Using my Trajectory Calculator, I estimate a spin of 3900 rpm, leading to a distance of 353 ft and an apex of 188 ft. The Magnus force does indeed exceed gravity, resulting in an upward curvature for the first 1.4 s (115 horizontal ft) of flight.
You gotta love this: Seam Shifted Wake on a batted ball. The effect of seams on the flight of a ball applies whether the ball is pitched or batted. Same underlying physics applies in both cases. RT @PitchingNinja: Justin Turner, Knuckleball (isolated)
Using my trajectory calculator, I took a look at fly ball distances with EV=102 mph, LA=30 deg. I compared sea level with Mexico City (elev 7349 ft), and found a difference of 40 ft (418' vs 458')!
Back in September, I gave a physics of baseball lecture as part of the Physics for Everyone series sponsored by @PhysicsIllinois. I have to admit, somewhat immodestly, that this was one of my better efforts (and lots of fun). You can watch it here:
Sorry, Keith. You are wrong. How do I know? Because *I* did the analysis that Jane included in her book. Go back and check Chapter 6, especially the graph on p. 102.
I have spent my whole adult life surrounded by really, really smart people, some of whom might even be labeled "genius". Not a single one of them has ever found the need to claim that he/she is smart. Not one. Ever.
