Wiffle Ball Curvature and Engineering Project

Introduction to Wiffle Ball

• Wiffle ball: backyard version of baseball in America.
• Unique design: holes on one side allow for extreme curving.
• Objective: Explore how wiffle balls curve and how it compares to other sports balls.

Personal Background and Anecdotes

• Grew up playing numerous hours of wiffle ball.
• Return to childhood home in Brea, California.
• Recalled memories of playing various sports in the neighborhood.
• Engaged with neighborhood children in games.

Encounter with Professional Wiffle Players

• Discover professional wiffle ball league founded by childhood friend, Kyle.
• Structure of the league: 8 teams, draft, playoffs, and World Series.
• Track record of stats and rivalries.
• Notable player: Jimmy Knorp, known as "the Knorpedo."

Preparation for Wiffle Ball Match

• Traveling to Oklahoma for a chance to play against professionals.
• Introduction to the competitive environment with audience present.
• Highlighted skills and challenges in hitting curved pitches.

The Science Behind Ball Curvature

• Background research into the physics of curve balls.

1. Response to Forces:
   • Similar principles observed in rockets and space walks.
   • Throwing a wrench in opposite direction affects movement (Newton's third law).
2. Coanda Effect:
   • Fluids (air) curve around surfaces, contributing to pitch trajectory.
   • Airflow behavior around balls results in different movement based on spin direction (Magnus Effect).

Experiments Conducted

• Engages with San Francisco Giants and Stanford baseball teams to gather data.
• Test on ball seams vs. smooth balls to validate findings.
• Observation: Seamed baseballs have better grip and curve better.

Engineering an Unhittable Ball

• Creation of various enhances wiffle balls to make it difficult for opponents to hit.
• Features included unpredictability in trajectory and innovative mechanisms.
• Highlighted multiple attempts to create and refine gimmick pitches.

Gameplay Experience

• First game showcased struggles against professional players, emphasizing the difficulty of curving pitches.
• Revelations about teamwork, strategy, and personal growth.
• Outcome of the match humorously mirrored typical childhood games, cultivating nostalgia.

Reflection and Takeaway

• Importance of pursuing one's passions and maintaining joy in competition.
• Insight into science applications in real-life sports context.
• Invitation to participate in Camp CrunchLabs, a virtual summer camp for creative engineering projects.

Camp CrunchLabs Overview

• 12-week virtual summer camp experience.
• Weekly mega experiments and challenges.
• Aim: Engage participants in fun learning activities related to engineering and physics.
• Opportunity for subscribers to win prizes or special opportunities.