It's off and running. Seems odd in a way that Southern Teams don't already have 12 games under their belt before the Northern teams even get started. Irish off to a good start, are 3-1 taking 2 out of 3 from OU in Norman. Off to San Antonio next. Texas split a 4 game series with Rice 2-2. Texas ranked in the top 10, Rice in the top 15. Always a good series, Horns have sort of owned Rice of late. I saw an article that they were going to play with a flat seamed baseball in college this year to try and get some pop back in the bats. Only 3 hr's were hit last year in the CWS. Not sure why changing the ball is the solution though. I'll have to rely on JO"Co and Corey to fill me in on why the height of the seams is important.
I was shocked to see that Ohio State won three games in Florida over the weekend. I was not even thinking about baseball yet. :wink:
Terry, I'll let the requested experts answer, but I'd guess it's because the lower seams will reduce break on off speed stuff and sliders. Easier to get the fat part of the bat on a ball that isn't tailing off on you...
I would suggest seam height would be a significant factor in how far a baseball travels after being hit due to air resistance of those seams.
To Scott's suggestion, here's a report about the Magnus Force, which is how a curve ball curves: http://physics.wooster.edu/JrIS/Files/Web_Article_Bowman.pdf It appears the flat seem will make curves and sliders move much less, making the ball easier to hit. Add that to the increased distance, and there's your offense folks. Another article I read suggested they may tighten the core of the ball, adding "juice". So far, nothing I've read has found a way to replace the "ting" of the metal bat.
Here's another report, with one of the conclusions being: http://baseball.physics.illinois.edu/FlyBallDistance.pdf btw - some of the collaboration with Illinois for this report was from the Sports Science lab at Wazzu.
Well if that's what you want to do, changing the ball is your only recourse. You can't go back to the bats of the 90s because those boomsticks were murder weapons. Reduce seam means reduce grip which means straighter balls and less control from the pitcher. They also tend to fly better off the bat. From early January till May used to be my favorite time of the year. Now, I just don't even think about it.
I'm just glad college baseball is back in action, it seems to be the most non-covered collegiate sport out there outside of the action in Omaha.... Miami 4-0 for the moment, finally found a few kids who turned down some pro contracts and stayed in school... 8)
with the increased conference networks, you will see an increase in college baseball coverage. I already watch almost all of the ACC and various atlantic coast region games on the regional cable channels. Now Fox and ESPN/SEC is getting into the mix. B1G channel should up their game with increased coverage.. they already show too many replays of football games in the Spring. ESPN is about to shame them with the SEC, as is Fox with the P12/B12. It could be a good thing.
Well scoring was up during the 1st weekend of college baseball, so the flat seam ball seems to be working as intended so far.
Well... the Aggies come out of the Houston College Classic at 3-0 putting their total at 16-0. I could be wrong, but I believe they are the only Div 1 team left without a loss. Pretty good pitching and some decent hitting have led to this point. Still some work to do on the left side defense. Can't complain with the current win streak tho. Assuming the weather holds up I'll be joining Kesley in College Station this coming weekend to see the start of SEC play against Auburn.
Best start for the Aggies in years. I was wondering how you guys were feeling about your coach, high expectations when you got him from Neb. Have they been met?
Purdue struggling at 6-9. First home game is this Friday. OSU at 6-4, playing this afternoon...then home opener tomorrow.
Terry, I'd say it depends on who you ask. On the positive side, we have had pretty darned good pitching throughout Childress' tenure. That was often lacking with his predecessor. But... the hitting has been iffy, and so has the defense at times. He can't seem to put a complete team together. Guess we'll see if 2015 is the year...
The Aggies win again Tuesday to go 17-0, but all is not roses. Friday starter AJ Minter will miss this weekend with shoulder soreness. :x
I think our fire is going to cool a bit now Ralph. We've now lost two starters for the season. AJ Minter was our Friday ace, and he was lost this week. Great timing - just as we start conference play. :x The Ags did manage to beat Auburn tonight in game one 6-2. Hopefully that continues while I'm there tomorrow.
Guess I should keep "boo-hooing" over injuries!! The Aggies complete the sweep of Auburn with a 6-1 win today. 21-0 is the 2nd best start in team history. Bettered only by the 26-0 start of the '89 team. I happened to be around for a lot of those wins too, since I was finishing up my degree that spring. Small side note - Saturday's win was the 1000th at Olsen Field. The team record at home is now 1001-324. Not a bad home field advantage. 8)