kg@31.29m/s - .680kg@26.82m/s - .737kg@22.35m/s - .794kg@17.88m/s.

So I guess I am trying to find the velocity of the ball after the collision with the bat.

at some point with different swing speeds does the lighter massed bat become infective vs the higher massed bat??

Could I put all of this into a graph?

Does anyone have an equation for this??
(m1v1b + m2v2b = m1v1a + m2v2a) ? if it is this I don't know how to find the velocity of the bat after collision.

m1:mass of ball (.198kg)
v1b: Velocity Of ball before collision (8.94)
m2: mass of bat before collision
v2b: velocity of bat before collision
v1a: velocity ball after collision
v2a: velocity bat after collision ((??)another equation??)

please help me, thanks
 
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arsenal1021 said:
Ok So I have been wondering this for awhile.

Could someone help me find an equation to figure this out.

I play slowpitch softball and was curious about swing speed and the weight of the bat.
If we keep the mass of the ball constant (.198 kg), and the pitch speed constant (8.94 m/s), and have 4 different bats (a22oz-b24oz-c26oz-d28oz):(a=.624kg b=.680kg c= .737kg d=.794kg) that correspond with swing speeds (fastest swing speed for the lightest bat) let's call them 40-50-60-70mph so(17.88m/s-22.35m/s-26.82m/s-31.29m/s). so...
.624kg@31.29m/s - .680kg@26.82m/s - .737kg@22.35m/s - .794kg@17.88m/s.

So I guess I am trying to find the velocity of the ball after the collision with the bat.

at some point with different swing speeds does the lighter massed bat become infective vs the higher massed bat??

Could I put all of this into a graph?

Does anyone have an equation for this??
(m1v1b + m2v2b = m1v1a + m2v2a) ? if it is this I don't know how to find the velocity of the bat after collision.

m1:mass of ball (.198kg)
v1b: Velocity Of ball before collision (8.94)
m2: mass of bat before collision
v2b: velocity of bat before collision
v1a: velocity ball after collision
v2a: velocity bat after collision ((??)another equation??)

please help me, thanks
The equation you want to use is:

m_{ball}v_{ball} = F_{avg}t_{contact}

The force on the bat is determined by the hardness of the bat, compression of the ball and by the force of the batter's arms/hands on the bat as the bat is striking the ball. The mass of the bat should not make that much difference. The time of contact is determined by the speed of the bat - the longer the bat remains in contact with the ball, the greater the ball speed. The faster the ball speed and bat speed, the greater the compression of the ball and the longer the bat remains in contact with the ball.

AM
 

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