Live! (recorded) 3D Explanation of Laminar Express: Post 33

[If you are new to our measurements, you may take a minute to read here about boundary layer separation and wakes]

A reader asked some very good questions about my claims, and I’ve attempted to answer these using a ball with a rod shoved through it. Comments, criticisms are welcome. Note that in the first several videos, the ball is coming toward you.

At 2:55 in the 5th video, I return to the orientation I had at 2:25. I’m 180 off, but the other side of the ball has the same effect.

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5 thoughts on “Live! (recorded) 3D Explanation of Laminar Express: Post 33

  1. Since softball pitching is underhand the ball has topspin not backspin. Does this make a difference in the seam effects you are talking about in terms of horizontal break (backspin vs topspin)? A softball is larger but it is also heavier than a baseball, do you think the differences would magnify or diminish the effects?

    1. I don’t think this effect depends on RPM or direction of spin at all. I don’t know much about softball or softballs, but the ball is bigger, so the force is bigger, but the ball is heavier, so.. no idea.

  2. Another question: since the centers of the opposite “horseshoes” on a baseball/softball cannot both be on axis which one should be the main focus to achieve maximum break, the front one or the rear one?

    1. I don’t think this effect depends on RPM or direction of spin at all. I don’t know much about softball or softballs, but the ball is bigger, so the force is bigger, but the ball is heavier, so.. no idea.

    2. I”m not sure about this, but I think that depends on which direction you want to make the ball go and both are possible.

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