Unwritten Rules: A Wiffle Ball Pitch and Engineering Innovation

Overview

The content is a narrative about an attempt to challenge some of the world's greatest wiffle ball players by creating an un-hittable pitch through engineering. It covers the journey from the development of this unique pitch to facing professional players in a game. It also explores the science behind how balls curve through the air due to their design and the forces at play.

Key Points

Introduction & Background

• The author, Mark Rober, is facing the world's greatest wiffle ball players.
• Wiffle ball is a popular backyard version of baseball with a uniquely designed ball.
• Mark shares his childhood dream of facing professional wiffle ball players, driven by his passion and engineering background.

Visit to Childhood Home

• Mark revisits his childhood home, sparking memories and reflections on his early love for sports.
• Stories from his childhood include playing various sports on the street with neighborhood kids and fashioning a homemade crossbow in the eighth grade.

Professional Wiffle Ball

• A professional wiffle ball league exists with a structure similar to Major League Baseball, including teams, playoffs, and a World Series.
• The league has recognized players, including notable figures like Jimmy Knorp.

The First Match Against Professionals

• Mark gets the chance to play with professional wiffle ball players.
• Wiffle balls have holes on one side, allowing them to curve significantly through the air.
• Mark's childhood pitching skills are tested against professional players.
• He discovers the ball's movement makes it difficult to hit, and he struggles initially.

Science Behind Curving Balls

• Mark visits the San Francisco Giants and Stanford baseball team for insights into how balls curve.
• The rotation of the ball, combined with the Coanda Effect and the Magnus Effect, contribute to its curving trajectory in the air.
• Airflow around the ball creates air resistance, which can cause it to curve in the direction opposite to the spin.

Engineering a Solution

• Determined to level the playing field, Mark uses his engineering knowledge to create a unique wiffle ball with a spring-loaded mechanism that adds unpredictability to its trajectory.
• Mark’s designs include a split ball that confuses the batter and a "wiffle copter" that defies prediction by splitting and changing course mid-flight.

The Rematch

• Mark faces the professional players again with his engineered wiffle balls.
• Despite initial challenges, he manages to get a win with his inventive creations.
• Throughout the match, both teams show sportsmanship and the spirit of friendship and childhood nostalgia is highlighted.

Conclusion

• Mark reflects on the joy that comes from engaging in activities one is passionate about.
• The narrative ends with a promotion for "Camp CrunchLabs," a virtual summer camp focused on engineering challenges and fun.

The article creatively combines storytelling with a deep dive into the physics of ball sports and demonstrates the enjoyment of pursuing one's passions.