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The Aerodynamics of the Knuckleball Pitch

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The Aerodynamics of the Knuckleball Pitch Marquette University e-Publications@Marquette Master's Theses (2009 -) Dissertations, Theses, and Professional Projects The Aerodynamics of the Knuckleball Pitch: An Experimental Investigation into the Effects that the Seam and Slow Rotation have on a Baseball Michael Patrick Morrissey Marquette University Recommended Citation Morrissey, Michael Patrick, "The Aerodynamics of the Knuckleball Pitch: An Experimental Investigation into the Effects that the Seam and Slow Rotation have on a Baseball" (2009). Master's Theses (2009 -). Paper 8. http://epublications.marquette.edu/theses_open/8 THE AERODYNAMICS OF THE KNUCKLEBALL PITCH: AN EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION INTO THE EFFECTS THAT THE SEAM AND SLOW ROTATION HAVE ON A BASEBALL by Michael P. Morrissey, B.S. A Thesis submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School, Marquette University, in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science Milwaukee, Wisconsin December 2009 ABSTRACT THE AERODYNAMICS OF THE KNUCKLEBALL PITCH: AN EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION INTO THE EFFECTS THAT THE SEAM AND SLOW ROTATION HAVE ON A BASEBALL Michael P. Morrissey, B.S. Marquette University, 2009 There has been plenty of research on the fluid dynamic effects on different spheres, including sports balls, such as baseballs. Baseball pitches have different velocities, rotation rates and orientations which will cause the baseball to move in different directions. There has also been plenty of research on the aerodynamics of curveballs, but not nearly as much on knuckleballs. The difference between the two is that the knuckleball has a much slower rotation rate and a different initial orientation. This causes the baseball to “knuckle,” or moving erratically. This pitch in baseball is one of the hardest to pitch, hit, catch, and umpire. So through various wind tunnel experiments, an attempt will be made that would predict the movement of the pitch under these given conditions. The experimental data includes force balance dynamometry, flow visualization, and hot film anemometry. The force balance data includes the lift and lateral forces acting on a two-seam baseball rotating at 50 rpm. The flow visualization presents how separation on a rotating, two-seam baseball changes position along the surface of the ball due to rotation and the seams. Lastly, hot film anemometry illustrates how the seams effect separation during a rotation of the baseball. Together, these experiments illuminate the complicated interactions the presence of the seam induces, namely for formation of the turbulent boundary layer juxtaposed against the variations in the location of separated region. i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Michael P. Morrissey, B.S. I would love to say the credit for this thesis was all mine. However, that would be a lie. So, in no particular order, I would like to thank the following persons whose collaboration, support, and participation have developed this piece of work: A huge thanks goes to family. Without their support and direction, I wouldn‟t be where I am today. That includes the ability to laugh at everything that I inherited. Thanks to Shans. Her patience and light-hearted spirit was needed when the weeks went by too long and the weekends were too short. We have gained more than I had imagined before I began graduate school. I look forward to reap the rewards from the past two years in the future. Thanks to my advisor, Dr. John Borg. First off, thanks for the awesome thesis topic. I never would have thought that I would be able to study something that I love so much. Also, before I attended Marquette University, I didn‟t take a single fluid mechanics class. However, through all the courses and cheerful help he provided, I have gained a strong interest in fluid dynamics that I would like to carry into my future. I learned that you can be smart and still be a cool guy with a great sense of humor. Thanks to my committee members Dr. Jon Koch and Dr. Philip Voglewede. Their input and help during the crucial parts of my thesis was well appreciated. Thanks to Ray Hamilton, Tom Silman, and Dave Gibas for all of their help and input for a major part of my apparatuses. ii Thanks to the graduate students I have become close with. That includes: Drew, who supposedly should take most of the credit of my thesis due to the sheer luck of everything working in his presence. Abby, for cutting weeks off of my lab time for taking time out to teach me how to build a hot wire. Johnson, for the distractions needed when the workload was tough. Aaron, for being my office mate. Sure it may not have been something that you wanted, but you have to admit…you had fun. Dan, for taking an effort to understand baseball even though you knew nothing about the game. However, you did own a Yankees and Brewers hat. Hopefully you will start following them so you can understand the players I am talking about. Thanks to Dr. Nelson from the University of Notre Dame for lending me the helium bubble generator. Thanks to Marquette University for the opportunity and financial support over the past two years. And lastly, thanks to the Chicago Cubs. Even though you have broken my heart more times than I wanted in a lifetime, and probably will in the future, you provided me with a great hobby that I will enjoy the rest of my life. After all, you did give me the chance to watch a no hitter in a city that you should not have been in. Maybe that was the reason I went to Marquette. But please, instead of next year, can you do it this year? iii TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .................................................................................. i LIST OF SYMBOLS ......................................................................................... vii LIST OF TABLES .............................................................................................. ix LIST OF FIGURES ..............................................................................................x CHAPTERS 1. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................1 1.1. Background of the Knuckleball .....................................................1 1.2. Baseball Terminology ....................................................................3 1.3. Literature Review ...........................................................................5 1.3.1. Aerodynamics ....................................................................5 1.3.2. Baseball Aerodynamics ......................................................6 1.4. Interview with R. A. Dickey ........................................................27 1.5. Purpose and Methodology ...........................................................29 2. EXPERIMENTAL SETUP ........................................................................31 2.1. Baseball/Sphere ............................................................................31 2.2. Force Balance ...............................................................................33 2.2.1. Apparatus .........................................................................34 2.2.2. Calibration ........................................................................41 2.2.3. Data Collection.................................................................43 2.3. Flow Visualization .......................................................................44 2.3.1. Apparatus .........................................................................45 2.3.2. Image Recording and Processing .....................................47 iv 2.4. Hot Film Anemometry .................................................................49 2.4.1. Apparatus .........................................................................52 2.4.1.1. Hot Film Assembly ............................................52 2.4.1.2. Flat Plate Assembly ...........................................56 2.4.1.3. Baseball Taps for Hot Film ................................57 2.4.1.4. Constant Temperature Anemometer ..................58 2.4.2. Calibration ........................................................................59 2.4.3. Data Collection.................................................................61 3. DATA ANALYSIS ....................................................................................66 3.1. Force Balance ...............................................................................66 3.1.1. Comparison to Previously Published Data: Static Ball Position .............................................................................66 3.1.2. Spinning Ball ....................................................................71 3.1.3. Two-Seam Knuckleball Conditions .................................84 3.2. Flow Visualization .......................................................................89 3.2.1. Match Pre-Existing Data ..................................................89 3.2.2. Knuckleball Conditions ....................................................92 3.3. Hot Film Anemometry .................................................................99 3.3.1. Matlab Analysis .............................................................103 3.3.2. Shear Stress on a Smooth Sphere with a Trip Wire .......103 3.3.3. Shear Stress on the Knuckleball .....................................107 4. CONCLUSION ........................................................................................119 4.1. Final Conclusions .......................................................................119 4.1.1. Force Balance Conclusions ............................................119
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