The objective of this project is to develop a dynamic model that predicts the performance of wooden baseball bats. The model is sensitive to the manner in which the mass is distributed throughout out the bat as measured by its total mass, its moment of inertia, and the axial location of the center of its center of mass. We employ rigid body dynamics and the effects of inelastic bat/ball collisions to investigate how the outgoing ball velocity is affected by changes in the mass distribution of the bat, the minimum and maximum radii of the bat, and the locations along the bat of minimum and maximum radii. The results are influenced by the coefficient of restitution of the collision, the angular velocity of the swing, and the dependence of angular on the moment of inertia of the bat.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Lawrence, Ryan M.
• Proulx, Dennis Winston
• Stults, Erica S.

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042909-160806

Advisor

• Richman, Mark W.

Year

• 2009

Date created

• 2009-04-29

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Mechanical Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright