 In this little simulator you can
use the input sliders and buttons to pitch
at various locations
(different altitudes affect
lift!)
and throw different
pitches. A curveball works pretty much
like an airfoil to produce the
curve. But instead of changing
the
pressure
top and bottom by
angle
of attack or through
camber,
the pressure is changed because the ball
spins. It's called
the "Magnus Effect" and some of the baseball lessons
will lead you through this. If you have had enough of the
lessons, you
can just play with the package. If you push the
"Play Ball" button at
the bottom left and
then the "Ballpark" button on the Plotter
Control
Panel, you can try to get a curveball over the plate.
There are many
variables to consider - speed of the pitch, spin
on the ball, release
point, and angle - but that's why they pay
them the big bucks!!! |