Thesis
Characterizing softball bat modifications and their resulting performance effects
Washington State University
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
2005
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/318
Abstract
In recent years the procedure for measuring the performance of softball bats, and the metric used in these measurements have seen significant changes. Due partially to these changes, it has become increasingly common for players to modify stock bats with the purpose of improving their performance. This work examines the most common bat alteration methods in terms of their effects on performance as well as their effect on bats’ physical properties such as barrel stiffness and vibration characteristics. In addition, a study investigating the effect that weight distribution has on performance and bat characteristics was conducted. Numerical simulations describing three different bat constructions were also performed with the goal of verifying experimentally obtained values and predicting the effect various bat weight distributions would have on bat characteristics. All of the bat modification methods were studied by measuring performance levels and physical characteristics before and after the bats had been modified. All of the bat alterations were found to improve bat performance. The most effective alteration method improved performance an average of 6.6%, while the least effective method resulted in performance gains of 2.6%. Barrel stiffness and vibration characteristics were found to be sensitive to the bat alterations, although neither was sensitive enough to quantify the performance changes. Bat performance was also found to be a function of the number of bat-ball impacts the bat has undergone. After 500 impacts the performance level of multiple-wall aluminum and composite bats improved 4.2%. Varying the weight distribution of stock bats was shown to have a considerable effect on the location of maximum performance along the length of the bat barrel. Those same weighting variations had some effect on the bats’ measured physical characteristics. These measured properties correlated favorably with numerical simulation, including a description of a multiple-wall bat.
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Details
- Title
- Characterizing softball bat modifications and their resulting performance effects
- Creators
- Curtis Matthew Cruz
- Contributors
- Lloyd V. Smith (Degree Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Mechanical and Materials Engineering, School of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; [Pullman, Washington] :
- Identifiers
- 99900525159701842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis