Science Projects about Baseball Bats

I thought you might be interested in my son's science project, to which your research and especially your excellent website contributed a great deal. My son Adam (now 13, but 11 when he started the projects) is an avid baseball player. As a Ph.D. scientist (chemistry), I got interested in the physics of bats when exposed to the manufacturers claims about what makes a ball go faster when hit. This led to many discussions with my son about why I shouldn't pay $300 for the latest carbon fiber flexible handled bat, etc.

At his school, every year each student in grades 4-8 must do a science project where they conceive of and conduct experiments relating to a testable hypothesis. Given his love of baseball, he came up with two related projects (for the 5th and 6th grades, respectively). The first was to measure the speed of various bats given a constant acceleration and try to determine which parameters led to the highest batspeed. The second was a follow up to why a lighter bat was slower than a heavier bat in the first project. The answer, of course is MOI, which my son researched and then tested. The attached pdf is a composite of 2 posters presenting his science project over two years at the school science fair.

This research has led him to have an interest in MOIs for all bats he swings, and every time we purchase a new one, we will first measure the MOI before we take the shrink wrap off. He actually finds this quite useful as he can then practice with a `old' bat of similar MOI to his favorite `hot' bat which he uses in games. Whether psychological or not, it seems to work. At any rate, I thought you might enjoy the science that your website and research helped inspire in a baseball obsessed young student.

Best regards,

Dylan has had a love for baseball ever since he was old enough to hold a bat and hit a ball. He's played every year since he was 6 years old. All of his coaches during the years have commented on Dylan's love for the game. His All Stars coach one year said that if all the kids had as much passion for the game as Dylan did, his job would be easier.

After weeks of searching for the perfect science project for Dylan, I found your site after I typed in "sports related science projects" into a search engine. I immediately found the "Sweet Spot" article on bats, and I knew it would be perfect for Dylan. If he didn't win, at least he would have fun doing the project.

So we spent one week going to the field and doing all sort of research on finding the sweet spot on his favorite bat. Dylan had so much fun doing the research, and it even improved his game skills. He said he couldn't wait until baseball season again so he could teach his team members all that he had learned from his project.

Dylan put together the information on his display board,and decorated it with the county baseball team colors. He was so proud the morning we walked his display board into the school for the science fair.

At the school-wide science fair, Dylan tied for 2nd place in his group. That was good enough for him to go to the county-wide science fair a few weeks later.

The night of the county-wide science fair, Dylan took his project into the science lab and set it up. He took his bat in with the sweet spot marked on it. He layed it in front of his display board. The parents had to leave so the judges could interview the participants.

When Dylan came down to the cafeteria for the announcement ceremony, he said he was really nervous during the interview, and didn't think he did all that well answering the judges' questions.

So the announcements come for the winners of Dylan's group. I had my fingers crossed that he would place 3rd, but his name wasn't called. Again, I crossed my fingers that his name would be called for 2nd place. His name was still not called. Since it was his first year particpating in a science fair, I didn't really expect Dylan to place, but as a mother, I had hoped that he would. I don't know who was more excited when they called Dylan's name as the 1st place winner; me or Dylan. We both jumped up out of our seats. Dylan ran up on stage to accept his ribbon while his father, sister, and myself stood up applauding loudly at Dylan's accomplishments. If he had been a grade higher, he would have qualified for going to the regional science fair.

As we went to pick up his project in the science lab, the judges were still on hand. Immediately, they call came up to me and praised Dylan on his hard work. They said that Dylan really knew what he was talking about, and his love for the game showed on his project board, and during his interview. They said had he been able to go to regional, they thought he had a really great chance at going to state, and maybe even further.

Dylan was very excited about everything, the project, his victory, and learning and improving in a game that he loves with all of his heart. So thank you, Professor Russell, for making Dylan's first year in a science fair so pleasurable for him.

It's almost time to think about a project for this year (he's required to do one this year), and I'm afraid we won't be able to find a project that will top that one.

I've attached a couple of pictures for you to see.

Thanks again for all your research, and for teaching Dylan that sports are all a part of science.