2006-07-05 17:58:40 · 21 answers · asked by JOHN B 2 in Sports ➔ Baseball
it is not an optical illusion. When the ball spins with forward rotation, a lower pressure is created under the ball which makes the ball move in the direction of the low spot. With a knuckle ball the lack of spin does not allow the air to bend around the ball as much which creates a larger and more turbulent region behind the ball. This makes the ball dance around. A rising fastball does not rise, it just doesnt fall as fast as a normal fast ball.
2006-07-05 18:36:30 · answer #1 · answered by ziplock122949 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have heard that before, but the answer is NO! The way the ball is gripped and released affects the trajectory that the ball has. All you have to do is try and hit it, and you will understand. OR, learn to throw a curve, then you will really understand. The people who say it is an optical illusion are the ones wjo could never learn to throw a curve!!
2006-07-06 01:37:39 · answer #2 · answered by bdetraz2112 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO pitch is an optical illusion, not even knuckle-ball. Knuckle ball is thrown w/ very little spin, therefore air moves around the seams causing it to 'dance'.Its very hard to center it on the bat, almost always causes a pop-up. Pitches may seem like optical illusions, but that is caused by the pitcher throwing at different speeds. Remember its a split sec. that the batter has to decide to swing or not. curve-balls look like fastballs but they drop at the plate causing the batter to swing over it.
2006-07-06 03:41:16 · answer #3 · answered by Goblue 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A curveball really does 'curve', for the most part it strait down by the pitcher putting his index and middle finger on the seam of the ball and when the ball is thrown they make thier wrist (and fingers) go in a '12 to 6' motion, which makes the ball spin forward and 'curve' downward.
2006-07-06 10:45:49 · answer #4 · answered by Jimmy R 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not at all... the spin of the ball and the seams on the ball are what help it curve. If you watch a baseball game on TV, They will sometimes show pitch by pitch with what pitches the pitcher throws. They will also highlight the path of the ball and you can see the curve, or drop of the baseball really well.
2006-07-06 01:33:33 · answer #5 · answered by Casey Z 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nope. This was a popular theory many years ago until someone threw a curve ball around three poles in the ground...to the left of the first, right of the second and left of the third one.
2006-07-06 09:37:55 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The ball definitely moves, but it does create an illusion to the batter who has to decide whether to swing or not very quickly. The breaking balls make it very tough for the batter to recognize the pitch.
2006-07-06 01:07:40 · answer #7 · answered by Cedars Coach 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. The ball really does curve b/c of the way the pitcher holds it when he throws it.
2006-07-06 06:37:20 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
no a knukleball is
have u seen a curve all it does is come at u and come in
if u look at the seams of the ball it is spininng in 2 directions
2006-07-06 01:01:37 · answer #9 · answered by gomorgango 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The physicists will argue til they are blue in the face that it doesn't. But as a fan of pitching and the testimonials of hundreds of players can attest, the answer is yes.
2006-07-06 06:07:11 · answer #10 · answered by Awesome Bill 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