[OT] Simple math considered physics; turns out it's fun, not harmful

[Greg Rundlett]

I just offer an interesting example of how math ain't that hard, and
can be used to solve "fun" problems.  The basic question at hand was
"How fast does the machine pitch? (compared to a major-league
pitcher)".  The basic answer could be found through some unit
conversion and cross multiplication.  I didn't need a calculator to
figure it out, I just wrote it down on a piece of paper.  Aside: One
thing that I enjoyed about being a carpenter back in college was that
I used math all the time to solve interesting problems with a pencil
and a scrap of wood.

Philosophically and sociologically, I'm asking why somebody who worked
there wouldn't solve these problems out of curiosity.  Because they
don't know how?  Because they don't care?  Because they were
conditioned by social norms to believe the subject is too difficult or
uncool?

The science of physics is certainly involved in this situation; you
can't escape physics in a physical world.  If I thought about the
problem from more of a physical perspective, then I'd wonder if
air-resistance and distance factored into the two scenarios to create
any difference.  Is there a (marked) difference in deccelleration
(initial velocity - final velocity) between the two environments due
to the almost double distance traveled by a major-league fast ball?
Does a fast ball even slow down in that short of a distance?  Also,
how does the trajectory compare?  A pitch comes from a pitcher on a
mound.  Is the ball machine at a similar elevation in relation to the
batter?  I theorize that a dimpled plastic practice ball travelling 33
feet travels more linearly than a major-league two-seam fastball
travelling 60.5 feet, but maybe there is no difference in trajectory.
There is a lot more math involved, but I don't know those equations or
models.  I certainly don't know how to model the aerodynamics of a
dimpled ball relative to a stitched baseball, and I guess for
practical purposes I'm happy to not care.  <joking>Maybe the
space-time warp created by the massive concrete floor has an effect
compared to the relatively light sod at Fenway</joking>

<small attempt to bring subject on-topic>I bet there is a lot going on
in Free Software to help physical scientists and mathematicians solve
complex problems</satbsot>

All math and physics put aside, I know this much.  I am 41 years old.
The fact that I can hit a fast ball in the cages doesn't make me
eligible to try out for the Red Sox.  I guess I'll keep my day job and
look for fun wherever I can find it  :-)