Posted by: Jim D (j-monro@hotmail.com) on Thu Apr 1 11:54:00 2010

> Great Post and answers...just found this site and it is very intriguing......but in regards to the information in regards to bat mass vs speed......am i correct in saying that a 30 oz bat swung at 68 mph will cause the ball to travel further than a 28oz bat swung at 68 mph? Of course all other things being equal?
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> If this is the case than do you know what the trade off would be in using a heavier bat vs the bat speed lost by doing so? For example...if you could swing a 33 0z bat at 65 mph or a 30 oz bat at 68 mph, which would be the more desirable option....all else being equal?
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> Thanks,
> Dave
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> > Also another thing to take into consideration is the size of the bat. But overall, it is more important to generate bat speed than it is to get bat mass. A ball will travel farther when a heavier bat is used if a hitter was able to use a heavy bat plus swing with the same velocity of a light bat while hitting in the center of percussion. The problem for most mortals is that they cannot swing a heavier bat as fast. I don't know anyone that can swing a 42 ounce bat as fast as a 33 ounce bat, including Barry Bonds.
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> > There is so much more. But I hope this answered some of your questions.
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> > My Best,
> >
> > Joe Hernandez

I'm thinking that the ball doesn't care.

Does the ball know the weight of the bat?
Or does the ball react to the density of material, and the speed, or angular velocity, with which the bat impacts it?

More hitter strength is required to accelerate a heavier vs. lighter bat to a given speed.

It would be interesting to see a study on ball response physics to impact variables.
Maybe Jack can help with this.

Jim D