More home runs

[Hay Dude]

I'm confused by the skepticism displayed here. Drag on a ball can be easily predicted as:

D = 1/2(rho)(C_d)(A)(V)^2.

rho = air density
C_d = drag coefficient (constant value for a baseball at a constant exit velocity)
A = projected area (constant for a baseball)
V = velocity of baseball

It is well known that air density decreases with increasing temperature and humidity.

So, for the same exit velocity off the bat, if the temperature is higher, air density decreases, drag decreases, and the ball travels farther.

Would stronger players with greater bat speed and better training and better launch angle also get the ball to go further?
Athletes today have never been stronger, faster and better trained with computer aided technology that shows them how to bet better than ever.
I’m thinking that has more effect on how far the ball travels than air temp.

 

[RSR]

Would stronger players with greater bat speed and better training and better launch angle also get the ball to go further?
Athletes today have never been stronger, faster and better trained with computer aided technology that shows them how to bet better than ever.
I’m thinking that has more effect on how far the ball travels than air temp.

Sure it would. But if you read the article they controlled for those variables.

Again, the article isn't anything new or surprising. When it gets warmer, density is reduced, thereby reducing drag. It's a small influence though (note, they found only about a 2% increase in home runs due to warmer temps).

 

[RidgeTopWVA]

Would stronger players with greater bat speed and better training and better launch angle also get the ball to go further?
Athletes today have never been stronger, faster and better trained with computer aided technology that shows them how to bet better than ever.
I’m thinking that has more effect on how far the ball travels than air temp.

Roker Strikes Out By Blaming Climate Change For More Home Runs

NBC weatherman Al Roker stepped up to the plate on Thursday’s edition of Today to attempt to explain why baseball was seeing more home runs. The supposed explanation? Climate change. An energetic Roker explained that:

www.newsbusters.org