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.
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?
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.
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?
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.
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.