_________________________________________________________ F A M E F O R U M N E W S L E T T E R N A T I O N A L W O M E N 'S B A S E B A L L H A L L O F F A M E National Syndicated Column (contents are protected) Copyrights(c), NWB Hall of Fame, 1998-2006 TXU877085, TXU959430, TXU973266, TXU013972, TXU986753, TXU949885, TXU004037, TXU022893, TXU026161, TXU047111, TXU050230, TXU061149, TXU088068, TXU120937, TXU148132, TXU163784, TXU170668, TXU196853, TXU211917, TXU216769, TXU234252, TXU253116, TXU260664, TXU180346, TXU288273, TXU311442. Issue Number 00350 _________________________________________________________ Volume IX, Number 29 Publisher and Author November 5, 2006 Richard C. Jaffeson Washington, DC HallFame@usa.com http://www.eteamz.com/hallfame _________________________________________________________ 2006 NWB HALL OF FAME INDUCTIONS NELSON, DOMINGUEZ, TRIOLO SEE THE WEBSITE FOR ALL "HALL OF FAMERS" http://www.eteamz.com/hallfame/albums DIDRIKSON, HOWARD, SCHILLACE, DANCER, FERGUSON, WINTER, WRIGHT, LUKASIK, MILLIKEN, BALLENTINE, GEYER, WALLACE, CIULLA, GUIDACE, MACURIO, SHELDON, BEAUCHAMP, HUDSON, BRENNEMAN, FERENO, SWEENEY TED WILLIAMS WEBSITE http://www.saveted.net _________________________________________________________ A. COLUMN: MAGNUS FORCE --MAKE MY DAY! In the summer of 1987, Bart Giamatti, then President of the National League (1986-1988) and later Commissioner of Baseball (1989), invited a friend and former colleague Dr. Robert Adair to write a brief paper on the effects of corking a bat, a controversial topic which Giamatti was concerned about at the time. Dr. Giamatti had been a professor of English (1966-1978) and subsequently President of Yale (1978-1986) prior to his engagements in baseball. Dr. Adair remained at Yale from 1959 until retirement in 1994, and had been named Sterling Professor Emeritus of Physics with his primary research and teaching interests addressing properties of elementary particles and forces of the universe. The corking report was useful, and Giamatti suggested it be expanded into a book on the physics of baseball. Thus, for his friend and without charge, Robert Adair turned his attention to the baseball diamond to write something about that white dot on a summer afternoon rather than black holes in the middle of the cosmos. A grateful NL President, Bart Giamatti bestowed upon his friend the title "Physicist to the National League," a designation which Adair proudly cherished along with numerous other academic accolades. Meanwhile, Bart Giamatti became more famous for his pronouncement regarding Pete Rose, banning him from baseball for life on August 24, 1989. Subsequently, eight days afterwards the Commissioner unfortunately passed away, a result of a massive heart attack at the age of 51. Dr. Adair, also a life-long Red Sox fan, completed in 1990 his two hundred page treatise on physics applied to the game, even without his friend, and noted in the introduction it was, "Written for fun, and originally for Bart Giamatti, this book is not meant as a scholarly compendium of research on baseball, though I borrowed extensively from the work of others." Adair indicated Giamatti had an opportunity to review the manuscript prior to its first printing. Dr. Adair further noted in the introduction that his estimations and calculations were primarily derived through computer simulations, "...conducted by BASIC programs on a personal computer." And, they were not based upon numerous measured field observations or modeled wind-tunnel experiments. However, the book was written for the joy of the game, and to honor the memory of a friend. Baseball statistics appearing in the October 30, 2006 issue were derived from Adair's work. In addition to the effects of weather, there were many other subjects in his book which did not exactly fit the October story, but nonetheless were interesting. The following are a few selected samples of information and implications. Professor Adair contended a 35 degree angle (from the horizontal plane of the field) represents the optimum trajectory in order to achieve the greatest distance when throwing and batting. Assuming this is correct, an outfielder could select that angle when returning a ball, and a batter may be able to produce that effect depending upon placement of the pitch. But, infielders in closer proximities should deliver the ball on a straight line without any interceding angle of trajectory. When throwing, a high arch increases distance and reduces velocity, and may adversely affect accuracy. An arch also adds precious seconds to the length of time to complete the throw, perhaps by 2-3 seconds depending upon distance (runners complete 90 feet between bases in 4-5 seconds). Thus, the angle of trajectory from the outfield is critical, and may result in the difference between an out or run. An outfielder throwing to a cut-off infielder for a relay also expends precious seconds. On a play involving a substantial distance, throwing the ball on a bounce with a backspin could be another option, instead of a high arch or to a relay. In cricket, for example, pitches are effectively thrown in this manner with a bounce and spin to homeplate. Thirty five (35) again appears in the text regarding extra distance in feet acquired from using aluminum instead of wooden bats assuming all other factors are equal (batter, pitcher, and field conditions). It