Variables in Experiments and Investigations Lower_01

Andrew McCutcheon is a star in the game of baseball. Tonight, he is batting for the fourth time. So far, Cutch has not been on base in this game, so this will be his last chance to score. It’s the bottom of the ninth with two outs. There are runners on first and third. Whether his team wins or loses is all up to him. The pitcher mistakenly throws his fastball a little too high. It is right in Cutch’s wheelhouse, another name for the area of his natural swing. Andrew’s great eye tells him this is his pitch. It’s now up to him to either win or lose the game. As the pitch approaches, Andrew shifts his weight from back to front. 

At the same time, he uncoils his arms producing maximum speed for the bat. He has timed the pitch perfectly. The ball and his bat collide with a distinctive pop.

Cutch knows by the sound and feel of the bat that he has hit the ball well. He knows instinctively that the ball was hit on the sweet spot of the bat. In physics, this sweet spot is called the center of percussion. This refers to the spot on an object that when struck, rotational forces are balanced in all directions. For a batter, it feels like he didn’t even hit the ball. There is minimal vibration felt on the bat’s handle.

For Andrew, he just knows when this happens, there is no lost energy. All his tremendous force is transferred completely to the ball. Everyone in the stands knows this is a well hit ball. The crowd stands to cheer on Andrew. Andrew knows better than to get too excited. There are factors that may still play a role. This may be a home run or just another fly ball to be caught.

It’s too bad; Cutch’s well-hit fly ball is being affected by a strong wind. Tonight, the wind is blowing in from the left field. It may or may not go out. It all depends on the next strong gust. These many variables also occur in Science. People who study baseball would take into account these strong winds when placing a value on Andrew’s ability. What if Andrew were playing in an indoor stadium? This well-hit ball would certainly have been a home run.