is uncertain how this measurement was ascertained. Dr. Adair does cite certain advantages of aluminum bats, some of which could affect distance. Those advantages include: lighter weight, more consistent composition, won't crack or break, larger sweet spot (center of percussion), can sustain a narrower handle, and produces less vibration and sting. Another interesting figure is the contention that for each extra 5 mph in velocity of a pitched ball, it will produce an additional 3-1/2 feet in distance when hit, again with all other factors being equal. If a pitch comes in faster, then theoretically it could be hit farther, which seems reasonable. To illustrate the reverse of this point, Dr. Adair described Ted Williams' unusual homerun in the 1946 All-Star Game as a unique accomplishment on a very low speed Eephus pitch, which is tossed 25 feet in the air and drops across homeplate at a steep angle. Dr. Adair wrote that, "Williams had to provide almost all the power, equal to an extra 50 feet or so of flight to drive the 30 mph pitch over the fence [Fenway's right field 340 feet away]. But only Babe Ruth could bat like Ted Williams, and no one else ever hit a home run off Sewell's blooper." With the Eephus pitch, at that incoming speed and steep angle, Williams could not create backspin on the ball and had to generate the 35 degree outgoing angle himself. He patiently remained inside the batter's box while waiting for that pitch to arrive, one which he was expecting. His successful smash resulted in a homerun attributed to hitting skill and brute force rather than Magnus Force. Professor Adair also placed considerable emphasis on the "spin" of the ball in pitching and batting. Not only does spin cause turbulence and increase speed, but also influences a ball's direction. Batters should attempt to produce a backspin on the ball when it is hit, which should force it upwards and farther. This can be achieved by hitting it upwards at a 10 degree angle from underneath the horizontal plane of the ball. This forces the ball to spin forward from bottom to top (counter-clockwise), and forces air to rotate more rapidly over the top of the ball emerging from front to back (backspin). I compare this to an airplane wing, where air is forced more rapidly over the top curved surface, which causes lift from underneath. Magnus Force could provide lift for much smaller objects such as a baseball (see diagram 2.3). Professor Adair described Magnus Force as follows. "If the resistive force on a ball is proportional to the square of the velocity of the air passing the ball, it would seem probable that there would be such an unbalanced force on a spinning ball on an axis normal to the velocity even as the velocity through the air on one side of the ball at the spin equator is greater than the velocity of the other side. Such a force, directed at right angles to the direction of the air velocity and to the axis of spin, has long been known and is usually called the Magnus Force." In other words, spin on a baseball forces air more rapidly over one side. Such minute changes affect the ball's speed and direction. In the case of Ted Williams' 1946 All-Star homerun, he could generate no backspin because of the ball's incoming steep angle. But, Dr. Adair predicted a backspin could have added and extra 20 feet. Pitchers use the same concept of spin to effectively throw a fastball, curveball, slider, screwball, and other specialties (see diagram 4.2). A shrewd batter should instinctively spot rotation of a pitched ball and determine what has been thrown and where it will cross the plate. A pitched ball follows a direction towards which the spin rotates. Ted Williams had eyesight better than 20/20, and claimed he could see the spin pattern of stitches as soon as the ball was released, and knew exactly what type of pitch it was and where it was going. A well thrown fastball with good backspin tends to "hop" upwards and better maintains a high velocity. Air flow is forced more rapidly over the top of a fastball, as in the example of an airplane wing. When hit properly at a 10 degree angle underneath the ball and 35 degree upward trajectory, some well batted balls "hop" and "sizzle" as they literally fly into the outfield and sometimes over the fence. Although these are basic concepts, an understanding of such optimum angles and representative spins might improve performance, and could help make your day! B. NWB HALL OF FAME PRODUCTS These baseball items are available from the NWB Hall of Fame: new induction poster, commemorative buttons (2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, and 1999), personalized magnet locker nametags, t-shirts, caps, knife, and ten model bats. Free commemorative ribbons are also available. The website main page has an order form, and the photo page displays several items. http://www.eteamz.com/hallfame C. HISTORIC TIMELINE November 4, 1877 Tommy Leach birthdate, MLB player. November 4, 1937 Loretta Swit birthdate, television star. November 5, 1857 Ida Tarbell birthdate, journalist. November 5, 1891 Earle Neale birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. November 6, 1887 Walter Johnson birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. November 6, 1908 Carole Lombard birthdate, actor. November 7, 1944 Joe Niekro birthdate, MLB player. November 8, 1896 Bucky Harris birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. November 8, 1912 Katherine Hepburn birthdate, actor. November 9, 1876 Moonlight Graham birthdate, one MLB game. November 9, 1931 Whitey Herzog birthdate, MLB executive. November 9, 1935 Bob Gibson birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. November 10, 1934 Norm Cash birthdate, MLB player. November 11, 1868 First spiked shoes in sporting event. November 11, 1899 Pie Traynor birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. November 12, 1920 Kenesaw Landis first Baseball Commissioner. November 12, 1961 Nadia Comaneci birthdate, Olympic medalist. November 13, 1941 Mel Stottlemyre birthdate, MLB player. November 14, 1900 American League established. November 14, 1912 Barbara Hutton birthdate, Woolworth heir. November 15, 1928 Gus Bell birthdate, MLB player. November 16, 1964 Dwight Gooden birthdate, MLB player. November 16, 1977 Oksana Baiul birthdate, Olympic medalist. November 17, 1944 Tom Seaver birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. November 17, 1977 Laura Wilkinson birthdate, Olympic diver. November 18, 1863 Deacon McGuire birthdate, MLB player. November 18, 1945 Wilma Mankilla birthdate, Cherokee Chief. November 19, 1921 Roy Campanella birthdate MLB Hall of Fame. November 19, 1938 Ted Turner birthdate, MLB executive. November 19, 1961 Meg Ryan birthdate, actor. November 20, 1866 Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis birthdate, first MLB Commissioner and MLB Hall of Fame. November 20, 1869 Clark Griffith birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame, owner of Washington Senators. D. FAME FORUM ISSUES Volume IX, 2006 Season Publications Number 29, Magnus Force --Make My Day!, November 5, 2006. Number 28, Better Babies and Baseball (SIDS), November 2, 2006. Number 27, Clifford's October Surprise, October 30, 2006. Number 26, Where in the World is Carmen Dominguez?, October 13, 2006. Number 25, More Information on NWB Hall of Famers, October 11, 2006. Number 24, 2006 NWB Hall of Fame Inductions, October 9, 2006. Number 23, 2006 Nominations for Induction, October 2, 2006. Number 22, Program Announcements, September 11. Number 21, LBI's Batting Third (Brenneman), August 22. Number 20, Saving Ted Williams, August 8. Number 19, Ted Williams Action Agenda, August 4. Number 18, Say it Ain't So Joe (treatment), July 6. Number 17, Spirit of 1776 (painting), July 2. Number 16, New NWB Products Available, June 26. Number 15, Meet Jane Doe (codes), June 22. Number 14, 2006 NWB Hall of Fame Induction Form, May 31. Number 13, Playing on Abraham's Side (Williams), May 25. Number 12, Clifford Finds the Easter Bunny, April 14. Number 11, Way to Go Joltin' Jo (Joes and Jo), April 7. Number 10, Alibi Isis Misses Spring Training, March 31. Number 09, Clifford Wears Some Green, March 15. Number 08, Let the Games Begin (1936 Olympics), March 14. Number 07, To Be or Not to Be (Williams), February 24. Number 06, Clifford's Favorite Valentine, February 10. Number 05, Models D29 and 36D (Marilyn), February 5. Number 04, Additional Recognition (letter), February 1. Number 03, Breaking Away (DiMaggio), January 20. Number 02, Annie's Big Apple (Runyon), January 10. Number 01, That Was the Year That Was (2005), January 1. http://www.eteamz.com/hallfame/news E. NWB HALL OF FAME PROGRAMS The National Women's Baseball Hall of Fame, an independent not-for-profit organization established September 1998, is situated in suburban Washington, DC. The objective is to recognize achievements of women in regulation baseball. The NWB Hall of Fame offers these programs for participants in regulation baseball with organized leagues. Managers are are encouraged to recommend recognition awards and suggest articles on their teams, players, or events. Applications are available through email and are posted on the website. NWB HALL OF FAME INDUCTIONS Nominations for the NWB Hall of Fame are due September 30. Inductions may include four current and one previous players by formal application or candidate statement. NATIONAL MVP AND MANAGER AWARDS MVP player and manager award requests are due December 31. Season nominations should be by a manager or administrator. One MVP player per team may be selected annually. Membership covers transmission of newsletters, announcements, invitations, applications, and access to all website pages. Membership is $9.00 renewed annually, and an application is available on the NWB Hall of Fame website. _________________________________________________________ NATIONAL WOMEN'S BASEBALL HALL OF FAME Richard C. Jaffeson, Executive Director PO Box 15282, Chevy Chase, Maryland 20825 301-847-0102 HallFame@USA.com http://www.eteamz.com/hallfame "National Women's Baseball Hall of Fame" is a registered trade name with the State of Maryland. MD672265, October 19, 1998. Programs, articles, and contents presented herein are protected under provisions of the U.S. Copyright Office, Library of Congress. Fame Forum registrations are listed below: TXU877085, TXU959430, TXU973266, TXU013972, TXU986753, TXU949885, TXU004037, TXU022893, TXU026161, TXU047111, TXU050230, TXU061149, TXU088068, TXU120937, TXU148132, TXU163784, TXU170668, TXU196853, TXU211917, TXU216769, TXU234252, TXU253116, TXU260664, TXU180346, TXU288273, TXU311442. Copyrights(c), NWB Hall of Fame, 1998-2006 __________________________________________________________